Let Me Run Sign-ups Begin!



Dear Families of 4th Grade Boys,

Yeah! I am so excited and ready to begin our fall season of Let Me Run! (The version of Girls on the Run for boys!)

A brief introduction: Let Me Run is a non-profit prevention program aimed at strengthening boys in body and spirit. Our mission is to encourage boys to stay on track to living into their full potential by inspiring healthy friend, family and community relationships. We use the power of running and lively group activities to equip boys with tools to lead a balanced and fulfilling life -- emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Our boys feel the strength of being connected to others through positive communication and team interaction. Upon leaving the program we watch for our boys to take responsibility for all aspects of their health and confidently lead for positive change around them.

A typical Let Me Run practice begins with a healthy snack. From there, the team runs a paced "Unity Lap" with that day's "Words to Live By" (my favorite from last year: "The best part about being on a team is you always have someone on your side"). We proceed to dynamic stretches (that is, stretches that involve movement), and begin our run for that day. After the run, the boys do a static stretch (stretches that involve little movement), and we move into that day's lesson. The culminating event of our 7-week program is a 5k. This fall's 5k, Speed for Children in Need will take place on December 8 at 3:00 p.m. at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and from the details I've seen, it will be awesome.

This year, practice at Trinity will take place from 3:35-4:50 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons beginning Tuesday, October 23. Space is limited to 14 students, so if you are interested, please register as soon as possible here: http://trinityepiscopal.racesonline.com/

We will first open Let Me Run to 4th grade boys. Next week, we will reach out to 5th graders, space permitting. The cost to register is $100. Your registration is your commitment to have your boy at practice every Tuesday and Thursday, and at the 5k on December 8 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. If you or a family member is a runner, I encourage you to register for the 5k separately. It was amazing last year when some of the boys had moms, dads, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters running in the race with them. They saw how big their team was!

This is my second year with Let Me Run, and I can attest to the powerful impact this program and the 5k had on all involved. I am thrilled to have just locked down our Healthful Living, cross country, and track coach Jason Martin as the assistant coach. He is an amazing runner, and I know his participation will teach the boys (and me!) so much.

Trinity has a special connection to Let Me Run; our retired Dean of Community Life, Joanne Stratton Tate, sits on the board of Let Me Run, and continues to play a fundamental role in developing its curriculum.

I cannot wait for our season to begin in just under a month. It promises to be full of challenges, hard work, deep soul-searching, and, ultimately, reward as the boys learn the vulnerability and courage it takes to be themselves. 

Please feel free to call me 704.607.6435 or email me amerritt@tescharlotte.org with questions!

Sincerely,

Alex Merritt

Parent / Teacher Conferences

If you have not already done so, please take time to sign up for a conference.

Follow this link to the sign-up page:
http://www1.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgdatafile=renchermerritt_fall_conferences_2012

Landmarks in Large Numbers

We will complete Unit 5: Landmarks in Large Numbers this week. The students have genuinely had fun learning various strategies for adding and subtracting numbers. We have used counting up and down number lines, the "expanded algorithm," and the US algorithm. Students have explored numbers up to the hundred thousands place in numeric, written, and expanded form. Our unit assessment will be this Friday.

Metro Connections

To help prepare our students for our experience at the Metro School, we have read aloud two very thought-provoking books. Ask your student to tell you about them.

First Day at Metro!

Questions to ask your student about our first day of service learning at The Metro School:

1) What were the teachers and students doing in the classroom?

2) Were you able to find a way to be helpful?

3) What was the most surprising thing about your experience?

4) What do you look forward to next week?

5) Did you connect with one of the students?

Math Facts

Your child brought home a yellow sheet for you to sign that showed their progress in our math fact timed tests for addition and subtraction. Each child in our class has already made drastic improvements. We feel confident that they are well on their way to meeting our 4th grade benchmark of 50 addition and subtraction facts in less than 2 minutes.

The red practice sheet is hopefully helping to make this an obtainable goal. Each week our 4th graders are required to practice 4 nights for between 5-10 minutes. It is his/her decision what nights this is depending on your family's schedule. We brainstormed fun and effective ways to practice. Our list included addition and subtraction war, flash cards, math wraps, songs, triangle-shaped flash cards, and various computer games. I will post a list of the recommended websites on our blog.

Metro Volunteer Form

**In order to volunteer with us at Metro, you must complete the CMS Volunteer form online.  I completed the form last week and within a day or two, received a confirmation e-mail that I had the green flag to volunteer.

Please go to the following link and click on register to volunteer

http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/volunteersandpartners/Pages/default.aspx