Week of September 28, 2009

When I run into people whom I haven't seen in a while, the question is always, "How's everything going in the Upper School?" There is just no easy answer to that question. It doesn't seem enough to just say, "Fine!" Lately, I've been offering Willy's analogy of getting on a roller coaster ride. Things move fast in the Upper School. Hang on tight, pay attention, and just maybe you'll see SOME of the many activities that are whizzing by. Here is a brief summary of this past week... While they wait to be called onto the stage, two of our advanced actors are going over their lines for The House of Blue Leaves, which will be performed in November.

Our amazing seniors have created a Senior Service class this year. Their goal for this term is to redesign the school store. Some of them are creating a new patio outside, while others are painting the inside from top to bottom. The rest of us are eagerly awaiting the grand opening!

Dave's Math 310 (Alegbra II) students are enjoying their math lesson while Bryce's US History class learns about the first Quakers to arrive in America.

A serious student takes a test in African Civilization and enjoys the beautiful weather at the same time.

We have many important service opportunities in the Upper School. You can see two of our teacher's assistants helping students in math class. When students work as peer tutors, we find that they help themselves as much as they are helping the younger students. In order to assist a student who has questions in math, they must clearly understand the concepts themselves. Another service opportunity allows students to work in Willy's office. Here, you can see one of her TA's is recording the attendance for the day. (We appreciate parents' efforts to get students to school on time!)

GROCERY CERTIFICATES

We have a harder time than other units getting our parents to use Grocery Certificates because most of our parents are not on campus as much as parents of other units. Thankfully, the Grocery Certificate Program is becoming easier and easier to join. For every purchase made by Upper School parents using Grocery Certificates, the Upper School receives 5% of the total purchase! (No additional cost to you.) You can get Certificates for Whole Foods, Weaver Street, Food Lion, and Kroger. You can place a monthly order or request a standing order. Orders/payments are due the last Friday of every month in the specified Lock Boxes in the Center Building. Soon, we hope that orders will be able to be made through the CFS website.

WHAT DO WE DO WITH GROCERY CERTIFICATE MONEY?

It is important to note that any money the Upper School makes from Grocery Certificates goes into a special fund and NOT into our general supplies budget. We have used this money to make purchases for the Upper School that our annual supplies budget won't cover, such as laptops for teachers or new sewing machines for art and sewing classes. If you shop regularly at Whole Foods, Weaver Street, Food Lion, or Kroger, we appreciate your making the extra effort to use Grocery Certificates.

BEAR NIGHT

Our students have planned a Bear Night for this Friday at 8pm. If you are new to the Upper School community, you may be wondering, "What's Bear Night?" Bear is a game that involves running, chasing, screaming, laughing, and darkness. This is a game that is not for the faint of heart, but the kids love it! Staff supervisors will be on hand. More to come about Bear Night...

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Wednesday, October 7 Picture Day

Thursday, October 8 Back to School Night (7-9pm)

Friday, October 9 Advisee Day

Wednesday, October 14 PSAT (8-12), noon dismissal for Staff Development, Junior Night