Important Dates All School- April
| | Tuesday, April 17, All School Chapel
Thursday, April 26, 6:00pm, All School Musical
School House Rock.
Friday, April 27, 6:00pm All School Musical School House Rock.
Saturday, April 28, 4:00pm - 7:00pm Afternoon in the Garden.
Please remember to check the online calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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Dear Pilgrim School parents, First Church members, alumni and friends,
As many of you are aware, my long time assistant, Cheryl Sarafian had surgery last week. I am in touch with her on a daily basis, and pleased to report that she is recovering well. During her recovery, she will be out of the office for approximately three months. In the interim, Kelsey Hammer, our school nurse, will be sitting in at her desk, and acting as my assistant. She will still be available for students and any medical emergencies. In addition, I am pleased to introduce Karin Pichel, who will be the official school nurse during this time, and will be sitting at the nurse's desk in the front office. Nurse Pichel is a registered nurse, bilingual in Spanish and English, and prior to receiving her nursing degree, worked as an administrative assistant at another school. She is a perfect fit here at Pilgrim, and I hope you will take a moment to drop in and introduce yourselves.
In addition, we are bringing back, by popular demand, the section of the newsletter that we ran last year titled, Get to Know. Each week we will introduce you to a member of the Pilgrim faculty or staff. There will be a brief bio and then answers to the Proust Questionnaire. This week, we are highlighting Ms. Lanza, one of our Junior Kindergarten teachers, who, with her sunny smile, is a perfect antidote to our rainy day.
Please read the following sections for more information:
Introduction
Get to Know - Xiomara Lanza
Important Dates Next Week
Pilgrim Party Book
Visiting Writers and Artists Series
Secondary News
Middle School News
Elementary News
Preschool News
Summer School News
Afternoon in the Garden
Other News
First Church News
Conclusion
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 Introduction | It is hard to believe that spring break is now behind us, April is at the half way mark, and we are in the home stretch of this school year. Invitations to our Class of 2012 families for the Baccalaureate service and luncheon just went in the mail. There is information in the Preschool section about caps and gowns for our youngest upcoming graduates, the Junior Kindergarteners. The Preschool Summer Program brochures will be available soon, and our Pilgrim Summer School, for grades k - 12, is online and classes are filling up. The days will start to fly by, but don't worry, we will keep you updated on everything going on on our campus, from the Elementary Awards Ceremony to the 8th Grade Promotion. June 4th is the date for our commencement, in the main sanctuary at 6:00 pm. We always have a great speaker at this event. Last year our guest speaker was Steve Lopez, the L.A. Times reporter, whose series of articles on a his unlikely relationship with Nathaniel Anthony Ayers inspired the film The Soloist. He was an inspiring speaker, and a few days later wrote an article about the Pilgrim School graduating class for the L.A. Times, he was so inspired by the students he was addressing.
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Get to Know Xiomara Lanza - Junior Kindergarten Teacher
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I was born in Sarasota, Florida, and my family is originally from Belize, Central America. I have a younger brother who is seven years younger than me; he now lives with me in Los Angeles while attending college.
When I was four, my parents and I moved to Belize, where they opened a furniture and interior design business. Belize is a very small country, ~300K people, so I was always surrounded by family and close friends. When I wasn't in school, my time was spent in dance class, volunteering at the YMCA, or teaching swimming.
After high school, I earned a Jesuit Scholarship to John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, to pursue my BA in Education. Ever since my first "classroom" of stuffed animal students I knew that I wanted to become a teacher. I enjoyed and benefitted from my educational experiences in Cleveland, but the climate and cultural change were definite challenges to overcome. Before moving to Cleveland, Florida and Los Angeles were my personal experiences of America. Needless to say, there is no equivalent to Hollywood or South Beach in Ohio!
Upon graduation, I moved to LA for the better weather, of course, and to start my career as a teacher. I have been teaching at Pilgrim ever since. Nowadays, when I'm not teaching, I am at home baking, eating out, hiking, or spending time with my brother and cousin.
At the age of 20, Marcel Proust put his own psyche under the microscope by answering questions meant to reveal one's innermost thoughts. More than a century later, and as demonstrated on V.F.'s back page each month, the "Proust Questionnaire" continues to be a popular method of interviewing.
