End of school fun

So...since it's AUGUST already, I guess it's about time to post about some of the end of school year activities the kids participated in. I can't believe how quickly summer is passing us by!

Allison
Allison's preschool put on an Easter/spring program. It's just an opportunity to let the kids dress up before spring break and sing a few songs, but it was cute.
Preschool is SUPPOSED to teach kids about sharing and getting along. This is Allison during the last week of school, fighting and pushing one of her classmates to be last in line. Money well spent...

Enjoying some of the playground equipment.
For some reason, kids "graduate" from preschool. Ceremony and all.
Allison getting her diploma from her teacher, Mrs. Hayes.
Here's the "graduate" eating her "diploma"...again, money well spent.
Allison and her classmates.

Sarah
Sarah's class put on a play based on the story of "The Great Kapok Tree." She was very excited about it, and sang the songs for weeks. She also got very interested in the conservation and is constantly reminding us of all the things were are doing to destroy the earth.

With her good friend, Liliana.
The sets were pretty impressive for a third grade production.

Nate
Being a 5th grader has some perks, especially if you have Ms. Colburn. She works the kids hard, but also does a few extra activities that are both educational and fun. Begining in January, her class started learning about and caring for trout eggs. It was a great lesson in the life cycle, and culminated in the kids releasing live trout into a river. I got to tag along on the field trip.
Checking out what other critters live in the river.
Nate's babies.
Letting them go...they grow up so quickly!
Tour of the nature center. Our guide was such a ham, and the kids loved him. I did too, til he draped this snake around my shoulders! I have a HUGE phobia of snakes, and he wanted to demonstrate how harmless this one was to the kids. I'd post the picture of me, but I have my eyes closed and a painful look on my face!
Probably the last picture I'll get of Nate and I on a field trip. I imagine that hanging out with mom is not cool in middle school!

Another great thing about our school is that they bring a science based activity to the campus for each grade level. I actually handle all the scheduling, etc for the PTA, so I sometimes get to pop in and make sure things are running smoothly. The 5th graders got to dissect squids! Not something I'd want to do myself, but Nate enjoyed it.


And finally, PROMOTION!! Nate has worked so hard, been such a great student, and really enjoyed his experience at Mark Twain Elementary. It was a fabulous school, but he is ready to move on. I know he'll do great at Stanford Middle School.
The Principal thanked myself and some of the other parents who worked throughout the year to plan and organize the special 5th grade activities.
Nate getting his diploma from Ms. Ryan, the principal.
Ms. Colburn was Nate's teacher. She pushed him hard, but was a great teacher.
The last day of school was the big "end of the year" party that I had to plan. We arranged to take the kids to a local pool, served them In-N-Out, and let them just hang out. It seemed like everyone had a great time, the weather was perfect, and it was a great way to end their elementary school experience.

Mom
Earlier in the year, the PTA thanked myself and a few other volunteers who have made significant contributions to the school. It was totally unexpected, and certainly not the reason I give my time to the school, but nice to thanked by the teachers and staff. This is my friend, AnnMarie Alvarez, who was also honored.
Brent had to get me there without explaining why, AND deal with Allison. Two snaps for you!