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SEABURY NEWS
February 6, 2009 Volume 11, Issue 10
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| News from the Auction Committee |
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Our auction is coming up and we need more items!
The success of the auction is dependent on having experiences and items for guests to bid on. Thank you to everyone who has brought in wine and baskets over the past weeks. We have a great selection of wines for our wine wall and a good start to our silent and live auction. However, we still need more items and help. We are looking for more family experiences, restaurant gift certificates and tangible items for the silent auction. If your family budget is tighter this year than last, let me reiterate, you do not need to buy items for the auction. Simply ask businesses you frequent or people you know if they would be willing to make a donation of services or goods to Seabury. If you share a little bit about Seabury and why it is important to the community and your family, you might be surprised at the response you get. If you feel self conscious about asking, just remember, you are not asking for yourself, you are asking for the school. Or look at your own list of talents. Kelli Hodges, for example, has donated a photo session. Do you have a talent or experience you can share? Maybe you are a really good cook and can offer a dinner delivery for four. Maybe you have a sailboat and can offer a fun family sailing experience. Maybe you love gardening and are willing to help start a small vegetable garden for a family. Get creative! A lot of businesses want to know what they will get out of a donation. Right now businesses are looking for ways to reach into new markets to capture new clients. Auction donations often help to achieve that goal. I tell them that attendance at our auction is 200 and that they can provide promotional materials about their business to go with their donation. I also mention that their business will be listed on our online auction site accessible through our website and mentioned in our auction catalog that is distributed to all of our guests. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions for items, please email me at seaburyadvancement@comcast.net or call me (253) 952-5944.
Katherine
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SAVE THE DATE!
Seabury STAR Auction
Sat. Mar. 7, 2009
Call the babysitter and come join the fun!
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What's on the Calendar?
Sun., 2/8 Open House for prospective families
Mon. 2/9 Drama Club
Tues. 2/10 Chess4Life, Art Club
Wed. 2/11 Art Club, Middle School Update and Beyond Seabury meeting, 7pm
Thurs. 2/12 NO SCHOOL, In Service
Fri. 2/12 NO SCHOOL, In Service
Mon. 2/16 NO SCHOOL, Pres. Day Observed
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It is a busy time at Seabury. I want to strongly encourage all of you to make it a priority to attend two events in the coming weeks; both are important and will help you to stay informed about what is happening at Seabury.
February 11 at 7 pm
Seabury Middle School Update / Beyond Seabury
All parents, as well as neighbors and friends, are encouraged to attend this informative meeting, whether your child will be entering middle school next year or in the future. This is your opportunity to hear the latest information about Seabury Middle School and to get your questions and concerns addressed. But the highlight of the evening will be a panel made up of Seabury alumni students and parents who will be sharing how Seabury prepared them for school and life "Beyond Seabury." Questions and discussion will be encouraged at this informative evening. Call or email Joslyn in the office(seaburyoffice@comcast.net or 253-952-3111) to arrange for childcare.
February 19 at 7 pm
Annual Seabury Update
Each year, Seabury's Head of School delivers what amounts to our own "State of the School" update for parents. Questions and discussion will be welcomed. The evening will focus on our current program, what you can expect in the future, an overview of the accreditation process we are continuing next year, and an overview of Seabury's Board of Trustees' work on a strategic plan for Seabury's future. This is your chance to learn everything you wanted to know about Seabury!! Call or email Joslyn to make reservations for childcare.
Keeping parents informed and involved is critically important to working in partnership to serve our children. I look forward to seeing you at these events, and to answering your questions as well as celebrating our school's amazing success! |
| Middle School News by Toby Welch |
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The value of the small middle school
When I am asked to reply to the question, "What are the pros and cons of a small middle school?" I do not hesitate to respond with a lengthy list of conversation points. After being involved in schools with this characteristic for more than 15 years, I have "seen" the benefits, as students have moved onto high school, college, and beyond. The middle school years are some of the most crucial when it comes to whether young adolescents choose to view themselves as successful students.
Part I in a series
Your child is KNOWN:
Teachers come to know their students, not only as academicians, but as young adults who are trying to find their place in a rapidly changing world. Teachers come to know the passions, interests, and happenings of their charges. Last Friday, I asked 5th and 6th graders what they were excited about for the upcoming weekend. This past week, I was then able to ask students about their weekend with specificity. When students know that they are valued as individuals, it has a significantly positive impact on the relationship that is established between the student and the teacher --- which is one of the key characteristics of effective schools.
