Lower School Broadcast Email
11/14/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
This week, the Webelo Cub Scouts, under the leadership of Melanie Mason, presented a brief flag ceremony in honor of Veteran’s Day. The color guard processed, honored and raised the colors as the whole Lower School gathered at the flagpole. We saluted the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance and a rousing rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
With the help of Emily W., the K-4 students were connected to Operation Caring Classroom, a program designed to connect children from military families with those from civilian families. Emily made a brief presentation to grades 3 and 4 during which she discussed her volunteer work with the Armed Forces Foundation. She did an A to Z activity with the students, listing 26 things that we love about America. As participants in Operation Caring Classroom, McLean has been partnered with a military school in Edinburgh, Indiana. The Lower School students will send letters and cards to students at that school to offer our encouragement during the time of their parents’ deployment.
The students in Kristen Raia (Ellis) and Michelle Anderson’s grade 4 class were visited by representatives from the Armed Forces Foundation. The class was photographed for the children’s magazine, Time for Kids, while writing letters to our partner school. You can check out the photos and an article at http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1858029,00.html or go to http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK and enter “Armed Forces Foundation” in the search box; then click on “Celebrating Veteran’s Day”.
These mid-November days offer a great fluctuation in temperatures. Please be sure to dress your child in layers. Label each item with your child’s first and last name. (Let’s strive to keep those new coats, hats and gloves out of the lost and found bin!) Even on chilly days, we will go OUT and play!
Be Golden,
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 ——-
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
School Photo Make-Up Day
K-8 Pizza Lunch
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18——-
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 ——-
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 ——-
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
9:00-10:30AM Dr. Ross Greene Presents “Collaborative Problem Solving”
Parents please reserve your seat at rsvp@mcleanschool.org
K-12 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club Available)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 ——-
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 ——-
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Grade 2 Field Trip to PETCO (All students should be in uniform for this trip.)
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom (Sikh)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
November Free Dress Privilege for K-4 students who have maintained the uniform code.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Day of Covenant (Baha’i)
Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha
Advent Begins (Christian)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1
NO SCHOOL-FACULTY/STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Dr. Erin McGurk speaks to the faculty about Differentiated Instruction.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Classes Resume
11/7/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
We jumped into November with the level of excitement that typically precedes a McLean “Presidential Election.” The K-4 classes studied the political process, each candidate’s platform and important issues facing a new President. In order to vote on Election Day, every Lower School student and faculty member had to register to vote. Mrs. Raia (Ellis) & Ms. Anderson’s fourth grade registered all McLean voters; and both Grade 1 classrooms served as polling stations, complete with election officials. The outcome of our election forecasted the national election with Barack Obama receiving 158 votes and John McCain receiving 43 votes.
It was wonderful to see so many Lower School parents in attendance at Parent Conferences. We appreciate your taking the time to discuss your child’s academic efforts and progress as well as the accommodations and strategies that we offer in the classrooms. After personally reviewing every student’s first quarter report card, I can firmly acclaim that each child has many “points of pride” in many areas. I hope that you celebrate your child’s accomplishments and efforts and discuss those areas that need some improvement. If you have not yet received your child’s report, please call the Lower School Office at 301.299.8277x671.
We continue to work on making the afternoon transportation process a seamless one. Please send a note about transportation changes with your child in the morning. If unexpected changes arise, please assist us by notifying us via phone call to the Lower School Office by 2:00 pm.
Thank you for continuing to dress your child in layers each day. Remember to label everything with your child’s first and last name. Unlabelled items in the lost and found will be donated to a local shelter when we break for Thanksgiving.
Happy November!
Brenda Crawley Head of Lower School 240.395.0685 bcrawley@mcleanschool.org www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 ——-
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
K-8 Pizza Lunch
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Kindergarten Field Trip to the Fire Station. All students should be in uniform for this trip.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Grade 3 Field Trip to Imagination Stage. All students should be in uniform for this trip.
6:30PM Head of School “Decaf” Coffee at McLean Bethesda. All Welcome.
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
Lakash Jayanti (Jain)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 ——-
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
1:00PM Admission Open House
Nativity Fast Begins (Orthodox Christian)
REMEMBER!
Monday, November 17 School Photo Make-Up Day
Friday, November 21 Dr. Ross Greene Presents “Collaborative Problem Solving.”
