March 22, 2026

I hope all of you had a great weekend. It was so nice catching up with all of you during our parent conferences. I hope you found them informational, allowed you to see the growth your child has and continues to make, and you see how they will continue to focus on learning goals as we enter the final 1/4 of the year.  Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Last week, our class took a trip to Living Tree Farm, and it was truly one for the books! This visit is always a personal favorite of mine, offering the perfect blend of outdoor exploration and "hands-on" discovery. The students dove deep into the sugar-making process, using it as a real-world lens to observe the three states of matter in action. From tapping trees to watching steam rise from the evaporators, the kids captured every observation in their science notebooks. We’ve turned those insightful entries and a collection of trip photos into a new display in our classroom—be sure to ask your child about it! We will continue our deep dive into the states of matter through the start of April break.

As a reminder, I will be in class this morning and then be out of school through April, 3rd. Zack Smithwood will be the substitute the whole time. Between he and Eileen, the class is in very good hands. I spent a vast amount of time creating lessons that are thorough and will not let up on the academic rigor that the class is accustomed too. I promise, there is no 45 minute block of "let them have free choice." 

Zack does have a school email if you need to get in touch with him. I will have access to email too and will respond if needed.  

NOTES:

*It looks like Wednesday will be our last ski day for the 2026 winter sports program. Please make sure your child has all of their stuff. 

*Homework bags will come home Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week (nothing on Wednesday). The Weekly News Journal will come home on Friday. The following week will have the bags coming home M-Th and the Weekly News on Friday. Please help your child remember to bring their items back each day.

*Kids still need boots and sneakers each day. If it is under 40 degrees they need a coat too.

That is all for now. I hope you all have a great 2 weeks. If I have time, I will do a blog post next week (from Serbia). You can show the class what I have been up to.  

Peace,

Mr. Young