Dear Parents,
Welcome to my 2008-09 School Year Blog! For those of you who are new, I use this weekly blog as one (informal) way to keep you informed about what's going on in the Upper School. You may subscribe to this blog by typing your email address in the box to the right of my blog. If you subscribe, you will be notified each time I publish a new post. You will notice that I still don't have a handle on placement of photos and perfecting the format. Perhaps I will figure it all out this year.
The pictures above are from our all-US Retreat, which (as you know) was held on campus due to inclement weather. These pictures were taken during workshops that were offered by staff members: GaGa, Board Games, and Gourmet Cupcakes. The seniors did a great job of re-planning the day for the rest of us. They returned from Quaker Lake and entered the Meeting Hall in silence at 9:30am. They broke the silence with a rousing group game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Annie Dwyer then led us all (!) in a movement/dancing routine. The rest of the day was filled with staff-led workshops, an advisor fair, senior-led games & activities, advisor-selection forms, and a final settling out. Everyone rose to the occasion and created a positive atmosphere...even in the pouring rain!
As you know by now, students have been placed into permanent advisee groups. As always, this placement process is challenging and time-consuming. We do everything possible to create 16 advisee groups that will work well for the year. After our cookout on Friday, advisors welcomed their new groups. These groups should help to smooth the transition for students new to the Upper School. We meet each morning at 8:30 for 10 minutes where we take attendance and share announcements. We meet again at the end of the day for final check-in and clean-up. On Friday, we add 45 minutes on to lunch for Advisee Time when groups plan some activity that they can do together. Our advisee groups are home base to us...the starting point to building community in the Upper School.
You will notice that I highlighted the time for morning homeroom (advisee groups) above. We start the day at 8:30am. Last week, I asked the students to aim to arrive at 8:20am, so they would have time to check in with friends, get to their cubbies or lockers, and be on time for homeroom. We are serious about starting on time. It's a great way to be in touch, learn about important announcements, and play an active role in building community. Thanks for helping with on-time attendance!
As we look ahead, I would like to mention two events to keep in mind. Susan and Tim are planning a sophomore retreat during the weekend of September 20-21. Sophomores will spend Saturday night in Newton Grove and help Father Tony with the Farmworkers Festival. For those of you who are new, more information will follow. For all of you, our US Back to School Night is Thursday, October 2nd. We hope to see you all right here at the Upper School for an information-packed, fun evening.
I hope you have enjoyed a great Labor Day weekend. I am thinking about the folks on the Gulf Coast and hoping that Gustav doesn't do too much harm. Let's hold them all in the light.
Take care,
Carrie
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