Enjoy poetry on the blacktop by the main gate today! 5th and 6th graders took their poems out of the classroom for you to read. Thank you to all students and their teachers, Ms. Bunod and Ms. Goulet, for bringing words to life in beautiful, funny and inspiring calligrams!
In May 2019, La Troupe performed twice, for the enjoyment of a parent and student public. This year, the small group of students performed a play in French they chose, reaching out to the author: Le goeland des mers. They did a fantastic job in this dramatic and humorous 5 actor “huis-clos” on a deserted island. Congratulations to Elodie, Coralie, Lilou, Angelo and Richardson, for their acting and drama skills that shined on stage! Congratulations and thank you to Mme Addo, who is an incredibly experienced, talented and inspiring drama teacher!
On May 23, the 8th graders visited the world renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla with a privileged access to three collections. This field trip was part of a series of 3 carefully crafted events designed to inspire the love of science, which were made possible by Chrysa Mineo and Greg Rouse. After a thorough study in science class, the 8th graders interacted live with a team of researchers embarked on a research boat navigating the Gulf of California and studying hydro thermal vents. Then, the Head of the Science Department came to school in their classroom, and finally, the 8th graders went to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Pier was even especially open to them!
Thank you Chrysa, Greg, and Ms. Jacoway, for making this possible. It was literally inspiring!
Today was the climax of our International Week celebrations! K and 1st graders sang two songs, preschoolers paraded around the school, and then they visited middle school classrooms. They travelled to Canada and experienced a traditional folk dance, to Guatemala where they exercised their memory skills, to India where they enjoyed a dance performance from 6th grade girls and tasted food, to Norway where they admired wonderful landscapes, and Haiti where they learned about the country and played games.
Thank you to all involved, hosts and guests, and all teachers!
The 7th grade recently visited the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park with the goal to better understand how different ecosystems in southern California function, as well as understand how erosion can impact these different ecosystems. Students met with paleontologists and research experts to better understand these two subjects. This trip coincides with the ongoing interdisciplinary project in 7th grade between the Science, Language Arts, and Math classes, in which students are designing public spaces to be constructed in the southern California area with minimal environmental impact. Students will be presenting their final projects at the end of the school year.
The L.I.V.E club is an initiative from our English middle school teacher, Ms. Aseltine. Under her leadership, students enrolled in the club have selected sustainability as one of their major themes of action this school year. Following up on the momentum created by the Plastic Sustainability Event, the L.I.V.E club is now trying to raise awareness and impact daily habits such as the use of a bamboo toothbrush.
The first bamboo toothbrush sale happened this morning.
Thank you, L.I.V.E club!
Balinese gamelan is a beautiful instrument, and the 7th graders are currently enjoying learning to play it. Thank you to our partner, the Center for World Music, and the gamelan teacher!
As part of the music program for which SDFAS partners with the Center for World Music, 8th grade A and B are visiting a banjo factory. The Deering Banjo Company is a family-owned business located in Spring Valley, which produces most of the banjo instruments in the nation. Students were able to enjoy a unique experience that complements their discovery of playing the banjo in music classes this trimester.