Friday, November 21K-12 Noon Dismissal (3:20 Club Available)
10/31/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
What better way to celebrate the start of the second quarter than with our annual Halloween Parade? The parade of costumes was a delightful display of creativity and humor. Our Lower School community knows how to celebrate Halloween! It’s hard to tell who enjoys dressing in costumes the most: students, teachers or parents? Thank you to everyone who joined us for the festivities, as well as those who decorated, prepared and assisted with class parties.
On Friday, October 24, the students in K-6 planted 500 bulbs in memory of Barbara Greer. The garden, located on the hill in front of the school, also includes a plaque honoring Ms. Greer and several perennial daisies. Ms. Greer’s family joined us for the planting and the presentation of “memory books” made by some of the K-4 students during computer classes. Special thanks to the Hyman family for donating the bulbs, perennials and “people-power” to prepare the hill for planting. Thanks also to Naomi Manzella, our K-4 computer teacher, for assisting the students with the creation of the memory book.
Our first quarter Community Service projects yielded amazing results. The Lower School students picked 32,674 pounds of vegetables on October 2nd during our USDA Harvesting Field Trip to help Food For Others. This is an “all time record” including USDA harvests from the last 4 years! The K-4 participants in the Help the Homeless mini-walk on October 3rd raised $2,128. Our Bake Sale and Pumpkin Sale on the same date resulted in $864 for the Montgomery County Humane Society. We also raised over $1,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during our free dress fundraiser on October 8th. The Lower School Mustangs should be applauded for such wonderful service to the community.
Most classes spent the first week of our second quarter preparing for the upcoming Presidential election. All K-4 students and teachers will be “registered” by Mrs. Raia (formerly Ellis) and Ms. Anderson’s Grade 4 class, in order to assure that they may vote at our Lower School polling stations in both Grade 1 classrooms on November 4th. Even the youngest Mustangs have declared their party affiliation and support their candidates of choice daily!
The days are growing chillier as we enter November. This year, we will revoke the 32 degree rule that has kept the K-4 students indoors for recess. All Lower School students will need to wear a coat to school to keep warm during outside breaks and recess. I strongly encourage you to make sure that your child has a hat and gloves as well. We’re going outside to play! (Label all items with your child’s first and last name.)
I look forward to seeing you during our Parent Conference days on November 5 & 6. Please be sure to check the Lost & Found table for unlabelled “lost” items.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
PARENT CONFERENCES will be held on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6. There will be no school for K-8 students and no child care available on conference days. If you have not already done so, please confirm your conference by calling the Lower School Office at 240.395.0671.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
All Souls’ Day (Christian) Commemorate the faithfully departed through prayer and mass.
Jnana Panchmi (Jain) Some Jains celebrate this day of transcendent wisdom by fasting or 36 hours. Others perform rituals and pray.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Shadow Day for Prospective Students
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Election Day
All “registered” K-4 students and teachers will be allowed to vote in the Lower School Presidential Election at the Grade 1 polling stations.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
NO SCHOOL-PARENT CONFERENCES: no in-school child care available
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
NO SCHOOL-PARENT CONFERENCES: no in-school child care available
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Grade 1 field trip to Build-a-Bear Workshop. Students should be in uniform.
7:00PM The Good Doctor Drama Performance. Bring family and friends for a night of theater. All welcome.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
7:00PM The Good Doctor Drama Performance
REMEMBER!
Thursday, November 13 6:30 pm “Decaf” Coffee with Head of School at McLean Bethesda - 9111 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda.
Saturday, November 15 Admission Open House at 1:00 pm
10/24/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
After enjoying our fantastic and fun Fall Festival on October 18, we spent the week ending the first quarter in a spectacular fashion. The Book Fair ended and library classes resumed. We reveled in the news about McLean Bethesda. We welcomed prospective families for our first Open House of the year. And we ended the week with our October Free Dress Privilege Day, the planting of a garden in memory of Barbara Greer, and an awesome Halloween Spooktacular laser light assembly performed by Prismatic Magic. What a week!
The K-4 teachers are closing their first quarter grade books. Report cards will be mailed by the end of next week. First quarter comments will be replaced by our Fall Parent Conferences on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6. If you have not yet scheduled your conference, please do so immediately.
Halloween is fast approaching! Our annual Halloween Parade will be at 9:00 am next Friday, October 31. Parents are welcome to attend the parade. We encourage you to come in costume. Prepare yourselves for many “Kodak moments.” (You’ll find that the Lower School teachers enjoy Halloween as much as the children do.)
