Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pumpkin Patch

--Em School Update: I tried to meet with her teacher after school yesterday, but she had already left for the day. I ended up speaking with the director. (I agree with other commenters-as a teacher, I would prefer a parent come to me directly BEFORE going to my principal. However, the director, Ms. K was near the front desk when I asked if Em's teacher had already left for the day or not. So when I walked by, she called me into her office and asked what I needed.) I still plan to speak with her teacher, Ms. T. next week to discuss things. The director informed me that Ms. T and another teacher had both called her that morning because several students in their classrooms had seen or heard the news and were telling other students about it. Ms. K said she directed the teachers to:
--Verify that a little girl named Summer was killed by a stranger on her way home from school
--Explain that Summer is in Heaven now
--Say a prayer for Summer
--NOT focus on "stranger-danger" type lessons, so as not to scare the children
--Say, "Yes, it's very sad" (or something similar) and steer the conversation elsewhere if kiddos continued to bring it up during the day

I am saddened that multiple parents allowed their 4 and 5 year olds to view the news this week. However, I am comfortable with how Ms. K handled the situation. And being a teacher, I know we often have "teachable moments" that are not necessarily related to our standards or curriculum.

My only remaining concern is whether or not the news was viewed in the classroom. However, I will speak with Ms. T about this directly...

--Pumpkin Patch: Today we had a wonderful 80 degree sunny day. DH, Em and I travelled to C.onnor's A.cres farm to experience the hayride, pumpkin patch, corn maze and fun. We had a great time! I was thrilled with our fun fall photos. (And just as an FYI, Em dressed herself in her orange and pink outfit today.)

Em on the PVC Pipe Slide


Queen of the Haystack


Bonding with Daddy


Family on the hayride cart (which DH says should have been advertised as a "tractor ride," rather than a "hayride," as there was hay on the floor of the cart, but not on the benches where people sat to ride. Valid point!)




Haystack Sliding (Em wore herself out---she must have climbed up and slid down this haystack 40 times. She LOVED it!)








Em enjoyed a "Cow Tractor Ride"


Daddy and Em walking in the Corn Maze


Em loved making "angels" in the corn box


Pumpkin Patch Girl

I love this time of year! We had a wonderful time!

12 comments:

Mrs. Gamgee said...

First up... I swear I saw pics on another blog of that exact same pumpkin patch/cow train/corn box farm. Crazy! Glad you all had a great time.

I'm glad that you were able to express your concerns to the director of Em's school. I hope that when you talk to Ms. T things go well.

Becoming a Family of Four said...

great pics!! Love that you can wear shorts to the pumpkin patch....not so here in the midwest :)

Marie W said...

Love the pictures! Looks like everybody had an awesome time.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

These are some amazing Fall pix. I especially love the one with Em lying in the corn. Wow!

The Summer story is so sad...not sure how I feel about the teacher's handling of it.

Anonymous said...

I am glad to hear you got answers from the school director, I hope talking to the teacher goes just as well!!

The pumpkin patch pictures are ADORABLE! I love the corn box one, I so want to do that myself!!!!

Danifred said...

Glad you are starting to get some resolution on the whole news in the classroom issue.
Love the pumpkin patch pictures and as a mom with a fashionista, I love Em's outfit :)

tbonegrl said...

goodness those pics are great!!! Shorts in the pumpkin patch made me smile too! Em looks so beautiful!

Sunny said...

Awwww... Em looks sooo happy snuggled between her mom and dad. Beautiful family. :)

Kristin said...

BTW, I wanted to let you know i have a post up about the Book Challenge and I didn't have your email to send you the link, so here it is - book challenge post

Love those pumpkin patch pics...awesome.

OppositeOfOops said...

Your daughter is too darn cute!

thanks for coming by my blog. We secondary IFfers need to stick together. :)

Totally jealous of your family wearing shorts & t-shirts by the way. Brrrr.

Amy said...

Hey, it's good to see the corn box exists in other parts of the country. I recently showed photos of my DD in the corn box to people at work, and they looked at me like I was crazy. They never heard of a cornbox!

All adorable photos!

PS...How appropriate is it that my word verification word is "hating" when I came here from Mel's "buggy" post?

Billy said...

Looks like you had such a wonderful time!
(here from blogger bingo)