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

We Made It!

Happy February!!  Well last week we made it through a full week of school.  With all the snow, rain, ice over the last couple of weeks we have lost a lot of instructional time, so we are really happy to have had the children back. I think they were even glad to be back.
As I sit here today, I have been thinking about all of the growth that I have seen in the children this year and it is only midyear.  We have hit the half way point and next week it will be the 100th day!!  That is always exciting, especially for the younger students.
Over the next few weeks, we will be working with our students on following some new formats when traveling in the hallways.  This will help to form some consistent routines and also not disturb other classes while they are instructing.  It will also teach students how to be respectful to others.  We are looking forward to implementing these new procedures.
The last few weeks has also had me thinking about my days in elementary school.  There are so many bits and pieces that I remember.   I remember most of my teachers and also how I respected them in class and tried not to get in trouble.  There were a few times I slipped though, but that is normal.  At least that is what I realize now. Overall though, I remember loving elementary school and I think that has help shape me into the person I am today.
So as children come to see me in my office throughout the week, I always reflect on what happened and how they feel in the spot they are sitting.  I've been there before, although briefly, and I know I learned my lesson pretty quickly.  We do need to give children the opportunity to learn lessons, but also to make changes to their behaviors.  We are not only teachers, but guides as well.  They are going to fail.  That is evident.  However, who says that failing is wrong or bad for children if they learn from all of it?
So I leave you with a question (feel free to respond), think back to your days in school and let me know what was something positive that you remember?  Also, is there anything that you learned in school that has had an impact on who you are today?

Happy beginning of February!
Brandi Robertson

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013!  How many people keep writing 2012 on everything???  I know it takes me a few weeks to adjust.

After a refreshing two week break we are glad to have the students back at Meriwether Lewis.  I hope that everyone had time to enjoy the time with their families and celebrate the holidays.  This being my first Christmas as a married lady, my husband and I spent a few days with my family up in Pennsylvania.  I was then lucky to be able to go to Orlando for a few days with my mom and enjoy the busy, but fun Disneyworld!  Each day was an adventure.  Ironically, I ran into two MLES families while there:  one in the Richmond airport and on the same plane as me, and one in Animal Kingdom.  It was so fun to see my MLES students!  They were shocked to see me, too!

We are finishing up the 2nd quarter next week and then heading into the 2nd half of the year.  Boy, where has the time gone. There are field trips coming, the spelling bee, a geography bee, and much, much more.
Amazing how much you can fit into a month of school.  Of course, we always look forward to the new and exciting things that your children are doing.  Each day is a learning adventure!!

Again, thanks for sending your children to us each and everyday.  I love to see their smiling faces and it is good to be back in a routine.  My door is open, so if you need anything from me or just want to stop by and say hi, you are more than welcome.

Happy New Year 2013!!!

Mrs. Robertson (Piccirilli)

Being Thankful

This is the time of the year when we focus on being thankful.  So what are you thankful for?  That thought has crossed my mind a lot recently.

As an educator, I am thankful for the children that come to school each day eager to learn.

I am also thankful for those that are not as eager because I know that those students will be the challenge I want to work on.

I am thankful to have a staff that is education for the right reasons and they work to challenge their students each day.  That does sometimes require stepping "out of the box." New directions are on the horizon.

I am thankful for my family and all of the support they have given to me over the years.  They are one of the main reasons I am in the position I am in now.  Without them I know it would have been a lot harder to get here.

I am thankful to have found a man that I now call my husband.  His support and encouragement help me through the good days and the bad.

It is important to thank people for what they do.  I know that we forget to do this sometimes.  So if that cashier at the grocery store is kind to you, thank them.  Go out of your way a little to reach out to someone.  You have no idea how much a simple thank you means to a person (especially since you never know if they are having a bad day and may need a perk.)

Thank you for all you do for children and everyone else in your lives.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Mrs. Robertson

October at MLS

MLS - Composting and More!! 

One program that has just begun at MLS is the Composting Program in the cafeteria.  We are so excited to be the first elementary school in Albemarle to take part in this program.

We have worked with some people from downtown to help get this program running and we are using a company called Black Bear Composting.  They come twice a week to pick up the composting that we are collecting.  Ask your children about the composting in the cafeteria.

Here is what can be composted:  food, napkins, paper towels, food-soiled paper products, paper food trays, hot dog trays.
We also recycle:  #1 and #2 plastics, cans, clean paper products
The items we throw away are:  plastic bags, plastic forks/spoons/knives, milk cartons, and snack wrappers

So far we are off to a great start and I am getting ready to train students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th to be part of the Composting Club and help out during their lunch period.

The PTO fall fun-fair on Friday, October 19th and it was a great success.  The children and parents had a great time.  A big thank you goes out to all of the PTO members that made this fair a success.  The decorations were amazing!  I particularly like the huge picture of myself that was hanging in the hallway.

The 1st quarter ended on 10/25 and report cards will be sent home on 11/13.  I can't believe that we are already into the 2nd quarter of school.

The month has been packed with learning and I love walking into classrooms to see the children and teachers in action.  There are so many cool things that occur each and every day.

Before you know it the November holiday break will be there and then December.  Time is flying and we have a lot to teach the children.

Until next time...signing off of AP's Reflections.

Mrs. Robertson