First Week of School 13-14

This week has been very exciting.  The students came back to school on Wednesday.  It was great to see their smiling faces, old and new.  Things have gone very smoothly this week.  One of the many highlights has been the new cafeteria set up.  The students love the round tables with chairs (see picture below.)  Teachers have been getting to know their students and the students are starting to learn the routines of their class.  New friends are being met and old have been reacquainted.  I know that there will be tired little ones this weekend.  Oh yeah, there will be tired adults, too!!  New parents if I haven't had a chance to meet you yet, please stop by and introduce yourself next time you are at the school.  Enjoy the weekend and Happy School Year 2013-14!

Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Robertson

Our New MLES Cafe Set-Up

Welcome Back!!

Welcome to the 2013-14 school year.  We are excited to have all of our students returning, new as well as old.  The teachers are in the midst of preparing their classrooms and lessons to be ready to go.  There are so many great ideas flowing and the energy is exciting.
We welcome the following new staff members to our school:
Kim Nash - new Office Associate
Andrea Atkinson - Library/Media Specialist
Lindsay Ford - 1st grade teacher
It is so exciting to bring on new folks.

Few Reminders:
Open House is on Monday, August 19 from 3:30-5:00.
Students' first day is Wednesday, August 21. We can't wait to see all the smiling faces and get our year started off right.

Supply lists can be found on the front page of the Meriwether Lewis webpage.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you and we are looking forward to a spectacular school year!

Warmest regards,
Brandi Piccirilli Robertson

Summer Happenings

Wow, where is the summer going?  Summer school ended 2 weeks ago and the Meriwether and Murray students put on a wonderful performance of "101 Dalmatians."  It was awesome.  There are definitely some future drama stars out there. 

I just got an email today about the fact that there are only 32 days until... UVA football!!   Then I realized that there are less days than that until students return for the 2013-14 school year.  This is the time of year that I start to get really excited for the new year.  I am refreshed and have also spent some time delving into more educational professional reading that I may have not have time for during the school year.  I can't wait to share some of my new knowledge with my staff when they return.  

I can't tell you how many times people have asked me this summer, "What do you do during the summer when students and staff are off?"  They immediately assume administrators do absolutely nothing and have the entire summer to relax.  Well unfortunately that is not the case.  This week alone I will have attended 2 and 1/2 days of leadership meetings, as well as try to manage to find time to work on (and hopefully finalize) the schedule, student handbook, and teacher handbook.  After my 1 week off last week (yes, only one week off, what was I thinking), I am also trying to catch up on emails, phone calls, and the many other items that need to be checked off the list.  Most of this needs to be complete before we meet with our team leaders in a week and definitely before August 12th when the teachers return.   So the answer to the unending question is, I spend a lot of time wrapping up things to do from last school year and preparing all that is needed to be ready to serve all of our students come August 21st.

I hope that everyone is having a nice summer and I look forward to the return of the staff in 2 weeks and then the children in mid-August.

Warmest regards,
Mrs. Robertson

"101 Dalmatians" performed by MLS and Murray Summer Enrichment Students

Here We Come Summer!!!

As I write my last post for this school year, I always get weepy this time of the year.  Looking at the children the last few days has made me so proud because I was able to see how far they have come from August until June.  They are definitely ready for a break though.  I know that they will be swimming, playing sports, hanging out at home, taking trips, and doing all the fun things that they love.  To be honest, I am secretly hoping to do some of those same things this summer.

I remember as a teacher what a sad time of year this always was when I had to say goodbye to my students who I surely spent a lot of time with.  Well now I have to send off 430 some of them to the summer.  Recently,  I saw the names of my former students who graduated from high school this year.  I was so excited to see their names and it brought back so many memories of my time as their 4th grade teacher.  They are going to go places and I will be so proud of them when they make it in the world.

We are proud of all the students and staff here at Meriwether Lewis.  The teachers have done a wonderful job and are also looking forward to some time off to relax.  Everyone deserves a break!

