End of Year Program News 5.22.08

I tried to create a different layout for this blog, but it didn't work. I am going to have to consult my blog guru, Matthew, to help me out with that. So, once again, I have a conglomeration of photos. I'll tell you what's there. See if you can match the correct photo with its description. These folks are all on campus doing service. Sam and Marin are standing next to the tetherball pole on the new tetherball court that they built for the Upper School. Aydin and Aidan are in the squeaky-clean hut that they just swept and mopped. John and Terry are working with a group of students who have torn down the ramp that led to the Center bathrooms. They are building a new ramp with recycled materials. There is a group of freshmen in the Meeting Hall, organizing bags and boxes of clothing for the migrant farmworkers. You can also see Tim and Susan with the freshmen on Wednesday just before they left to work in the fields. They picked strawberries, broccoli, and onions.

I have received word from all of our off-campus trips. They have arrived safely at their various destinations, but I haven't received any photos to share. Elise sent the most detailed information from Trinidad. They have divided into two groups, the first of which is working with Habitat for Humanity on the southern tip of the island. They will be working at an orphanage, building an addition to the main building so they have space for the toddlers and infants who come to them. The second group is working at the Cyril Ross Nursery, fixing beds and organizing closets.

Here is late-breaking news from Frances in Costa Rica. They are all happy and healthy. The kids love the forest and are doing well as a group. They experienced a major storm yesterday and were up at 5:30 this morning to go bird watching. The kids have been working on a first round of scientific investigations and the two groups are creating projects on leafcutter ants. WOW!!

I am amazed and heartened by the maturity and strong sense of responsibilty that our students demonstrate during this End-of-Year program. Much of the work is dirty and certainly not glamorous. Yet, they are ready to accept any task that is presented to them. As parents and teachers, we can take a moment to feel very proud. I'll keep in touch.