First graders have been hard at work for several weeks to open up their Wildcat Post Office. In an interdisciplinary unit, the students have strengthened their design, computer, writing, math, and executive functioning skills to successfully deliver mail across the Lower School. 

To begin, the students learned about all the facets of how post offices operate with Ms. Haff and Ms. Lentini. The first graders were introduced to the various services provided by a post office, such as sorting and delivering mail. They also discussed the steps involved in mailing a letter, including how to properly address letters, choosing the correct postage, and understanding the delivery process. 

Next, the first graders needed to create postcards and stamps that they could sell at their post office. They spent five art classes with Ms. Behar learning about the art of printmaking so they could produce hundreds of copies of the same image. The first graders practiced this skill and discovered how to print variations with different ink colors and layering. Then, in computer class with Mr. Turner, they resized images of their own artwork and added text to generate their own unique stamp designs. 

Once the first graders were ready to officially welcome customers to the Wildcat Post Office, they applied for the three types of postal jobs—desk clerk, collector and sorter, and mail carrier. The desk clerks were responsible for selling the stamps and postcards every morning; the collectors and sorters processed the mail from the post office’s mailbox each day; and the mail carriers delivered letters to each Lower School classroom. The students practiced all types of skills with their jobs. The desk clerks strengthened their math skills, as they had to quickly make change for their sales transactions. The collectors and sorters demonstrated their organizational skills as they grouped the letters by grade and homeroom. The mail carriers showcased their communication skills as they spoke with various teachers on their delivery runs. 

All of the sales from the Wildcat Post Office will be donated to a local charity, which will be voted on by the first graders. 

“We are so grateful to the entire Lower School community for supporting our first graders! The Wildcat Post Office is our favorite project of the year. It truly brings our community together and connects us all in such a special way.” —Ms. Lentini and Ms. Haff, Grade 1 Teachers