Just a reminder: Halloween is a half day and the children will have lunch as usual. If you have purchased the school Lunch Program for your child, it will be served on that day. If your child normally brings a lunch from home, he/she will need to do so on half days this year
Happy Autumn!
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
Grade 3 Parent Social at the home of Kathleen Flanagan and Larry Orr
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27
6:45PM Board Meeting
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Kindergarten Field Trip to Butler’s Orchard (Students should dress in free dress, appropriate for enjoying the farm. A jacket or sweatshirt is strongly recommended.)
Grade 1 Parent Social at the home of Michelle Meyer
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 ——-
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 ——-
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
9:00AM Halloween Parade: K-4 students wear their costumes to school. Please avoid outfitting your child in costumes that are too scary or gory; bloody or “bleeding” masks are not appropriate for our Halloween Parade. Weapons of any kind (including light sabers) should be kept at home for night-time trick-or-treating. Students may change into free dress after the parade.
K-8 NOON DISMISSAL ONLY (3:20 Club NOT AVAILABLE)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 ——-
REMEMBER!
Wednesday, November 5 K-8 ONLY NO SCHOOL-Parent Conferences
Thursday, November 6 K-8 ONLY NO SCHOOL-Parent Conferences
Friday, November 7 Grade 1 Field Trip to Build-a-Bear Workshop
Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8 The Good Doctor Drama Performance at 7:00 pm
10/17/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
Unbelievably, the first quarter of our school year is almost over. This year’s Book Fair was exciting and successful! Many thanks to our Parents Association and to the volunteers who made this special event so enjoyable for our students.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Math Night for parents. It was exciting to see parents playing math games designed to reinforce basic concepts at home! Have you played a game and practiced what you learned at Math Night yet? The most recent national research stresses the importance of practicing math concepts and notes steady academic growth from at-home reinforcement.
Once Fall Festival has passed, the Lower School starts gearing up for Halloween. Some classes have already visited farms and pumpkin patches. Halloween at McLean is a “big deal” and a joyous occasion for both students and teachers! As you prepare your child for Halloween, please make sure that your child’s costume is age appropriate. We also ask that you avoid outfitting your child in costumes that are too scary or gory; bloody or “bleeding” masks are not appropriate for our Halloween parade. Weapons of any kind (including light sabers) should be kept at home for night-time trick-or-treating. Parents are welcome to attend the parade. Come in costume if you dare!
This year, the K-4 students will be eating lunch on noon dismissal days. Students who participate in the McLean Lunch Program will be served lunch. All other students should pack a bag lunch on half days. (Our next noon dismissal day will be October 31.)
Have you noticed the added feature of holidays in our weekly Broadcast email? We have included these holidays in an effort to affirm the religious/spiritual practices of all members of our McLean community. This recognition enriches our community and encourages our students to be better leaders and more responsible citizens.
The autumn days are growing shorter. Go outside and appreciate the changing colors of the leaves!
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 ——-
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 ——-
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 ——-
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22
9:00AM Admission Open House — Tell your friends!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
End of First Quarter
Grade 3 Field Trip to Claude Moore Colonial Farm. Students may wear free dress appropriate for farm exploration. A sweatshirt or lightweight jacket is also recommended.
7:00PM Kindergarten Parent Social at the home of Tim and Stacey Wills. Please remember to rsvp.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
K-4 October Free Dress Privilege Day
Memorial Garden Planting in Memory of Barbara Greer
6:00PM Grade 2 Parent Social at the home of Brenda Brody. Please remember to rsvp.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 ——-
REMEMBER!
Sunday, October 26 Grade 3 Parent Social at the home of Kathleen Flanagan and Larry Orr. Please remember to rsvp.
Tuesday, October 28 Kindergarten Field Trip to Butler’s Orchard
Tuesday, October 28 Grade 1 Parent Social at the home of Michelle Meyer. Please remember to rsvp.
Friday, October 31 K-8 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club NOT available)
10/10/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
Lower School students finished out last week with our annual Help the Homeless mini-walk during their PE classes. This week, all eyes turned to the upcoming Book Fair as crates and boxes of books arrived in the Library. The K-4 Mustangs were brimming with excitement about the many new titles and fun items that will be for sale.
Last week, the Lower School Student Council sponsored a Bake Sale and Pumpkin Sale to raise funds for the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society in memory of Barbara Greer. To date, the profits total $788.75! (We will continue to accept donations until October 24. Please make checks payable to McLean School.) Thank you for your support.
