Laughter and excitement

I remember elementary school as being a long stretch of days punctuated by the occasional excitement of a class party (twice a year) or the rare highlight of a book read aloud or the day we got to chew red dye pills to see if our teeth had been brushed properly. (and I loved school!)

The week at Parker:

Tuesday, Barach Obama was sworn in as President. The whole school gathered in front of a big screen, when at 10 before noon, the Internet feed went dead. The younger children watched on a small television in Pre K. Dan Hill had a tiny TV and the rest of us crowded around for the swearing in, then resorted to radio. Much cheering and excitement!

Wednesday, K-1 was exploring the properties of sound in science class. They poured water into containers and experimented by clinking with spoons. 6-7's were building Rube Goldberg contraptions designed to feed a fish or do who knows what. Marbles and balls went flying. Much exclaiming and excitement!

Thursday, parents and grandparents organized an absolutely fabulous luncheon for the faculty and staff, decorating the library with red tablecloths, flowers and party favors, and then took over the classrooms while teachers feasted. Much eating and excitement!

Friday, 3-year-olds performed a grocery store song and danced as snowflakes in Assembly, then went out to Price Chopper to buy animal crackers. K-1's led everyone in a dance to the tune of "Yankee Doodle." 2-3's invited guests to see their museum of dinosaurs and geologic time in a unit-end show of work resplendent with models, posters, books and a quiz at the end. The weather was perfect for sledding at recess. Much laughter and excitement!