🍪 5th Grade Gets Tectonic with Oreos! 🌍
Mrs. Feld’s class had a sweet time learning about plate tectonics! Using Oreos, students explored how Earth’s plates move and interact at different boundaries—spreading apart, sliding past each other, and colliding. The creamy filling helped simulate the Earth’s mantle, while cookie halves became the tectonic plates. It was a hands-on (and tasty!) way to visualize geological processes. Learning has never been so delicious!
24 days ago, James Dugger
A young girl with long, curly dark hair and braces is smiling brightly at the camera while seated at a desk. She is wearing a grey sweatshirt and writing on a worksheet next to an Oreo cookie with a black pen. Other students are visible in the background of the classroom.
A close-up shot of a student's hands writing on a worksheet titled "Cookie Plate Tectonics Activity" with a yellow pencil. Two cream-filled cookie halves are resting on a brown paper towel on a wooden desk. The worksheet outlines different types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform, using the cookie parts as models.
A young girl in a sparkly gold top is seated at a wooden desk in a classroom, focused on a worksheet and writing with a pencil. Two Oreo cookies are visible on a brown paper towel next to her. The worksheet appears to be titled "Cookie Plate Tectonics Activity." Another student wearing a baseball cap is working at a desk behind her.
A group of approximately six elementary school students are seated at two long tables pushed together in a classroom, all engaged in an activity that involves Oreo cookies and worksheets, which they are writing on with pencils. Water bottles and laptops are also on the tables.
A young girl with long, dark hair wearing a pink and white sweatshirt with a smiling face graphic is seated at a table, looking up and smiling at the camera. A partially eaten cookie is on a paper towel on the table in front of her. The classroom background includes colorful decorations and signs.
A close-up shot of a partially dissected Oreo cookie on a brown paper towel, with the cream filling split in half. A worksheet titled "Oreo Plate Tectonics Activity" with handwritten notes and diagrams of cookies is visible next to a black laptop and a clear water bottle.
✨ Mr. Norman’s 5th Grade Crew Explores the American Revolution! ✨

Mr. Norman’s fifth graders visited Yowell Meadow Park to experience life during the American Revolutionary War through hands-on learning and exploration.

Students learned about life on the farm and in early settlements, religious practices, practiced candle making, explored medical treatments of the 1700s, and discussed the contributions of people of color during the Revolution. They also tried surveying, wrote secret messages with invisible ink, and even took the oath of the Culpeper Minutemen, pledging to fight for Virginia in exchange for pay and land.

It was an inspiring day of discovery, teamwork, and living history!

#MrNormansClass #5thGradeAdventures #HistoryComesAlive #ThePark #AmericanRevolution #LearningBeyondTheClassroom

25 days ago, SPES Admin
Two smiling children, a girl in a green varsity jacket and a boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie, stand in front of a bright yellow flag with a coiled snake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me" (the Culpeper Minute-Men flag), holding small pieces of paper.
A man in a blue jacket with a Monster Energy logo sticker, wearing sunglasses, poses inside a mock brick jail cell. A sign above says "Gaol." Below the window, a sign lists names of people "Jailed in Culpeper for preaching the gospel." Another sign on the right is an "Arrest Warrant" for "Saunders and McClanahan."
A reenactor, partially visible, helps a young girl in a green and black varsity jacket handle a small, round object over a heating element on a table, possibly demonstrating a historical cooking or craft method. IMG_9899.jpg: A historical reenactor in a tricorn hat and brown vest is speaking to a group of children sitting on the grass, holding up laminated pictures to illustrate his talk. IMG_9894.jpg: A female historical reenactor in a long white dress and a dark green cloak speaks to a group of children sitting on the grass. Other reenactors and tents are visible in the background.
A historical reenactor in a brown vest and tricorn hat, holding laminated pictures or maps, speaks to a group of children sitting on the grass.
A young boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie is being helped by an adult to handle a piece of aluminum foil over a small black slow cooker on a table, likely participating in a historical activity or demonstration.
A historical reenactor in a bright red British-style military coat, white breeches, and a tricorn hat is standing on a grassy field, speaking to a boy in a blue hoodie and tan pants.
A hand holds a small piece of paper with a handwritten name "Mr. Norman" and a printed oath below: "take this oath to serve Virginia honestly and faithfully against all its enemies or opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Generals and officers set over me to the best of my skill and understanding. Ordered by the 3rd Virginia Convention Culpeper Minute Battalion."
A young boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie is being helped by an adult to handle a piece of aluminum foil over a small black slow cooker on a table, likely participating in a historical activity or demonstration.
A young boy in a blue Spider-Man hoodie is being helped by an adult to handle a piece of aluminum foil over a small black slow cooker on a table, likely participating in a historical activity or demonstration.
🎉 #ThePark SCA Spirit Week is Coming! 🎉
Get ready to show your school spirit all week long! More details will be shared Sunday in the weekly Call.

