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BROWN SCHOOL BI-WEEKLY ELETTER ~ MAY 18, 2013 El Mercado Internacional by Monica DiCocco Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit. ~ Jawaharlal Nehru When I first learned of the traditional end-of-the-year Mercado here at Brown, nostalgia flowed through my veins. I thought of stories I’d heard of my father’s family bringing their products to market once a week to make a living. I thought of my mother’s family; business owners who provided a place for people to continue to gather after running into one another at the Mercado. I remember my grandmother telling me how they would dress in their finest clothing the day the market came to town. On a regular day, La Plaza was an empty square with an occasional resident passing through as a shortcut towards home or to visit a friend. Some evenings, when we had finished our churros y chocolate and while the adults were still sipping on their cafés con leche in my great uncle’s café, the children would play ball or spin their toy tops within the safe walls of La Plaza. However, earlier on Monday mornings, I could see the quiet place next to the city center from my Abuela’s balcony as it slowly filled with life, spirit, and tradition. I watched the hustle and bustle of the merchants as they prepared to sell the foods and goods they worked so hard to create. I could feel that sense of being part of something special. I felt pride. This wasn’t just going on in my small town in northern Spain; this was happening in other towns in Spain, Latin America, and all over the world. So, over the past few weeks, the students have been working hard to create an International Mercado. It’s been wonderful to watch their eyes widen as they learn about a different culture while they are surprised by some of the different traditions and festivals. I am delighted to hear them share the information they are learning excitedly with one another. Just as a traditional market offers incredible diversity and a place to find items at a high quality, our middle school Spanish students have contributed their own diversity and high quality to their projects. My hope is that they will continue to embrace their own culture and family traditions while exploring others’ respectfully with open minds and hearts. And as they spread their wings and fly, may their travels lead them to another Mercado that will bring them nostalgia as they think of their experiences here at Brown. This year the Mercado will represent all the Spanish-speaking counties as well as some village shops you might pass on your way to the market. The Brown School community will have the opportunity to interactively learn about history, culture, and traditions of these countries while eating authentic food, browsing among quality hand- made crafts and souvenirs, and enjoying Spanish music. Please come and immerse yourself in this cultural experience on Friday, May 31 st, from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Another great Mother's Day Tea in Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten. Each class invited their mothers to come for morning tea. They enjoyed songs and snacks. Each mother then received a special gift from their child. A wonderful time was had by all.
Transcript of May 18 13 - Brown Schoolbrownschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/May_18_13.pdf · Page 4 Platinum...
BROWN SCHOOLB I - W E E K L Y E L E T T E R ~ M A Y 1 8 , 2 0 1 3
El Mercado Internacionalby Monica DiCocco
Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit. ~ Jawaharlal Nehru
When I first learned of the traditional end-of-the-year Mercado here at Brown, nostalgia flowed through my veins. I thought of stories I’d heard of my father’s family bringing their products to market once a week to make a living. I thought of my mother’s family; business owners who provided a place for people to continue to gather after running into one another at the Mercado. I remember my grandmother telling me how they would dress in their finest clothing the day the market came to town. On a regular day, La Plaza was an empty square with an occasional resident passing through as a shortcut towards home or to visit a friend. Some evenings, when we had finished our churros y chocolate and while the adults were still sipping on their cafés con leche in my great uncle’s café, the children would play ball or spin their toy tops within the safe walls of La Plaza. However, earlier on Monday mornings, I could see the quiet place next to the city center from my Abuela’s balcony as it slowly filled with life, spirit, and tradition. I watched the hustle and bustle of the merchants as they prepared to sell the foods and goods they worked so hard to create. I could feel that sense of being part of something special. I felt pride. This wasn’t just going on in my small town in northern Spain; this was happening in other towns in Spain, Latin America, and all over the world. So, over the past few weeks, the students have been working hard to create an International Mercado. It’s been wonderful to watch their eyes widen as they learn about a different culture while they are surprised by some of the different traditions and festivals. I am delighted to hear them share the information they are learning excitedly with one another. Just as a traditional market offers incredible diversity and a place to find items at a high quality, our middle school Spanish students have contributed their own diversity and high quality to their projects. My hope is that they will continue to embrace their own culture and family traditions while exploring others’ respectfully with open minds and hearts. And as they spread their wings and fly, may their travels lead them to another Mercado that will bring them nostalgia as they think of their experiences here at Brown. This year the Mercado will represent all the Spanish-speaking counties as well as some village shops you might pass on your way to the market. The Brown School community will have the opportunity to interactively learn about history, culture, and traditions of these countries while eating authentic food, browsing among quality hand-made crafts and souvenirs, and enjoying Spanish music. Please come and immerse yourself in this cultural experience on Friday, May 31st, from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Another great Mother's Day Tea in Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten. Each class invited their mothers to come for morning tea. They enjoyed songs and snacks. Each mother then received a special gift from their child. A wonderful time was had by all.
