Upcoming Events:
Check out our new school-wide Google Calendar to find out about Back to School Night, New Families Reception, 40th Anniversary Party and more!
9/1o Room Parent Meeting, 8:45am at Picnic Tables
School news and photos are posted on our Family News Blog page on the Gateway website, as well as on our new Facebook page.  Check it out!
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News From Percy
At the Welcome Gathering on Wednesday, September 1st, I encouraged
our students to approach this year with renewed sense of optimism, hope,
purpose, and meaning. I shared with the
school a poem, entitled New Beginnings,
and challenged them to imagine how they could contribute to making Gateway School a stronger community. For some children, this may manifest in
making friends with new students in their class, and easing the transition to Gateway School. For others, it may involve reaching out to the larger Santa Cruz community through community
service. Regardless of the form, the aim
is to remain mindful of how fortunate we are to work and grow in this unique
learning environment, and to recognize our responsibility to preserve and strengthen
our sense of community.
This year, Gateway
School will introduce a
few New Beginnings of its own,
including:
First Fridays: On
the first Friday of every month, from 8:45 - 9:00, we will hold an all-school assembly
in which we introduce different themes throughout the year. After a brief welcome by me, a faculty and/or
group of students will address the group and talk about the virtues of family, community, humor, patience, giving
thanks, lifelong learning, etc. The
First Friday tradition is a wonderful opportunity for us to begin each month
with a shared sense of purpose. We are
keeping our fingers crossed for dry Fridays.
Updated Blog Posts: Each month, I will post a series of blogs to the Family News Blog Page under
the category "News from the Head" to highlight relevant educational topics that
our faculty and staff are considering, and to spark conversation around issues
that affect the K - 8 independent school community.
Pastries with Percy: I will host an early morning chat with K-5 (Tuesday April 5, 2011) and
6-8 (Tuesday November 16, 2010) parents to bring them together to discuss our elementary
and middle schools programs, respectively, and to answer any questions families
may have about the school's curriculum, policies, and mission. (We will
continue our grade level coffees as well, which focus on developmental issues).
HOS Book Club: (Not really new, but only three GWS parents
attended last year.) This year the HOS Book Club will meet twice to engage in a
discussion about books that will help inform our children's educational and
emotional development and our parenting. Please check the calendar for dates and the GFN for book titles.
GWS Dad's Group: The
mission of the Gateway School Dad's Group is to weave a network of fathers and
father figures into the fabric of the school community in ways that strengthen
and enrich the lives of all students in the greater GWS community. We invite all dads, granddads, and father
figures to join us as we plan a series of community-building events in support
of our students and the school. Please
feel free to contact me if you are interested in participating.
I encourage our new families to get involved in these and/or the myriad
other events that take place at school throughout the year. It is an important way to share your talents,
interests, and time with the Gateway
School community. I am confident that as you immerse yourself
in the community, you will build strong and enduring friendships with our
parents and faculty, as they are the people who make our school a special and
unique place.
Gertrude McClain's last stanza of her poem
reminds us that:
The years will never
take away
Our chance to start
anew
It's only the
beginning now
So dreams can still
come true.
Here's to bold dreams and new beginnings!
Warm Regards,
Percy
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"40 in the Field" is coming up on Saturday October 2nd. This event for adults (21yrs +) will mark the beginning of our 40th anniversary celebrations. We are inviting alumni parents and adult-aged alumni to join all our current parents in celebrating the school which we have all enjoyed over its 40 year history, and to look toward the future together.
Former heads of school Dr. Peter Lewis, (Assistant Head) Kathleen Warren, and David Peerless, will be returning to join us. The event, co-chaired by Angela Chesnut, Virginia Ganley, and Jane Henry, will include food, wine, music, a program, and a truly unique opportunity to meet alumni parents. We invite parents who would like to to bring a dessert for the farm table. Please RSVP by Sept. 17th to Kristin Smith kristin.smith@gatewaysc.org.
Mark your calendars! Gateway School's annual "Fall Festival" is Saturday, Oct. 30th from 1-4pm. We are going green this year with a more organic flavor. This special family event combines Harvest Festival and Peace & Plenty. There will be family run activity booths, local entertainment and bread making and baking in the wood burning oven. Join us for what promises to be a fun filled day of celebration of the harvest season! If you are interested in volunteering please contact parent volunteers Shiva Hurvitz shiva.hurvitz@yahoo.com or Jeannie Wholey wholey@sbcglobal.net.
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