Final Updates

Meeting Minutes
The Goddard School’s Summer Program
Wednesday, June 3rd

Attendance: Marion Guerra, Ann Marie Walsh-Pierozzi, Rev. Rick Whitefleet-Smith, Rev. Dan Wilson (Aldersgate), Jon Wortmann, Sally Fodor, Eileen McHenry,

We had another productive meeting today as we continued planning this year’s summer program. The confirmed dates are listed below along with the highlights:

Theme: Three Cups of Tea (Pennies for Peace) www.penniesforpeace.org.
In June, all students at the Goddard School will either be reading Listen to the Wind (K-4) or Three Cups of Tea (Young Reader’s Edition 4-8) by Greg Mortenson. (He also wrote an adult version too). This book is about one man’s mission to promote peace…one school at a time. Pennies for Peace have provided funds to help build over 57 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan to date. This book will be our inspiration as we create the theme for this year’s summer program.

When: Here are the program dates:

Thursday, June 25 – Friday, June 26
Monday, June 29 – Thursday, July 2
Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 9
Monday, July 13 – Thursday, July 16

Time: 9am – 2:30pm / 3pm; our volunteers will be arriving at noon.

Group Size: There will be 4 groups of 15 students each; one for second, third, fourth and fifth grades (a total of 60).


Segments:

1. Community Garden- Always a Staple! Joanne and Rick to see about adding a worm project for the kids. They have also found a number of great books fitting for both the garden and our theme.
2. Reading – Along with the kids suggesting or bringing in their favorite books to read to us, we will have access to the school’s library for more books.
3. Arts & Crafts – We want to confirm 4 projects for the kids to work on relating to the story (one for each week). We will also have a couple extra to choose from just in case kids choose to do something else. Our hope is to make this segment easier for the volunteers. Eileen McHenry, Nici Hornblower and me will work together on planning the activities and will purchase materials for them. We will assign a lead volunteer for each date. Detailed information for each activity will be available ahead of time explaining the project and materials needed click on http://goddardsummerprogram.blogspot.com/ to learn more. During the first couple of days, we will provide supplies to make leaf name tags and materials to make 4 trees (one for each grade). The kids will list their names / nicknames (along with a picture) and 3 things about themselves to be placed in the cafeteria. Once the leaves are done, we will hang each on the appropriate tree. Ann Marie could you see to it that the kids provide a picture of themselves for the leaves? This will help us to connect the face to a name along with getting to know the kids better and will link to our theme nicely (great idea Eileen). At this time, we have designated the following projects:

Sock Puppets – Make your own character from the book come alive
Clothes Pins Puppets – same thought different variation
Clay – Build your own school, build a bridge, etc.
Iron on Beads – A true favorite from last year!
Collage – Design your favorite scene with fun materials

4. Indoor / Outdoor Games - Along with teaching the 4th & 5th grade students golf (thanks to the Pros at WCC) on June 29, July 2, July 6, July 15 (and possibly July 8); we will have access to tennis, soccer, basketball, lacrosse and volleyball. The school does have equipment for these recreational activities and given the weather could either use the gym or surrounding areas outside. Ann Marie please make sure the 4th and 5th grade students are scheduled for the golf segment on the dates listed above. I will let you know about the July 8th date.

5. Three Cups of Tea – Rick has secured Tuesday, July 14th for 32 kids/chaperones for a field trip to Heifer International Farm. They will be leaving at 9am and returning right after lunch. This will have no impact on the afternoon activities. He will also see if they have a speaker who could bring in any small (caged) animals or speak to us on their past / future home projects. Other activities for this segment include:

Teambuilding – Outdoor Games, Tug of War, Obstacle Course – Eileen, Nici and I will give more thought to other teambuilding events that may be used during the program (project adventure).
Sipping tea & eating cookies – This will target specific areas as it relates to manners / etiquette, eye contact, shaking hands, respecting others, etc. We will also have the children discuss with us their own customs growing up in their own country before moving to America.
Building a Spaghetti Bridge – Jon has provided a list of materials (marshmallow, spaghetti, stirrers, and straws) and helpful rules we may use. The goal is to build a strong enough bridge together!
Write and Illustrate your own story – The kids can be their own author as they write and create their very own books.
Write a letter – The kids can write a letter to a student in Pakistan or Afghanistan.

The program will end with both the BBQ lunch and Luau (Carnival Theme) on Thursday, July 16th. We will use the center courtyard to build sand castles, hula dance, hula hoop, bubbles, sack races, and face painting, etc. The luncheon will be organized by the members of Aldersgate Methodist Church; expect 125 people and add chicken to the menu.

We are certainly open to all creative ideas as we continue to modify and build on this year’s summer program. What’s the saying…it takes a Village…