What is your current state of mind?
driven
Which living person do you most admire?
my mom and dad
What is your greatest fear?
lizards
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
self criticism...I'm hard on myself
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
dishonesty and the need for attention and praise
What is your greatest extravagance?
food
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
prudence - sometimes you just need to take a risk
When and where were you happiest?
Every Christmas at home in Belize laying out on the beach
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"give me 5, 4, 3, 2, seal with a 1" "walking feet please"
Which talent would you most like to have?
rhythm
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
to be less critical of myself.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Surviving the snow while in Cleveland.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
loneliness
What is your favorite occupation?
teaching
What do you most value in your friends?
honesty and sense of humor
Who are your favorite writers?
Beatrix Potter
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Mulan
How would you like to die?
instantly or in my sleep (preferably while taking a nap on the beach)
What is your motto?
Give everything your 100% and you will always finish what you started.
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Important Dates Next Week | |
(Please note that the sports schedules have been moved to the Secondary, Middle School and Elementary School sections)
Monday, April 16, 6th Grade Field Trip to Catalina Island.
Monday, April 16, 2nd Grade Field Trip to The Apple Store, The Grove.
Tuesday, April 17, All School Chapel.
Thursday, April 19, 6:00pm, Barnum Room, 11th Grade College Meeting.
Friday, April 20, 4:00pm, 6th Grade Returns From Catalina Island.
Saturday, April 21, Cedar Lake Elementary Weekend.
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Party Book
| Announcing a FLASh SALe! The Head of School For a Day- there are only two available, one for an Elementary student and one for a Secondary student, and for a few days only - this is available at half price!
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#21 Be "Head of School" for the day! (Designed for 1 lucky Upper School Student!)
| Treat your upper school student to Head of School for the Day! This special opportunity is on sale for $750! It's never too early to start padding the college resume. Your personal Head of School will be picked up by Dr. Brooks in the morning, and continue throughout the day to show leadership skills involving free dress, lunch schedules, homework assignments, and other crucial matters, as well as helping Dr. Brooks write the weekly Friday e-letter. Your leader will lunch with Dr. Brooks and two of his/her best friends, at a restaurant of his/her choice (within the school budget, that is!). Ample photographs will be taken, to spark future memories. Special Conditions: Must be in grades 6 through 12.
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#22 Be "Head of School" for the day!(Designed for 1 lucky Elementary Student!)
| | Let your elementary student show that s/he has what it takes to run Pilgrim School! The Head for the Day will make decisions about uniforms, lunch schedules, homework assignments, and other crucial matters, as well as helping Dr. Brooks write the weekly Friday e-letter. The day begins with morning pick-up by Dr. Brooks at your home. The "temp" will also lunch with Dr. Brooks and two of her/his best friends, at a restaurant of his/her choice (within the school budget, that is!). Ample photographs will be taken, to spark future memories. HALF PRICE SALE! (USUAL PRICE IS $,500!) Special Conditions: Must be in grades K through 5. |
| Party Date: | TBD | | Party Time: | All Day | | Party Location: | Pilgrim School | | Hosted By: | Dr. Brooks | | Category: | Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunities |
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#20 Tequila and Tamale Night!
| | Hola, Party People! Please join us for delicious food, lots of laughs and amazing tequila at the beautiful home of the Arevalo/Garsen family. Pilgrim parent David Ravandi, creator and brand owner of 123 Organic Tequila (Uno Dos Tres), will host a tequila tasting, as well as sharing specialty cocktails throughout the evening. It will be an evening to remember... if you remember it, that is! Thanks to: The Ravandi and Arevalo-Garsen families. Special Conditions: Adults only, please. |
| Party Date: | Saturday, May 5, 2012 | | Party Time: | 6:30 PM | | Party Location: | Casa de Garsen / Arevalo / Culebro | | Hosted By: | Karla and David Ravandi | | Category: | Fine (and Fun!) Dining |
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#24 Ice Cream Social with Dr. Brooks!
| | Don't miss out on our single most popular party last year! Dr. Brooks will scoop your student's favorite flavors of ice cream or hand crafted popsicles in the Mayflower Court Yard in the Spring. Parents and guardians are welcome as well! WE KNOW you scream for ice cream! |
| Party Date: | TBD | | Party Time: | 3:30 PM | | Party Location: | Mayflower Courtyard | | Hosted By: | Dr. Mark A. Brooks | | Category: | Fun for the Kids! |
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Visiting Writers and Artists Series
The Visiting Artist Series is funded by a generous grant from the Ahmanson Foundation and Lee and Deborah Walcott. The Visiting Writers Series is funded by a generous donation from Janet Steeper.
| Stay tuned for information on Mark Irwin, our next visiting writer, coming to Pilgrim on April 23.
