When our students demonstrate great virtues (like gems hidden in a mine), when they achieve success, and when they are just generally awesome, I hand out "gems".  When our gem jar is filled we get a treat.  We all consult ahead of time about what the treat will be.  For our first gem reward of the new school year, we decided to make a trip to Appleland Station.  Unfortunately...

our trip was delayed one week because of bad weather.  This past Tuesday, we got to go on our trip.  What a gorgeous day! We even saw friends we know from outside our learning community!  Thank you to our parent volunteers and drivers for making this day possible.

The best part of our trip may have actually happened later that week when we made (and ate!) apple crisp together.