With that being said we are sad to see Mrs. Terri Inman, our office associate, and Mrs. Pat Atkins, 2nd grade teacher, retire.  We are really going to miss both of these wonderful ladies who have dedicated so much of their work life to education.  I wish them the best of luck in their new adventures.  Also, Ms. Payne, our library/media specialist, will be leaving us for high school students.  We wish her luck in her new position.

To all the parents, thank you for sharing your child(ren) with us this year.  Congratulations to all of the 5th graders who, after the promotion ceremony on Monday, are now officially middle-schoolers.  I look forward to hearing about all of their accomplishments in the future.


Have a wonderful summer MLS students, staff, and families!   See you in August.

With love,
Mrs. Brandi Robertson

May at Meriwether

It is May at Meriwether.  The nice weather seems to be coming here and there, along with some rain these days.  This month and next are extremely busy with field trips, testing, events, etc.  It is a fun time of year, but also quite tiring.  Please try to keep your children on their regular schedules as much as possible to ensure they are getting enough sleep and are ready for school each day.

Don't forget that students need to be at school by 7:50 because the bell rings at 7:55 and they should already be in their classrooms ready to start the day.  Please check the main MLS web page to keep up with upcoming events.

Thank you again for being a part of your child's life and a partner with the school.  We look forward to a great 4th quarter.

Have a wonderful month of May!!

Warmest Regards, 

Mrs. Robertson

  

Dr. Moran, ACPS Superintendent reads to MLS Kindergarten class

4th/5th Grade Performs, "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears"

"Zero the Hero" visits Kindergartners on the 100th day of school

April Happenings

Welcome back from Spring Break!   The fourth quarter of the school year is in full swing.  It is hard to believe that the end of the school year will be hear before you know it. Report cards will be going home next week and we are going to be finding that the time is flying!
This week I read to a kindergarten class and the students were so attentive and had great questions and comments at the end.  The first grade classes had a wonderful Museum Day this week to showcase the animals that they researched.  It was awesome.  Second grade is working hard each and every day.  Third grade had a wonderful field trip to Amazement Square.  The fourth and fifth graders are preparing for their upcoming music performance.  Can't wait to see it!!

As you can see we are always busy here at MLES!  We wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you to the teachers, staff, students, and parents for all your hard work!  Working together as a team is so important and we thank you for that.  As it begins to get busy, remember to take time to enjoy and appreciate what you each have.  The children here are wonderful and each of their unique qualities make them the awesome!!

Warmest regards,
Mrs. Brandi Piccirilli Robertson

Spring is Here!!

Welcome March and Spring!  Hoping to avoid more snow, but this week we had a 2 hour delay.  Less than 2 weeks until spring break.  I can't believe that there is only about 3 months left of school.  WOW!  A couple of weeks ago we had a wonderful annual MLS Book Fair.  The library looked fantastic with the mad scientist theme throughout.  Family night was a huge success and I enjoyed being one of the three mystery readers.

One area of focus in Albemarle county this year has been transforming learning spaces for children.  There are so many little things that can be done to help students be more comfortable and have more choices in their learning.  This ranges from project choice to room arrangement choices (and many others.)  Here at MLS we have been trying a lot of new things and we are looking forward to continuing with this in the upcoming year.

As I walked into an Art class one morning recently, the third graders were learning how to paper mache and how to use recycled egg cartons to create art.  I can't wait to see the end products.

Week so far:
The leprechauns made havoc in the kindergarten classrooms which was extremely fun to see.
Third grade is getting ready for their music performance this Friday.
Second grade had a wonderful invention convention last week.
Fifth grade is SOL testing this week.
And many other experiences are happening ...

There is just so much going on in a day here at our elementary school.  I sometimes wonder how we really do get as much into a day (even though we could always use more time.)

I personally am looking forward to the second half of this week when I will be attending a conference that is geared to women in leadership.  I am hoping to bring back information that I can implement in my daily interactions.
Again thanks for reading my blog and thank you for supporting all of us here at MLS.

Mrs. Robertson