Dear Parents and Students,
I hope that you enjoyed a fun and active summer. I sure did! We were lucky to have so many warm, sunny days. I loved seeing many of you at the beach and when I was out walking my dogs. It will be great to see ALL of you when we get back to school and in the Gym this year.
There are lots of fun lessons and activities planned for this school year. We’ll be movin’ and groovin’! I’ve got some new games for us to play, too!
Please remember to wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move around in for Gym class. Make sure to wear your SNEAKERS. Sneakers that tie will stay on your feet much better than most slip ons. I know that many kids like to wear sandals and crocs while it’s still warm out, so make sure that you have your sneakers to change into when it’s time for PE class. I want you to be able to participate and to move around safely!
I’ll see you soon!
Mrs. Papi Smith
Physical Education Teacher
Kaler School and Small School
Hi all!
My name is Ms. Johnson. My two favorite instruments to play are the electric bass and the oboe. I have two cats at home. I grew up in Illinois, but I’ve lived in Maine for six years. This is my third year teaching at Small School and my fourth year teaching at Kaler School. I am so happy to be here!
This year in music class we will:
Sing beautifully
Listen thoughtfully to music
Discuss music using musical terms
Play instruments with correct technique
Perform music for each other
Move to music
. . . and we will have fun doing it!
Please say “hello” to me the next time we meet. I can not wait to get to know you!
- Ms. Johnson
Music Teacher
Kaler and Small Elementary Schools
Pronouns: she/they
Welcome to your Library!
My name is Katie Fiorini, and I am so excited for another year of reading, learning, and exploration with your students in the library! There will be a welcome back letter coming from the library in the next week or so, but just a few things in the meantime:
All students will have library class once per week
All students will have the opportunity to borrow library books
If you have any library books at home from last year, it’s never too late to return them!
If you have any library-related questions, please let me know.
Happy Reading!
Katie Fiorini (pronounced Fee-or-EE-nee)
Library Information Integrator
Kaler School
Hello from the Art Room!
Mrs. Grygiel here, and I will be your child(ren)’s art teacher this year. I cannot wait to get back into the art room and continue to work with Small’s student artists in making art that will exercise creativity and grow minds.
This year in the art room students will be creating artwork that will be inspired by the elements, principles and themes of art; master artists and art history; as well as special units of studies from the classroom. Please take a look below for more information about Art at Kaler Elementary School this year.
Few things to know about Art this year:
Artwork will be distributed to students to take home at the end of the year. This allows students to continue to work and reflect on their artwork throughout the school year.
If your student had selected artwork in Art In The Park this summer, their artwork will be hung on display at Kaler School for the 2025-2026 school year. If you wish to opt out of this and take your child's artwork home in September, please email Mrs. Grygiel.
If your student had artwork from Art In The Park from the summer of 2024 that has been on display at Kaler School this past year, your student will be taking it home in September.
Want to keep up with what your student is doing in art this year!? I will provide a slideshow of current art projects and other art room happenings in our Trimesterly Related Arts Newsletters. I will also be periodically posting about our artworks in progress on the art room Instagram account → @sopokidart.
I am looking forward to another wonderfully art-inspired year at Kaler School, and cannot wait for your student(s) to share their beautiful works of art with you!
Warmly,
Mrs. Grygiel