Dear Lower School Parents:
It doesn't take long for us to get right back into the swing of things after winter break! Last week was full of cheery reunions and settling back in, and this week has shifted right back to business as usual. Our girls in Groups II-IV are plugging through their ERB testing, preparations for plays in Group III and IV are well underway, all grades are preparing for our upcoming Martin Luther King Day Assembly, and all of us are getting used to the winter weather. It was about time, I suppose!
As I wrote last week, the girls will go outside for recess unless the temperature dips below 15 degrees, factoring in wind chill (in accordance with the Connecticut State Department of Education Outdoor Recess Policy). That said, when the temperature is hovering in the high teens and twenties, we do limit the amount of time the girls are outside. It is an expectation that all of our girls will go out for recess. With that in mind, a written note will be required should there be a reason for your daughter to miss this important portion of the school day.
Today during assembly, I spoke with the Group I-IV girls about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the importance of this upcoming long weekend. I also shared an image of Dr. King as a young boy, and reminded the girls that he, too, was an elementary school student once and that his greatness was already inside of him. I encouraged the girls to find, honor, and cultivate the greatness inside themselves. As our theme in the Lower School this month is “Spread Joy,” we pledged to take a moment to honor Dr. King's legacy this weekend through acts of kindness.
At our all-school MLK Assembly on January 28, Groups I-IV will be singing “Blowin' in the Wind” and “Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing.” PC and CC, who do not attend this assembly, will “join us” on screen as they usually do with their own filmed presentation. The assembly is a bit long for our PC and CC girls, so we are lucky to still have their presence on screen each year. Their presentation is always a highlight and, as you might imagine, their straightforward and matter-of-fact approach to most things shines through and gives us all the feeling that goodness, fairness, and equality should really be simple. Our youngest are often our best teachers.
If I don't see you at drop-off or dismissal to say so directly, have a wonderful long weekend.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Civvies Day for PC-Group IV on Friday, January 15
In appreciation of the hard work that went into taking the ERBs (Group II-IV) and GATES (Group I) testing this week, the girls will have a civvies day this Friday. This will be a “regular” civvies day—no theme or tutus. PC and CC can join in the fun as well.
Winter Session of Friday-Afters has begun
Friday-Afters classes began last Friday, January 8. For those of you who have signed up for the winter session, please note the following Friday-Afters dates on your calendar:
January 22; February 5, 19, 26 and March 4.
These dates are also listed on the LS Parent Portal. When in doubt, be sure to verify dates as Friday-Afters does not take place every Friday. Dismissal is promptly at 2:50 PM. Should you need to make a dismissal change after noon on a Friday, please call Friday-Afters co-chairs Courtney Bieger (917-572-6468) or Renuka Khera (917-863-5959).
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday, January 18
School will be closed on Monday, January 18 in honor of Dr. King. PC and CC will honor his memory with various celebrations; Groups I-IV will be a part of the all-school Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly on Thursday, January 28.
Chess Team Update
Chess Team meetings will continue to be held on Tuesdays at 7:15 AM in the dining hall. We are excited that a number of Group I girls have joined the team! Please be sure to check the LS Parent Portal for a complete list of Chess Team meeting dates for the remainder of the year.
Our first GA tournament of the New Year will take place on Sunday, January 24 from 9:00 AM to approximately 4:00 PM. Chess Team parents, please mark the date in your calendar now so we can be sure to have a great turnout to represent GA. On Tuesday, January 19, all members of the Chess Team should wear their team t-shirts along with their leggings to show their Chess Team spirit. Our team continues to have success at area tournaments, as evidenced by the many trophies in the LS Trophy Case!
Huge thanks go out to Valerie Wayne and Erica Lee for all of their work to date (and still to come!) on behalf of the Chess Team. Our last tournament was record-setting in terms of attendance. And, even with those big numbers, our concessions ran smoothly as did all other facets of the tournament thanks to Valerie and Erica's organization, patience, and energy.
Groups I-IV Mother-Daughter Sock Hop: January 29, 2016
Our girls and their guests had a blast at the F.U.N. Dance thanks to the amazing creativity of event co-chairs Lilly Armstrong and Saira Burgess, and the support of Miriam Kreuzer and the entire crew of volunteers. The hills were definitely alive with the sound of happy GA girls.
Now it's time for the fathers, uncles, and nearest male relatives to step aside (unless you want to help!) as the Mother/Daughter Sock Hop is coming up.
From co-chairs, Caitlin Niv and Carol Nickerson:
We're warming up the jukebox, so grab your dancin' shoes and socks and get ready to rock-around-the-clock! The GA Mother-Daughter event has a Sock Hop theme this year and will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016, 6:00 - 8:30 PM.
RSVP by January 22 at www.greenwichacademy.org/sockhop
Volunteers are needed! Click here to volunteer http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4ea9ab2ca57-gamother1
GA's 2015-16 Yearbook
The deadline to order a Yearbook is Sunday, February 22. Orders may be placed through a link on GA website's Parents' Portal http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01037800
or go directly to jostens.com and search for Greenwich Academy.
Study Hall Location Change
With the new year comes a new location for our LS Study Hall program. Please pick up your daughters in Mrs. Morley's room (Room 9) near the end of the LS Office entry hallway.
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, 15 NO Friday-Afters Classes
MONDAY, 18 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY—NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, 19 Chess Team Meeting, 7:15 AM, Dining Hall
Wednesday, 20 GAPA LS Class Reps Meeting, 8:00-9:00 AM, Noble Room
Friday, 22 Friday-Afters Classes today
Sunday, 24 NSCF (Chess) Tournament at GA, Dining Hall/Ramsing,
9:00AM-4:00PM
Tuesday, 26 Chess Team Meeting, 7:15 AM, Dining Hall
Thursday, 28 Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly (Groups I-XII), Raether, 8:15 AM
Friday, 29 NO Friday-Afters Classes
LS Mother/Daughter Sock Hop (Groups I-IV), Ramsing
6:00-8:30 PM
February
Tuesday, 2 Chess Team Meeting, 7:15 AM, Dining Hall
Wednesday, 3 Group IV Play for LS, Massey Theater, 1:15 PM
Thursday, 4 Group IV Play for Parents, Massey Theater, 8:15 AM
Friday, 5 Friday-Afters classes today
Tuesday, 9 Group III Play for LS, Massey Theater, 1:15 PM
Wednesday, 10 Group III Play for Parents, Massey Theater, 8:15 AM
Regular dismissal for Winter Break (2/11-2/15)
Tuesday, 16 Classes resume
Chess Team Meeting, 7:15 AM, Dining Hall
Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Jon Ross-Wiley
Head of Lower School