Monday:
🧡 Say NO to Bullying!
Wear orange or a shirt with kind words to spread positivity.

Tuesday:
🎃 Spooky Spirit!
Wear a Halloween shirt and socks (no costumes today).

Wednesday:
💪 We Are UNITED!
Show your pride by wearing your class team’s jersey or team colors.

Thursday:
🛌 Cozy Halloween Vibes!
Come comfy in your favorite Halloween pajamas.

Friday:
👻 Costume Day!
End the week with fun—wear your costume and celebrate!

Let’s make Spirit Week at #ThePark full of kindness, unity, and fun!
26 days ago, James Dugger
As part of the #SPES field trip to the Airfest STEM activities at the #Culpeper Airport, Ms. Riley's students were learning the basics of CPR! Our kids love having hands on learning at the #CulpeperAirfest! #thePark
26 days ago, James Dugger
A group of young people, mostly boys, are practicing CPR on mannequins laid out on black mats in what appears to be an airplane hangar with a yellow floor. An adult woman oversees them, and a vintage yellow biplane is visible in the background. Many of the participants are wearing blue vests with "Rappahannock Electric Cooperative" written on them.
Students in Ms. Ewell's class are doing the research portion of the scientific method to make a display of the different water resources of Virginia. Fourth Grade students love #VAHistory! #thePark
27 days ago, SPES Admin
A group of five elementary school students collaborating on a project in a classroom. They are gathered around a table with a large piece of white paper and an open laptop. One girl is seated, looking at the screen, while four other students lean over the paper to write or draw.
In Mrs. Sims's small groups, we are getting int the spooky season while practicing fluency!
28 days ago, SPES Admin
A group of four smiling elementary school-aged children seated at wooden desks in a classroom. The girl on the left is looking directly at the camera, as is the girl on the right. Shelves filled with colorful supplies and books are visible in the background. They are all working on assignments.
A close-up of an elementary school-aged boy with curly hair, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, concentrating on a worksheet titled "The Fox and the Red Hen." He is holding a green marker over the paper. The edge of a binder labeled "3rd Grade" is visible in the foreground.
Two elementary school-aged boys sit at a wooden desk, focused on working on a worksheet that features text. The boy on the left wears a green "Tommy" shirt and is holding an orange highlighter, and the boy on the right wears a grey hooded sweatshirt and holds a green marker. Classroom shelves filled with books and supplies are in the background.
A close-up of an elementary school-aged girl with long dark hair, wearing a grey shirt and a beaded bracelet, focused on a worksheet titled "The Fox and the Red Hen." She is holding a purple marker or highlighter over the text.
A close-up of an elementary school-aged boy wearing a green "Tommy" shirt, intensely focused on reading a worksheet titled "The Fox and the Red Hen." He is holding a pencil over the text.

Just a reminder that our make up picture day is tomorrow! See the flyer for more information.