On Wednesday, October 8, K-4 students participated in a free dress fundraiser for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. One of our third grade students was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer of the blood, when he was 10 months old. The Lower School is helping to raise money to help researchers continue to work on finding a cure for blood cancers. Students in K-4 may wear free dress in exchange for a donation of $1.00 or more.
This week has been a special one, filled with learning, for our young Mustangs. Perhaps one of our most important lessons has been finding out that learning doesn’t always involve a pencil or book; but it always involves energy and effort.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
CREATIVE KIDS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM Begins the week of October 13, spaces are available but limited! Registration Forms can be found at http://merlin.safeport.com/830/.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroasterianism) celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
Columbus Day/National Indigenous Peoples Day
Pizza Lunch
Book Fair
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Paravana (Buddhism): Coming at the full moon, Pavarana marks the end of the rains retreat.
Sukkot (Judaism) a pilgrimage feast and a time of thanksgiving, celebrates God’s presence in creation and among the Jewish people. The Eight Day, Shemini Atzeret, is a distinct festival. Sukkot begins at sundown the previous day.
Drive/Drop/Donate — Done in 31
Book Fair
Grades 1 & 2 Field Trip to Cox Farms
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Book Fair
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroasterianism) Ends
Book Fair
6:30-7:30PM Parent Math Night (This evening event is for parents of Lower School students only)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: This day, established by the United Nations, is an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.
Book Fair
8:30AM Upper School Fall Concert for Students
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
11:00AM-2:00PM Fall Festival for Everyone! Get a great Car Wash! Find a bargain at the Yard Sale! Help the Juniors and Seniors raise money for Prom 2009!
Book Fair Ends
REMEMBER!
Wednesday, October 22 9:00AM Admission Open House — Tell your friends!
Thursday, October 23 End of First Quarter
Friday, October 31 K-8 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club NOT available)
10/3/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
The K-4 students ended September with our first free dress privilege day of the school year on Monday, September 29. We also enjoyed our first assembly, a presentation of “Building Bridges” by the Blue Sky Puppet Theatre on the same date! “Building Bridges” reminded us of the many ways that we can resolve conflict using peer mediation—another way to be GOLDEN.
Besides learning how to work through problems together, the Lower School students spent some time working for others this week. On Thursday, October 2, we all ventured out to the USDA Agricultural Research Farms in Beltsville, Maryland to harvest vegetables for Food for Others, which donates produce to food programs that feed the hungry in our area (check out the photos). On Friday, October 3, the children participated in the “Help the Homeless” mini-walk during their PE classes. We walked to support Interfaith Works, an organization which raises funds to feed the homeless in the DC Metropolitan area.
Finally, the Lower School Student Council sponsored a Bake Sale and Pumpkin Sale to raise funds for the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society in memory of Barbara Greer. (We will continue to accept donations until October 24. Please make checks payable to McLean School.)
This week has been a special one, filled with learning, for our young Mustangs. Perhaps one of our most important lessons has been finding out that learning doesn’t always involve a pencil or book; but it always involves energy and effort.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 ——-
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 ——-
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Farewell to Señora Luciana de Cuenin (maternity leave). Welcome Señora Browne (long-term substitute)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
Book Fair Begins
K-4 Free Dress Fundraiser for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society: K-4 students can wear free dress in exchange for a donation of $1.00 or more.
K-12 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club Available)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
K-12 NO SCHOOL-YOM KIPPUR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
Sally Foster Gift Wrap Orders Due
8:30 AM Parent Coffee with Lower School Head Brenda Crawley
Book Fair
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 ——-
REMEMBER! Some exciting news from last years’ Jump Rope for Heart event! Jack V. ‘19, was the winner in the drawing for a Wii. All participants in the region that raised $150 or more online were entered into a drawing and Jack won!
K-8 PIZZA LUNCH BEGINS Monday, October 13 (Bring a bag lunch if you have opted out of this special treat—no school lunch will be served on Pizza Lunch Day)
FIRST & SECOND GRADE FIELD TRIP TO COX FARMS Tuesday, October 14
BOOK FAIR Monday, October 13-Saturday, October 18
PARENT MATH NIGHT Thursday, October 16 at 6:30 pm (Book Fair is Open, too!)
FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 am-2:00 pm
9/26/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear Lower School Families,
It was wonderful to see so many Lower School parents at our Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 23. I hope that you had an enjoyable evening filled with meeting teachers and other parents, and gathering information about the school year. Parents who were unable to attend, please send us an email request for a packet of information about Encore classes and the Lower School Support Team.
