Students in Trae Stover’s first grade class recently researched the life cycle of a monarch butterfly with observations. They have cared for several monarch caterpillars in the classroom and were thrilled each time one would emerge from its chrysalis as a butterfly.

The students then gathered around a picnic table in the school garden to prepare for a release. Stover explained how these monarch butterflies were beginning a long migration to Mexico.

These first grade students have also spent the first month of school learning about and following the schoolwide expectations of being safe, respectful and responsible. They earned their first celebration for following the expectations and enjoyed scrumptious ice cream sundaes.