BigA Pizza Fundraiser

A huge slice of thanks to more than 120 adults and 60 kids who attended the Biga Pizza fundraiser and made it so successful!

Special thanks goes out to Bob Marshall and his crew who baked pizzas, tossed salads, took orders, cleaned tables, washed dishes and swept floors all night long! Mo and Amanda (the waitresses), you were fantastic!

Thanks, too, to the fundraising committee who helped at the door and bussed tables as well.
Oh What A Night!

Parent Letter

----- Original Message -----
From: B W
To: Kelly@spiritatplay.org
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:20 AM
Subject: Hello from Virginia Beach!

Hey Kelly!

It's been way too long since I have contacted you guys in beautiful Missoula. I wanted to write you a little note and let you know how I have been doing! Since moving back from Missoula, I have moved to Virginia Beach, and enrolled in a 5- yr masters program for Elementary Education- It's been a long road, but I am finally able to say I am graduating in the Spring! I am so thrilled and excited, and am so happy to begin my journey as an Educator. :)

The main reason of this email is to thank you and the SAP staff for showing me all the ideals and philosophies I believe in and have read about in text books actually in play. In the short time I was employed at SAP, I learned more than I have in many method classes combined. I have taken these methods and have utilized them in my practicum and student teaching with gleaming results. SAP has shown me that it is possible, even in the most challanging of situations, to use positive discipline & reinforcement and "love and logic" and actually reach the student. The experiences I had while at SAP has shaped and molded me into exactly what type of educator I want to become, as well as the type of classroom environment I will have in my future classroom.

My most recent project is a composting program set up in an urban elementary school in Norfolk, VA. The students learn about decomposition and soil mechanics (4th grade state standard) by composting the proper materials. Once the compost is ready to use, the students bag and sell it at the community market, thus making a profit off their garbage (another 4th grade standard). I always tell students that I have seen 4 year olds compost and recycle- and they always get a kick out of it!

Thank you, SAP for inspiring me. Whenever possible, whether I am sharing stories with my peers or sister (she's a teacher, too), I always recount the teaching methods you, Judy, Micheal and Allison implement every day. If I ever visit Missoula again, I will be sure to drop in and say hello!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

B. W.