February 2009 School Wide News

With daylight lingering just a little longer each day, it’s that time of year when everyone’s thoughts seem naturally to turn towards spring and summer and the upcoming school year.

At our Upper School PTF meeting last week we discussed class configurations for next year. A letter explaining some institutional changes as well as curricular and staffing plans went home last week with registration forms.

A Preschool PTF is scheduled for Thursday, February 5th at 4:30. We will be discussing preschool class compositions, teachers, and other possible changes for next year. Let us know if you will be attending and need childcare.

We will be running our summer programs as usual with eight weeks of Wind and Willow’s Camp, five weeks of Beech Hill Arts Camp and six weeks of Environmental Camp at Tuckernuck. Our flyer and registration forms for these programs will be coming home with your child in the next few weeks.

We are also offering an HIS Family Swim membership this summer. Members will have use of the pool Monday-Friday late afternoons/early evenings, and weekends. The pool will be staffed by a lifeguard.

Our second Open House is Saturday, February 14th from 10-12. If you would be willing to come over for any amount of time, please contact Eileen Eber. There are flyers in the foyer, please take a few on your way out to post at your workplace.

February Pizza: If you paid for 4 pizza weeks in January you will get two free pizza Wednesdays in February. If you paid for 3 pizza weeks in January you will get one free pizza Wednesday in February.

This month we will be discussing the environmental issues and sustainability in our school wide meetings. All of the classes will be reading The Story of Rachael Carson by Amy Ehrlich and will be working with their teachers to prepare installations, experiments, and presentations for our Eco Fest on February 18th from 1:30-3:00.

The school will be closed for February vacation from February 23-27. If you would like to sign up for winter vacation care please sign up in the office with Lisa by February 13th (the cost is $36 per day).

The Friendly Kitchen is having a benefit concert on February 28th. Look for the posters (designed by our very own Abenakis) for details. Tickets can be purchased from Lisa in the front office.

Plans are well underway for this year’s auction. The evening promises to be an entertaining and relaxing night out. The event will be held on Saturday, March 21st from 5-8 pm at the Audubon Center in Concord. Onsite childcare will be available, although space is limited so sign up soon! Look for a letter from the Auction Committee to be sent home next week. Our next meeting is Friday, February 6th at 8:45 am—everyone is welcome.

Our last sking day will be Monday February 9th. Thank you so much to all of our chaperones who helped make this such a positive experience for our students. We had a record number of first time skiers this year and by all accounts it was a wonderful introduction to the sport.

Wednesdays at 12:15 recess for the rest of the winter we will offer a snowshoe hike around the upper fields. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join us for these excursions, weather permitting. Your child does not need snowshoes to participate.