Message from the Head of School
Dear Grammar School Community,
As I finish my third year as Head of School I would like to thank you for your past and continued support. I have appreciated your willingness to trust us with the education of your children; your candid input and feedback; and your donation of time and money beyond your tuition bill! In this perfect storm of an economy we enter the 2009-10 school year with a solid financial foundation. We are confident that we will be able to continue to provide quality educational programs in all grades. I am encouraged by the return of current families and the entrance of newly enrolled students (sixteen thus far).
We continue to work from the premise that we are a great school that will continually strive to be better. To that end the faculty and staff will participate in a series of meetings the week after school lets out and during the summer months. During these meetings we will summarize what worked well and did not work well this year; we will review the results of the parent survey / evaluation; we will work in committees to advance the vision of the strategic plan and finally we will set goals for next year in the areas of curriculum, expectations for social skills (student behavior), marketing our school and more.
Please look for my final quarterly Head of School Report for the school year coming to you via all school e-mail in the very near future. It will be my goal for the next school year to increase my level and the schools level of communication with the TGS community via more frequent all school e-mails, the Wednesday newsletter, and better use of our Web site.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and relaxing summer !
Sincerely,
Steven Lorenz
Head of School
LAST DAY/FIELD DAY, 2009
8:30-9:30 Homeroom
9:30-9:45 Workjobs
Pre-K thru 2nd Grade: Recess/snack (at the picnic table)
9:50- 10:50 Field Day
11:00 Gym for goodbyes, announcements/birthdays, slideshow
11:50 Popsicles and Departure
For parents who would like to watch the activities, Field Day happens at 9:50-10:50 this year, followed by gym events, including a slideshow. All are welcome to come!
FLOWERS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION! - Please
bring any cut flowers you would like to donate for graduation
decorations to the lower school on Friday by noon. There will be two
big buckets in front of the chalkboard outside by the picnic tables.
Thank you!
  Strolling of the Heifers Thank You!
We had beautiful weather, high spirits and a group of 45-50 strollers representing TGS on Saturday morning at the famous Strolling of the Heifers parade in Brattleboro. We donned our lovely cow t-shirts (donated by the Hutchins family and painted by TGS students) and followed the awesome cow puppet, also made by TGS students under William's direction. Some came in wagons, some by razor or scooter, some were on foot, "hoofin' it!" It all went off rather well, there were lots of smiles, and many of us are ready for next year! I want to thank everyone who was so helpful in getting this off the ground, and I'm sorry if I leave someone out--Ray Hutchins and family (for aforementioned t-shirts, candy, support, and extra hands), Meg Lyons for good ideas the "morning of," Steve and Marcia for the seeds and banner, William for pitching in with the puppet, Ken for the instruments and great drumming, all TGS students who helped paint t-shirts, banners, or cow and of course, EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE PARADE TO REPRESENT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL! Thank you to each and every one of you, we couldn't have done this without your help!
Darcy
ON FRIDAY, LOST AND FOUND ITEMS WILL BE ADORNING THE STAIRS OF OUR SCHOOL ENTRANCE. PLEASE CLAIM ITEMS AS ALL UNCLAIMED ONES WILL BE DONATED. Thank you.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH GRADERS surpassed their $520 fundraising goal and have made close to $700. Thank you all for shopping at our basement market and for supporting this service project. The proceeds will go to HALF THE SKY FOUNDATION in China, an organization that provides nurturing care for orphaned children.
Another thank you for funds received through the Federal Title funds program coordinated through Windham Southeast Supervisory Union. This year faculty has benefited from professional development offerings.
Summer reading lists:
Suggested summer reading lists will be available on our website (http://www.tgs-putney.org/) for students entering grades 2-8 in the fall. If you need a paper copy, please let me know. And parents, our popular recommended reading list for adults will be there too. If you have any last minute suggestions for the adult list, let me know. Look for the list next week
Summer reading provides wonderful entertainment for travel and quiet times as well as a terrific opportunity to maintain reading proficiency. Set aside a special time or place for reading, make it fun, and remember that modeling reading is a sure way to show your child that your family values and enjoys reading. Have fun!
Overdue or lost library books:
Hundreds of library books have been checked out this year; however, not all have returned. Please search for TGS library books in bookshelves, under beds, in the car, behind the couch, anywhere you think they might be hiding. Sometimes books leave the library without the benefit of being checked out...there's so much for students to remember! So, even if your child doesn't receive an overdue notice, be on the look out for our books. We'd like them back for students to enjoy next year.
