The RCS fourth grade just finished a wonderful unit on all things plants. From photosynthesis to seed growth to planting systems, each student understood a lot about plants by the end of the unit.
Students went to the NC Arboretum at the start of the unit and continued study of plants, processes and systems during the course of their unit.
Student Presentations
Part of the requirements for learning was for 4th graders to present their unit to their parents and families.
On Friday, they had a chance to do just that:
The presentation schedule
Students went out to the community gardens where they showed their parents the different plants that were growing. They also had a greenhouse where they were growing smaller plants:
Other students showed off their planting systems and explained what was going on with their particular system:
The plant package designs were all part of a bigger part of the unit: the engineering design process:
Engineering Design Process
Students explained their thinking, learning and their conclusions to their parents using their folders:
Students also did a blue-dye experiment to see what would happen as plants grew.
Parents helped create a botanical feast for the botany celebration.
Students’ plants were not quite ready from the school community garden to make a meal with them. That will happen later on. In the meantime, students were able to enjoy good food and fellowship with their families.
As the school year gets underway, we’re learning about what opportunities staff and students participated in over the summer.
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Rainbow’s music teacher, Sue Ford, attended something called the Sister Singers Network Festival at the University of Illinois, Champagne/Urbana this summer.
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There she had the honor of hearing a song that she wrote called “Heal Me” by a mass chorus of 250 women.
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Women’s Chorus singing “Heal Me” a song Sue Ford composed.
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“Heal Me” by Sue Ford was recorded by Womansong a few years ago. Listen to the audio version:
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She also performed with Womansong of Asheville as well as facilitated a workshop called “Rhythm for Singers”.
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The video below shows Sue playing the banjo to one of the mass chorus songs, “I Come From Women” by Amy Carol Webb:
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We’re so proud of Sue!
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But also, if you’re a current or former Rainbow student, family member or even staff, we want to hear your news! Contact us and let us know.
Where: Rainbow Community School’s New Community Auditorium.
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Details: There will be food, beverages, door prizes, and sponsorship opportunities. We will also have a presentation about how Rainbow is impacting Asheville.
Did you know that you can rent out the auditorium?
RCS held their graduation over at the sanctuary on the new property.
Before walking over, both preschool classes held a centering for one last time:
Centering at the Blue Door Preschool.
Once students finished, they made their way to the sanctuary.
Waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin.
Preschoolers began the ceremony by singing their “Hola, Hola” song in Spanish. They sang two other songs, including one in honor of Judith, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Preschool teachers then called up all the students to receive their certificates.
Preschoolers finishing their songs and awaiting their certificates.
It’s such a milestone to graduate!
Now everyone has their certificates! Are they happy or what?
After the ceremony, families gathered for food and sharing. They began with a blessing:
A blessing before the picnic.
Everyone lined up and the food was yummy! The day turned out beautiful and bright.
Lining up for the picnic.
It’s so fun to have all our families on campus. They help to make RCS the wonderful place that it is!
Wonderful families at RCS!
We have students who value trust, honesty and love.
Our campaign was a HUGE success! We are just shy of our $200,000 goal to acquire the church property next to the school. Thank you to everyone who came to the event. There was music, food, fun, and games.
Our fundraiser yesterday raised $24,000, bringing us to $168,000 towards our $200,000 goal. For all who joined us, we are incredibly happy you came!
We want to extend a special thank you to our musicians, Greg Olson, Bobby Miller & the Virginia Daredevils, Adama Dembele & Friends for all of your musical entertainment. We had so many volunteers who contributed their many hours and talents to the event and we express our deepest gratitude. FUEL Food Truck and Catering, GQC Lebanese Street Food, Wicked Weed Brewing, & Bill Drew provided some delicious food and drink – it was all a success.
Thank you also to our Board of Directors, faculty, & staff – without everyone’s help, this whole event might not have been possible. The future of Rainbow is right now and we’re making it happen!
A special thank you to all the members of the Asheville Community who helped make this day possible.
