Art Class

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

2011-12-15T15:19:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before the paper due date...

2011-12-12T13:47:00.000-08:00

Avoid the trauma of waiting until the last minute and get the Art paper finished before the due date! What better way to spend your vacation than writing an Art paper?? Fun! Merriment! You can entertain your family and extended relatives by performing a reading of your essay! Tears will surely be shed and the Christmas spirit will be felt by all. Or you can wait until Thursday, Feb 9 to work on your paper.

Papers may be turned in ANYTIME before February 9. The new artists are listed.

**** Don't forget to save your stinky old sneakers for the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe campaign that begins on January 3!

Museum of Glass - Kids Design Glass Contest!

2011-10-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Once a month, the Museum of Glass will choose one lucky child - ages 12 and under - to create a design in glass. The designs are fantastical creatures of their imagination and the artist must name it, write an explanation or story with the creation on the attached document and turn it into the Museum.

"The Museum’s Hot Shop Team selects one design every month based on its aesthetic merits and transforms the two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional sculpture. As the designer, the child directs the artists as they make two sculptures—one for the child to take home and the other for MOG’s Kids Design Glass Collection." The family is given a pass to visit the Museum in Tacoma for free to watch as they create the artwork and the work may be selected as part of the traveling exhibition that visits museums around the country.

I am traveling to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma on October 20 and I am happy to submit any entries from students 12 and under! Please refer to their website to investigate previous winning entries and for more information: Museumofglass.org

Name the Art Show Contest

2011-09-06T08:26:00.001-07:00

A hefty sum of loot, praise, honor and prizes will be bestowed upon anyone who can come up with a better name for the annual art show than the current title, Shine and Show. It's 2011, yo! Time to get rid of that old school moniker.

Name Bug/ Monster

2011-09-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

2011-2012

2011-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!

Students will begin the year exploring the line. Students in kinder and first will review the different types of lines as they create their portfolio cover. Following the completion of their portfolio cover, second through fourth grade will receive a brief introduction to one-point perspective. As an artist, one of the most important skills to learn in drawing is perspective. It creates the illusion of depth and realism in work. I will begin working with sixth through eighth grade on a more detailed investigation of perspective.

Fifth grade will buck the linear trends and make some super cool name bug/monster creations for their portfolios. We will fly through this abstract shape/ color blending lesson and begin our work shortly preparing for a fall trip to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

If I have any parents that need share hours and don't shy away from a few pesky paper cuts, I have HUNDREDS of portfolios to be made, as each kid in the school (PreK - 8) will need one. I provide the paper and the tools, you provide the patience!

Eighth grade has already chosen their theme for the spring art show and it's going to be awesome.

Thanks!

Happy Spring break!

2011-03-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

Once Upon a Shine and Show...

2011-03-28T11:39:00.001-07:00

April is threatening to close in momentarily which means that May will rear its ugly head in no time. I am looking for chivalry, bravery and a strong stomach in the face of an enormous pile of student work as we near the annual art show. Volunteers will receive clock hours and my gratitude, and in the case of some loyal returnees, any kidney of mine that they prefer.

On Thursday, May 26 we will have the annual art show, with the theme this year of fairy tales. We need selfless, strong and trustworthy moms and dads and grandparents and uncles and anyone with a pulse that can clear a background check to help hang the artwork. We will overtake the cafeteria and the gym and hallways, transforming St. Joe's into a land from a fairy tale. Installation begins Wednesday, May 25 and all day Thursday, May 26.

I NEED YOUR HELP!!! Every year it comes down to a handful of amazing people that hang (literally!) over a thousand pieces of student artwork. Just one hour of your time can make the difference! Look for a meeting in early May to describe what needs to be done and where. Thanks!!

Katelyn's Visual Art Journal

2011-03-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future coloring contest

2011-03-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

Enter the 15th annual "My Bright Smile™" Global Art Contest today!
We're inviting children from classrooms all over the world to illustrate the theme "Why My Bright Smile is Important" and submit their artwork to be featured in the 2012 Colgate "My Bright Smile™" Global Calendar. The calendar features original artwork by children from all over the world. Last year's winners came from Australia, China, Costa Rica, India, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and U.S.A.

