The Muraski Tribune
Your weekly update on the happening of Muraski Elementary!
The Day the Crayons Quit- A Read Aloud with Mr. Griffen
Think About the Text
I love this story because it's told from the perspective of the crayons, and their feelings of how their treated by their owner. Two challenges to do with your family at home:
Challenge One (K-2): Pick 1, 2, or 3 different colors and summarize what their issues were with Devin.
Challenge Two (3-5): Write your own letter: Our houses are full of things that we use without thinking each day. Furniture, silverware, and appliances to name a few. Do you ever wonder what these things would say if they could talk? Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of one of those objects.
Example:
Dear Mr. Griffen,
It's your favorite appliance, especially as of late, the fridge. I just wanted to tell you how nice it was to see you the 42 times you stopped by today. It is nice, but I got to tell you, every time you take out a few bites of that pizza, or a little bit of cheese, or the street tacos from Costco, you leave me feeling empty. I definitely feel lighter, but it looks like you...... uh...... don't. I'm also cold blooded and you standing with my doors open all day, really isn't good for my health. Just worried about you during the quarantine and all. Worried about me too!
Your pal in the kitchen,
Refrigerator
Have fun and enjoy. I have to tell you I smiled the whole time writing that because it's so true.
SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH ME AND I WILL PUT A FEW IN NEXT WEEKS TRIBUNE
Principal Update
1. Our teachers are working extremely hard to support the learning of all of our students. Although I have listed an "office hour," our teachers are working throughout the day and are available. Please reach out to them if you are in need and they will make sure they support your child's needs.
2. Our district has gotten some reports of inappropriate chatter and use of the chat feature of the documents within our Tic-Tac-Toe boards. This pertains mainly to grades 3-4-5. Please make sure you remind your children to AVOID communicating in the chat. The school code of conduct of acceptable usage still applies, and as enticing as it is to chat with your friends, the school platform, which is open for ANYONE in the district to see, is not a good method for this communication.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks in advance for all you are doing at home.
Mr. Griffen
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Ohio schools have been out for over four weeks and if we go back May 4, we would be out for over seven weeks. If they cancel the rest of the school year, students would miss 2.5 months of education. Many people are concerned about students falling behind because of this. Yes, they may fall behind when it comes to classroom education...
But what if...
What if instead of falling “behind", this group of kids are ADVANCED because of this? Hear me out.
What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, they love to express themselves in writing?
What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet?
What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?
What if this generation are the ones to learn to cook, organize their space, do their laundry, and keep a well run home?
What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?
What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home.
What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?
What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers and educational professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cashiers, custodians, logistics, and health care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered in place?
What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life to truly learn what really matters in this life?
What if they are AHEAD? ♥️
Muraski Elementary
Email: mgriffen@scsmustangs.org
Website: www.strongnet.org
Location: Muraski Elementary School, Royalton Road, Strongsville, OH, USA
Phone: 440-572-7160
Twitter: @muraskiprin