Students came to school in their pajamas and classroom had guest readers to help break up the day! 
Here is a picture of the final tree with all 320 leaves.
Showing posts with label from the kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label from the kids. Show all posts
Thursday, March 25, 2010
First Place Students Read 320 Books In One Day!
On Friday, March 19, 2010, First Place held it's first Read-A-Thon in honor of National Reading Month and the love of reading at the school. Every class participated from preschool in the Griffin Early Learning Center all the way up to 6th Grade. After every book read, students wrote the name of the book on a leaf and added it to a reading tree in the school's multipurpose room.
Students came to school in their pajamas and classroom had guest readers to help break up the day! 
Here is a picture of the final tree with all 320 leaves.
Students came to school in their pajamas and classroom had guest readers to help break up the day! Here is a picture of the final tree with all 320 leaves.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"Kids Not Cuts": First Place Students Advocate in Olympia
“Kids Not Cuts!” was the Have a Heart for Kids Day theme this year. More than 4,000 people from throughout the state gathered in Olympia on Monday, February 15th to rally for the issues that are most important to Washington’s kids.
Have a Heart for Kids Day is a yearly lobbying day organized by The Children’s Alliance to bring attention to the issues affecting children who often are not able to advocate for themselves.
House Bills important to our students and parents right now include:
House Bill 3177 Housing Trust Fund & House Bill 1956 authorizing the housing of homeless people on property owned or controlled by a church.
Early Monday morning students, parents, teachers and volunteers loaded buses at First Place to head to Olympia for the annual Have a Heart for Kids Day rally.
In anticipation of the day, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes researched bills the House and Senate are considering right now and wrote letters to their legislators telling how they felt about those bills and whether they should pass. Here are a few excerpts from letters written by First Place students:
Dear Representative Pettigrew,
Dear Representative Chopp,
Dear Representative Orwall,
Student letters also talked about funds for school nurses, support for animal protection laws, and, of course, more time for recess.
During the day Representative Eric Pettigrew and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp took time to meet with First Place students and their parents, and listen to their letters and stories.
Other exciting parts of the day included marching through the capitol campus up to the steps of the Legislative Building, joining a rally of 4,000 people calling for steps toward a healthy economic future for Washington kids. First Place students made and carried signs with slogans like “Kids Not Cuts!” and “Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation” to support programs that are vital to the health and success of kids.
Most importantly, First Place families saw that their stories and presence do make a difference in how legislators think about and respond to issues and they know that their voice is an important one.
Have a Heart for Kids Day is a yearly lobbying day organized by The Children’s Alliance to bring attention to the issues affecting children who often are not able to advocate for themselves.
House Bills important to our students and parents right now include:House Bill 3177 Housing Trust Fund & House Bill 1956 authorizing the housing of homeless people on property owned or controlled by a church.
Early Monday morning students, parents, teachers and volunteers loaded buses at First Place to head to Olympia for the annual Have a Heart for Kids Day rally.
In anticipation of the day, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes researched bills the House and Senate are considering right now and wrote letters to their legislators telling how they felt about those bills and whether they should pass. Here are a few excerpts from letters written by First Place students:Dear Representative Pettigrew,
I am writing in regards to HB 3177.
My family and I live in a shelter. If my parents didn’t find shelter we would be homeless. My family now has hope for a better future. I think it is really important to pass this bill because in the future families like mine will need a safe place to live.
Dear Representative Chopp,
I ask for your support for HB 1956, authorizing the housing of homeless people on property owned or controlled by a church.
Recently in my school’s neighborhood, a church hosted tent city. They never messed with anybody and they looked happy and peaceful. I think it’s better that they stay there than under the free way. Please consider this bill.
Dear Representative Orwall,
I am writing in regard to House Bill 2621. I want to pick this bill because it will keep our children current with technology by providing opportunities for specialized learning.
I think this is a good plan because I go to a school that has small classes and personal instruction. We do lots of learning projects like this letter to you. Our school gets lots of support from local businesses and community volunteers. I have gone to my school for 2 years and it has been a good experience and I have learned a lot.
Please vote for this bill so it can help other kids learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math.
Student letters also talked about funds for school nurses, support for animal protection laws, and, of course, more time for recess.
During the day Representative Eric Pettigrew and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp took time to meet with First Place students and their parents, and listen to their letters and stories.
Other exciting parts of the day included marching through the capitol campus up to the steps of the Legislative Building, joining a rally of 4,000 people calling for steps toward a healthy economic future for Washington kids. First Place students made and carried signs with slogans like “Kids Not Cuts!” and “Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation” to support programs that are vital to the health and success of kids.
Most importantly, First Place families saw that their stories and presence do make a difference in how legislators think about and respond to issues and they know that their voice is an important one.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Where The Wild Things Are
The Early Learning and Kindergarten classrooms toured First Place this morning showing their terrible eyes and terrible claws.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Join us at our Virtual Table
This morning, a very special event is happening for First Place. Our Annual Fundraising Breakfast. Just in case you weren't there with us, we wanted to include you at our virtual table.
Here are the highlights of today's program:
We're 20 year old!
This year marks our 20th serving children and families. Our successes just keep on growing.
Most recently, First Place was able to move a mother and her two children from living in a van to living in a two bedroom apartment in First Place transitional housing!
First Place serves over 1,000 individuals each year - and we celebrate each new success as if it is our first.
First Place graduate Marcelus will now share his story with you about how he came to First Place.
Listen to a story aired on KUOW last summer (Real Audio). Click here for additional listening options.
Current First Place student Ifrah has also written a speech to share with us today.
"When I first came to First Place. I lived in a shelter. I was scared for no reason at all. In my second year I was in foster care for 15 days because my mom was ill. The staff members and kids were really caring because they knew what I was going through.