One winning entry will be chosen to represent the United States of America and will receive a $500 USD Colgate-Palmolive student scholarship. Plus, the school of the winning entry will receive a $500 USD Colgate-Palmolive classroom grant.

May 20, 2011 deadline! For more information and entry forms, please go to their website: www.colgate.com

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!!!

2011-02-22T13:08:00.000-08:00

Building snowmen counts as sculpture, right?

2011-02-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

Abstract Klee painting 5-8

2011-02-11T13:30:00.000-08:00

TRY THIS LINK: http://mrdoob.com/projects/harmony/#web

2011-02-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

Greatest link EVER!!

Jim Dine hearts

2011-02-08T11:33:00.001-08:00

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

2011-02-07T15:32:00.001-08:00

I need your Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs! In an attempt not to spend money on something that people likely have lying in their recycling bins anyhoo, I need the cardboard from the cereal boxes. If you are a voting member of team Cheerio -you know who you are- be so bold as to bring in your EMPTY box and I will reward the winning class with something goofy that they think is important. Like Pictionary. The sooner the better!!

Thanks!

Art Lit meeting on Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Animal Art Coloring Contest

2011-02-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

DOODLE 4 GOOGLE ART CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!
* …Become a doctor with my own TV show.
* …Invent rocket shoes that let you fly.
* …Open a zoo for the world’s endangered animals.

Welcome to Doodle 4 Google, a competition where we invite K-12 students to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign Google’s homepage logo for millions to see. At Google, we believe that dreaming about future possibilities leads to tomorrow’s leaders and inventors, so this year we're inviting U.S. kids to exercise their creative imaginations around the theme, "What I’d like to do someday…"

Whether students want to find a cure for cancer or take a trip to the moon, it all starts with art supplies and some 8.5" x 11" paper. And, one lucky student artist will take home a $15,000 college scholarship and $25,000 technology grant for their school, among many other prizes.

Registration closes at 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on March 2, 2011, and entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2011 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). The winning doodle will be featured on our Google.com homepage on May 20, 2011.

New! Changes to Doodle 4 Google in 2011

* Parents Can Register Their Kids: This year, based on your feedback, we are expanding the contest. Now, in addition to schools, parents and legal guardians can directly register their K-12 students in the contest and submit their doodles. Check with your child’s school or After School Programs first to see if they are participating, since we only allow one entry per student. As always, public, private and home schools can register on behalf of their students.
* After School Programs: We are working with two After School Programs: Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girl Scouts of the USA to register students.
* No Cap On Doodles Per School: There is no cap on how many doodles each school, After School Program, or family can send in. Just remember, only one doodle per child.
* A Variety Of Guest Judges: This year, a group of guest judges, including Whoopi Goldberg, Actress/Comedian/TV Talk Show Host, Jim Davis, Creator of "Garfield", and Evan Lysacek, Gold Medalist for Ice Skating, and several other well known cartoonists, animators and illustrators will help judge the contest and attend the final awards ceremony to personally congratulate our winner

Animal Rescue TV Monthly Art Contest

Animal Rescue offers a monthly art contest for kids ages 16 and under. All you have to do is send in a drawing of your favorite animal.

From the site:

"Every month we will select one drawing to post on our website.The winner will receive an official Prize Package.

"Send your artwork, along with your name, age, full mailing address, and e-mail address to:

Telco Productions, Inc. 2730 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200 Santa Monica, CA 90403

Please include t-shirt size (S,M,L)"

For more information, go to AnimalRescueTV.com

***ART MADE EASY*** (check the website for more details)
A monthly contest open to children 18 and younger. Free to enter and you can enter the contest monthly.

"FOR EACH ENTRY, INCLUDE YOUR FIRST NAME, AGE, AND EMAIL ADDRESS. Sometimes we receive an entry without an image, and we'll need your email address to let you know.

