Hello Parents!
Saturday School is about to begin and I wanted you all to know how excited I am about the plans and program planned for your children. It is my hope to respond to your overwhelming request to develop a sense of “Latvianism” in our children as well as increase language fluency. The groups are formed, and will be shared with you soon. There will be slight changes to class groupings to accommodate incoming kindergartners and other students. The daily school schedule will also be sent.
At this time the most important change for you to know is that we will have “Ticības Mācības” – religion – in the Church at the beginning of the school day – as one group. We will sing the opening songs and say the prayers in the Church and Māc. Daira will expand her morning comments to include religious instruction. Hopefully this will give more familiarity to the Church setting for the children. We will all go up to the Church together after gathering in the hall. Should you arrive late, join us in Church.
We will also have three fieldtrips. Our language instruction prior to each field trip will focus on vocabulary which will be practiced in each setting.
We will also have singing, folk dancing, and crafts every school session. These too will be aligned to the upcoming field trips. Recess will be at the end of the school session – but students must stay for the closing procedures.
I am hoping this format will engage our children and provide incentive to practice speaking.
Our first time together will be at the UW for the Tree Planting. Guntis will share more information soon.
I look forward to working with all of you and catching up on all the summer experiences with the kids.
Irene “Pelīte” Olson