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| | Sports: Monday, April 16, 3:30pm, Varsity Baseball vs. Hillcrest Christian (TO), Game Location: Canejo Creek Park, 1300 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91360, Directions: 101 Frwy/ N to the 23 Frwy/ N to Janss Rd/ R to the park
Monday, April 16, 4:00pm, Boys Middle School Soccer vs. Frank D. Parent, Game Location: Frank D. Parent School, 5354 W. 64th St, Inglewood 90302 Directions: 10 Frwy/ W to S. La Brea/ merge onto S. La Brea Ave/ to Rodeo Rd/ R to La Cienega Blvd/ L to Spring Park Ave/ R to 64 St/ R to the School
Tuesday, April 17, 3:15pm, Varsity Baseball vs. Valley Torah Location: Whittier Narrows Park, 1601 N. Rosemead Blvd, S. El Monte (Diamond # 7) Directions: 60 Frwy/ E to Rosemead Blvd/ L to the park entrance (left side of street) Wednesday, April 18, 4:00pm, Girls Middle School Soccer vs. St Paul, Game Location: Frank D. Parent School, 5354 W. 64th St, Inglewood 90302, Directions: 10 Frwy/ W to S. La Brea/ merge onto S. La Brea Ave/ to Rodeo Rd/ R to La Cienega Blvd/ L to Spring Park Ave/ R to 64 St/ R to the School. Thursday, April 19, 3:00pm, Varsity Track and Field, Location: W. LA College, 9000 Overland Dr, Culver City 90230 Directions: 10 Frwy/ W to National Blvd/ L to Overland Dr/ L to Freshman Dr/ L to the stadium. (Stadium on the right)
Friday, April 20, 3:15pm, Varsity Baseball vs. Pacific Lutheran Location: Whittier Narrows Park, 1601 N. Rosemead Blvd, S. El Monte (Diamond # 3) Directions: 60 Frwy/ E to Rosemead Blvd/ L to the park entrance (left side of street).
Short Story and Poetry Competition:
Deadline - Monday, April 16th!
Pilgrim's Annual Short Story Competition
sponsored by The Christopher Isherwood Foundation
& The Edwin Honig Poetry Award (NEW!)
High school students are encouraged to enter Pilgrim's Annual Short Story Competition, sponsored for the third year in a row by The Christopher Isherwood Foundation.
There is also a new award for poetry called The Edwin Honig Poetry Award (also privately sponsored). Students from grades 6 -11 are eligible.
We are still waiting to hear the amount of this year's Short Story award. (Last year the amount was $350. The winner of the competition received $200, and two runners up, $75 each.)
The winner of the Poetry Award will receive $500 as a scholarship towards Pilgrim school fees.
Click here for more info: Guidelines
All School Musical:
Come out and enjoy a night of music, dance, and fun on April 26 & 27 as Pilgrim School presents to you School House Rock Live! It will be a night of fun entertainment for friends and family alike! There will be food and admission is FREE!
Where: Stuart Hall
When: Thursday April 26 & Friday April 27 at 6:00 PM.
Cost: Free for all!
