My true love is teaching and I have been very lucky to have spent thirty one years doing just that. I have spent eighteen of those years here at Terraset where I have always taught first grade or a K-1-2 multiage class. I have always said that first graders are "Magic" - and they are just that. Their joy is infectious. They can put a smile on anyone's face.

 
I was in the convent when I first started teaching forty-four fourth graders in Pueblo, Colorado, many years ago. Things were a little different then: different desks (bolted to the floor),

Mary Lou Sybert has taught about 100 of the students currently at Terraset

no computers, no TV in the classroom, no smartboards, and yet... things were very much the same. Children all over the world are the same. They are happy and inquisitive and energetic and want to learn. They are perfect.

I have always felt honored to be able to teach. It has been a beautiful, joyful gift for me. But now I am even more excited because I am joining my daughter, Sam, and her little family in Madison, Wisconsin. I miss my own two children so much that I need to be near them and my grandchildren. It's time for me to make some changes . So like any good first grader I will try and bring a little more magic into my life. Poof! The sights and sounds of any first grade classroom will always be mine. Now I can share that with my little granddaughter Isabel and my soon to be born grandson.

 
I have been so lucky to have known so many Terraset families and the unbelievable teachers here. Terraset is a powerhouse of teaching and caring. I have been the recipient of that caring. I want to give a huge "thank you" to everyone in our Terraset Family. It's been a wonderful journey! I can't wait to see what is just around the next corner. With love, Mary Lou.

            

There is a lot at the school we might take for granted: the neat lawn on the roof of the school, the clean bathrooms, even the fact that the door is locked during the day. All these things are the responsibility of a team of people at our school, but one of them will be leaving us this year.  Mrs. Beverly Sheppard, the Assistant Building Supervisor, will be officially retiring at the end of the year after 29 years of working for Terraset.

Beverly Sheppard, retiring at the end of this year.

 

Beverly works with Mr. Glover, the building supervisor, on a number of tasks. You may have spotted her in the cafeteria if you have joined your child for lunch. She made sure the spills were cleaned and the trash cans emptied. I know when she brought the trash around it was the signal to my daughter that recess time was here and the sign to my son that he needed to quit goofing off and eat because lunch was almost over!  But Beverly does so much more....  She works 8 ½ hours a day, 12 months out of the year keeping our school clean, organized and ready for use. During the summer she cleans the school top to bottom and keeps the grounds clean. During the school year she makes sure the hallways are tidy, the bathrooms clean and that our kids are safe.

Mrs. Sheppard plays an important role in making sure the school stays secure. She says the doors did not always stay locked during the day but people have always been required to sign in at the front office. Beverly helps make sure those front doors stay locked and everyone reports to the office to sign in.  

While she will miss the laughter she has shared with students and teachers in the school, Mrs. Sheppard is looking forward to spending more time with her two wonderful sons after she retires.  Her youngest will be a senior in the fall and she plans to spend her summer visiting colleges with him. 

 

Thank you Beverly for the wonderful service you have provided Terraset for the past 29 years, and enjoy your time with your kids. But remember... no food fights!

From Devon Boatwright

 

However, things will change for Marty next year. She is retiring from Terraset to move onto other things. She has many fond memories of her years here, saying "[The parents and children] are some of the nicest I have ever met." She has especially enjoyed the Pirate themed 6th grade party and the trips to Jamestown and Petersburg.

 

 

 

 

In spanish, students have also learned about the history of the Piñata. They have watched a video showing different kinds of piñatas and discussed how important they are in Hispanic culture. They have even learned what to say before breaking it.

 
Piñatas are centerpieces of birthday parties and other festive and celebratory events. Children try to break open the piñata to enjoy the bounty of candy and other goodies hidden inside. However, the piñata didn't always have its roots in children's entertainment. In the third week of June, after having FLES tests, third graders will break their Piñatas . They have created their Piñatas using recyclable materials!

 

Gracias,

Sra. Calvache Vu

Junio 2010

Filled with fun and games, Field Day marks the end of a long school year, particularly the recent Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Its a big event, but well worth it. Our kids will each have some wonderful memories of these fun days.

 

Grades K-2 will have their Field Day on the morning of Monday, June 21.

 

Grades 3-6 will have their Field Day on the morning of Tuesday, June 22.

 

The PTA supports Field Day with a budget of about $500 and a team of volunteers. So, Mr Patterson is working closely with Leslie Sogandares and Dianne Rose to coordinate the day. Of course, he will be suported by all the staff and teachers at Terraset, but a lot of adult supervision will be needed.

 

This promises to be a great opportunity to see the kids shine and have a great day, so if you can help please let us know now. We will contact you shortly via our room parents, or you could email volunteer@terrasetpta.org now and let us know your availability.