Headlines - May 20, 2011

It seems that I write about this subject often and with good reason. Every week, every day I have a new reason. Here is the latest.

Teacher Mary relayed to me that during the Middle School’s visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC last week, (our students were well prepared by Tr. Bailey) she was saddened by the behavior of the other school groups she observed in the Hall of Remembrance. This marble hall is a commemorative shrine intended for silent contemplation and prayer. However, her feelings changed to true admiration for our (your) students as she watched them sit in silent worship amid all the commotion.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to accompany the 2/3 classes and the 4th grade on a field trip to Philadelphia. As usual, the bus ride was exciting and raucous and I had doubts. However, outside the bus, I was deeply proud of the group I was chaperoning. The kids always remembered to be polite, were focused on staying together, and listened to their leaders without question. Our trip began at a climbing gym and it was awesome. I can’t tell you the level of pride and humility I experienced watching Anna out-climb me (it wasn’t even close). Then I watched Claudia, Caitlin, Shant, Seiji and all the others achieve more than I would have ever expected. Some walls were over 40 ft high! At the end, we took pictures with our belayers and the manager told me how wonderful it was to host our kids. Later, we successfully navigated the subway system, ate lunch in a restaurant, and rode a city bus to end up at the Franklin Institute. The kids behaved wonderfully and we all arrived with smiles. I also know the 2/3 classes had similar successes on their trip. It has always been my experience that our school is well-represented during field trips, with leaders often specifically mentioning to me their pleasure with our students. While I always expect good behavior, I am continually amazed by the level of responsibility our students display on field trips.

And I haven’t even started talking about the plays - What a great bunch of kids!


ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS

Play Season – Play season is winding down. Teacher Sunna, Teacher Dorothy, and Teacher Nick’s classes presented their plays this week. If you haven’t had a chance, there is still time to catch one.

Monday May 23 Tr. Kelly’s 2/3 class
Wednesday May 25 Tr.s Bailey and Christy’s Middle School
All plays begin at 1pm

School camping trip – Our annual overnight will be held on May 26-27 at Camp Blue Diamond near Petersburg, PA. If you haven’t yet returned your permission forms, please send them in on Monday. (We can’t take kids without them!) We’d love some parent help during the trip.

Enrollment Contracts – Enrollment contracts and deposits for most families were due on May 15th. If you have not done so already, please return your signed contract and deposit as soon as possible.

Peace Choir - A Pizza Party for the Peace Choir will be on Tuesday, May 31st at 12:30 PM

Summer Camp – Our Summer Camps are filling quite quickly, and some weeks, in fact, are officially full. If you’re planning to register your child, please let us know right away so we can save a space for you.

School Fun – the Blue/White Soccer Game and Water Games will be held the afternoon of June 1st. Teacher Nick’s final soccer session will feature a blue/white scrimmage at the school starting at 1:00 PM. Afterwards, there will be snacks and students will have the opportunity to participate in water games to finish the day. Bathing suits and towels are recommended.

Graduation – Our 8th grade graduation ceremony will be held on Friday June 3rd beginning at 10:00 AM. More details to follow.

Enjoy the weekend.

Dan