I’m not sure I knew what my femur was until my brother broke his during a high school football game! It is amazing to me what our third graders learn during their study of the human body.  They begin with the skeletal system and continue through the muscular, nervous, integumentory, circulatory, digestive and repertory systems.  They don’t just memorize the systems but spend time building models and learning interesting facts about each one.

They spent time working in partners to measure their femur and their height and compare the two. They were delighted to discover that their height was twice the length of their femur.

Both third grade classes have a number of guest speakers during this extensive unit.  Generally these speakers are parents who have an interest in the field.  This is a way to bring the topics alive and relate them to the real world.  For instance, over the past few years the children have been able to see an actual brain, a pace maker and how it is inserted into the heart, a lesson on separating the white blood cells from the red, and this year they were even able to hold the vertebra of a whale!  This is what MPA means by experiential learning.

Tonight is the Kindergarten Family Night - A wonderful way to get to know other families and to get some tips from our psychologist on the developmental stages of your child.  The children have a great time with the peer counselors while you are learning about your children.  Hope to see you there.

Friday is a must for your family.  It is amazing what the Upper School students are able to organize as they introduce us to a variety of cultures through food, booths and performers.  Please take some time to come and enjoy the fun.

Wednesday the 17th is Grandparents and Special Friends Day.  Children who do not have a grandparent here are always taken in by someone who has one to share.  It is usually a very upbeat day and enjoyed by all.

School ends at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and there is no school on Thursday and Friday.  Panther Club is available on all three days but remember to register ahead of time.