Fifth grade was all about practice for their upcoming mock debates and election assembly - The Power of One - on November 2. Fifth grade parents and fourth grade students have been invited to attend, along with other special guests representing AISD and our board of trustees; I hear we will even have "secret service" escorts for our dignitaries. Can't wait, the program I've reviewed is meaningful, and honestly give Pam Kolodziej a hug when you see her as she in deep in the throes of election madness.
I tagged along with third grade as they attended a performance of Mariachi Girl at Zach Scott Theater on Tuesday. Very well done, with lots of themes connected to cultural, gender, family, and age viewpoints. Students had the opportunity to ask questions of the actors post-performance and had plans to do some written reflection upon return to school. Teachers tell me the kids really enjoyed the performance. Agreed.
Anna Lundy's fourth grade math students recently completed a Million Dollar Lottery project. Each were given a hypothetical million dollar win and had to determine, with some set criteria, what they would spend their money on once in their hands. Their completed projects had to include a detailed list of spending (ie, all expenses incurred by taking a vacation - eye opening to say the least), but also research supporting their expenditures (including a required philanthropy component!); sales tax, related expenses had to be accounted for as well. I could really tell the kids were excited by the activity when I popped my head in the door one day to ask about the projects. Excited voices, hands up, sharing. Cool to see that engagement and enthusisasm for math. Thanks Mrs. Lundy!
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Hangin with a couple of HP rock chicks!
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| Ms. Davdison celebrating her Spider Unit! |
Other cool things from spiders to gardening to pumpkins have been happening up and down our halls, in and out of the building. Next phase landscaping is well under way, I saw several HP and other families out and about supporting all things arts/music at AKL last weekend, and yep, we are gearing up for one of our biggest weeks of the year. Friday, October 26 is the annual HOOT Fall Carnival and 'ya know what that means on campus! Crazy busy days and nights leading up to carnival night, not to mention the always popular Parade of Pumpkins. And if that's not enough...this year we have a very special addition to HOOT day. Members of The Kennedy Center's National Committee for the Performing Arts will be in Austin for their annual retreat, they are stopping by HP and Brentwood to see and hear about the work of all things Any Given Child (big city and district launch Wednesday evening!), and we are super pumped to show what we've been doing and what it can mean to all the children and communities of Austin. Exciting times full of possibilities for everyone. I truly believe that. Hope to see you at TPA's The Planets this Sunday evening, 7:00 pm, but if not, catch 'ya in the halls next week. Here we go...
