9/11, back to school and dogs

Headlines - September 9, 2011

Note found taped to the front of the teacher mailboxes:

Dear Teachers,

You have made the school year a great school year.

Your friends,
Liria and Katie

Enough said. . . .


Announcements

Back to School Night – Our annual Back to School Night is scheduled for next Thursday, September 15th. Please save the date, as it will be an excellent time for you to find out about Friends School and become familiar with your child’s classroom and teachers. Our schedule is as follows.
o All parents are asked to arrive by 7 pm sharp. There will be a short talk and introductions in the Community Room.
o From 7:15 – 7:45 there will be presentations in the K/1, 5th and middle school classrooms.
All other parents are invited to have coffee and mingle in the community room. Specialist teachers and administrators will be on hand to talk with you about school programs.
o From 7:45 – 8:15 there will be presentations in the 2/3 and 4th grade classrooms. All other parents are invited to mingle and have coffee.
We stagger our schedule to give multi-student families the ability to attend as many of the classroom presentations as possible. Due to space constraints, we cannot provide childcare on Back to School night.

Potluck Suppers – The K/1 potluck is tonight from 5:30 to 7 pm. Please bring a dish to share and table ware. The all-school potluck is scheduled for Friday, September 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Potlucks are a wonderful way for our community to come together in a relaxed and informal manner. Both events will be held in the Community Room. We hope you will join us to make new friends.

Dogs: We seem to be a school of dog-lovers, but this year we have two students who don’t yet share our enthusiasm for our furry friends. If you bring your dog along when you pick up or drop off your child, please be certain that it’s leashed and under your control. Although some of us might love the sight of an exuberant dog barreling down the hallway, it could be overwhelming for a child with a fear of dogs. Also, please check with the teacher before entering a classroom with your pooch.

After School Pickup: -We love that fact that our parents often stop to talk when picking up their children afterschool. It builds community. However, it is very confusing for our staff when the children stay inside the community room and continue to play with the other children who are still waiting to be picked up. We ask that parents take their conversation and children outside during these times.

Peace Picnic - The Friends Meeting of State College and Interfaith Initiative of Centre County are hosting a Community Building Peace Picnic to which the interfaith and international public is warmly invited. It will be held on the Friends Meetinghouse lawn on September 11th from 1-5 pm. The event features community games, storytellers and music. Bring picnic food to share. Tables and tableware are provided. Lunch starts about 1:30 pm. Contact Cy Devries 404-5938 for more information.

Final note - I find that I can’t avoid thinking about 9/11 this week. If my daughter asks, I will frame our discussion in terms of senseless violence, innocent victims, everyday heroes, and long-term consequences. As a Jersey boy, I feel moved to leave you with a little Bruce this weekend:

“Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love”
Into the Fire - Bruce Springsteen

In peace,

Dan