Pre and Lower School Newsletter

Happy New Year and welcome back!  Researchers target September and January as peak learning months for students and we certainly hope each of your sons has had an opportunity to recharge his batteries in order to return to school ready to learn.  We are excited to capitalize on their rest and intend to hit the ground running with meaningful learning experiences.

 

Former United States Commissioner of Education, Ernest Boyer, once said, “Dreams can be fulfilled only when they have been defined.”   Part of our goal this New Year is to help your sons define a dream for themselves, for their community, for this world or for our planet.   We will discuss what it means to have a dream and then how to set goals to meet that dream.    To help us kick off this theme, we are thrilled to welcome Sir Robert Swan, world-renowned explorer and environmentalist, who will share his own childhood dream and the journey he has taken to reach it.  To culminate our dream theme, students across divisions will embark upon a special project inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and the tradition of Buddhist prayer flags.  Each child will be making his own Dream Flag and many of these dreams will be shared at an All School Assembly later in the month in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

 

Our first semester officially concludes on Friday, January 16th.  Teachers will be working hard to complete detailed checklists and narrative report cards evaluating your son’s academic and social growth thus far.   Please note report cards will be mailed at the end of this month.  If you have any questions after reading your son’s report, please do not hesitate to call. 

 

Winter Encore Clubs will begin the week we return from break and will continue through Thursday, March 5th.  Boys have signed up for a wide variety of offerings and this winter’s session should prove to be one of our best yet.

 

We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed to our community service efforts at the Pre and Lower School before the Holiday Break.  Student Council representatives were able to deliver a large number of toys and warm clothing to families in need.  Your generosity is much appreciated.   Thank you also to Mr. Forese for coordinating a wonderful Father/Son breakfast in early December.  Yet again, we had record numbers and many dads, sons, and special friends were able to enjoy a hearty meal followed by fun and games in the Field House.   Thanks in advance go to our Skate Party Coordinators, Katie Boehly and Natasha Taylor.  The Pre and Lower School Skate Party will take place on Saturday, January 24th and should be great fun.  After the initial hour devoted specifically to Pre School-aged children, Lower School boys will be invited to join in.  Sharpen those skates and we’ll see you at the Hartong Rink!

 

Dates to Remember in January: 

1/5         Classes resume

1/13      Music in the Atrium – Brunswick Jazz Band  7:40am

1/14      Scrubby Bear at the Pre School

1/15      Kindergarten “Winter Playdate”                      

1/16      Pre Kindergarten Teddy Bear Breakfast          

1/19      NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/24      Pre School Skate Party                                        3-4pm

1/24      Lower School Skate Party                                  4-6pm

1/30      Civies Day 

 

PreSchool Happenings

During the month of January our Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten boys will be enjoying a variety of classroom activities related to dinosaurs.  Our young “paleontologists” will conclude their dinosaur theme with a joint “Dinosaur Day” at which time both grade levels are mixed together and the boys visit in each of the five classrooms for fun games and learning experiences.

 

Scrubby Bear will once again visit the Pre School on Wednesday, January 14th.  This Red Cross sponsored event helps to remind the boys about hand washing as an important measure to prevent the spread of germs.

 

We are looking forward to a very special "Drumming " Assembly on Thursday January 29th.  Kwame Henry, from Inifinite Roots, will perform and interact with the Pre School boys.