https://5il.co/3rcli

29 days ago, SPES Admin
Picture Day is Coming! Today’s Moments Are Tomorrow’s Memories. Background Options: (We show 6 options available online) 01 Gray 04 Blue 300 Whispering Valley 120 Americana 216 Fall Window 299 Chalkboard 2526 Ordering Instructions Ordering Window: You can place your order during these timeframes: Starting: Two weeks before Picture Day Ending: 24 hours after Picture Day Please Note: The online ordering portal will close exactly 24 hours after Picture Day. Be sure to place your order on time to receive it at school (at least). 3 Easy Ways to Communicate IM FAX EMAIL How to Order: Visit our secure website: www.barksdalephoto.com Enter your access code (provided on reverse side of this flyer). Select your preferred photo package and complete your purchase. (Also includes QR code for scanning to access site). Late Orders: If you miss the deadline, late orders will still be accepted. However, please note: All late orders are subject to higher prices. Include an additional shipping fee for home delivery. Contact Info: Toll-Free: 800.220.7667 Barksdale School Portraits 610.494.3756 www.barksdalephoto.com Pictures With Class by Barksdale 562.431.1467 www.pictureswithclass.com Thank you for your participation! We look forward to capturing memories that will last a lifetime. Footer Text: Today’s moments are tomorrow’s memories. Barksdale is privately owned and family operated. We are not a franchised company. Barksdale is proud to support local schools that help strengthen the communities we serve.
Order Online at www.barksdalephoto.com Absentee/Retake Day: October 21, 2025 School: Sycamore Park Elementary School Access Code: 0038590AR (Case Sensitive – access code expires 24 hrs. after Picture Day) Retakes: For any reason, photographer will retake portrait at no cost. Simply fill out order form on Picture Day, enclose original package, and send with your child. This is a Prepay Event. Payment Due on Picture Day. Orders placed after Picture Day are subject to an $8.50 handling fee. Default Background: Gray (01) will be selected if no choice made. Packages Best Value $36 (2) 8x10, (2) 5x7, (4) 3x5, (16) 2x3 Wallets, (1) Hi-Res Digital Download Most Popular $33 (2) 5x7, (4) 3x5, (16) 2x3 Wallets, (1) Hi-Res Digital Download Value Plus $21 (2) 5x7, (4) 3x5, (8) 2x3 Wallets Basic Plus $16 (2) 5x7, (4) 3x5, (4) 2x3 Wallets Intro Plus $13 (2) 5x7, (4) 3x5 Intro $11 (2) 3x5, (4) 2x3 Wallets Digital Download Card $22 (Hi-Res JPEG Download of Chosen Pose) Other Options $12 each (1) 8x10 (2) 5x7 (4) 3x5 (8) Wallets (2) 4x6 VVA: 1 Hi-Res Download + 4 different backgrounds Personalization Add-Ons Name personalization on all purchased prints: $7 Personalization & Grade on all prints: $9 Basic Retouching: $9 Premium Retouching (new prints included): $14 Other Notes Family Plan Discount available. Payment methods accepted: Discover, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, Cash, Check. Order Form Section (Fields for Student’s First & Last Name, Grade, Teacher, Homeroom, Parent’s Email, Cell Phone, Student ID, Package Choice, Background Choice, Add-Ons, Payment Method).

Hello #SPES Families! Click the links to see this month's Title 1 Newsletter!

October Title 1 Newsletter

Spanish Version

about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
Veterans Day Writing and Poster Contest

Our library is holding a special contest to honor the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Students can create a poster, writing piece, or thank-you card to show what veterans mean to them.

📅 Entries are due by October 31st!
Please follow the directions on the flier that was sent home (and included in this post).

