Class Notes

Elementary has been busy learning to rollerblade for our AnnualCelebration PE performance.Though practicing something newcan be a challenge, this month’sliterature focus, Sebastian’s RollerSkates by Joan De Deu Prats,reminds us to get back up whenwe fall down. In the story, a shyboy named Sebastian wants tolearn to rollerskate, but becomesfrustrated when learning doesn’tcome easy. However, he perseveres,and the self confidence thathe gains by mastering a new skillbrings him the bravery he needsto try new things in other areasof his life as well. Like Sebastian,we are gaining confidence as ourskills improve every day. AnnualCelebration, here we come!

Older High School wrapped up our science unit on the solarsystem with a trip to the Museumof Science in Boston! SinceApril, we’ve been learning aboutplanets, stars, and our galaxy,the Milky Way. Our students werevery excited for all the hands-onactivities the Museum of Sciencehad to offer, including the planetariumshow that journeyed fromEarth to the outer edge of ourSolar System! After a quick studentpoll, Saturn was voted themost captivating planet, as ourstudents were awed by the ringsand its overall size in comparisonto the Earth. Next up in science:gardening and the farm-to-tableprocess. Stay tuned this summer!

Spring offers myriad opportunities to study the plants, seeds, and flowers all around us, but Younger High School has taken this tried-and-true science topic to a whole new level with the addition of microscopes! Students collected samples of flowers, soil, leaves and more from our campus grounds, then examined them up close under a digital microscope. We even photographed the results! Can you match a real world photo with its abstract, close-up view? Younger High School can!

As part of the ongoing evolution of our Employment Education program, we are excited to announce the launch of our newest job site, Quirk Auto Parts in Quincy, MA. Since the end of

April, Emergence Program have visited Quirk Auto Parts 3 days per week. The warehouse setting allows our students realworld practice in number and word-recognition & matching, as they locate the requested parts to fulfill orders. Working in a busy warehouse environment also hones awareness of traffic safety, especially with so many carts and moving lifts in the aisles. This marks our 23rd community-based job site, and we are proud to continue to offer diverse and meaningful vocational opportunities to all our students.

Whoo-whoo. What’s that sound? Whoo-whoo. Who? It’s the Middle School Division, that’s who! This semester in science we have been learning about birds - their calls, their homes, and where best to spot them. Now that spring has sprung, we have also been looking for the birds we are studying on guided Nature Trail walks during Free Play time. Recently, we have also started building and decorating birdhouses in hopes of housing our fine feathered friends on campus! So fly on over and take a look!