Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

As we approach the last day before our holiday break, it is time to find time to enjoy the people and things we have in life.  The holidays are more than just presents, but in my eyes time to spend with my family.  I have to admit I think I am going to to a lot of relaxing during this break, too.

The students are so excited for the holidays and you can definitely feel that in the air as I walk through the school.  I really do love this time of year in an elementary school (minus the full moon this week, too, though.)

We all have holiday traditions, each a little different, but so meaningful to each family.  I look forward to the time off and seeing family and friends.  Twinkling lights, Xmas trees, decorations, gatherings, are just a few of my favorite things this time of year.

Over the last couple of weeks a lot has been happening here at MLS.  Last Friday, the K-2 grade students participated in the Health Fair.  There were many stations that they rotated through.  My favorite was the ball drums.  I had a blast at that station!

Second graders had the opportunity to see a hand-made hover craft.  Some of them even got to ride it.  It was very neat. (see picture below)

There have been holiday parties, PE dance-offs, and many projects this week.  You can't walk down the hall without seeing some cool piece of artwork or creation.  I love it!!!

When we return in 2 weeks we will welcome in 2014.  Wow where has the year gone?

I hope that everyone has a wonderful break.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families!!

Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Robertson

K-2 Health Fair - Ball Drums

Kindergarten Gingerbread House and People

2nd Graders riding a "Hover Craft"

2nd Grade Totem Pole - so cool!!

                       

Dashing December ...

Dashing through the snow...oh wait we haven't had any of that yet!!

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break!  I hope that everyone enjoyed the time off to relax and spend time with family.

December is upon us and we are up and running fast.  There are about 2 weeks (and 2 days) of school until our holiday break.  The children are bustling and there are a lot of activities going on in the upcoming days.  

This week, the 4th graders performed for the school and their parents their musical, "Yo Leonardo!"  It was fabulous.  Congrats to the students for a job well done and to Mr. White our music teacher for another great production.

Kindergarteners went on a field trip to Ashlawn and had a great time on Thursday. Third graders went to visit the UVA Lawn on Monday and also had a wonderful time learning about the history of that area.

This week as I have been going into classrooms, I have seen students creating many products and using a variety of strategies to solve problems.  The creativity they are using is absolutely amazing!  I am so very proud of each and every student!!!

We had a special treat this week.  The wonderful MLS PTO gifted all teachers and staff with either a box of oranges or grapefruit. What a great treat for all!!  Thank you so much for thinking of everyone.  It was also nice that it was purchased in support of the Western Albemarle High School Band (another Albemarle school that most of MLS students eventually attend.)

Please remember the importance of making sure your child(ren) are dropped off on time every day for school.  Students should be in their classrooms by 7:55 am when the bell rings.  It is difficult for children to start their day off when they are missing the start of the day with their classmates.  We thank you for your help with this.  Also, when scheduling appointments please try to make them after the school day so that your child does not need to leave early (I know this is sometimes hard due to schedules.)
Have a wonderful week!  

Warmest Regards,

Mrs. Robertson

Be Thankful

With the Thanksgiving break just completed and the holiday season upon us, I would like for everyone to think about all of the things/people/etc. that they are grateful for.  We sometimes forget to take the time to step back and remember everything that we have in our lives - big or small.  Tell your loved ones what they mean to you and as the holiday approaches, please be thankful.

Today I am thankful for a variety of things.  

At school, I am thankful for: the children, the staff of MLES, the parents, and the love of learning and teaching that occurs at our school.  The laughs and stories from the children make me smile each and every day.
At home I am thankful for my husband, my parents, brother, friends, dog, the roof over our heads, my health and happiness in life, and all the opportunities that I have been given in life.  It is definitely not something to be taken for granted.

There are so many people in this world who don't have much and in times when I am feeling ungrateful I try to remember what I have and how I need to be thoughtful and thankful.