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Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, May 22• Movement Performance - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 23• Sports Banquet - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 28• Sports Banquet - 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 27• Memorial Day - No School
Friday, May 30• Mercado• Alumni Bowling Event - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 6• Field Day - Grades 3-8
Friday, June 7• Field Day - Grades N-2
Saturday, June 8• 7th & 8th Grade Dinner/Dance - 5:00
p.m.
Tuesday, June 11• N/PK Celebration - 8:45 a.m.• K-8 Moving Up Night at Proctors - 6:30
p.m.
Wrapping up the Year in KindergartenAs the final weeks are approaching, the Kindergartners will be busy as bees, as well as studying them! The children are in their last theme of plants and insects. They have been busy planting flowers and pumpkins, observing their very own baby (larvae) ladybugs, and have just begun their very first research project. Each kindergartner has chosen an endangered animal that they have learned about at school. They will be using books, magazines and the computer to help write their report. The children will research where the the animal lives, what it eats and why it is endangered, plus add a few interesting facts they have learned. The children will also create a diorama of the animal in their habitat. What an exciting time to be in kindergarten!
Up coming cafe concerts: May 24th @ 6:30
Our very own Ms. Kacie Rea and Rebecca Benjamin of Golden Standard
will delight you with classic jazz... special guest Lydia Malkiewicz.
Reserved seats $12.00, $10.00 for Brown School families, and $14.00 at the door
May 31st - Alumni concert
Exploring CapacityFifth Graders became Prezi experts as they extensively researched a topic of their choice and created a Prezi from scratch. Using books like T is for Touchdown or Z is for Zamboni, the fifth grade created digital copies of these books through Prezi, the presentation tool. The students practiced their research skills, evaluated websites and other sources, and developed thorough, focused paragraphs. Each day they shared tips and tricks about what they discovered about how Prezi worked. They shared frustrations as they tried to apply their Power Point knowledge and quickly realized Prezi was different. The best part about the whole project was when the students shared their Prezis at the end. They all had such unique results. Each student was amazed by what the others produced, and they celebrated each Prezi as it was presented.
Third graders enjoy their first fitness walk to Bumpys!
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Did you know that most students lose at least one month worth of learning over the short summer vacation? Our Summer Literacy Program is designed to help combat that loss, keeping kids’ reading and writing skills fresh for next year! There are still spaces available in most sessions. For more information, view the Summer Literacy brochure, or pick up a brochure in the main office.
Brown School has 6 green, magnetic iPad2 covers for sale--$20.00 each. Contact Mrs. Hoffman if you are [email protected]
Garden FunMrs. Frame and Mrs. Mossey's class took a guided tour of the Brown School Garden. Mrs. Messenger, or as the children called her"Garden Girl" explained to the children how compost is made and used. The children mindfully smelled Rosemary, Lavender and Oregano that was growing in the garden. Following the tour, the children planted beans and radishes. This was the perfect activity to end our letter G week.
Textbook orders for the 2013-2014 school year are due. If your district orders from BOCES, please complete the online form by June 1, 2013 so that textbooks are at Brown School for the beginning of the school year. If you live in the Niskayuna, South Colonie or a Rensselaer county district, please return your form to Mrs. Hoffman ASAP. Textbook ordering information has only been sent to those families who have signed contracts for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Hoffman.
Deadlines and Announcements
Brown School Summer Camp is filling up. Get your registrations in as soon as possible.
If you would like to continue taking music lessons until the end of the school year or over the summer, Paul Borrello will be working with students going into Pre-K and up. You may sign up for group or private lessons. If you are interested in music lessons with Mr. Borrello, please contact Sue Rule.
Don't forget to order your Official 2012-2013 Brown School T-Shirt! Designed by 8th Grader Tiffany, these shirts are functional, stylish, and totally hip! The colors are black or sapphire blue (both with white ink). They cost only $15, and all proceeds will benefit the Student Council Charity Fund. The deadline is Wednesday, 22nd, so don't delay! Extra order forms are in the office. Amazing!
8th Grade Student Recognized for Technical Knowledge
After becoming one of the most prolific people answering developer’s questions on the “Processing Forum” (a Web site for software developers), William’s technical knowledge and skills were noticed by the forum administrators, and he was asked if he would like to become a forum moderator for the developer community. As a forum moderator, he was invited to be a technical reviewer for a new book called “Rapid
Android Development”. William welcomed this wonderful opportunity and provided valuable feedback to the book’s author and editor. It is a rare and prestigious opportunity for a thirteen-year-old who, not only reviewed the manuscript, but was quoted and given credit at the beginning of the book. What a proud moment for Brown School that one of its eighth graders has reached this level of technological competence.
Traveling Museum Visits Brown School!