We can’t wait to see our students’ creativity and gratitude shine!
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
English-language flyer titled “Veteran’s Day Writing and Poster Contest.” It announces that Sycamore Park Library is sponsoring a contest for students in grades K–5 to honor veterans. Students may enter by submitting a letter, essay, poem, short story, or poster with a written paragraph. The theme is “What Veterans Mean to Me.” Contest rules, awards, and the October 31, 2025 deadline are included.
Spanish-language flyer titled “Día de los Veteranos: Concurso de Escritura y Carteles.” It explains that Sycamore Park Library is holding a contest for students in grades K–5 to honor U.S. military veterans. Categories include writing a letter, essay, poem, or story, or creating a poster with a short paragraph. The theme is “Lo que significan los veteranos para mí.” Rules, prizes, and entry deadline of October 31, 2025 are listed.
A few weeks ago, Ms. Sain's third graders earned the final “petal” on their positive behavior flower — which meant it was time to celebrate with an apple cider party! Students learned how apple cider and apple butter are made, read a cozy fall fiction story about apple cider, and even taste-tested some apple-flavored treats. What a sweet reward for their hard work and positive choices! #thePark
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
A classroom full of students working at tables with notebooks and papers. A projector shows a colorful fall forest scene on the whiteboard.
A student in a bright green Yoshi shirt sipping orange-colored punch from a clear cup. A black Halloween-themed plate sits on the desk.
Three smiling students sitting together at a classroom table with Halloween plates and cups. Bookshelves and bins are visible in the background.
A student in a black “School of Rock” shirt eating a donut at a classroom table, with another student visible in the background.
A student in glasses and a blue shirt smiling while eating a donut. Other students can be seen working and talking in the background.
Mrs. Addy's second graders worked hard every day this quarter! They learned where they live in North America. They wrote clues for classmates to guess which jack-o-lantern belongs to them. Partners worked together to sequence a story. In math, students played games to hone their math skills.
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
A student proudly holding a colored map of North America in a classroom.
Four children sitting on a colorful classroom carpet playing with wooden blocks.
Two students on the carpet cutting and gluing paper strips for a worksheet activity.
Students on the carpet using a 200 chart and counters for a math game.
A classroom bulletin board with drawings of jack-o-lanterns and matching written descriptions.
A student coloring a map of North America at their desk with crayons.
Ms. Sullivan's Orioles Attendance teams' winners of best attendance of the week!
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
A classroom of young children smiling and holding popsicles, with a teacher standing in the back. The students are gathered together near colorful curtains and classroom decorations.
Ms. McCombs and her first graders have been working on counting collections. They chose the number of tens and ones to add to their candy corn, and recorded it on their sheet. Some yummy sweet candy corn was had after the craft! 🫶🏼🎃🍁
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
Boy cutting out a candy-corn shaped math craft — He’s seated at his desk, using scissors to trim a paper divided into “hundreds, tens, and ones” sections, with crayons and supplies spread out beside him.
Girl assembling a candy-corn place value activity — She’s gluing strips to represent tens and ones, working on a fall-themed math project with her name tag and bright supplies on the desk.
Student gluing pieces to complete a candy-corn math craft — She’s focused on carefully attaching place-value blocks, with a colorful crayon pouch open beside her.
Smiling student holding finished candy-corn place value project — His poster shows “55 in all” with five tens and five ones, colored brightly in orange and yellow.
Student proudly displaying her candy-corn math craft — Her poster shows “53 in all,” neatly decorated and held up in front of her, as she smiles for the photo.
These 4th-grade ELs are learning about decimals in math. Hands-on activities and the use of manipulatives like base-10 blocks help ELs visualize and better understand more complex mathematical concepts like decimals. While they're learning the concepts, they're also learning the academic vocabulary and language needed to talk about decimals. #ThePark
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
A smiling student sits at a blue table with base-ten math blocks and a whiteboard showing the number 1.8.
A student in a red jacket smiles while working with green base-ten blocks on a whiteboard showing the number 8.7.
Four students sit around a blue horseshoe table, each holding whiteboards with decimal numbers and using base-ten blocks.
A student in a blue hoodie arranges base-ten blocks on a table while writing 2.7 on a whiteboard.
A student in a blue hoodie smiles at the camera while sitting at a blue table with math manipulatives
A student with braids and a red plaid shirt sits at a blue table, holding base-ten blocks with a computer in the background.
A student in a black shirt works with base-ten blocks on a whiteboard, smiling slightly.
🎃 Ms. Hayes' class did a fun pumpkin seed challenge! 🧡 First, students estimated how many seeds were inside our pumpkin. Then, we counted them by groups of 10. After all the teamwork (and a little mess 😅), we discovered our pumpkin had about 635 seeds! 🌟👏
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
Students sitting in a circle around an orange poster with a pumpkin in the center, preparing to guess how many seeds are inside.
Children scooping seeds and pulp from the pumpkin and placing them into small plastic cups on the orange poster.
A group of students leaning in as they sort and collect pumpkin seeds from the pulp onto the paper.
Smiling students sitting around the pumpkin seed activity, with some holding cups and others looking toward the camera.
Students laughing and working together while scooping pumpkin seeds into cups during the group activity.
Overhead view of students spread around the orange paper, sorting pumpkin seeds into plastic cups.
The class gathered behind the pumpkin activity poster, displaying rows of filled cups and the pumpkin on one side.
Students posing proudly around the completed chart that shows “633” seeds written on the poster beside the pumpkin
Students posing proudly around the completed chart that shows “633” seeds written on the poster beside the pumpkin
🌟 Kindergarten is full of learning adventures! 🌟
Ms. Bogert’s students had a blast going on a Letter Hunt around the classroom—finding letters, matching sounds, and working together to build literacy skills in fun, hands-on ways. 📝✨

💡 Every smile tells the story of curiosity, teamwork, and discovery!

