Happy New Year!
Welcome Back La Mariposa Families,
We are off to a great New Year. I was happy to see all of our students return from the break. I enjoyed hearing the stories of their adventures over the vacation. They have been wonderful and very well behaved. The teachers report that their students seem to have leaped in their learning.
This was a week of fun-filled activities and lessons. The creativity has been enjoyable to observe. Our kindergarten students learned about polar bears. The first-grade students had a penguin theme and I had so much fun watching these activities, I did not want to leave. They had igloos and did a fun experiment where they learned how blubber keeps penguins warm in the cold. The second-grade team is also learning about Polar Bears and they researched and wrote informational stories on them. The third-grade team read Jack and the Beanstalk and learned how to summarize a story. The fourth-grade team is reading one of my favorite books, Wonder and studied character traits. Our fifth-grade students learned the parts of a plant cell and made very cool shrink wrap key chains to help them memorize.
Despite a few announcements, we are still having serious traffic problems at La Mariposa. A student was dropped off across the street from the school and a speeding car nearly hit him when he crossed the street. I watched in horror as this unfolded. I do not know how the driver did not see the child, but he didn't, so please do not drop your child off across the street or in the parking lot. This is not safe. The resource officer has also reported dangerous driving and parking infractions. Moving forward, he will be giving citations for parking violations. This includes double parking and parking in the red zones.
Most of you have let us know that you will be returning next year and we have held your spot. Thank you for filling out your online "Intent to Return".
There will be no school on Monday, March 21st in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. I wish all of you a wonderful three day weekend.
Warmest Wishes,
Justine Wienken
Principal, La Mariposa
"Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." MLKjr