Teachers learn what motivates students, their various learning styles, and what strengths and weaknesses they have:
When teachers have a good understanding of what motivates an individual student, they are able to tailor their instructional methods to ensure a greater level of success. In a school environment where there is a low student to teacher ratio, the learning styles of the students plays a large role in the decision making process that a teacher goes through in their lesson planning. For example, one year a unit on physics might have a specific focus on mechanics and simple machines because those students' learning style was such that a "hands on" approach was going to generate a deeper level of understanding of the scientific concepts being taught. Each student comes to the class with certain strengths and weaknesses - that is a given. Understanding how to address and support those areas is the critical issue. When teachers have the time to work with students in more individual situations, success is that much closer. Students come to understand the value of working diligently, advocating for themselves, and persistently aspiring to meet the goals that have been realistically set for them. Teachers' ability to respond to student work in depth: In a small school environment, teachers have the time to respond to a piece of work that a student has produced in greater detail, with more specific information regarding successes or "near misses." If a student sees that their teachers take the time to respond to their work in depth and with meaning, their level of motivation will only increase. Again, when a student knows that they are a valued member of a school community, where their efforts are recognized, they are more willing to work diligently to meet the high standards set before them. Part II (continuing in next newsletter)
· Nothing beats setting high expectations coupled with a high level of accountability
· The communication triangle
Keep those letters and postcards coming! Toby Welch Middle School Coordinator twelchseaburymiddleschool@gmail.com | |
The Experience of a Lifetime
by Alex Cole
In 1963, my grandfather went to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C. Now, 45 years later, I stood in the same place and watched the first African American man be inaugurated as the President of the United States of America.
Going to the Inauguration was completely unexpected. We, my Mom and I, worked on Barack Obama's campaign and, I guess, my Mom decided that I should see what I helped to happen. I enjoyed working on the campaign but making phone calls was somewhat awkward, though, because every once in a while people would ask, "How old are you?" I would answer honestly, "10." But nothing could measure up to the experience of being at the inauguration.
We stood in line in below freezing weather for over two hours; but, amazingly, everyone was so cheerful. They struck up conversations with complete strangers. When we finally got to our seats, we were in the center section, roughly 1,000 feet from the podium. We stood on our chairs and looked back at the crowds. It was unbelievable how many people were there. You could not see the green of the grass anywhere. It was an ocean of red, white and blue; after all, most people had American flags....flags waving as far as the eye could see. There were millions of people stretching all the way to the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King gave his speech, a little over two miles.
When the inauguration was over, people were even more cheerful. History had been made.
Now, my grandfather is in a wheelchair. He, along with Martin Luther King, could not experience the inauguration of President Barack Obama. But I was there to see both of their dreams come true and I will remember it for the rest of my life.  |
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NEW STUDENT AT SEABURY
The Sharks have a new student swimming around in their classroom. We would like to warmly welcome Grace Buchanan and her family. Her parents are Chris and Kelly Buchanan. She has a little brother too! Please be sure to say "Hi!" to them when you see them.
NEW BABY FOR SEABURY FAMILY
Avery Li's family recently welcomed their third girl to the world. She was born on Thursday, January 22nd. Parents, Wenyan and Suyang, are both doing well. If you would like to see a picture of Avery and the baby, drop by the main office. |
NO SCHOOL on In-Service Days February blows in soon. Program and curriculum planning are a constant at Seabury. In February, there are two In-Service Days for planning: Thursday and Friday, February 12th and 13th. School will be closed on these days as the teachers meet to work on the programs and curriculum for our students. Also, the staff and faculty will be working on the self-study that began last year.
We will be offering childcare on both of the In-Service Days, from 7:00am until 6:00pm, to accommodate working parents. Please contact the Seabury office if you would like to take advantage of the childcare. The cost is $5.00 per hour per child, with the second child being $4.00 p .er hour and can be billed to your Seabury account. |
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Parent Book Discussion
Tuesday, February 24th, 7:00pm
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Currently number one on the NY Times bestseller list for non-fiction books (New York Times bestseller list). Outliers examines what it takes to succeed...talent plus luck and opportunity. Join Head of School, Sandi Wollum, to discuss Outliers and its implications for how we best prepare gifted children for success. This discussion is open to the public so feel free to invite your friends! | |
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Seabury School
1801 53rd Street NE
Tacoma WA 98422
(253) 952-3111
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