A new calendar year, we are at the mid-point in our school year and there is so much happening at Maxfield.

View this email in your browser

Do you ever wonder how your donation of crafted goods makes a difference to our students? Do you wonder what opportunities your donation brings to the Maxfield community of learners?

Well, here's how. (And these are just a couple of examples. There are many, many more that happen all year long.)

You help provide basic items for all of our students, including uniforms, underwear, and warm winter wear such as boots, jackets, hats and mittens.
You help our amazing school nurse provide a little loving care with something as simple as a small paper cup of water, a couple of soda crackers, and something as crucial as nebulizer set-ups for students with asthma so they can participate fully in their school day.
You help teachers purchase basic supplies and instructional materials for their classrooms.
Your donations enrich the student's lives in many ways through field trips, creative activities and supporting our family science night.

Lunch is served to some of our favorite teachers.
Simple ingredients. Following directions. Setting the table. Time to give back.

Just before winter break, some third grade students donned chef hats and gloves and politely served adults who work with them throughout the day. As you can imagine, this activity was a big hit for both students and staff. The students still talk about the day with a smile as "remember that day we made taco salad for our teachers?" It was one of those school days filled with smiles, laughter, hugs and empowerment for our students.

"Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!"

After reading and comparing many versions of the Gingerbread Man (Girl, Cowboy, Baby, Boy) stories, first grade students became designers, architects, masons, carpenters and BUILDERS!
This activity has become a favorite annual tradition of the Gingerbread unit. As they were engaged in building, students told the story of their own gingerbread house creation (and licked a few fingers along the way.)
Thank you for supporting active learning. I know from experience that when these young students see a gingerbread reference anywhere in the school (library, hallway) they will remember the day in first grade they built their own gingerbread house.

I can't be hearing that right ...

On an early winter day, Maxfield Kindergarten students explored the open prairie hiking trails at Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul. When they returned to school, I happened to meet the line coming into school One very excited student told me the story of watching a coyote cross the trail in front of his group.
At first, I thought, "No I can't be hearing that right" when he started talking to me. His teacher confirmed the rare sighting and was thrilled that her students had the opportunity to witness this moment.

We are looking forward to the rest of this school year and the wonderful projects, activities and field trip experiences you have helped provide for Maxfield students.

So, Thank You. Thank You.

You've already made a big difference to Maxfield Students this year. We're eagerly looking forward to the rest of this school year.

The eagles are coming from the Raptor Center,
100 Days of School celebrations are just around the corner,
the school patrol students will again compete in the all schools parade,
young students may experience the excitement of watching butterflies emerge.

Beyond those things, your generosity makes possible:

a trip to the MN Horse Expo with a chance to actually pet a horse (and maybe even ride one);
a chance to see a play and
the opportunity to replace some of those worn books in our library (they wear out because students use them so much.)

Thank You.