To round out this post here are a few pictures of the happenings going on. Enjoy
Warmest regards,
Mrs. Robertson

3rd grade Students in Mrs. Robinson's Class created projects on Greece, Rome, and Mali

         

 5th grade Musical Performance of "Really Rosie"

November is upon us

Hard to believe we are already in the month of November.  Before you know it, it will be the winter holiday break.  The weather started to get cold this week, but now temperatures have risen again.

There is a lot going on at Meriwether Lewis.  Students in K, 1, and 3 went on a field trip this week to watch a play called "Stuart Little" at the Paramount Theater.   I heard they all really enjoyed the play.

Monday was Veteran's Day and throughout this week many classes have had visitors come in to talk about veterans.  It has been wonderful to have military personnel, past and present, be able to speak to our children.

We even had Congressman Hurt visit us this week to congratulate our school on our Blue Ribbon Award.  You can see a clip of this on nbc29.

5th Grade math students in Ms. Geraty's class testing their paper airplane designs

We have one more full week and 2 days of school before Thanksgiving break.  I know that I am looking forward to traveling to Pennsylvania to spend time with my family.  Enjoy this weekend with your family.

Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Robertson

Wellness Week and End of 1st Quarter

We have just finished the first quarter of the school year!   Teachers are beginning to meet with parents during conferences and report cards will be coming home in the next few weeks.

The PTO Fall Fun Fair last Friday was a wonderful success.  The country hoedown theme was a great pick.  Students and adults all had a lot of fun.  There were games, pony rides, bounce houses, food, animals to pet, and even a hay ride!  Thank you to the PTO for putting on such a great event!

This week at MLS we had our annual Wellness Week.  There were new food choices in the cafeteria, morning movers and afternoon movers, color days, and early bird PE (to name a few.)
Thank you to our PE teachers, cafeteria manager, counselor, and nurse for working together to help make this happen.  On Friday afternoon, we even had a huge celebration with the whole school to celebrate wellness.  Everyone, including teachers, were getting down to the music!!!

We also had some helpers from the UVA School of Architecture come to build a sandbox on our primary playground.  This was one of the Day of Caring projects from September that we had to postpone a little.  They did a great job (see pictures below.)  The students couldn't wait to play in it.  

Again, thank you for sending your students to us each day and for your support from home.

Remember students do not have school on Monday, October 28th and also the following week on Monday Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Warmest regards,
Mrs. Robertson

October Ongoings

The last couple of weeks have been bustling here at MLS!  Students are finally getting accustomed to class routines and I am seeing a lot of engaging activities within the classroom.

Kindergartners were focused on using technology in Mrs. Warren's class. They had a great time and wanted me to see everything that they were creating.

Fourth graders went on a field trip to Camp Albemarle and I hear that they had a fantastic time.  

Third graders in Mrs. Straume's math class created patterns using cubes, but also creatively came up with musical patterns using that same content using an online music keyboard program.  Their performances were magnificent!  

Next week we are looking forward to the PTO Fall Fun Fair on Friday, October 18th.  It has a western theme and I can't wait to see what they have in store for all of us.  

Some upcoming events that I will post next week are the Annual MLS Wellness Week coming up the week of Oct 21-Oct 25.  

Looking forward to sharing the many more exciting learning activities that are going on each day here at Meriwether Lewis.  It is a joy to be a part of this school community each day.

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Robertson

Meriwether Lewis - National Blue Ribbon School

Congratulations to our school for being awarded a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School.  This is an extreme honor for Meriwether Lewis.  We are very proud of our teachers, staff, students, parents, and school community for achieving this recognition.  We are one of 236 schools in the United States to be awarded.  On Tuesday, September 24th the announcement was made to our students during an assembly and they were so excited to be a part of everything.  

Below you can find out more information about our award.

Blue Ribbon Schools Program

We were even honored on the news.  Click link below to watch the news clip from Channel 29.

Channel 29 Newscast featuring MLS

School Assembly to announce the award

Congratulations to everyone!  What an accomplishment!!  

Don't forget that Monday is a professional development day for teachers so there is no school for students!  

Warmest regards,

Mrs. Robertson