Lower School E-News Blog

Dear Parents:

Well... that was certainly the most interesting opening week we've had in some years.  An extraordinarily smooth school beginning was bracketed by our first, first-day rain ever (as far as we know) and the most massive power outage in county history.  However, despite these extraordinary events, I've been dying to share one of the many experiences that make my job so special and which will help to illuminate why I think this is such a remarkable place for children to thrive and grow.

A couple of years ago, we decided to incorporate student orientations into the first regular school day.  In this year's orientation for our SK-2nd grade students, I planned to use some props to illustrate some of our more important rules.  So, I asked for a volunteer, and in sea of hands that responded, one shot up quickly but then slowly receded. Stunned to see this particular hand, I encouraged its owner, and the answer was, "Okay... fine." 

Flashing back to a year prior, I recalled this same child crying for weeks on end.  In one memorable episode of tears in the cafeteria, I had knelt down to ask the sobbing girl why she was crying (surrounded as she was by kind, sympathetic classmates and teachers).  Her answer, one I will never forget, was... "I-I-I don-n-n-'t kn-o-o-o-w."

Subsequently (and over many months), the daily love and care that was poured into this little girl by her family and school friends turned her into a confident young lady who would even get up in front of several hundred people to play Vanna White.

Parker is transformational for all who enter her community, and on behalf of the faculty and staff at the Lower School, we can't wait to see how it manifests in your children.

Sincerely,

Bob Gillingham

Lower School Menu September 12-16, 2011

Mon.                Hot Dogs Or Vegetarian Dogs

                        Tater Tots

                        Pb & j

                        Garden Salad

                        Vegetable Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Orange Juice

Tues.                Quesadillas

                        Refried Beans

                        Spanish Rice

                        Pb & j, Black Forest Ham Sandwich

                        Garden Salad

                        Albondigas Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Orange Juice

 Wed.                Turkey Wraps

                        Pb & j, Tuna Sandwich

                        Garden Salad

                        Cream Of Corn Soup

                        Fresh Fruit

                        Orange Juice

 Thurs.              Hot Black Forest Ham & Swiss Subs

                        Sweet Potato Fries

                        Pb & j, Tuna Sub

                        Garden Salad

                        Parmesan & Cauliflower Soup

                        Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Bar

                        Orange Juice

 Fri.                   Fish Sandwich

                        Potato Wedges

                        Pb & J, Chicken Salad Sandwich

                        Garden Salad              

                        Clam Chowder

                        Fresh Fruit

                        Orange Juice

Lower School News

• This Tuesday, parents new to the school are invited to join Parker staff and student speakers for dinner at the Lower School at 6p.m.

• The 5th-grade parent coffee hosted by Dr. G., Mrs. Knox and Mrs. Gray, will be held this Friday at 8:15 a.m. in the Scripps Lecture Hall.

• Chinese classes begin this week, taught by Ms. Areana Chen.  Monday's classes are JK at 2:45 p.m. in the Scripps Lecture Hall and 4th grade at 3:15 p.m. in Senora Herold's Spanish room.  JK students whose parents have notified the regular classroom teacher will be walked to the classes by a t.a. and returned to the afterschool program at 3:15 p.m.

• Boys and girls wishing to become student council representatives will have the opportunity in their classes this week.  Boys and girls are asked to present why they would like to represent their class and school, and voting follows. The first meeting will take place on Sept. 23 (a "B" day), and 5th graders running for president will give their speeches at flagraising on Sept. 19.