WINNER: Because of the differences in the entrants' ages, subject matter of the artwork, and types of media used, the winner will be selected by a random drawing.

Winners are announced at the beginning of each month in our free newsletter. To sign up, just fill out the box at the bottom of the page.

NOTE: A student may upload more than one piece of artwork, but his or her name will only be entered once in the contest.

PRIZES: The winner each month will have his or her art featured on the home page of Art Made Easy!

Also, he or she will receive a prize package of art supplies OR a $20 gift certificate from Dick Blick Art Supplies (your choice)."

Wrong handed portraits

2011-02-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Much to their giggles, students in fifth grade were asked to draw their friend's face with their less dominant hand this morning. Righties drawing with the left, left handed folks with their right hand. This lesson is designed to help them get over their fear of not making a "perfect" drawing. As an exercise to loosen them up and encourage them to try new things, the lesson was unnerving for most but fun as well. To mix things up, I made them draw not only their friends of the same gender, but the opposite as well. The results were AWESOME! Some really cool line drawings emerged.

Might be something fun to try with the family after dinner tonight...

My what a messy week! Sixth and first

2011-01-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

St. Joe's Winning Artists Shown at the Rose City Dog Show!

2011-01-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

5-8 Journal Making! Start saving now...

2010-12-02T17:09:00.000-08:00

Students will be working on creating a visual journal. They will combine sketches, visuals and words in a way that lets others know who they are. For the next few weeks, students will gather materials. I would encourage them to use a gallon size zip lock bag to store their artifacts in.

They will collect labels, doodles, sketches, poems, stamps and receipts that reflect what they like and what interests them. They should collect images that they like from other sources. Examples include photos from magazines and newspapers, ticket stubs, brochures, and personal photos of their family and friends. They can make photocopies on their scanners at home or I will make copies of any photos, so that it is only paper used in the journals. They will also create portraits and sketches in class of themselves, their friends, family, or pets, places they like, sports they are interested in, coins, cars, flowers, cell phones, etc.

Once a large selection of work is collected, students will organize their images into a series of five 6 x 9” compositions. The images selected should tell a story or relate to one another.

Art Contests K-12

2010-12-02T09:03:00.001-08:00

Crayola Dreammakers Art Contest K-12 deadline approaches for submission! December 13 deadline. For submission details, please check out the website:

http://www.crayola.com/theartofchildhood/gallery/rules.cfm

Scholastic Art and Writing deadline is December 10 for a $5 submission fee or January 7 for a $10 fee. Winners receive up to $1000.

To submit artwork, you need a 300 pi digital camera. Good luck!!

2010-11-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Be warm & safe!

2010-11-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

November 18 - next Art Literacy Meeting!

2010-11-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Meet me in my classroom at 8:30 until 8:45 to learn about the next featured artist for our K-6 volunteers. There will be donut holes...

ATTENTION PROCRASTINATORS: Paper requirements

2010-11-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Much to their chagrin, students in 5-8 grade are responsible for writing on paper per trimester. While you think me cruel and unusual, I teach to the state standards for Art, which requires in addition to demonstrating art skills and knowledge, that students describe, analyze and interpret Art. Writing this paper will not impede your height nor running ability and you just might learn something.

I encourage you to bring your paper in prior to the due date for feedback. Few take advantage of this opportunity for direction and suggestions. Papers are to be typed and turned in no later than noon on the due date OR LOSE ONE LETTER GRADE per school day that they are late.

We will discuss the paper in class, with examples shown and we will cover a rough draft together. Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Please explore other resources than the internet. Papers turned in a week prior to the due date receive an extra credit point.

Students will write a 3-5 paragraph (minimum) TYPED paper that will answer some basic biographical information on the artist. Who are they? When did they work? What type of art did they make? How did they become an artist (if known)? Why are they important?

In addition, students will identify (title and date when known) one piece of artwork by this artist. Using Elements of Design (line, shape, value, texture, color, mood), students will critique the piece. Describe what you are seeing!