The Scotia-Glenville Traveling Museum visited the second graders to present a program entitled “They Lived Along the Mohawk.” Students got a hands-on look at artifacts that helped them discover more about the original people who lived in this area and how they learned the secrets of nature in order to survive.
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Platinum Level Donors: ($1,000+)Jose AlmeidaDr. Michael Burke & Susan BurkeJeffrey Corbin & Janette SchueMicheline & David FordKrishna Govindarajan & Helen
HansonMr. & Mrs. Scott MorleyStephane Pelletier & Lucie CapekScott PowhidaKelli & Mark SmachloTom & Suzanne SmithFardin Sanai & Michele SuskoVince & Tina Versaci
Gold Level Donors: ($500-$999)Allen & Janet BarnettRosemary FaulknerHugh Graham & Tina SciocchettiWilliam Huber & Penny ClarkeGregory JabautJill SalvoMichael & Carolyn SterthousArt & Joan StoreyPatricia & Salvatore Vitale
Silver Level Donors: ($250-$499)Nina BenwayTom & Joan BrooksComerford Chiropractic OfficeLucy & Jim CesareCarlo CioffiShane & Kristen MahieuSue & James McClymonds
Christina Coughlin & Daniel O’Connor
Dawn & Michael PrzekuratGeorge & Gloria VassolasKathryn West
Bronze Level Donors: ($100-$249)Lisa AlmeidaFrederica AndersonSusan Arnold & Ed MuhlMrs. Elizabeth BardackRichard & Lisa BiegaVinod Fernandez & Deboleena
BoseElizabeth A. BraungartYang Cao & Xiamei FangMrs. Loretta CesareRoger & Phyllis ChericoniDouglas & Rosemary CorbinYe Ding & Lei ZhangLarry & Nancy DrebesWayne Foy & Deyva ArthurMary Ann FrameMary & Jim FrawleyAnna & Jason GabreeBob & Debbie GeerProbir & Renuka GhoshalDrs. Tom & Cynthia GoodmanJohn & Theresa HandPam & Doug HoeffnerCynthia HoffmanJames HornerDavid & Natasha JasminNelson Kent & Kathy BuckleySue KillinScott & Carrie Kirkton
Erika KoutelisEvelyn KinnahSherrell KruggelYing Shi & Wen LiYizhen Lin & Zhihui YangCarmen & Teri LomonocoSusan & Richard MaiderMr. & Mrs. John ManyakSophie Lai & Charles MeeusenKathleen MorrisChristine RichardsonMr. & Dr. Kevin RosenbergEric & Margaret Curley SanbornMr. & Mrs. John SawyerStephanie ScacciaSandra SchueGang Shen & Pengyun ZengDrs. Daniel & Catherine SmitasWilliam & Karen SmithJohn & Karen SpinelliZhaohui Sun & Lei LiuDan SwanVictoria Wagner & Sean SegruePauline WhiteMike & Maria WoodryWaming Zhang & Hongying
Peng
Friend Level Donors: (Up to $99)Olivia AchcetPatricia AchtylMatthew BiegaTeresa BurkeNikyah BurnsJudith A. CoughlinKim Cooper
Monica DiCoccoDestiny Furbert-PetersHeather GrayDr. Liwei Hao & Ms. Jinyan
ZhouDiane HoeffnerThe Jennings FamilyKeith JordanAmanda KeilMichael & Maryellen KoutelisChelsea KrutzXiaochun Shen & Dazhi LiuBarbara & Wayne LukasSeth MarshallMelanie McGannElizabeth MessengerMary MitchellJose MoralesLinda MosseyKaren MuhlMark & Ruth OsterlitzMaya ParkerNate PeltierLaurie PeltonMorgan PrzekuratErin QuinnKacie ReaSarah RuleMary SalvatoreVal SandroniTom & Sandra SmithLinda SuggsKonstantin Tsykun & Elina
TsenterWilliam & Nancy WinklerAlmin & Li XuMarcus Yuhaz
Annual Appeal Update:Your contribution to the Annual Appeal is an investment in the educational quality of the school and contributes directly to enriching the academic curriculum and enhancing student activities. The uniqueness of a Brown School education, with its tradition of academic excellence and musical and artistic richness, is only made possible by the equally strong tradition of giving by the Brown School community. Gifts to Brown School are tax-deductible. We are very grateful to the following people for their donations. The total pledges to the Brown School Annual Appeal to date are $42,348.
Have you checked the mermaids outside the main office to see how your class is doing?
Congratulations to Ms. Rea's class for being the first to have 100% participation in the Annual Appeal and to our Board of Trustees for also having 100% participation. Also, thank you to
the following classes for achieving greater than 50% participation: Ms. Przekurat, Ms. McGann, Ms. Danz, Mr. Dievendorf, Mr. Swan, Ms. Burke,
and the Brown School Staff.
150 Corlaer Ave. Schenectady, NY 12304
518.370.0366Website: brownschool.org
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