TOW Students enjoying outdoor classroom

Kerry Rubel

Springtime at Top of the World is a wonder of blossoms. A recent trip

to our outdoor classroom was a delight of flowers blooming, vines

climbing, and fruit ripening.

This time of year we are so lucky to watch our garden thrive. With

no construction going on anymore, the students are able to enjoy this

outdoor classroom in style. Retired TOW teacher Terry Hustwick has

certainly created a wonderland of learning for our students.

We recently celebrated the success of our annual jog-a-thon with

an assembly to honor top participants. Bettina Rey’s dedicated

committee, including Marcy Rodner, Carey Strombotne, Monica Snyder,

Debra Glass, Denise Coury, and Michele Noel-Laird, organized a

record-breaking fundraiser for our PTA. Students, parents, and

community partners helped to make our jog-a-thon a great success. All

profits will go to programs that enhance our school community.

This May we will be honoring our dedicated staff with a variety of

treats for our annual staff appreciation week. In addition to

homemade treats, Dizz’s As Is restaurant will be hosting a delicious

luncheon for the staff on May 5, and students will prepare homemade

cards to give as an expression of gratitude. Many thanks go to Mary

Patillo and Juliett Chesley for organizing all of the events during

this special week.

May also brings the state’s STAR testing for students in second

through fifth grades. The TOW PTA will provide snacks for all

students before each testing period. In addition, fifth-graders will

travel to Thurston at the end of the month for their middle school

orientation. Dr. Culverhouse and Mrs. Salberg spoke to parents at our

last PTA meeting, setting the stage for the transition from

elementary to middle school.

Finally, May will wrap up with our wonderful open house. This is

always a wonderful way for both students and teachers to share their

delight in the learning process. Projects, art, choral and band

concerts and multimedia productions are the norm for this fun-filled

evening.

Community members are welcome to attend.