Report Cards
Preschool and Kindergarten report cards are being sent home today in the blue Communications folder. Parents of students in first through fourth grade will now access online report cards through FACTS, the school’s database. Mrs. Celia Cooksey has provided step-by-step directions for accessing FACTS on the link below. If you have any questions you are welcome to contact her at celia.cooksey@sdsgriffin.org. Miss Wickie is also able to help you access your account if you experience any difficulty (wickie.willard@sdsgriffin.org). I hope that you enjoy the academic and developmental updates on your children. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences are on Wednesday, October 28. There is no regular school for students on this day. However, Extended Day is providing care for those that signed up. We wish that we were meeting in person to discuss your child’s progress from the first 9 weeks of school. It is amazing how far we have come since school started in August! Since we cannot meet in person, we are delighted to meet with you via Zoom and share updates and insights on your child’s experience at the Day School.
Halloween Celebration
We are thrilled to have Halloween festivities in Lower School on Friday, October 30. Students may wear costumes to school. (Please send an extra set of clothes for your child to school so that they can change later in the day.) We can’t wait to see everyone dressed up! Please refrain from wearing scary costumes that may frighten the younger children. Masks that are part of a costume may be brought to school, but students will be asked to take them off during class time. Lower School Parents' Community representatives have organized "party cart" deliveries with Griffins Table so that treats and prizes can be a part of class parties. We are so appreciative of the US students who have decorated Presnell for LS students. They are creating a candy chute from the balcony so that classes can "trick or treat" from below and receive a goodie bag. Please rest assured that we have thought through details on how to keep everyone safe and ensure the school’s health and safety protocols are followed throughout the day.
IB Blog: Student-Initiated Action
What does student-initiated action look like? In this week's blog post, Ms. Glass reflects on how her thinking has changed since first beginning teaching the IB PYP. She also highlights some examples of action - from big to small - found in our Lower School over the past few years!
Bingo for Books
We had the best time at Bingo for Books for 2K and 3K on Wednesday evening! There will be another virtual Bingo for Books on Wednesday, October 28 at 6pm for 4K and Kindergarten. Please RSVP by emailing Miss Wickie at wickie.willard@sdsgriffin.org. Directions and bingo cards will be sent home on Tuesday since there is no school on Wednesday. A Zoom link will be emailed to you once we receive your RSVP. We look forward to seeing you!
Upcoming Bingo for Books dates:
November 4- 1st, 2nd
November 11- 3rd, 4th
T2 Performance for US
We are so proud of 4th graders, Camden and Skylar Teel! Their band, T2, was invited to play for Upper School students today, and they rocked it. We often talk about being risk takers in LS, and today they demonstrated willingness to take a risk by sharing their musical talents with the school. Fourth graders were also able to attend and enjoy the show. Way to go, Camden and Skylar!
Preschool Corner: Morals and Manners
It’s natural for preschoolers to be self-centered. They can’t help focusing mainly on their own immediate needs. At the same time, they are also becoming more aware of the people around them. They want to have friends and “fit in.” Preschoolers aren’t born with an understanding of moral values such as generosity or truth. They learn them from adults, starting with you as the parent.
Morality starts with recognizing how other people think and feel. Help your child gain insight by talking and asking questions about people and their actions. You might say, "I think Jim is crying because Mick took his truck,” or ask “Why do you think Jim is crying?”
Learning good manners such as waiting a turn to speak, saying “please,” and sharing toys encourages your child to be aware of the wants, desires, and feelings of others. Morals and manners go hand-in-hand. As your child learns good manners, he/she begins to grasp the Golden Rule- to treat others as he/she wants to be treated.
Keep priorities straight. Make it clear that you care most about moral issues, though manners are important, too. That your child doesn’t slurp his milk is not as important as his understanding to not hurt others.
Upcoming Dates:
October 28- Parent Teacher Conferences (no school)
October 28- Bingo for Books 4K & K
October 30- Halloween Celebration
November 4- Bingo for Books 1st & 2nd
November 11- Bingo for Books 3rd & 4th
November 23-27- Thanksgiving holiday (school closed)