Language screenings and OT screenings have been completed. If we have concerns regarding the results of your child’s screenings, you will receive a phone call about support services. Additionally, parents of new students who were admitted with conditions will also receive phone calls from members of the Support Team to help you meet those conditions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Unfortunately, a number of the Science Room rats are reaching the end of their 3 year expected life span. The rats, “Diane Fossey” and “Wanni Maathi,” passed away this summer. Sadly, we lost three others this week: “Jacques Cousteau,” “Jane Goodall” and “Snoopy.” Thank you for supporting your child as we deal with these blunt reminders of the circle of life for small mammals.
Next week will be an eventful one, filled with opportunities for our Lower School students to serve others. We will embark on several community service projects simultaneously. I hope that by our service, we can show each other and the greater community how GOLDEN McLean’s K-4 students can be!
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ——-
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Free Dress Privilege Day
K-4 Assembly: “Building Bridges” performed by Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
(Topic: positive conflict resolution, peer mediation, problem-solving)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
NO SCHOOL-ROSH HASHANAH
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
Grade 2 Pirates of the Chesapeake Field Trip: All Grade 2 students may wear free dress, including sneakers. Each child will also need a jacket or sweater.
Ramadan Ends
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
K-4 Harvesting Field Trip-did you send in your permission form?
6:30PM New Parent Reception at Darlene Pierro’s Home
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
K-4 Help the Homeless Walk in PE classes
Lower School Bake Sale: $1.00 dollar for each item. All proceeds will be donated to the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society in memory of Barbara Greer. Additional donations will be accepted. Please make checks out to McLean School.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 ——-
REMEMBER!
Farewell to Señora Luciana de Cuenin (maternity leave). Welcome Señora Browne (long-term substitute) Tuesday, October 7
K-12 Noon Dismissal (3:20 Club available) Wednesday, October 8
K-4 Free Dress Fundraiser for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society Wednesday, October 8
K-12 No School-Yom Kippur Thursday, October 9
Parent Coffee with Head of Lower School Brenda Crawley Friday, October 10 at 8:30 am
Book Fair Begins Friday, October 10 at 8:30 am (after Parent Coffee)
9/19/08
McLEAN LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
Dear Lower School Families,
The K-4 students have settled into their classroom communities, beginning each day with Morning Meeting. It’s great to start each school day with a warm greeting from teachers and classmates, a welcoming activity to prepare for the school day, and the opportunity to share events and information. Morning Meetings are held during the first period of every day. We need every child to be present for this important part of the day, as well as for morning academic classes. Please refrain from scheduling doctor’s appointments and other commitments during the school day.
Members of the LS Support Team will be contacting families of K-4 students for whom additional services are being recommended as a result of the Speech-Language and/or OT screenings. If you are not contacted about the screenings, your child has met the age-based criteria of the screening tools.
Lower School Student Council representatives have been selected. The Council will be organizing a Bake Sale Fundraiser on Friday, October 3 for gifts to the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society in memory of Technology teacher Barbara Greer. Details will be sent home via “backpack express.”
The first whole Lower School community service project will be on Thursday, October 2 at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. We will harvest vegetables for the Food for Others Program which feeds thousands of hungry people in our area. Each child’s parents must sign a permission slip & gleaning form. Please check your child’s backpack for this important information.
I hope to see you all at Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
TAE KWON DO Master Sharma will be our Tae Kwon Do instructor again this year. Due to space constraints, we are working with him on an alternate plan. We are hoping to bus the students to his studio in Potomac on Thursday afternoons instead of holding it at McLean. This will allow for a more structured class in a larger space. I will be sending you more detailed information as soon as I have it.
DID YOU SIGN UP FOR PIZZA LUNCH? Pizza Lunch sign up sheets are due on Friday, September 26? Remember that the school lunch program does not serve lunches on Pizza Lunch Day—so remember to pack a sandwich for your child. Pizza Lunch Forms can be found at www.mcleanschool.org. Click on “Parent Center” on the top menu, click on “Lunch Program” on the side links, click on “Lower/Middle School Pizza Form.”
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 ——-
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Outside Providers Begin
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
6:30PM K-4 Back-to-School Night
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 ——-
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 ——-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
8:30AM Parent Coffee with Head of School Darlene Pierro
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 ——-
REMEMBER!
