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

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!

Principal's Newsletter October 4, 2010

We experienced, in the past week, disparate emotions. To tell the truth, the joy of the grand opening, while real and wonderful, is drowned out by the loss of one of our former students, RHS sophomore Tristan Schlesser.

None of us parents can imagine the grief his parents know, and there is nothing to say here that will assuage it in the slightest. I am, however, pulled to make two notes.

First, the incredible show of support evident at Thursday's memorial is a clear indication of the kind of community we hope will be ever-present in our schools. I was blown away by the number of students, families, and teachers who came to honor Tristan's life.

Second, a golden reminder to us all: Tristan's older brother spoke near the end of his memorial of our obligation to cherish each other -- not only one another's presence, but the time we share together. I was personally humbled by his words, and encouraged by his message.

We will miss Tristan very much.


Coming Soon:

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday


*Parent conferences are just around the corner -- if you have not yet signed up, please swing by the office or call Betsy and Karen.

Principal's Newsletter -- September 24, 2010

Thank you for bearing with us as we manage and improve the parking lot situation. It's truly getting better every single day! Today I was out there and we had a somewhat congested situation for only two minutes.

• One minor tweak which will make a great deal of difference is this: parents driving from North to South on Breyman may use the yellow-curbed area adjacent to the cross-walk for drop-off. Beth Marchi is out there everyday with the crossing flag, and is able to help students safely exit their vehicles (on the right-hand side) onto the curb. They should then walk through or around the school to the back side. Pick-up in this same location is possible in the same manner.
• From the South side, driving North, it is okay to drop students at the crosswalk as well. They should cross in front of your car; the crossing guard will assist in ensuring oncoming traffic stops as well. This is not as convenient as the other direction, but it's nice to have another option if things are congested.
• Wednesday, an officer of the law has informed me he will be ticketing folks parked in the "triangle."
  
• I'll throw in one more quick note: while speeding drivers is not a huge issue here, all it takes is once. Please be thoughtful in driving, especially as the roads get wet for the first time. We have so many children riding bikes and we want to ensure their safety.
  

You may have noticed a fence being installed on the perimeter of the field. There are many purposes the fence will serve, but one important purpose is to help us respect the property of our neighbors who have been so gracious throughout this building process. Until it is constructed -- and after -- it is important for us to be cognizant of our neighbors' property, and to remind children that safe play needs to remain on the field.

Our attention now turns to the Grand Opening on October 3rd. This promises to be a wonderful event, with multi-generational participants in families celebrating the opening of the new school. Stay tuned for more details from the school district.

• I am putting out an "RFP" for 7th and 8th graders who would like to be hosts at the event. Requirements would be (a) dressing nicely and acting as docents, (b) meeting with me on Wednesday next during school to discuss their role, and (c) be here from 2:45-5:15 on the 3rd. Please email me with your son or daughter's desire to participate.

Coming Soon:
(Trying a new format -- follow the links to see the events listed on the district calendar.)

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday