Frog News
H. D. Thoreau Elementary
School
8224 NE 138th
Kirkland, WA 98034
425-823-4350
FAX: 425-814-4986
Web: http://wwwtho.lwsd.org/
Steve Roetcisoender, Principal
Email: sroetcisoender@lkwash.wednet.edu
September 23, 2004
September
23 Intermediate Curriculum Night
6:30-7:30pm
30 Kindergarten Curriculum Night
6:30-7:30pm
October
8 PTA Ribbet Run Fundraiser
PRINCIPAL’S PERSPECTIVE
Creativity
Last Saturday while at our middle son’s soccer game (he’s
a 4th grader this year), I was asked a question by a parent of one
of his friends that really has caused me quite a bit of thinking time this
past week. This parent shared that her son always enjoyed playing at our
house and with our son because he always got to build something. The parent
wanted to know what kind of materials we keep so our son can build his
creations. I didn’t give a very articulate answer, as my wife and I have
never intentionally stocked our home with building materials. What we have
done is always kept cardboard boxes on hand, old boards, nails, and plenty of
hammers and handsaws. Our son Michael has always managed to take what he can
find and use old scraps of something to build whatever he has on his mind. It
has been important to us as parents that we give him permission and
encouragement to be creative. Sometimes this has meant the living room gets
turned into a secret base constructed of sofa cushions, blankets and card
tables, or a basement turned into a makeshift baseball diamond. Last night we
launched an empty 2 liter pop bottle into the air using air pressure and a
lot of old PVC pipe. Two of the best presents we ever have given to Michael
were his own ball of string and his own roll of duct tape. Not exactly an X
Box, but for him, certainly more desirable.
Creative thinking is an important skill that needs to be
encouraged. Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how
to remain an artist once he or she grows up”. The following short story helps
illustrate how creativity can be hindered or fostered. Read and enjoy both
the story and the message.
Purple
In first grade, Mr.
Smith said my purple tepee wasn’t realistic enough, that purple was no color
for a tent, that purple was a color for people who died, that my drawing
wasn’t good enough to hang with the others. I walked back to my seat counting
the swish, swish, swishes of my baggy corduroy trousers. With a black crayon,
nightfall came to my purple tent I the middle of an afternoon.
In second grade,
Mr. Barta said, “Draw anything.” He didn’t care what. I left my paper blank
and when he came around to my desk, my heart beat like a tom-tom while he
touched my head with his big hand and in a soft voice said, “The snowfall.
How clean and white and beautiful.”
At this week’s soccer game, I believe I’ll have a better
answer for this parent. I don’t think we could ever predict the supplies
needed to meet the creative demands of a 9 year old. All we can do is
continue to give him permission to be creative. And then make sure to keep on
hand all the packing material, scrap wood, nuts, bolts, nails, string, glue,
and duct tape we can.
POPCORN
Popcorn
sales are back! Each Thursday during lunch time the 6th graders
will be selling popcorn for $.35 a bag.
Check out our
website for the latest information!
wwwtho.lwsd.org/
RIBBET RUN PLEDGES
The first day
to submit pledge money is next Tuesday, September 28. Remember, we only want your pledge sheet
and money if you’ve collected money.
If all you have are pledges, please do not turn anything in until you
collect some or all of the money. You
don’t have to wait for the day of the Ribbet Run to collect money! Prizes will be handed out on the Thursdays
following each Tuesday that money is turned in. Check the ‘thermometers’ on the wall near the gym to find out
how much money your class has collected!
Remember, the class that collects the most money gets a pizza
party! (One pizza party for grades
K-3 and one for grades 4-6.) (A few
of you have turned in your pledge money.
We will hold on to it and count it next Tuesday.) Thanks for all your hard work collecting
pledges!!
KISS A FROG??!
Hop to it! Collect pledges and donations and win
great prizes! Yes! You heard your kids correctly. Principal Roetcisoender has challenged the
students to raise a total of $17,500 by October 26, and if they do, he will
kiss a frog! In the past few years
the students raised $18,000, and while we have somewhat fewer students this
year, $17,500 is a realistic goal!
STUDENT BANK DAYS
No one has stepped forward yet!
- - Please, we need your help! We need two more volunteers to
sign up and we can get our Student Banking Program up and running for this
school year. If you would be able to volunteer some time during the student
lunches for one Wednesday a month, or you would be interested in
hearing more about the program, please call Nancy Holden, 425 823-2815.
ADVERTISE
We are
offering business card sized ads in our student directory this year. It
is $35 and proceeds go to our student enrichment programs. Due date for
payment is Sept 30. Send a check made out to Thoreau PTA, with your
business card to your child's teacher or the office. Questions contact Polly
Blanchard at 820-8909 or polly@mccarthygmac.com.
JOIN PTA
Join PTA by October 15 and your name will be entered to
win one of 5 prizes. Drawing will be held on Oct. 21 at the first
General Meeting. (You do not have to be present to win.) The cost
is $10.00 for individual membership and $16.00 for a family membership.
Make checks payable to Thoreau PTA and submit with your name and address to
your child's teacher or the office. For more info contact Denice Loken at
814-9726 or denandpaul@aol.com.
ALBERTSON'S PARTNER CARD
Look for your card to come
home in your child's backpack. Use or give to a relative or friend to
use when shopping at Albertson's. The card is already registered; just
have them scan it when you check out. They pay Thoreau up to 5% of your
purchase. For additional cards contact Polly
Blanchard 820-8909 or polly@mccarthygmac.com.
KUDOS
“Thank you” to all of
you who have volunteered to chair or help on a committee!! A member
on the board has hopefully contacted you to let you know that we received
your form. We have given your name to the appropriate committee Chair.
The Chair will be contacting you before the event! We really want your
involvement and ideas, so if you do not hear from someone, or have forgotten
what you signed up for just contact me!! Polly Blanchard 425-820-8909 or polly@mccarthygmac.com.
CHESS CLUB
Thank
you to all that signed up for Chess Club!! We have about 26 enrolled! YEAH!!
This should be really fun for the students! You will receive a receipt for
payment next week. The first class is Tuesday, October 5 in Ms. VanCleave’s
classroom. Please be on time to pick up your child at 4:30pm.
SCIENCE ADVENTURES
This is
a well liked after school program with thematically based lessons
to teach kids science concepts. Students construct and take home over twenty
projects and activities in each five-week session. Look for more information
to come home after the student assembly September 16. For more
information you may visit their website at www.scienceadventures.com or call 1-800-472-4362.
STUDY CLUB
A
quiet, focused class with a teacher available to help with specific subjects
as needed is available this year. Fall session runs October 11 through
November 3, Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Due date for payment and
registration is September 27. Contact Polly Blanchard at 820-8909 or polly@mccarthygmac.com.
HONOR CHOIR
Any
child who likes to sing and is in the 4-6th grade is invited to join the
Honor Choir. Practices are Mondays and Thursdays after school from
3:15-4:00pm. Session is October to June and there is a one-time fee of
$15.00. They have a great time performing at many places in the community,
and at the end of the year they have a field trip to the Seattle Center.
We are lucky to have a very sweet and experienced music instructor,
Mrs. Paige. Registration forms are in the office or call 823-4350.
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