School Wide News January - February 2008

I want to thank you all for your participation in our program and your donation of talent and energy that makes our school community a special one. We also appreciate all that our families have done to support various community service projects initiated by our students. I hope that you have all had a restful week off. On behalf of our faculty and staff, I wish you and your families a happy and healthy new year!

Here’s an update on what’s coming up in the weeks ahead:

20th Year Celebration
A kids’ music concert? A fairy/gnome house building day? An educational symposia for parents and teachers? A chicken-barbeque followed by a country dance? Whatever might appeal to you, we invite you to join in the 20th Year Celebration by helping out on one of these 2008 spring events. Sign ups are posted on the volunteer board. Please join our faculty, board, and alumni to help make the years end a truly memorable one!

2007—2008 Annual Appeal
By now everyone should have received a copy of our Annual Report and Annual Fund Appeal. To date we have raised $7,000 with generous gifts from the Gardner, Simon, Chesley, Schapira, Hotten-Somer, Nichols, and Rich Families. We have a match-challenge on deck—the Simon Family has pledged $600 for Science and Technology—but they’d like to see it matched! We invite you to join in on this annual tradition of giving. Collective support is what makes this school strong and keeps tuition as low as possible. All donations are tax deductible.

Parent Teacher Forum
Parents and teachers have suggested our collective reading of Raising Kids Who Will Make a Difference by Susan Vogt. Copies will be available in the office soon. We invite you to read the book and join us in March for a group discussion.

New Head Search
The search is underway; if you’d like to be part of the search committee, please contact Search Chair Jayne Huxtable right away. Jayne can be reached at jhuxtable@derryfield.org.

Moving Up Information Night
We invite you to an informational session on January 31, 5—6 pm. This session is designed to give parents an opportunity to meet and hear from their child’s next-year teachers. Come listen to what our teachers have to share about class expectations, daily routines, and traditions. Bring your questions. We’ll have childcare available with signups on the office door.

Open House for Prospective Students and Families
Please pass the word on about our OPEN HOUSE for new families scheduled for February 9th. 10—noon for Preschool through grade 4; 11:00—1:00 for grades 5 through 8. Please help us promote our school by sharing our date cards (available at the office) and posting them at a local library, store, or neighborhood bulletin board.

2008-2009 Registration
Next year’s registration is soon upon us. We are in the process of finalizing next year’s budget and Jodi will have reenrollment forms ready soon. Deposits will be due in early February, once you’ve had a chance to meet next year’s teachers.

Thank You to our Ski Chaperones
We are ever thankful to our ski chaperones:
Deb Marcou, Marilyn Knapp, Trish Collins, Beverly Primeau, Karen Robertson, and Lee and Terri Wilcox. Ski chaperones make our program possible…and help us to keep everyone safe. We had a wonderful first day skiing!

School Community Survey
Keep your eyes out for our school survey coming out by the end of this month. This survey seeks important information from YOU. Please share your feedback, your concerns and your compliments on teaching effectiveness, school administration, our website, and your ideas on various pending considerations.

Science Fair 2008—February 14
This year’s focus is Science Experiments and the Scientific Method. Students have already begun to brain storm ideas and engage in various aspects of the scientific method. Details on this exciting event will be forthcoming in your classroom newsletters.

Winter Vacation—February 25—29
Be sure to mark your calendars. If you need childcare, please sign-up on the office door by February 1. Please note: We need to have a minimum of six children signed up by that date in order to offer vacation week care.