Famous Celebrity

2010-11-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to St. Joe's own Olivia! This little rock star entered and WON a poster contest, designing the look for the Vancouver Farmer's Market. Next stop, the Louvre!

THE LINE!!

2010-09-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

We began the school year by creating covers for our portfolios. Now that our schedule of 3 day school weeks is over, we are starting our first unit. Students in all grades will begin working on comics. We will start by making a flip book in class, showing action and movement and then begin work on facial features, focusing on expression. We will move on to figure drawing and movement, action, landscape and setting mood, dialogue and finally costume. In anticipation of the book fair next month, students will create artwork in keeping with the theme of "Everyday Heroes." Artists will create their own action hero and ultimately, a comic. I will be looking for a volunteer to help with layout for the comic book our school will be making, at the end of the unit.

Thanks!

2010-2011

2010-08-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome back or welcome to St. Joe's! We have a big year ahead of us. One that promises to be filled with much paint, pen, pencil, sculpture and all-around filth. I will be updating this site regularly with photos and descriptions of what we are up to in Art class, so please check in.

The beginning of the year starts with the most basic element of art - the line. In all grades, we will be working on creating portfolio covers for our portfolios. The portfolios will remain in my classroom throughout the year and will not go home until the Art show in May. All artwork will go home at that time. Particularly in the younger grades, I will occasionally send work home that is more seasonal or I just cannot manage the space to store in my room. Portfolios are kept so that I can accurately grade the development and improvement of all my gifted student artists. You are ALWAYS welcome to drop in to look at the artwork or just to chat.

I look forward to seeing all of you this year!

2010-06-01T11:35:00.001-07:00

The Shine & Show this year was awesome!! The pictures do not do justice to the artwork and the scale of the installation. Plus there is no black light, fog machines or Christmas lights to add to the atmosphere as there was at the show! This is the largest art show I have produced, and it would not have happened without the assistance of some truly amazing individuals. Tammy LaFrazia, Laura Veasey and Karen Zack are -as always - my saving graces, violating nearly every OSHA law to ensure the exhibit was hung and looked better than imagined.

Ilene Stemple has not only been an amazing Art Literacy volunteer for me all year long, but she also was building blisters working to set up the show. Thank you to Mrs. Nebels, who toiled for two full days while managing a 3 year old, setting up artwork in the stairs and halls. Traci Kezar worked all year as a fearless Art Literacy volunteer and saved the day by assisting with set up for the show. Deb McGovern, the guardian angel of the Art Literacy program, went above and beyond the call of duty again, this time enlisting not only her talents to hang artwork, but also enlisting her own children to help move artwork after school. Thank you to Lisa Sandstrom, Estella McCoy and Laura Kok for hanging artwork and helping out wherever needed. Thank you to Patty Keller for painting the awesome sign on the fly. Robyn Cima, Maria Arthur, Missy Beard and Melinda Lee were incredible! Thanks for all the help. Thank you to Cecelia Ongley for pulling all the paper and helping set up the show.

Thank you to Jill Watson, Karyn Stankye and all the room parents for hanging your classroom's artwork. Thanks to the amazing Josh Seitz, who not only provided excellent music and ran the sound system for the runway, but who also worked until 7 p.m. the night before the show, helping me with the audio. Oh, and he pulled a Vanna White for me at the assembly, bringing in the painting and flowers. Amazing!!

2010-06-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

Space Art Show

2010-06-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Shine and Show Invite!

2010-05-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Space! Recycled fashion, planets, satellites and more

2010-05-13T09:41:00.001-07:00

ATTENTION ALL CLUTTER BUGS! Donations wanted

2010-01-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

As we head into our new year, we are charging into our space unit. I am looking for some materials to be donated, so as not to tamper with my art material fund.

If you have a string of working (even mostly working is fine) white or colored minature lights, I'll take them!

To create an airplane/machine of flight engine, anyone with a broken fan can find me!

