
On Monday, we kicked things off by inviting families to come read with their children. During the eight years I’ve been at Sunflower, my class has partnered up with Ms. McClain’s first grade class. Our librarian, Mrs. Figueora, and I, select 30 - 40 books for students to choose from. When the event starts, Ms. McClain and I take out blankets and our basket of books and partner our students up, one little with one big. They read the books together. Sometimes the big reads, sometimes the little reads, sometimes they alternate: free choice. After the book has been read, they swap out for another book. We love this tradition!!! I hope it never ends.
On Tuesday, parents were invited to come have lunch with their children. This is always a huge gathering! Parents, grandparents, tias and tios, brothers and sisters, all come to spend the lunch hour, well 45 minutes, with their favorite Sunflower Sun. With music in the background, families eat and socialize on the field. It’s a great time for parents to meet their child’s friends and see other families. We had a lovely group of mom's chatting under a tree. It never fails that the day ends with a soccer game in the background. It’s strange how such traditions develop so organically. The soccer game . . . it’s part of the tradition.
On Wednesday, the school district held it’s annual Art's Festival. Hosted by Wilson Junior High, student art is beautifully displayed. Originally started by Dr. Pletka, this festival has become an annual tradition. (Thank you Dr. Pletka for being a true visionary.) This year, our class sent in our cupcake paintings. Each student painted a colorful, unique cupcake. Boy were they beautiful!!! I just love seeing all the creativity that comes out of this project. Oh, and a couple of our girls painted a stool (see previous blog). They spent two months on their masterpiece.
On the night of the Art's Festival, my dear teacher friend, Mrs. Millan, took a group of students to participate in the night time event. She set up a booth where her current fifth graders and last year's students, now my sixth graders, paint visitor's faces. This year they used paint pencils. You should have seen them! They were fearless face painters. They did a phenomenal job! Thank you, Mrs. Millan for encouraging leadership and creativity.
On Thursday, it was time for Field Day. Mrs. English has been organizing Field Day since I’ve been at Sunflower. To my understanding, this event started with the opening of the school. On Field Day, each class sets up a game and classes rotate through the stations. We have a primary and upper grade rotation. For upper grade, we played basketball, Duck-Duck-Goose, jumped roped, bowled, passed a wet sponge, and even walked on sleds. Although the kids had fun, George, our meerkat, had even more fun. That crazy creature spent the whole day doing all the activities with us. I don’t know how he gets those sixth graders to love him as much as they do, but he does. It must be his friendly nature. Long live George!!!
The week was so much fun! Public School's Week was a gigantic success. Sunflower is a great school with a devoted leader, dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and sunsational students.
Mrs. McAlister