Ms. Cassario’s 4th graders have the unique opportunity to present an illustrated book to Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. The class has appropriately titled their book Sixteen Cups of Tea.

Mr. Mortenson’s book is a true story of his mission to build a school for a poor village in Pakistan. He was motivated by a desire to repay the people of the Village for their kindness and assistance when his group became lost while climbing K2.

The book was chosen as a  “read aloud” book for 4B because it allows the class to work, as a group, with a novel that may be beyond their reading level.  The reading operates much like a book club, with frequent opportunities for class discussion.

After finishing a read aloud novel, students typically draw pictures, discuss the book, and write about their favorite part. Many of the students enjoyed the interview at the end of the book, with Greg Mortenson’s daughter Amira. She talks about what it’s like to share her father, now a philanthropic leader, with the world.

After learning about the reading assignment, one 4th grade parent, a friend of Greg Mortenson, suggested that Mr. Mortenson and his daughter Amira would enjoy seeing the student illustrations. She graciously arranged for a bound compilation of the students illustrations to be sent to Mr. Mortenson.

Author Karen Cushman captured the attention of Villa Academy students this morning with a self-introduction that included a story from her childhood. As a little girl in an ethnic neighborhood of Chicago, Karen loved to tag along with her grandfather, everywhere but the “boogey joint.” Later, she realized that the bookie joint was not where the boogeyman hung out, and that her bookie joint was the library, a favorite spot for a little girl who loved to read and write.

Ms. Cushman told students that despite writing a 5-page novel as a child, she never considered writing as a career, until 20 years ago, when her husband refused to listen to another story she’d likely never write, and insisted that instead, she sit down with pen and get started.

Ms. Cushman shared with the students how her collection of personal experiences combined with historical tidbits she gathers from primary sources aid in the creation of her novels.

Student’s filled the last 15-20 minutes of the presentation with very thoughtful questions about what inspires Ms. Cushman’s stories, her writing process, and her plans for future stories.

One student confessed that she had started writing a story of her own, but was worried it was too short to ever become a novel. To this, Ms. Cushman responded, “Basketball players don’t start by playing in the championship game, they practice their shot for a long time first.”

Newbery Award winning author, Karen Cushman will speak to students in Grades 2 – 6, Thursday, June 10.

Ms. Cushman is the author of the following books:  Midwife’s Apprentice, Rodzina, Cathrine, Called Birdy, and The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. She won the Newbery for Midwife’s Apprentice. Her new book, Alchemy and Meggy Swann, has just been released.  A selection of her books will be for sale following the event.

Author Visit Details

Christine Ingebritsen’s commitment to coaching is no secret amongst Villa soccer fans. But today, University Week, a publication from the University of Washington, shared Christine’s story with their readership in a Faculty Profile that compared her passion and commitment on the Villa Soccer field to her professional endeavors. Please take a moment to read about Christine, a Villa Parent, Trustee, Soccer Coach, and very respected member of our Community.

Read UWeek Article

The Villa Academy Green Team is planting a native garden in the strip of soil between the two carpool lanes on the east side of the school. Funding for this student-driven project came from a $300 “Terry Husseman Sustainable School Award” granted to Villa Academy by the Washington State Department of Ecology.  Preparations for the garden began in May and will continue through the summer and into next year.

All the plants in the Green Team garden will be native to Washington State. In an effort to save water and energy in the summer months, the Team has focused their selection on plants that flower only in the spring and fall and have chosen species that are found in areas with more sun exposure and drier soil.

The students have worked diligently to plan and prepare the execution of this project. Lots of brainstorming, research and schedule planning preceded the first day of digging last week. As part of their preliminary planning, the Green Team writes, “Our native plant garden is important because it gives homes to native animals and our plants are adapted to the climate and to native animals. It also provides a variety of foods all through the year.”

At one of their earliest meetings, student members of the Green Team voted to spend the $300 award from the WA Department of Ecology on tools, supplies and planting soil to keep their garden growing.

Join us as we watch the Green Team’s Native Garden bloom! Students will begin planting this week. Informational plant signage and additional garden touches (such as bird feeders, woodpecker suet logs, etc) will be coming soon!

Jenna, a first grader in Ms. McFarland’s class, stepped in for Mrs. Skinner today and took over Villa as “Head of School for the Day.” To watch the fun, click on:  Head Master Jenna

Together, the Villa Academy Preschool donated hundreds of gently used books to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, an organization that supports the families of seriously ill children by providing a “home-away-from-home” as the children undergo treatment.

Piles of donated books created an impressive collection, which lined the halls of the Preschool classrooms. There were so many books that, unfortunately, a final count was never determined. Estimations range between 900 and 1,000!

On Monday May 24, TWO carloads of books were loaded and delivered by a P3 parent volunteer.

“Most of the children are familiar with Children’s Hospital,” said Mrs. Raymaker, and “all the children were excited to give their books away for other children to enjoy while they are away from the comforts of their own home.”

The Preschool would like to thank all the preschoolers and their families for such generous donations.  The books will be extremely appreciated and well loved!

Today, the Villa Academy fourth grade had the honor of presenting representatives from Food Lifeline with a donation check for the amount of $668.58.  The money was raised at an annual fundraiser hosted by the fourth grade students as part of their yearlong service project.

Prior to presenting the check, four student representatives stood as a group and shared heartfelt sentiments about their experience as volunteers for Food Lifeline.  The students each read a letter expressing what this service project meant to them personally, and some mentioned how it had helped them to reflect on their own blessings.

This special opportunity was the culmination of the fourth grade’s yearlong efforts.  Several trips to Food Lifeline to help sort and package food donations and the sale of handmade ceramic bowls at the “Empty Bowls Soup Dinner” preceded today’s special event.

Food Lifeline graciously accepted the donation with much appreciation and reminded students that this donation alone would be enough to provide over 2,600 meals!

Watch video of students presenting the check to Food Lifeline:

Lifeline Check Presentation

As announced in the Monday Memo, the search process for Head of School has begun.  The search committee would like to assure that all members of the Villa Community (alumni, parents, student, faculty, staff and friends) have an opportunity to engage in this process.

Terry Macaluso, the search consultant hired to assist Villa in this process, will be on campus to meet with parents and community members who would like to share their thoughts in person.  Terry has scheduled parent input sessions at the following times:

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Thursday May 20, 2009 in the Villa Parlor

8:40 am – 9:40 am, Tuesday May 25, 2009 in the Villa Parlor

6:00 pm  – 7:00 pm, Wednesday May 26, 2009 in the Villa Theatre

Your input is important. If you cannot attend one of the scheduled times above, please take the opportunity to share your opinion through this short online survey

Read more

Villa Academy 3^rd grade artwork will be on display at The Confectionary in the U-Village this spring.  The student art is based on the creations of artist Wayne Thiebaud, who is best known for his paintings of desserts. His symmetrical compositions have strong light and shadows and bring the viewer right into the picture.

The student art caught the attention of Kristi, a Villa Academy parent and owner of The Confectionery, an upscale candy boutique in Seattle’s University Village. Kristi invited the students to share their yummy looking artwork with her customers.

Through this assignment students practiced drawing 3-dimensional cylinder shapes to use as their cake form and experimented with oil pastel layering techniques. Colors were layered in varying values to show light and shadow. Decorations were added to the outside of the cake and platter to finish off the delicious looking creations.

Stop by The Confectionery this spring to satisfy your sweet tooth and your appreciation of student artwork!