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.

January School Wide News

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

I hope that you all are enjoying a relaxing and rejuvenating time with your families and friends over the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered on the Friday before vacation to help out with the holiday parties in the classrooms. I know it was a slightly rushed and chaotic day, but the energy at school was so positive and bright and I know all were relieved to get home safe and sound before the storm hit.

I know too how disappointed the children were to have Holiday Tea postponed twice, but I am happy to announce that there will be a slightly modified performance and party held here at school in the Community Room on Friday, January 9th from 2:00-3:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there to help us usher in the New Year!

A reminder that the Mt. Sunapee Winter Sports Program for the upper school students begins January 5th. Chaperones should meet at the mountain at 9:30. Please remember to send your child with appropriate outer gear.

We have several new after school programs and it is not too late to sign up. Please see Lisa in the front office for forms.

This month we will be discussing civil rights in our school wide meetings in preparation for Martin Luther King day on January 19th. A reminder that there will be no school on that Monday. We will have a special school wide assembly on the Friday before to celebrate his life and work.

On the Sunday evening before MLK day, January 18th, local peace activist Bethany Reed will be showing the film “Fire Under the Snow” in the Community Room. This compelling documentary explores human rights and non-violent change from a non-western perspective as it witnesses the life of Tibetan Monk, Palden Gyatso, who was imprisoned and tortured for 33 years under the Chinese occupation. The film will begin at 6:00 pm and is free of charge although donations to our Pennies for Peace jar are appreciated. Due to the disturbing nature of Gyatso’s experience, the film is not recommended for young children. For more information go the website http://www.fireunderthesnow.com/.

This year the teachers and students will be planning an Eco-Fest in lieu of our usual science fair in February. In preparation for this week, all students are invited to participate in the EPA’s Earth Artists Program poster/poetry competition. Jane List will be working with students to help inspire their entries. Please see your child’s teacher for details or log on to the EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/students.

Parents have already started asking about enrollment and class configurations for the fall. The board will be meeting on January 14th to finalize the budget. We will communicate to you our plans for next year at our next Upper School Parent Teacher Forum meeting on January 22nd at 3:15. As always childcare will be available.

Some parents have expressed an interest in having a toddler program here at HIS and a feasibility study for next year is presently underway. If you would be interested in sending your toddler here, or if you have thoughts about this idea please stop by to chat or speak to your child’s class ambassador.