Community Service News:
On April 19th the community service club will be meeting during lunch to choose a Big Sunday weekend project. You can get a head start on our meeting by going to the Big Sunday website: http://my.bigsunday.org and looking over the projects. Traditionally Pilgrim has joined a public school with their project. The photo is from last year's project with Lexington Avenue Primary Center. We planted a garden and trees, painted a mural and played with the children from Lexington. We also enjoyed pizza together with the other volunteers because David Levinson, the founder of Big Sunday, believes that building community is an important component of Big Sunday Weekend. Come and be a part of the greater Los Angeles community! Prom Night:
We are looking for more parent volunteers for the prom. Please contact Hiromi Takahashi at [email protected] if you would like to help us with chaperoning, set-up, decoration, or food catering for the prom 2012. This year's prom theme is "Fiesta"! It is Friday, May 18th, from 7:00pm - 11:30pm, at
Blankenship Ballet@Alexandria Hotel, 501 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Funeral Mass for Ryan Grady's father: As most of you know, Ryan Grady's father passed away on April 4th after a 16-month battle with cancer. I know you join the rest of the Pilgrim family in sending our condolences. Many of you have asked for the information on Mr. Grady's funeral. The funeral will be at LMU, at the Sacred Heart Chapel (1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, 90045) on Sat. April 14 at 9:30 am, with a reception to follow. |
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Middle School News
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Wednesday, April 18, 4:00pm, Girls Middle School Soccer vs. St Paul, Game Location: Frank D. Parent School, 5354 W. 64th St, Inglewood 90302, Directions: 10 Frwy/ W to S. La Brea/ merge onto S. La Brea Ave/ to Rodeo Rd/ R to La Cienega Blvd/ L to Spring Park Ave/ R to 64 St/ R to the School.
Short Story and Poetry Competition:
Deadline - Monday, April 16th!
Pilgrim's Annual Short Story Competition
sponsored by The Christopher Isherwood Foundation
& The Edwin Honig Poetry Award (NEW!)
High school students are encouraged to enter Pilgrim's Annual Short Story Competition, sponsored for the third year in a row by The Christopher Isherwood Foundation.
There is also a new award for poetry called The Edwin Honig Poetry Award (also privately sponsored). Students from grades 6 -11 are eligible.
We are still waiting to hear the amount of this year's Short Story award. (Last year the amount was $350. The winner of the competition received $200, and two runners up, $75 each.)
The winner of the Poetry Award will receive $500 as a scholarship towards Pilgrim school fees.
Click here for more info: Guidelines
All School Musical:
Come out and enjoy a night of music, dance, and fun on April 26 & 27 as Pilgrim School presents to you School House Rock Live! It will be a night of fun entertainment for friends and family alike! There will be food and admission is FREE!
Where: Stuart Hall
When: Thursday April 26 & Friday April 27 at 6:00 PM.
Cost: Free for all!
Hans Molnar writes, "The 7th grade trip to Joshua Tree was a fabulous success! We had great weather, not too cold or hot, healthy meals and of course unique outdoor adventures that provided an opportunity for students to bond with both their classmates and teachers. Some of the highlights of the trip this year were spelunking through caves, rock climbing, a hike through rattlesnake canyon and an amazing night of astronomy where students were able to get up close views of the moon, galaxies and various planets with a high
powered telescope."
Here is the link to smug mug, if you would like to see photos from the trip.
http://pilgrimschool.smugmug.com/Other/7th-Trip-to-Joshua-Tree-32612/22425565_n4Hk3m#!i=1792815159&k=Zw5qJp8
Chapel Uniform: Please note- Secondary students should wear the formal chapel uniform every Tuesday.
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Elementary News (K-5)
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All School Musical:
Come out and enjoy a night of music, dance, and fun on April 26 & 27 as Pilgrim School presents to you School House Rock Live! It will be a night of fun entertainment for friends and family alike! There will be food and admission is FREE!
Where: Stuart Hall
When: Thursday April 26 & Friday April 27 at 6:00 PM.
Cost: Free for all!
Elementary Library: Mrs. Koneff writes, "I am pleased to report that Jessica D. (3rd Grade) and Alexandria A.(3rd Grade) completed the Continental Conquest Challenge. Jessica received her medal and certificate this morning and Alexandria will receive her medal and certificate at assembly next Friday. Jessica and Alexandria read books from all the continents and will turn their "mileage" points in for educationally related prizes next week.
This week the elementary students are working on animal pyramid poems inspired by our recent visiting author, Caroline Arnold. We are doing the poems in honor of earth day and national poetry month. Watch this space next week for some sample of their work.
Katrina Alexy writes, Congratulations to Shine C. in the 2nd grade for winning an award for her artwork in this year's Korean American Day Art Contest sponsored by the Korean Education Center in Los Angeles. Here is her award winning picture entitled "A Dance With A Fan." 