I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and we were all seperated because noone wanted to take care of 7 kids except my mom. I was worried because I did not see them at school."
Read her entire speech here.
And now, we would like to ask you to make a gift to First Place in honor of Marcelus, Ifrah, and of all the children and families touched by our program. All gifts given will count toward our event goal.
Give online through Network for Good.
Download the event pledge card and send by mail (pdf).
We encourage you to invite people to sit at your virtual table by fowarding this email to your friends, family and colleagues who you know will be touched by the stories shared here.
Our warmest appreciation for your support.
Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director
Here are the highlights of today's program:
We're 20 year old!
This year marks our 20th serving children and families. Our successes just keep on growing.
Most recently, First Place was able to move a mother and her two children from living in a van to living in a two bedroom apartment in First Place transitional housing!
First Place serves over 1,000 individuals each year - and we celebrate each new success as if it is our first.
First Place graduate Marcelus will now share his story with you about how he came to First Place.Listen to a story aired on KUOW last summer (Real Audio). Click here for additional listening options.
Current First Place student Ifrah has also written a speech to share with us today.
"When I first came to First Place. I lived in a shelter. I was scared for no reason at all. In my second year I was in foster care for 15 days because my mom was ill. The staff members and kids were really caring because they knew what I was going through.
I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and we were all seperated because noone wanted to take care of 7 kids except my mom. I was worried because I did not see them at school."
Read her entire speech here.
And now, we would like to ask you to make a gift to First Place in honor of Marcelus, Ifrah, and of all the children and families touched by our program. All gifts given will count toward our event goal.
Give online through Network for Good.
Download the event pledge card and send by mail (pdf).
We encourage you to invite people to sit at your virtual table by fowarding this email to your friends, family and colleagues who you know will be touched by the stories shared here.
Our warmest appreciation for your support.
Dr. Doreen Cato, Executive Director
Thursday, February 12, 2009
From the Kids: Kindergarten Funnies
Sometimes you never know what is going on in the young and inquiring minds of the Kindergarten class. Thankfully Kindergarten teacher Ms. Molly and her instructional assistant Ms. Jenni keep us up to date. Each week they forward the staff a list of quotes and anecdotes from the kids.
Over the course of this year we noticed the Kindergartners are always asking who the boss is. Here are a few quotes from the classroom.
The Fire Station Boss
During a visit to the fire station, talking to a regular firefighter wasn’t enough and one student asked: “I want to see the big boss.”
Her request was met later on, when the chief came up to visit and watch. With the chief watching we learned about who can be a firefighter.
Firefighter Kurt: "Anyone who wants can be a firefighter. Boys, girls, if you’re black, white, green or purple."
Kindergartner: “There ain’t no green people.”
Firefighter Kurt: "And if you want to be a firefighter, you have to pay attention in school and do your work and have a good attitude."
Kindergartner, turning to the chief: “Big boss, you pay attention in school?”
The Cheerleading Boss
The Seahawks and Seagals visited our classroom. The Kindergartners understood the Seahawks were football players, but who were the women?
Kindergartner: "Who you?"
Seagal: "We’re cheerleaders."
Kindergartner: "You guys are cheerleaders?"
Seagal: "Yup."
Kindergartner: "Who’s the boss?"
The Boss at School
Kindergartner: “Ms. Jenni, who’s your boss?”
Ms. Jenni: "Mrs. Phillips is my boss."
The next day during breakfast Mrs. Phillips the Director of Educational Services happened to be passing through and the same Kindergartner said “Mrs. Phillips, Ms. Jenni’s not helping me!”
Mrs. Phillips caught on quickly and gave our kindergartner a look that seemed to say 'are you kidding with me?' and her look was met with a giant mischievous smile.
Over the course of this year we noticed the Kindergartners are always asking who the boss is. Here are a few quotes from the classroom.
The Fire Station Boss
During a visit to the fire station, talking to a regular firefighter wasn’t enough and one student asked: “I want to see the big boss.”
Her request was met later on, when the chief came up to visit and watch. With the chief watching we learned about who can be a firefighter.
Firefighter Kurt: "Anyone who wants can be a firefighter. Boys, girls, if you’re black, white, green or purple."
Kindergartner: “There ain’t no green people.”
Firefighter Kurt: "And if you want to be a firefighter, you have to pay attention in school and do your work and have a good attitude."
Kindergartner, turning to the chief: “Big boss, you pay attention in school?”
The Cheerleading Boss
The Seahawks and Seagals visited our classroom. The Kindergartners understood the Seahawks were football players, but who were the women?
Kindergartner: "Who you?"
Seagal: "We’re cheerleaders."
Kindergartner: "You guys are cheerleaders?"
Seagal: "Yup."
Kindergartner: "Who’s the boss?"
The Boss at School
Kindergartner: “Ms. Jenni, who’s your boss?”
Ms. Jenni: "Mrs. Phillips is my boss."
The next day during breakfast Mrs. Phillips the Director of Educational Services happened to be passing through and the same Kindergartner said “Mrs. Phillips, Ms. Jenni’s not helping me!”
Mrs. Phillips caught on quickly and gave our kindergartner a look that seemed to say 'are you kidding with me?' and her look was met with a giant mischievous smile.
Monday, January 19, 2009
From the Kids: A Rap about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A 4th/5th Grade Student wrote and performed this rap recently at a school assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King had a dream
That all of us could be a team
And accomplish all our dreams
So we can make the earth clean
Martin Luther King was not mean
He’s the greatest man we’ve ever seen
King did not wear any bling
Because he’s not a gangster king.
King believed in civil rights
So he would go out there and fight
King will fight and us to the light.
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