January 2024 Programming

Kindergarten

Kindergarten participated in a visit from the New Canaan Nature Center. Children learned about different animals and how they survive during the coldest months. They read a story and then interacted with live animals! They learned about how animals migrate, hibernate and adapt during the winter, They visited with a hawk, turtle, owl, and rabbit. The children were able to gently pet the turtles and rabbits.  Questions to ask your student to find out more:

1. What does it mean to hibernate? What animals hibernate?  
2. What does it mean to migrate? What animals migrate? 
3. What does it mean to adapt? What animals adapt in winter?

Grade 3

Grade 3 students went on a field trip to Greenwich Town Hall. Our third graders met with First Selectman, Fred Camillo, toured the archives section of Town Hall and got to explore a GEMS vehicle onsite.  During the Q&A with Mr. Camillo, the kids were able to ask some very thoughtful and interesting questions and according to our teachers, he was very impressed with all of them.  The second part of the class trip included a tour of an ambulance with two GEMS paramedics who described the equipment and procedures.  Finally, our students visited the archives section of Town Hall and saw the original paperwork for the purchase of Greenwich.  The kids learned that if they were born in Greenwich, their birth certificate was in that very room.  Here are a few follow up questions to ask your 3rd grader:

1.) What did you learn during the Q&A with Mr. Camillo?

2.) What documents are held within the archive room of Greenwich Town Hall?

3.) How was the original paperwork for the purchase of Greenwich signed?

4.) What kind of equipment can be found on the GEMS vehicle?

Grade 4 and Grade 5

Grade 4 and Grade 5 had a visit with Battle of the Books author Jake Burt. Jake is the author of Summer 2023 Battle of the Books selection, "Greetings from Witness Protection!" as well as "The Right Hook of Devin Velma", "Cleo Porter and the Body Electric", and "The Tornado". He shared with the students his background, as well as his tips on the writing process and idea generation. Specifically, he read an excerpt from his book “The Tornado” and shared how he came up with the idea for the story. Signed copies of his books can be ordered through Athena Books: https://www.athenabooksog.com/product-page/books-by-jake-burt