September Free Dress Privilege Day Monday, September 29
No School-Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 30
Grade 2 Pirates of the Chesapeake Field Trip Wednesday, October 1
Harvesting Field Trip Thursday, October 2
Send in permission slips and gleaning forms!
9/12/08
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2008
Dear Lower School Families,
Our first full week of school went by in a flash. The K-4 students are settling into their classroom communities, connecting with teachers and classmates, and growing accustomed to the weekly routines. Each day starts with Morning Meeting (MM), a component of the Responsive Classroom approach. The students and teachers greet each other, sing, share and participate in activities. Has your child mentioned Morning Meeting? More information about Responsive Classroom will be shared during our Lower School Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm.
The uniform grace period for K-4 students ends on Friday, September 26. Until that date, uniform violation slips will be issued to inform parents of incorrect uniform items. After the 26th, the students will strive to stay in uniform every day in order to earn a coupon for our free dress privilege day at the end of the month. The uniform code is posted at www.mcleanschool.org, click on the Lower School tab on the top menu, click on the link Handbook , and then Lower School under Divisional Guidelines. Thank you for helping your child to stay in uniform.
Please remember that parents are not allowed to pick up their children at school unless a transportation exemption has been granted. Those given special exemption must pick it up prior to 3:00 pm in order to avoid conflict with our afternoon dismissal procedures. Parents who pick up their children without a transportation exemption risk incurring a fine for violating our transportation agreement.
All K-4 students have been assessed and placed in their reading and math groups for the start of the year. Like classroom placement, these groups may change in time, based on the needs and strengths of each child. This flexible approach helps to make learning accessible for the youngest McLean Mustangs.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 ——-
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Speech-Language & OT Screening (new K-4 students)
6:45PM Board Meeting
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Speech-Language Screening (new K-4 students)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Speech-Language & OT Screening (new K-4 students)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Speech-Language & OT Screening (new K-4 students)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Speech-Language & OT Screening (new K-4 students)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 ——-
REMEMBER!
Outside Providers begin services: Week of September 22
Grades K-4 Back to School Night Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm
Parent Coffee with Head of School Friday, September 26 at 8:30 am
No School-Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 30
9/5/08
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2008
Dear Lower School Families,
It was great to see the youngest McLean Mustangs in full force this week. The K-4 classes began each day with a Morning Meeting during which the students and teachers greeted each other, participated in activities, and shared news or events. This addition to our schedule is part of the Responsive Classroom approach, which has been incorporated into Grades K-5 this year. Our goal is to strengthen our community of respectful listeners and learners while simultaneously encouraging the voices of students and their self-responsibility. The week started with a Lower School Town Meeting, a scavenger hunt of important people and a discussion of the Golden Hand Pledge: our “code of respect and conduct” for the Lower School. Lower School Counselor Joan Fullerton and I also spent some time talking to each class about the loss of Ms. Barbara Greer, our K-4 computer teacher. The students have been encouraged to use the teachers to help them discuss their feelings and their sense of loss. We will plant a Memorial Garden on-campus in Barbara’s honor in mid-October. Students and faculty will be invited to add pages to a Memory Book that will be presented to Mr. Del Greer, Barbara’s husband on the day of the planting. Parents are also welcome to contribute entries. The K-4 students will also raise funds for the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society to purchase wish list donations in Ms. Greer’s honor. Details are forthcoming.
Our year has started with both great sadness and great joy. Even though many things have stayed the same, there are many changes that our Lower School community faces. Change is never easy; and we need each other for strength and support. As always, I thank you for following through with that strength and support at home.
Brenda Crawley
Head of Lower School
240.395.0685
bcrawley@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
AFTER-SCHOOL K-4 SOCCER Yesterday a flyer went home for After-School Soccer with incorrect information. The cost of the program is $150, not $115. The correct form is located at www.mcleanschool.org under After School on the top menu. If you have submitted a check for the incorrect amount, please send us another check for the difference. I apologize for the error and any inconvenience this may have caused you. Thank you! Summer & After-School Program Director Jenny Whichard ‘92 240-395-0690 jwhichard@mcleanschool.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 ——-
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
K-8 School Photos
OT Screening: Week of September 8 for new K-4 students
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 ——-
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
8:30AM Parents Association Meeting-All Welcome!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 ——-
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 ——-
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 ——-
REMEMBER!
Speech Language & OT Screening Week of September 15 for new K-4 students
Outside Providers begin services: Week of September 22
Grades K-4 Back to School Night Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm