Thursday, October 7, 2010

Principal Newsletter -- October 8, 2010


What if we could reduce our landfill-bound waste by half?

It's perhaps a bit ambitious, but that's our new goal.

We've thrown our collective hat over the wall by asking Waste Management to remove one of our four cubic yard garbage receptacles, and to replace it with a new hot compost container.

I've been thinking for a few years about a worm bin or compost system here on site -- and we may yet be able to utilize a modest worm bin for educational purposes -- but this new system will allow us to take advantage of economies of scale and will enable us to divert far more waste. The rule of thumb for the compost is simple: if it rots, it'll do. We can include meats, dairy products, bone, soiled napkins, brown paper bags, even pizza boxes and waxed paper. The leadership class, with Sara Brounstein, is busy training (after attending a training themselves) each class on how to separate and compost their food.

You will notice new green cans in the Commons and in the staff lounge, lined with compostable bags. Please help us out by encouraging children to fill them. (Then, on the weekends, you can buy it back as garden mulch;) Other ways to help us reach this goal are to minimize pre-packaged snack foods and to use re-usable lunch containers.

Reducing our waste by 50% is a big goal, but I know we can do it!


Thank You PTC!

Thank you for a great couple of days conferring about your children. We are so well cared for by the PTC -- the food they provide keeps us all going during conference days!


Coming Soon:


Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Next week's athletic calendar:

Monday, 10/11
Volleyball vs Gilkey - 4:00
Girls Soccer - White @OES - Release Time - 2:40, Bus - 2:50, Game - 4:00

Tuesday, 10/12
Volleyball @CS Lewis - Release Time - 2:30, Bus - 2:40, Game - 4:00
Boys Soccer - D2 vs SW Christian - 4:00
Boys Soccer - D1 vs Meadowglade - 5:15
Girls Soccer - Blue @Meadowglade - Release Time - 2:35, Bus - 2:45, Game - 4:15

Wednesday, 10/13
Girls Soccer - White vs OES - 4:00

Thursday, 10/14
Boys Soccer - D1 vs OES - 4:00
Boys Soccer - D2@ Catlin - Release Time - 2:50, Bus - 3:00, Game - 4:00
Girls Soccer - Blue vs PAA - 5:15

Friday, 10/15
Volleyball vs Faith Bible @4:00

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences

With some new families, I thought it appropriate to review our conference procedures, as well as give a refresher/reminder about the format.

Parent-teacher conferences are a great way to connect and discuss your child's learning. However, our format at grades 5-8 does not lend itself to long and meaningful conversations. Please help us by limiting conversations with any one particular teacher to less than ten minutes. This can be difficult to remember, but, at the end of the day, when one conversation goes over time, another parent is frustrated with less teacher contact time. Any serious concerns requiring more in-depth focus should take place in a separately scheduled meeting.

5/6 will be in the Commons. 7/8 will be in the gym.


Also, in the past we have experienced a small number of parents arriving at a time other than the one for which they signed up. In a case like this I will politely ask that the parent return at the designated time. (Of course, there is some cross-over because of math placement, and that is absolutely okay.)

We all appreciate your help with this, as the conversation I would much rather be having is about the great start to the new year.


Lost and Found

We have a lovely collection already, and will spread it as neatly as possible in the vestibule between the gym and commons. Please, stop by and look for your favorite items from the Autumn Collection!