Hello all, happy Thursday afternoon! It is hard to believe but we made it through today with outdoor recesses! We even got our monthly fire drill taken care of this afternoon! Yahoo!

Just a few notes-

* Tomorrow is Vestal Spirit day! Wear your Vestal gear and/or messages for peace and justice

* No School Monday- In honor of MLK Jr. (see note below for a service project you can join on Monday!)

* Next Thursday, Jan 19th, PLEASE join us for a family night where the kids show off the awesome drumming they have been learning from Alex Addy! 6-7 PM in the auditorium!

Thanks all, Vestal Peace....

Sabrina Flamoe

Art Spotlight/ January

Hello Vestal Community!

In December, students explored the formal art element of space: Kindergarten created “value landscapes”, in which they explored the idea of perspective and composition by showing how larger objects in a picture look close to the viewer, whereas smaller objects appear to be far away. First, second, and third grade students created mosaics in which they thought about how color, shape, and composition work together to make effective and exciting images. Fourth and fifth graders just finished a project that demonstrates 1-point perspective, which is an illusion that artists began using during the Renaissance.This illusion creates images that appear to have depth, because all linear aspects of the picture converge at one “vanishing point”. It was challenging, but students worked hard and have created some really great pieces that depict art galleries, aquariums, and even the Vestal hallway! Fifth grade students will display their work next week in the hallway outside their classrooms.

Starting this month, all students are focusing on texture as an element in art. Kindergarten just started a texture composition this week, and they will be painting these next week. First and second grade practiced paper weaving this week, and will be starting a paper loom project next week. Third through fifth grade students will begin a textile project next week. 

I love getting to work with all of our student artists!

~Ms. Breaux

News from PTA-

Next week is a busy week at Vestal, and besides the very exciting Ghanaian Drumming evening on January 19th, there are some other events we’d like to let you know about:

Monday, Jan 16, 10am to Noon - MLK Day of Service - Join us in local service and help clean up and beautify the Vestal school grounds.

Wednesday, Jan 18, 8:15am to 9:30am - Volunteering at Vestal - Drop in at the school to learn about different ways parents can volunteer in the Vestal community.

Saturday, Jan 21, 9am to 11am - Pancake Breakfast - Back for the first time in years, we’ll have pancakes, coffee, and some games and activities for everyone. There’s a suggested donation of $5 per individual or $10 per family, with no one turned away.

If you would like to know more about any of these events, please email the Vestal PTA at vestalelementarypta@gmail.com. And, as always, thank you for being part of the amazing Vestal community!