We had a wonderful time seeing families on campus at the 2023 Spring Arts & Design Showcase on May 26. We were blown away by the talented musical performances, the beautiful art galleries, and the amazing science and design projects on display. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our extraordinary specialty teachers Mr. Lewis, Ms. Walters, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Belsha, and Mr. Lawerence for all their hard work producing this event....
Grade 5 students participated in a simulated workday experience at the McGrath Family Junior Achievement’s BizTown! BizTown is an amazing 10,000-square-foot mini-city comprised of 21 life-sized San Diego businesses, including a bank, a radio station, and a vet clinic. Students are able to help run various businesses for the day, earn paychecks, open bank accounts, pay taxes, vote, and are challenged to earn a profit in their endeavors. Our fifth graders were encouraged to use critical thinking skills to...
Earlier this year the third graders were treated to a Kamishibai presentation by storyteller Walt Ritter from an organization called Write Out Loud. Kamishibai is a form of Japanese storytelling that literally translates to "paper theater". The Stories are performed by Kamishibaiya (Kamishibai Narrator) using sets of illustrated boards that are placed in stage-like boxes and narrated as each image is changed. After the presentation, the third graders were inspired to design and build Kamishibai boxes and write and illustrate...
Over 70 Gillispie students had a great time participating in the La Jolla Kiwanis Club's Junior Olympics in April. Out of 800 total students from nine schools, Gillispie athletes won gold, silver, and bronze medals in individual events; a bronze medal in girls' 100 meters, and fastest girl in La Jolla in the 400-meter race. Thanks to all the students for showing great sportsmanship and teamwork!...
In Art class we love printmaking! Students get to use interesting tools and materials such as brayers, inks, linoleum, styrofoam, gouges, barens, wooden spoons, clay, leaves, rolling pins, cloth, and more. The best aspect of printmaking is that we can make multiple artworks from a single piece of art! Kindergarten used inked leaves pressed over an abstract watercolor. First-grade students, inspired by our resident tortoise, Minnie, have created collographs made with cut-out paper glued onto cardboard. Second graders used rolling...
In April, we celebrated International Day on campus and students had a wonderful time learning about and experiencing the customs and cultures of Costa Rica, New Zealand, India, Turkey, Argentina, and Namibia. With passports in hand, they traveled around campus to get a sampling of the sights, sounds, and tastes of these places with performances by cultural dancers, food samples specific to the regions, and hands-on projects and crafts. Thank you to all of our amazing parent volunteers...
The 4th-grade students did an incredible job producing their first News Team using all of the incredible multimedia equipment we were able to acquire as a result of the generous grant from Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation. While the 4th grade has been doing News Team for more than 10 years, the multimedia equipment allowed them to take it to the next level, engaging their creative and critical thinking abilities and making their learning experience truly authentic. To begin...
It's finally spring and the EC and Elementary students are enjoying many different P.E. activities! EC children are working on striking with an open hand and also with a racket while Elementary students have been enjoying learning about Lacrosse. Many students are also preparing for the Jr. Olympics this Sunday by throwing the softball, working on the standing broad jump, and training on the obstacle course. Ed Whelan and Cheyenne Kibblewhite, P.E. Teachers...
Meals on Wheels delivers special Happy Birthday gift bags to older adults receiving their services. It is a lovely way to show them love on their birthdays! The Community Relations Committee helped Gillispie students make handcrafted cards and artwork that Meals on Wheels will deliver with the birthday packages to older adults. It will surely brighten their day! The students were enthusiastic and the artwork was heartwarming! Thanks to the parents who volunteered to help. The Community Relations Committee...
Grade 4 students had a special visitor this month in the MPR—Karlene Chavis from CBS8 News Station! Ms. Chavis came to campus to speak to the grade 4 students about what it's like to be a meteorologist. This topic is especially interesting to them, as the Grade 4 students participate in their News Team project, presenting news stories to classmates in the MPR in their mock new station, complete with green screen, cameras, and a teleprompter! They had so many...