Welcome!

June 18, 2012

Dear Parents,

Aloha and welcome to Nature Study 4-5. I am Cindy Tamashiro and I will be your child’s teacher this summer. During the regular school year, I teach third grade at Kapunahala Elementary School in Kaneohe. This is my 13^th year teaching this course and I’m thrilled to be teaching here at Punahou again. Our Teacher’s Assistant this summer is Patrick McFadden. Pat graduated from Punahou in 2007 and Chapman University in 2011. His college major was Finance and Entrepreneurship. Pat enjoys the outdoors and has been a TA at Punahou for many summers. We are so excited to have your child joining us this summer. Together, we will explore and learn about the world around us.

Nature Study 4-5 is a course designed to help students develop a better understanding of nature. This is a hands-on class where we will learn by doing and exploring. We will have many field trips, guest speakers, and workshops. Other curriculum areas, such as reading, writing, math concepts, Social Studies, Science, and art will be integrated. Most importantly, we will learn how we can become responsible citizens and help protect our planet Earth.

As mentioned above, we will be going on several field trips this summer. Parents are welcome to join us on most field trips. If you are interested in joining us, please let me know a few days before the trip so I can make sure that there is enough room on the bus. Please note that there may be an admission charge for some of the field trips. After reviewing the calendar, please send me a note if you would like to join us on any of the field trips or class activities.

I would also like to ask for your help in checking your calendars (which are attached) daily so your child will come to class prepared for the day’s activities. Shoes are required for most field trips. It would be worthwhile to invest in a pair of reefwalkers which can be used for the ocean and fishpond field trips. Also, for your child’s protection, please apply sunscreen for outdoor trips and insect repellent for hiking trips. If you prefer, you may send sunscreen to school and your child may apply it before we leave for our field trips. Please note that students should bring a snack, water, and a small backpack on field trip days.

We will be making terrariums after our Manoa Falls hike on June 26 and your help is needed in sending a large jar (plastic or glass) with a lid for this project. The large Costco size jars from various snacks work well. If you are from out of state, please send me a note as I have some extras that you may have.

I am looking forward to an enjoyable and productive summer with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to stop by, drop me a note, email me at ctamashiro@punahou.edu or leave a message for me at the Summer School office at 944-5737. Also, I have created a blog which you can access at naturestudy2012.blogspot.com. There will be important information, reminders, newsletters, and lots of photos of our field trips. I will be sending you an update via email when something new is posted.  Thank you in advance for your support this summer.

Sincerely,

Cindy Tamashiro

P.S. Please sign the attached waivers and the Student Emergency Form and return them by Wed., June 20. Mahalo!