May 2012
Dear Zaharis Families,
What an exciting stretch we have experienced over the past few weeks! We celebrated 10 years of learning as a community. Our sixth graders are soon to move on to a new adventure and have just returned from Sea World. Science Camp is a distant memory for our fifth grade youngsters. Our 4th graders will soon conquer the Grand Canyon.
While these adventures took us to places near and far, some of our most important successes occur right here within the walls of our life here at school each day. How many children developed as readers and writers this year? Too many to number. How many in some small way, made the world a better place through their learning experience at school? Hopefully more than a few. We need to be mindful of what and how we celebrate in life. Sometimes the most worthwhile pursuits and accomplishments are washed over.
My heart is full. Rocky Poole is soon to retire. This is his final year of teaching—32 years of making a difference in the lives of children. Rocky is not only one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had the privilege of teaming-up with throughout my career, he is one of the most caring and giving human beings I know. I consider him a friend and mentor. His footprints are all over this school and his influence will live on.
Kim Gerodimos will also be leaving Zaharis School at the end of the school year. Like Rocky, Kim has been a tremendous influence in the lives of children and families over the past 10 years. She has contributed to the development of Zaharis in many ways, mentoring teachers and student teachers alike. She will be missed and will always be a Zaharis Soaring Eagle!
We invite you to make summer reading a priority in your home. Here are a few authors that have influenced us at Zaharis. These wonderful writers can easily make for a summer packed with reading adventures.
For our youngest readers: John Birmingham, Shirley Hughes, Arnold Lobel, Byron Barton, Heidi Goenell, Mem Fox, Anthony Browne, Rosemary Wells, Eric Carle, Charlotte Zolotow, Vera B. Williams, Bill Martin Jr., Jeanne Titherington, Kevin Henkes, David Crews, Frank Asch Peter Sis, Brian Wildsmith, Lois Ehlert, Tana Hoban, Leo Lionni, Robert Munsch, Marisabina Russo, Peggy Parish
For our more independent readers: Patricia Polacco, James Howe, Eve Bunting, Cynthia Rylant, Nikki Giovanni, Eloise Greenfield, William Steig, Patricia Reilly Giff, Gail Gibbons, Byrd Baylor, Jane Yolen, Louis Sachar, Beverly Cleary, Patricia MacLachlan, Jon Sciezka, Kathryn Lasky
For our more mature readers: Pam Munoz Ryan, Gary Paulsen, Gary Soto, Walter Dean Meyers, Avi, Jerry Spinelli, Jack Gantos, Christopher Paul Curtis, Pat Hermes, Paula Fox, Lawrence Yep, Katherine Patterson, Natalie Babbit
Happy reading. May you fall in love with these authors and with reading in new ways this summer. Learning does not suddenly stop when the school year ends. There are always new questions to explore! It is a privilege to spend life in the company of your children each day.
Mike Oliver