Thank you to everyone who joined Principal Bryant for coffee on October 1, 2015 in the library to discuss current issues at school. For those of you who weren’t able to join, here is a brief run down of items that were discussed:

• Physical Education: Coach Wagner attended and gave a brief update.
  • The bikes started this week for 2nd grade and they will have a culminating event at Rock Creek Park for each class. Ms. Lasov is 10/22, Redman 10/26, and Regensberger 10/27. Mr. Wagner is seeking adult volunteers to assist with the culminating bike ride in Rock Creek Park. Please contact him if you are interested.
  • We have started a school cross country team for the fall and they have a meet on Tuesday. (Cross country is for boys and girls in 4th and 5th graders only.)
  • Our first PAY grant purchases have started coming into the school, including a new parachute to replace the one with holes in it.  We will continue receiving equipment over the coming months along with funding for our Dancing Classrooms.
• Garden: Miss. Hannah attended and gave a brief update.
  • On September 24, two egg laying hens arrived at Stoddert. The hens will live in their coop in the Stoddert Garden for the next 4 weeks. Students will get to observe and feed the hens—how exciting! Hosting the hens at Stoddert is made possible by the PTO, Ms. Hannah, parent volunteers, and Rent-a-Coop.
  • On October 1, the Stoddert Farmers’ Market will begin. In partnership with DC Greens, Ms. Hannah and Stoddert students will be selling fresh eggs, apples, squash, kale, and other seasonal produce! Please come to the farmers’ market on Thursdays from Oct 1- Nov 19 from 3:30-5:30. Cash only!
  • This month (October) is DC Growing Healthy Schools Months– so any parent that wants to do a healthy cooking demo, or has any other ideas for fun garden events, should reach out to Ms. Hannah.
  • Any parents who live close to Stoddert to check on the chicken coops during this weekend’s stormy weather.
  • Stoddert families, thank you for your support of the garden. The garden is now four years old, and is in need of updating and maintenance.  If you have interest in finding a way to volunteer (help is always needed), please contact Ms. Hannah.
• Information Literacy: Mrs. Bowlin and Ms. Thompson attended and gave an update.
  • The program includes a great deal of collaboration and team-teaching between classroom teachers, Mrs. Bowlin and Mrs. Thompson, and it’s a very beneficial program.
  • This program blends library and computer instruction with regular classroom instruction. Classroom teachers have great flexibility in how they schedule their information literacy time.
  • Mrs. Bowlin also reported that our library book circulation is greater in Sept. 2015 than it was in Sept. 2014, and that students and parents can check books out until each afternoon.
• Playground: Principal Bryant gave an update on the playground.
  • Our fabulous Stoddert parent and artist, Wes Lawrence, has been busy repainting the 4-square block, and has also painted an outstanding scorpion-shaped hop-scotch board.
  • DGS will be installing bench seating around the large tree in the outdoor classroom area on the west side of the playground.
• Entrance Procedure: 
  • Principal Bryant also asked parents for feedback about this year’s entrance procedure.
  • He understands the concern about keeping Stoddert parent-friendly, but with over 400 students enrolled, it is simply unsafe to have parents and students combined in a single space, whether outside in the courtyard or inside in the lobby.
  • Parents can certainly enter the building in the morning, however, to visit the office, etc.
  • Parents shared a variety of opinions, many of which were very positive about the new procedure.
  • If you weren’t able to attend, you may share your comments with Mr. Bryant.
• School Store:
  • The school store was also discussed.
  • The school store will remain open one day per week, during students’ lunch periods.
  • Last week, teachers were surveyed about the school store. Over 90% of teachers felt that the store should remain open, but many felt that the following changes would be beneficial and these changes are taking place:
    • Reduce prices
    • Change the inventory to include more school supplies, and Stoddert gear (Stoddert pencils, Stoddert logo notebooks, etc.)

Remember, Principal Bryant hosts coffee discussions once per month with parents. Please visit the calendar for upcoming coffee dates.