#Kindergarten #LetterHunt #LearningIsFun #EarlyLiteracy #thePark
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
Four students at a table working on alphabet letter hunt sheets with pencils.
A child stands in front of a pink “Welcome to Kindergarten” display with flowers labeled with student names.
A child looks at a clipboard while standing near a wall with a class jobs chart and schedule.
A child in a pink dress stands with a pencil and paper in front of a classroom calendar and weather chart.
A child works on a letter hunt worksheet at a windowsill with an alphabet card taped nearby.
A child in an orange shirt places a letter card onto a wall chart showing sounds.
Two students smile at the camera, one holding a letter card and a clipboard, standing in front of handwriting charts.
A child in a blue shirt reaches up to add a card to a flower-themed kindergarten welcome board.
Fall fun is in full swing in the library this week! 🎉

Our PreK and Kindergarten friends are on a mission to solve a leafy mystery — they’re reading The Leaf Thief and trying to figure out just who’s been sneaking off with those autumn leaves!

Meanwhile, 2nd and 4th graders have been enjoying stories and snuggles with our favorite four-legged reading buddies, Lily and Marquis 🐶 — because books are even better when shared with furry friends!

2nd–5th graders are getting into the spooky spirit with monstrously fun books and are unleashing their creativity to craft the cutest monsters you’ve ever seen!

And let’s not forget our awesome 1st graders — they’re loving The Scarecrow’s Hat and making their own shape scarecrows that are as clever as they are cute!

It’s a whirlwind of mystery, monsters, and imagination — just another magical week in the library!

#thePark
about 1 month ago, SPES Admin
Children sit on a red blanket petting a therapy dog while reading books, guided by an adult.
A group of children sit on a colorful carpet, smiling and petting a small white therapy dog.
Four students proudly display their paper monster crafts in the classroom.
Two children work at a table with scissors and glue, making colorful monster faces.
A child proudly holds up a blue monster face craft with pink tongue.
A child in a red shirt shows off a detailed purple and black monster face craft.
A child holds up a yellow paper with sharp teeth and hand-drawn red eyes
Five students stand together holding up colorful paper monsters they made.
Students smile and hold up bright scarecrow-themed fall crafts with “Happy Fall” messages.
Another group of children proudly raise their scarecrow crafts above their heads.
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#thePark
about 2 months ago, James Dugger
Fundraiser giveaway poster showing electronics like PlayStation, Xbox, MacBook, AirPods, and gift cards with text about winning 1,000 prizes nationwide.
To wrap up a great week last week at #ThePark, Ms. Prentice's students are enjoying Fun Friday! As part of their positive behavior rewards system, students who make positive choices earn fun activities—and today’s game inspired by Connect Four is both engaging and meaningful.

The goal is to promote emotional awareness and healthy expression. Students practice identifying feelings and sharing how to express them in positive ways—all while having fun with their classmates.
about 2 months ago, SPES Admin
Four children sit around a classroom table playing educational games, with a bulletin board behind them reading “YOU ARE…” decorated with rainbows and suns.
Cooperative character card — A card defining “Cooperative,” describing working with others, and listing ways to show cooperation.
Emotion card – Shocked — A card showing a child with wide eyes and hands on cheeks, labeled “SHOCKED.”
Students smiling at table — Three students smiling at a table with educational games and building toys, in a classroom with an alphabet chart behind them.
Small group classroom activity — A teacher works with students seated at a table playing a character-based card game and connect-four.
The Baltimore Orioles are trying their best in our attendance competition. Last week Mr. Norman's class won the popsicles from their Manager, Ms. Sullivan! #thePark
about 2 months ago, SPES Admin
Student in a circle holding popsicles.
Mr Norman sign. it says let’s go O’s. Mr. Norman’s class