September 8, 2019 The Heron
Where children are known, loved, challenged and inspired for their future. Head of School Good Day Parents and Friends,
While technically a three-day week, it was filled with five days worth of activity. A few of my favorites were office visits from Kindergarten students, Opening Chapel with Chaplain Hanna, visits to lower and middle school classrooms, oh, and of course a visit from Mister Softee Ice Cream. I would imagine that the faculty and students are a bit tired as we prepare for week number two. The excitement of seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and getting comfortable with a new routine can be a bit daunting for us all. Perhaps we should take a page from our littlest Heron's handbook and institute "Nap Time" for all?
Regards,
Lower School Valerie White, Lower School Head
Wow!! What an incredible start to the new school year. It was great to see so many familiar faces and a bunch of new ones including our new teachers: Mrs. Kellner and Mrs. Nylander in Preschool, Mrs. Ovadje in third grade, Mrs. Adewole in fourth grade and Mrs. Cataldi in the music room. Our St. Anne's family is growing in so many wonderful ways! We kicked off the new school year with a special visit from Mister Softee and a delicious cool treat on the first day of school.
It may have been a short week, but there was no shortage of fun. Our students didn't waste any time and jumped right into learning and exploring. The preschool classes headed straight for the great outdoors and explored the woods and stream. They climbed trees, swung on vines, bounced on a fallen tree and even had an outdoor tea party! The Pre-K STEM classes began their pond study by searching for frogs and tadpoles. They also created a super fun game to help them learn about the natural habitat of their amphibian friends. Inside the building, Pre-K students found ways to engage their brains by looking at two-part patterns while third graders spent time cracking secret codes to rescue Mr. Davis from aliens. Our third graders also discovered that "laughter can be a really good ice breaker!" The first graders experienced their own transformation as they were turned into robots and had to apply their problem solving skills to shift back into their human form. Second graders are awaiting the metamorphosis of their caterpillar friends as they keenly observed the new chrysalis that has formed in their classroom butterfly habitat. And, Kindergartners got to exercise their observation skills as they embarked on a lively number walk through the school, making their way to Mr. Davis's office where they had a chance to practice their counting skills.
Our fourth graders, the leaders of the Lower School, have been exercising their brains to get them back into shape for some serious learning this year. They shared many things that they are looking forward to in their final year of Lower School. STEM Robots and Pre-K Book Buddies are just two of the many exciting things they get to do this year.
Important Upcoming Dates
New Family Reception - September 10 Back to School Night (Grades 1-4) - September 19 Fall Fest - October 4 Middle School Jill Reilly, Middle School Head
"Learning and leadership are indispensable to each other" John F. Kennedy
The Middle School is off to a terrific start with lots of warm reunions, budding friendships, smiling faces, lively conversations, passionate teachers, and enthusiastic students. It is clear from how well students have comported themselves this week, that they are aware of and ready for the responsibilities and leadership opportunities that the new school year brings. They also know that these new responsibilities and opportunities will require them to work hard, struggle productively, and apply effective effort to their studies, relationships, and personal growth. Throughout the year, MS teachers will help students to sharpen academic skills, cultivate new understandings, enhance collaborative and cooperative skills, and broaden their experiences. The entire MS faculty - classroom teachers, advisors, and homeroom teachers - will get to know each student's individual strengths as well as areas of potential growth, and then will use this knowledge to appropriately challenge each student, allowing teachers to meet each student where s/he is while also moving her/him to the next level of excellence. Come visit us and see what the MS is all about. Whether witnessing our students' intellectual prowess in a language arts debate, uncovering multiple methods to solve a math problem, observing our excellent faculty at work with students, joining us outside for MS recess, or cheering on one of our after school MS Fall sports teams (boy's soccer, girl's field hockey, and co-ed cross country), we know you will see what we see… the inherent potential in every student and the thrill of knowing that anything is possible with a St. Anne's education. A few calendar reminders:
New Family Reception - September 10
SPECIAL INVITATION If you haven't had a chance to meet our new Head of School, Mr.Barry Davis, please consider stopping by on Monday, September 16th. Join Barry for coffee, tea, and sweets from 7:30 am to 8:15 am or 11:00 am to 11:45 am.
SAPA A warm welcome back to school from the St. Anne's Parents' Association!
*Check out our easy Ways to Raise to support SAPA year round!
Volunteer at our Scholastic Book Fair! If you are interested in helping make this magical event a success, we invite you to the planning meeting on Monday, September 23rd at 8am in the library. Details can be found here. Save the date for our annual School Fall Fest!! 10/4/19 4:30 - 7 pm All School Calendar Chapel Calendar Weekly Chapel is now on Wednesday Morning
All parents and grandparents are welcome to attend. Wednesday - September 11, 2019 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM Wednesday - September 18, 2019 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM Wednesday - October 2, 2019 8:15 AM - 9:00 AM Wednesday - October 9, 2019 8:15 AM - 10:30 AM On the Horizon
Fall Fest - Friday, 10/4 - 4:30 pm - 7 pm
Fall Break - No School - Friday 10/11 & Monday 10/14
Important Updates & Reminders Communications with School (Absences and Changes in Transportation)
In the event of any changes to your child's attendance at school, please send an email to absent@stannesde.org or call 302-378-3179 option 2. You can use this to let us know about lateness, absence or leaving early. The nurse's office will be verifying absence without notification via phone calls to parents.
Parents should send all transportation changes via email to cit@stannesde.org and copy the child(ren)'s teacher or advisor. Last-minute changes are discouraged, but should they need to be made, please be sure to follow the protocol listed above as well as calling the Main Office to ensure that your request has been received.
Dining Room Services Please log into HotLunchOnline.com and confirm that your child is associated with the correct grade. This will ensure that students will receive lunch quickly and without confusion moving forward. We have several students and siblings who were flip-flopped and listed in the wrong grade level.
October and November Lunch Menus (Available on Tuesday, September 10th) After School Clubs Registration for After School Clubs will begin on or before September 15th. Keep an eye out for a separate email with details. Heron Athletics M, 9/9 Boys Soccer Practice 3:20-5 pm Field Hockey Practice 3:20-5 pm Cross Country Practice 3:20-5 pm
Field Hockey Practice 3:20-5 pm Cross Country Practice 3:20-5 pm
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