Black roofing tarp (material like the bags for yard waste)

I'll post more wants as the arise! THANKS!!!!!

Compass Rose

2009-11-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

Students in sixth and seventh grade have created elaborate compass roses as part of their unit on the line. We studied antique compass roses from the early days of navigation and learned a little about cartography in the process. Students were to create a compass rose that included not only North, South, East and West, but also NE, SE, SW and NW. To further challenge them, they were to mark NNE, ENE, SSW, WSW, WNW and NNW.

As you can see from the following pictures, the results are incredible...

2009-11-10T08:53:00.000-08:00

Compass roses

2009-11-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

What 6th and 7th have been up to...

2009-11-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Ribbons wanted!

2009-10-19T14:39:00.001-07:00

The 8th grade is putting together their hot air balloons and we are in need of ribbon to help with the trim for their baskets. Any ribbon that is about 12 inches long would be greatly appreciated!

Museum of Glass

2009-10-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

Tacoma Art Museum

2009-10-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic trip north to the Museum of Glass on Thursday. Despite dangerous skies, we stayed dry as we explored the sculptures and installations of glass on the Bridge of Glass and the water and glass installations by the entrance.

Resolve! An answer to my prayers!

2009-10-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

One particularly industrious student added gallons of yellow acrylic paint to his pant leg that I assumed would be the end of the line for his uniform. His clever mother went with Resolve Carpet Cleaner and just reported that his uniform is paint free!

I will buy stock immediately.

Fifth Grade to Museum of Glass

2009-09-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

On October 15, 2009, students in Mr. Eastes and Mrs. Cestnik’s class will head north to the Museum of Glass in historic Tacoma. We will meet at the Vancouver Train Station by 8:30 a.m. for the train’s 8:45 a.m. departure.

Please make sure each student has a sack lunch with their name on it as well as clothing that would be appropriate for rain, wind and/or cold. Waterbottles are great. No cameras please.

Students will arrive in Tacoma around 11 a.m. We will take a short light rail ride from Union Station to the Bridge of Glass. Students will have an opportunity to explore the 500 foot pedestrian bridge filled with artwork to the museum.
We will tour the museum at 11:45 a.m. Our visit will consist of three 30 minute tours. Students will participate in the full museum experience, visiting a working glass blowing studio, exploring galleries in search of themes, and they will create artwork in an interactive, experiential learning space.

We will leave Tacoma around 3 p.m. and arrive at the Vancouver train station at 5:20 p.m. Please allow plenty of time for parking.

Due to the cost of the museum and travel on the train, we are requesting $10 per student for expenses. This is an exciting opportunity for these young artists – an experience they will never forget! Please make your payment to Mr. Eastes or Mrs. Cestnik.

Thank you!

Ms. Larkin
Art
jenniferl@stjoevan.org
360.696.2586

More share hour opportunities!

2009-09-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am needing some assistance with labels for the portfolios! We have over 400 students that need a label on their portfolio. I use the labels on other projects for the school as well. If you could type up the labels at home with a Word document, I can print off the labels at school.

JENN LARKIN
Kindergarten
Mrs. Mannenbach

Pretty basic. Contact me if you are interested!

Thanks!

The Paper...

2009-09-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Much to their chagrin, students in 5-8 grade are responsible for writing on paper per trimester. While you think me cruel and unusual, I teach to the state standards for Art, which requires in addition to demonstrating art skills and knowledge, that students describe, analyze and interpret Art. Writing this paper will not impede your height nor running ability and you just might learn something.

I encourage you to bring your paper in prior to the due date for feedback. Few take advantage of this opportunity for direction and suggestions. Papers are to be typed and turned in no later than noon on the due date OR LOSE ONE LETTER GRADE per school day that they are late.

Students will write a 3-5 paragraph (minimum) TYPED paper that will answer some basic biographical information on the artist. Who are they? When did they work? What type of art did they make? How did they become an artist (if known)? Why are they important?

