Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Last Day

June 8, 2011

Summer vacation is finally upon us after a long year of learning, bonding, growing {spiritually & physically}, and FUN! I have really enjoyed getting to know this bunch of 6th graders, and I feel truly blessed to have had the chance to be their teacher. Our last couple months of school we have been able to go on some fun field trips {Outdoor Ed., Walk About LA, and Beach Day} and I was able to grow even closer to my students, which makes it even harder to send them on to 7th grade. Of course, I had to take advantage of my last chance to snap some pictures of these kids as 6th graders.
Below is each 6th grade teacher with their homeroom class.

Top Row: Mrs. Koehnke, Brittany, Jordan, Korey, Josh, Kevin M., Nick, AJ, Kyle G., Aaron
Middle Row: Katie, Kyle Q., Andrew, Kevin G., Evan, Charlotte, Sarah
Bottom Row: Haley, Taylor, Kara, Emily 

Of course, a silly picture is a MUST ;)

6A: Top Row: Mrs. Klitzing, Matthew, Jacob, Brandon D., Cole, Hayden, Jake, Ken, Aaron, Adam, Kameron
Bottom Row: Angela, Kendell, Brittany, Ally, Zoey, Becky, and Ellie

Lookin' good, 6A

Mrs. Koehnke and her 6C boys

Now, the lovely ladies of 6C :)

Fun times!
6B: Top Row: Mrs. Mattoon, Madi, Ryan, Kristen, Cade, Emily, Scott
Middle Row: Brie, Noah, Nathan, Joh, Chris, George
Bottom Row: Madi, Alex, Anthony, Pierson, Jack, Garrett


Mrs. Mattoon and the 6B Boys

Oh, boys!

The girls of 6B {They were heavily out-numbered by the boys}

SAYING GOODBYE:

The last day was a half day, so it went by super fast. I did a good job of keeping it together up until the final class prayer. As my homeroom class {6C} and I bowed our heads to pray, I wanted to lift them up and thank God for each and every one of my special students and praise Him for our amazing school year. However, as soon as I began to verbalize this I was filled with emotion and I couldn't continue. The only thing I could get out was, "Can someone please take over?" and Josh Odle thoughtfully stepped in and finished the prayer for me. After that my students gave me a group hug!. :) What a special moment...a moment I won't forget. Happy summer everyone!!!



Tuesday, June 7, 2011

5th-7th Grade BEACH DAY!

June 6, 2011
Each year the 5th-7th grade students and teachers take a trip to Newport Beach {15th Street} for the end of the school year picnic. This is my third year of teaching and the weather for my previous two beach trips was a bit gloomy. This year, however, the sun was shining and the weather was gorgeous! Praise God! We were able to have some fun in the sun and enjoy one of our last days together before Summer Vacation!  

Some of the boys hanging out with Anthony, the Merman

Beach Babes: Ellie and Emily

Mrs. Koehnke's niece, Faye, eating a snack with Mrs. Klitzing

Buried Boys and the Burying Crew

HI SCOTT! :)

Just chillin'
I wish I would have taken more pictures of this wonderful day, but I was too busy enjoying the sun myself!
"School's out for the summer!"

Thursday, June 2, 2011

"Walk About L.A."

Each year, 6th grade takes a trip to Los Angeles via the Metrolink Train. Mr. Lutz leads the tour and is accompanied by Mrs. K, Mrs. Mattoon, Mrs. Koehnke, some wonderful adult chaperones, and, of course, all of the St. Paul's 6th graders. Our journey today began at the Orange Train Depot, where we boarded at precisely 8:22. For many of the kids, this was their first experience riding a train! Below is a picture of some excited 6th graders after we got off of the train and arrived in Los Angeles.

Our "Travel Guide," Mr. Lutz, had the journey all mapped out in advance.
Here are some highlights that we were able to see and learn about:
  • MTA headquarters
  • The historic 1939 Union Depot
  • El Pueblo Historic Monument
  • Avila Adobe (built in 1818)
  • Olvera Street--Shopping for Souvenirs
  • The Federal District Court House (City Hall)
  • Our Lady of Angels Cathedral
  • LA County Music Center
  • Bonaventure Hotel
  • LA Main Library
  • Red Line Subway  
I hope you enjoy the pictures from our adventure!

6A gals "mountain climbing" in Union Station

Group Photos!
Mrs. Koehnke and Emily :)


Great quote!

Future Police Officers?? :)
Another group photo!
Entering Our Lady of Angels Cathedral shhhhhh...
Mrs. K strikes a pose by some beautiful decor in the Cathedral
SUCH a neat site to see some of our 6th graders {AJ and Kevin G. in this photo} praying on their own! All of them were very respectful and quiet while we were in the beautiful cathedral.
Checking out the Holy Water
Garrett and his Guardian Angel ;)
Kameron having some fun with one of the treats he bought at Olvera Street--Fizzing Soda Candy! Having one or two of the candies was tasty, but eating the whole bottle of candies at ONCE is pretty extreme!
Admiring some artwork as we passed by
Riding the elevators in the Bonaventure Hotel! Fun and a little scary looking down to the street from the 32nd floor!
Mr. Lutz taking advantage of a "teachable moment" :) Great job, Mr. Lutz!
Just hangin' out!
Passing through another beautiful hotel
Cute walkers: Taylor, Haley, and Brittany
Enjoying {I think? haha} a ride on the subway
Relaxing on the subway after a long day of walking. Kevin M. looks spent! :)
Pretending to "surf" on the subway
Mrs. Koehnke, Mrs. K, and Mrs. Mattoon--All smiles as we arrived back at the Orange Depot
A special thank you to our chaperones: Mrs. Lord, Mrs. Algra, Mr. McCann, Mrs. Quizon, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Scanlon, and Mrs. Kent! Thank you for helping us "herd" all 58 sixth graders around downtown L.A.!