Headlines - September 30, 2011
My duff hurts and there is a good reason.
Last week I noticed Sam S and Shant K making use of the large construction set that we acquired over the summer. It is really an amazing kit that can be used to build cars, skyscrapers and more. It’s like a combination of tinker toys and PVC piping. Sam, Shant and some classmates were trying to build a car and were having some success but could not seem to get their construction to actually hold their weight. Feeling quite sure of myself, I said I would give them a prize if they could make a car that could hold me. “It’s on” was their reply.
On Monday, Shant appeared at my door with a waiver in his hand. It was laid out in block letters on a large piece of poster paper. It specified that I would agree to hold Sam and Shant harmless for any and all injuries that may occur while riding on said cart. Having grown up with older brothers and being keenly aware of the need for self-preservation, I added a statement that Sam and Shant would be willing to test ride any cart prior to my test drive. We all signed the document.
Friday, they were ready for me. Sam and Shant chose the school sledding hill for the test. Teacher Nick was the unfortunate early trial. They pushed him halfway down the hill and everyone enjoyed a good laugh when he could not control the cart (steering was not an option) and ran into the small tree at the bottom of the hill. No one was hurt and they got busy making repairs. Near the end of recess, I was summoned and brought to the top of the hill. Their creation was impressive, they tripled up on the flat floor panels to hold my weight and most of the sides had reinforcing pieces of tubing. They gave me my instructions and I squeezed onto the cart. Before I had a chance to say wait they began pushing and I was moving down the hill. It was then that I realized that my well-being (if not my life) was in the hands of two 11 year old boys.
About half-way down, my speed exceeded the boys and I was freewheeling on my own. It was at this point, that the cart began to veer sharply to the right. In quick succession, the left wheel popped off and the cart stopped dead in its tracks. Seatbelts were also not an option and I proceeded to slide off the cart and coast for another five feet on my rear. I got up a little sore and with a nice grass stain on my pants. Strangely enough, I wanted to do it all over again. I hope they keep working on it.
Announcements
Parent Coffee- Please join me on the morning of Wednesday, October 5 for an informal parent coffee. Coffees are ways for parents to find out about our school and its programs. This month’s topic will be the school’s approach to classroom management. Parents will learn how teachers incorporate Quaker practices and the Responsive Classroom approach to form the unique environment of Friends. Parents will then have the opportunity to observe it in the classroom. Coffee and refreshments are served in the Library beginning at 8:15.
Inservice Days - Monday and Tuesday, October 10th and 11th are inservice days for our faculty and there will be no school for our students. We offer an inservice day child care program here at school on all inservice days. The program is based in our Community Room and runs from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Please note that school bus transportation is not provided on inservice days. The fee for our child care program is $4.00 per hour. If you’d like to use the program on October 10th and/or 11th, please register by Thursday, October 6th . Children participating in the program should bring along a lunch and snacks for the morning and the afternoon. And, they should be dressed appropriately for outdoor play. It’s really important for you to register your child in advance for our child care programs. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Please call or email us.
Please have a wonderful weekend.
Dan