In addition, students will identify (title and date when known) one piece of artwork by this artist. Using Elements of Design (line, shape, value, texture, color, mood), students will critique the piece. Describe what you are seeing!

Please contact me if you have any questions! Thanks

Fifth Grade Newsletter Information

2009-09-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!! I trust you all had tons of fun and relaxation and junk food and you are ready to launch into a new school year! There are big things in store for you this year…

Fifth grade should be called “The Year of Art.” As big fifth graders, you not only get two of the best teachers in the school who are always up for fun and hijinx, but you also will participate in TWO field trips and will be the highlight of the spring Art show.

Fifth graders will voyage to the Portland Art Museum for the first time on a field trip sometime after Christmas break. They are the only grade in the school that will take a train to Tacoma and visit a hot shop and gallery at the Museum of Glass. It is frequently mentioned as one of the best field trips at St. Joes (and not just by me!). Finally, you will walk the runway in your creation at the Shine & Show. More about that later.

This year we will explore space as a unit. The hallway and cafeteria should transform into the final frontier early next year. I thought space was an appropriate unit given that we are living in 2010. Wow.

The fifth grade will write one paper per trimester in Art (same due dates as listed above for 6-8). This year, students will choose from one of the Scholastic Art magazines I have in my classroom to read and write about an artist. No internet research required. You may look on the back for some information on the papers, but we will cover it in detail in class.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you!

Kindergarten Newsletter Information

2009-09-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Jennifer Larkin and I am the Art teacher at St. Joseph Elementary. I would like to introduce myself to you as well as give you some information on our Art program.

I am starting my sixth year of teaching at St. Joe’s. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Art: Drawing/Painting/Printmaking and received my Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree. Prior to working at the school as an Art teacher, I was a scenic artist working on opera sets and set designs. I continue to do free-lance work as a painter today.

This year, students will learn a lot but they will get messy. They will be using a variety of media, such as chalk, paint, ink, glue, crayons, beads, glitter—you name it! I use only washable paints and markers, but the shirts may stain. KEEP BLEACH ON HAND!

Students roll their sleeves and I do my best to avoid a mess, but productive children are often messy children. Please do not have your child wear their best shoes on art day— TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. I have found that some of the most catastrophic spills and messes are caused by long hair knocking over bowls of water or the hair falling into paint trays and I have a human paintbrush on the loose. I ask that all girls with hair to their shoulders or beyond come to class with their hair in a ponytail.

An exciting addition to the Art program this year is a printing press. Our annual talent show, the Evening of Entertainment, includes a Dad’s Spaghetti Dinner, which doubles as a fundraiser. A portion of the money raised went to the Art department, which purchased our printing press. Look for masterpieces in the winter term.

Please drop by my room (Room 1) anytime. I always like feedback and I am looking forward to another great year!

1,500,000 Butterflies!

2009-09-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Butterfly Project was brought to my attention by a parent this morning. The Holocaust Museum of Houston is putting together an exhibit to remember the children that perished in the Holocaust. Their goal for the spring 2012 exhibit will be to display one butterfly for each child that was lost. They have an estimated 400,000 butterflies collected so far. I will forward this amazing and touching art project to my friends who teach, but please check it out and share the website! It is not just schools that participate.

http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html

2009-2010 School Year!!

2009-08-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome back or welcome to Art. This year we are going to be exploring new media and returning to further investigate the standards. I trust you have all enjoyed your summer break and are ready to roll up your sleeves and get filthy.

Anyone that feeds me pasta and ice cream is naturally aces in my book. Just before summer vacation, I was told that the Dad's Spaghetti Dinner allowed me funds to purchase materials. With this gift I have purchased a printing press for the Art room. My undergraduate degree included printmaking, so once I have dusted off my memory and ensured that I will not destroy my new addition, we will begin creating prints in class. How cool! I will now be obliged to name all of my children after varieties of sauces and pasta shells to show my gratitude. "Get back here, Linguine!" "Mariana, don't make me come over there!" Seriously, thank you so much to all of you that participated or attended the fundraiser to make this possible.