Great job, Shine!
All School Chapel:
Elementary students are to wear the formal chapel uniform for the following All School Chapels:
April 17th, May 15th. |
Preschool News
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Welcome back to school! We are so glad to have our students back from their Spring Break. This month we will learn about all kinds of animals, farm, zoo, extinct, domestic and wild, their life cycles and the way animals help us (food, medicine).
In honor of Earth Day we will be celebrating Earth Week from April 16th to the 20th. The children will be doing several arts and crafts projects using recyclable materials, so we would appreciate any cereal boxes, egg cartons, or plastic bottles you may have at home.
It is time to order our Junior Kindergarteners' caps and gowns for their graduation. We are sending home a white envelope with a short note. We are collecting $25 from each parent. Please turn in all money (check payable to Pilgrim School, or cash) to your student's homeroom teacher by next Friday, April 20th.
The State of California mandates that your child must be signed in and out each day with a full legal signature and the time of arrival and departure. Please remember to sign in and out your children every day. Thank you.
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Summer School News
| There is still time to enroll in summer school and take advantage of our $10 early bird enrollment fee. After April 15th, enrollment is $25.
This weeks featured class is Robot Building. Students entering 5th-8th grade are invited to build real robots that walk, clean, and dance. In this class they will build three different types of real Robots: the Brush Robot, the Smart Robot, and the Tin Can Robot. They are fun, awesome, and a great learning experience! The BEST part is you get to take them home and keep them!
Sign up now for the Cedar Lake Sleepaway Camp while there are still spots. This traditional camp is open to students entering grades 3 through 9. Students leave on Monday, June 18th and return on Friday, June 22nd. What a great way to start off the summer!
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Afternoon in the Garden
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Pilgrim's most important fundraiser of the year is just two weeks from tomorrow. Imagine yourself in one of Los Angeles's most exquisite gardens, chatting with Pilgrim friends and family, tasting wines, bidding on the silent auction, and also raising important funds for scholarships and elementary science. Our latest silent auction items include a strand of white 10-11mm pearls with matching earrings, and from Amanda and Shepard Fairy we have received a generous donation of Obey Giant tees (personally selected for Pilgrim), the range of Apple device accessories Shepard designed for Incase, and a signed lithograph. You may see items not normally available in the US. We still need volunteers to help on the party. Check out the various opportunities on VolunteerSpot, http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/2223456343352360110 or contact Natalie Bergman directly. [email protected] or 310-994-9349
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Other News
| Congratulations to next year's TAPPS Board!
Kim Bergman - President
Chloe Reid - Vice President
Nadine Hettle - Vice President
Rebecca Gale - Secretary
Marlo Afflalo - Treasurer
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First Church News
| Rev. Dr. R. Scott Colglazier's sermon this Sunday is titled, "When Laughter Becomes our Bread."
CicLAvia will be passing by First Church this Sunday. This fun event is a great opportunity to show a warm welcome to our city. During the Coffee Fellowship that follows our service, we will extend our hospitality into the street, as we offer water and sno-cones to the cyclists and pedestrians who will pass by our building.
You will want to be aware that Sixth Street will be closed, but parking is available, as always, off of Commonwealth. To see how your driving route to First Church will be impacted, please visit www.ciclavia.org for a map of the entire CicLAvia route.
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Conclusion
| What university In 2004, was the only public institution in New England to rank in the top 10 of number of Fulbright fellowships awarded, with five graduates receiving grants. In the same year, this school was ranked the 10th best entrepreneurial college in the nation by The Princeton Review. According to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" listings, this school is a "more selective" national university, placing it in the first out of five tiers of competitiveness when it comes to admissions standards. Congratulations, Sophie!
And, the answer to last week's question- Oberlin
graduated its first black student, George B. Vashon, who became one of the founding professors at Howard University, and the first black lawyer admitted to the Bar in New York State. It is also the oldest continuously operating coeducational institution, since having admitted four women in 1837. Oberlin is however, truly known for having the the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the country.
Check the next e letter for another college quiz on what other great schools are hoping to welcome Pilgrim graduates next fall.
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Sincerely,
Mark A. Brooks
Head of School
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