At the end of May, the 5th grade students traveled to Astrocamp in Idyllwild, CA as part of their science curriculum. They spent three days doing science activities such as building and launching rockets, designing windmills, swinging through the forest on pulleys, and stargazing. On the first night, they had a beautiful view through the telescope of Jupiter and the surface of the moon. The class especially enjoyed the sky coaster, where they had to hoist each other up into the forest canopy with pulleys and let each other swing through the trees. It was an exciting, educational, and fun end to their 5th grade year.
Emmanuel Parello & Julien Moncelet
Elementary students presented their last Show of the Year on Friday, June 8th. 1st to 5th graders worked for a whole quarter to make this event a success. The “Cup song”, dance, opera, rehearsal hours, placement work on the stage and lyrics to learn in French and English … a pleasure for both students and parents.
Thanks to the entire team of teachers and to the parents for their continual support.
On June 7th, the 5th graders re-created a 1776 town council meeting somewhere in the American colonies as the colonists debated whether or not to separate from Great Britain. The students had spent the last several weeks working on persuasive writing pieces, following a reading of excerpts from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” which argued forcefully for independence in 1776. Some took the position of patriots seeking independence, and other took the role of loyalists faithful to the British crown. After giving opening statements, the students went back and forth, presenting their best arguments in favor or against independence. In the fashion of a British parliamentary gathering, their arguments were often met with spirited cheers or jeers from other colonists attending the meeting. Our 5th grade “colonists” argued over the relative merits of new taxes imposed by the king and parliament, representation in the British parliament, and of the risk of getting involved in a long war with the mother country. Although the town council was divisive, without a clear victor in the debate, all of them presented powerful arguments for their positions.
Every year, the 4th graders go to an overnight field trip. For the last five years, children have gone to Rawhide Ranch, in Bonsall.
This year, Cathleen Anderson and Sophie Nehoua’s students spent three days and two nights at the camp. Children have enjoyed taking care of the animals, learning more about horses, team building, climbing… and many more fun activities.
This experience will stay in their memory and will prepare them for more challenges and discoveries next year.
The SDFAS Art Fair took place from June 14th-18th as a positive space to proudly display our finest art work. There were 73 entries in the Art Fair this year from students and teachers from pre K, elementary and middle school. A variety of materials were used by the artists including paint, paper, canvas, clay, recycled materials, wood, paper plates, pencils, clear tape, sunflower seeds, plaster, silk flowers, origami paper and even Shopkin toys! Excitement and joy buzzed around the auditorium-turned-museum as others viewed the work of our talented students and staff. Bravo SDFAS!
–Emily Loomis–
At SDFAS, students can enjoy exchanges with other classes from other grades. These moments of sharing and collaboration favor the development of the oral skills of each one. Thus, the PK1 were able to visit the 2nd graders, to discover a world famous artist: Frida Kahlo.
The visit of the CE1 to the San Diego Museum was an opportunity for each child to better understand this artist. Now, the whole class is offering a guided tour of Frida Kahlo’s universe.
Spoken expression, art history, cooperation are at the heart of this exchange project that all students really enjoyed.
At SDFAS, we strive to provide the best education to our students. Our students not only thrive academically, they are also mindful of the potential positive impact they have on our communities and world. During the forum, the 3rd grade students presented their hopes and dreams in both French and English. The students also beautifully song “Pourquoi Cest Beau” and “Rainbow Connection“.
Binetou Badiane Maggio, Alice Kong
On April 11th to the 12, the 5th graders spent 18 hours on the Californian.
They re-lived the year of 1774 experiencing the struggle of merchant mariners sailing the triangle trade route between New England and the Caribbean. They role-played with the maritime instructors, raised sails, loaded cargo and protected the vessel from pirates.
A wonderful experience that they will remember for years.
