MN Horse Expo 2013 Field Trip!

Finally, spring arrived just in time for our annual trip to the MN Horse Expo at the State Fairgrounds.  What a beautiful day.  ALL of Maxfield Learning Center's students were in attendance, and this year, we invited one classroom from Rondo Learning Center and one classroom from Obama Learning Center to join us for this wonderful experience.

As we approached this trip, the excitement was literally palpable in our classroom, students were inviting random adults and classmate's parents to join us with an enthusiastic "You should come to the horse show!  It is the best day ever at school." 

This year, the MN Horse Expo treated us to a special showing of Ma'Ceo.   It was like watching Cirque de Soleil with horses.  Let me say, our students were in awe of the horses, the riding, the physical strength of the acrobats and teamwork between the people and the horses. 

Then, there was this:

 

And this:

 Ah, do you see those cool cowpoke hats?  You made that possible.

Victor (the horse) crunched an apple and slimed all of us with squirting juice and slobber.  We loved it and laughed a lot.

And this:

Yes, that is a Clydesdale's hoof.  That is ONE big horse!  Whew.  One of my students wanted to see if there really was a frog on the bottom of the horse's hoof and his owner gladly lifted up the horse's hoof to show us.  This guy also was sporting a mustache that made all of us giggle.  (Someone got a little too close and got smooched.)

It was a fantastic day made possible by friends like you and the generous support of the MN Horse Expo staff.

Now, back to school to write an informational report about horses and thank you letters to the MN Horse Council and Nettie & Friends for this amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with  horses.

Thank you.

When your pants are too tight, you might have trouble learning.

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Have you ever worn pants so tight they leave red marks on your waist?  Or so tight that you can’t get the button undone?

Now imagine trying to concentrate on learning when your pants are that tight. 

Then imagine when you have to go to the bathroom and can’t get the button undone because your pants are so tight?  Panic time, right?

I have a student like that.  She’s six and going through a growth spurt.  On top of that, even though her parents know she needs pants a size larger, they don’t have the money to buy new ones.

But you helped her out today. 

Because you support Nettie & Friends, I was able to take her to the uniform closet.  We chose a pair that looked about right with a little elastic in the back.  She slipped them on for a perfect fit, with a little room left for growth.  We found another pair of “just right” pants to put in her backpack in case she needed them.  We put her too small uniform pants in the laundry basket to be cleaned for another student who might need them.

When I called her mom to explain the wardrobe change, she was so appreciative.  “I know she is growing, but we just don’t have the money for new clothes.  This cold weather is taking a bite out of our money, and we’ve had some car trouble.”

So when you think of Nettie & Friends, think of what you did today for both that student and her parents.  Thank you so much.

Happy New Year and Thank You

Thank you to everyone who helped support Nettie & Friends this past year.  We've done so many wonderful things, here are a few from just the past month... 

 

Remember the mosaic project? It looks so beautiful in the winter snow in our courtyard at Maxfield.

And that big snowfall?  You made is possible for us to go out and play... and play... and play and stay warm.  Thank you.

We enjoyed our annual gingerbread house building celebration.  There was a lot of licking and sticking... Look at this inspired design.

You also made it possible for three Kindergarten classes (about 80 students) and two Second grade classes (about 56 students) to join in the fun.

In addition, other classes at Maxfield were engaged in some fun activities to encourage building community just before winter break.

You provided materials for us to learn about sorting and graphing during math.

We've got some plans for the New Year, so stay tuned, and from the students and staff at Maxfield, thank you.

Nettie & Friends Sale Continues Through December

The 9th Annual Nettie & Friends Sale to benefit Maxfield School, in St. Paul continues 

through December 2012.  There are still many beautiful handmade gifts to enjoy 

and purchase for your friends and family... check out some of these possibilities:

 Perhaps a festive wine bottle light for a hostess gift (a friend purchased one, took it to a party 

and several people tried to make off with it!)  Get yours today at the Egg & I.

 A unique individually designed and hand painted magnet to decorate your fridge...

 A holiday cinnamon ornament to decorate a tree AND freshen your home...

 A beautiful black walnut spreader for that yummy holiday hors d'oeurves...

 A wine lover's trivet nestled in a black walnut frame...

and so much more is available at the Egg & I.

Do a little shopping.... do a lot of good.

Thank you for your support.

Tis' the Season!

 

With willing friends and a little time, we built a fireplace.

 We hung a wreath.

 We found some wonderful handcrafted items in boxes to share with you.  

They're waiting at the Egg & I.  Come and get 'em!

 We hung the stockings by the chimney with care.

We're open for business! 

Come on down to the Egg & I for breakfast or lunch 

and do a little shopping for the holidays (or yourself!) 

Thank you to all of the artists who donated such fine items to

support the students and staff at Maxfield School in St. Paul.

Nettie & Friends Show at the Egg & I

Pricing is done... Show goes "up" the Sunday after Thanksgiving and officially opens on Monday, November 26, 2012.

Opening Reception: Saturday, December 1, 2012   4-7 PM

Give to the Max Day -- November 15, 2012

 

http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Nettie-And-Friends

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As you know, Nettie & Friends is making a difference every day through supporting students, staff and families at Maxfield School in St. Paul, MN.

Join us on November 15, Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day, and help us win a $1,000 Golden Ticket. By partnering with GiveMN—an online giving website for Minnesota nonprofits—Nettie & Friends will have 25 chances to maximize your gift on Give to the Max Day!

By making a donation on Give to the Max Day, your $10, $25, $100 gift could help us win an extra $1,000 for our work in the community.

At the end of Give to the Max Day, one donation from across Minnesota will be randomly selected for a $10,000 Supersized Golden Ticket! Help us increase our odds by making your gift on November 15 by visiting http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Nettie-And-Friends using the GiveMN donation widget on the right side of this page.