Friday's Tattler

It's always amazing to me to watch personalities. Personalities can be matched to a plate full of cookies. Some people actually take the trouble to make the cookies -for everyone. There are those who supply the plate or have the organizational skill that benefit everyone. There are those who share the cookies and create a happy place for everyone around them. And there are those who think the entire plate of cookies, plate, table, room, house, lot, street, town, state, country - in fact the entire world belongs to them - no duh!

Cookie plates begin in childhood. Sharing, giving, that sense of generosity is created in the home. It's reinforced at school with good teachers who are generous and loving. All cookie plates are passed down from generation to generation. Going through life sharing, making, and organizing so everyone gets a part is a great way to go through life. The antithesis? It's not even worth discussing.

Like every day, today was a cookie plate day at school. I watched as an incredible staff made cookies, found the plates and shared them with everyone. The kids got their fill today. There was no one who took the entire plate for him or herself.

I was delighted with my little class of cookies! Every one of my little guys knew their letters, and could tell me the sounds. Several of my kids knew the vowel sounds both the long and the short. This makes me very happy.

Today, Miss Elise set the second cage of butterflies free. The kids got to watch as the butterflies we had raised flew out into the world. It was exciting. It is always such a pleasure to work with an enthusiastic teacher who loves to share. Elise is a delightful teacher and really enjoys her time at the GS. She is young and beautiful and one of those plates of cookies that only has crumbs left because she shared every single one!

We are reading My Father's Dragon after lunch. We are in the second book, and the children are really enjoying it. They are keeping up with the story and can answer lots of questions.

In French class, we are learning about food. Today Jill told me that we ate potatoes, apples, fish and cheese for lunch. We looked up the word corn together. Next week we will learn the body parts.

Miss Leigh spent the afternoon working on a special project for next week. SHHHHHH it's a secret, and we are all excited to find out how this will develop! Miss Leigh is another fantastic teacher. I'm prejudiced, of course, because I've known her since she was a fat little new born butterball. Leigh is an exciting person to have around the children because she's full of life and fun. I remember her as a young child and always thought - "Around Leigh, there is always a party." She hasn't changed a bit.

Miss Kelly has taken a leave of absence, and has been replace by Miss Julie. Miss Julie is really digging in on the children's reading skills. This is her forte, and we are delighted to have her. She brings to the Garden School a steady loving interest, and a seriousness we really need. We are blessed to have her.

Next week the summer itinerary goes home. If you have any changes, please let us know. Thanks for a GREAT week!