Final bills for any missing library books will be included with reports. If it is impossible for you to return a book, please submit a check for the amount due. Students who are not returning to TGS in the fall should note that your transcript will not be forwarded to your new school if you have an outstanding library bill.
Enjoy your summer and have fun reading! See you in the fall.
Ponnie pderby@tgsputney.org
SUMMER PACKETS- will be sent home at the end of July. Please be sure to read over all the materials and fill out all forms completely then mail them back to the office by August 14th. (If your child rides the bus please be sure to read the new bus info, stops have changed this year!) If you have any questions please call me at 387-5364 or email me at tamwhite@tgs-putney.org, my summer hours will be 8-3 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and most Fridays. Thank you, and have a WONDERFUL summer! Tammy
GRADUATION - The
eighth grade graduation will take place in the auditorium on Friday,
June 12, 2009. A pre-ceremony reception in front of the main building will
begin at 4:30 pm followed by the graduation at 5:00 pm. The ceremony
is expected to end at 7:00 pm. All are welcomed to join the
festivities.
TGS SUMMER CAMP
Space Still Available!
June 29 - July 24
9:00-3:30
Ages 4-12
Come sign-up, before your favorite classes fill up.
Contact William Chambers for more info at wchamber@tgs-putney.org or 387-5364x209
NEW CLASS PARENTS - It is time to organize NEW CLASS PARENTS for the 2009-2010 school year. I will be calling parents in every class to encourage you to support your child's class and teacher next year. This is not a big job, although there are increased obligations in the Upper School. Some years two families have taken on this responsibility for 7th and 8th grades. I will be calling families over the next several weeks, BUT if you would like to volunteer to be a class parent please give me a call, 802-387-5364 ext 105 or an email maleader@the grammarschool,org and let me hear from you. Marcia
LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE! - All library books are due in the library this Friday, June 5th. Overdue notices will be distributed again this week. While we do not charge fines, a reimbursement fee must be paid for lost books. But, I'd rather have our books returned, so please search for them, make a game out of it. Books turn up in the strangest places...in the car, in closets, under beds, even on bookshelves. Thanks, Ponnie
ON THE TGS UNDERGROUND - Trusteeship at TGS information letter
DVD's of the Spring Concert and the 4th Grade Play can be ordered for $10 via email from Alli.
COMMUNITY NEWS!
A message from Carol Jaenson - Would you or your child like to continue speaking French this summer, and improve your French writing skills? I am available for individual or group tutoring for TGS students in 5-8th grades and their parents or friends. I will help you increase your vocabulary, improve your oral and written communication, and increase your confidence as a speaker of French. I can tailor 45-minute or hour-long sessions to your needs: preparing for advance placement tests, for travel in a French-speaking country, or just reviewing what you may have already learned but don't want to forget. I will work with one student, or with groups (up to four in a group). My rates are reasonable, with discounts available for groups of three or four. We can meet in Brattleboro or Putney, at your convenience. (I am unavailable from June 20-30). If you are interested for yourself or for your child, please call me at (802) 257 4156 or e-mail me atcjaenson@hotmail.com for more details.
Summer Tutoring: Hello, I graduated from TGS in 2002, went on to The Putney School for high school, and am now a senior at Columbia University. I am home in Putney for the summer to do research for my senior thesis and would love to do some tutoring of TGS kids while I am here. I spent the first year and a half at Columbia as a Mechanical Engineering major and am now a British History Major. I can tutor any and all subjects including Spanish as I was born and grew up in Mexico. My contact information is: akb2121@columbia.edu or my cell number which is 413 522 0769. I would love to work with any age and have a very flexible schedule. Please contact me at any time.
Anna Brinkman, 68 East Putney Ferry Rd, Putney, Vt 05346
Spinning for Tweens, Teens and their Parents:
Due to the success of our recent Spin class Hot Yoga in Putney will be putting a class on the schedule for tweens/teens and their parents. The class will be on Wed. 4-5pm. It will be open to ages 11 and up. The equipment is made for adults so the restriction is due to size, the kids must be big enough to ride the bikes. The kids who have been doing it for the last 6 weeks have been having a great time. Contact Hot Yoga for more information. Julie Jensen
Music, Art, Dance & Drama Camp for 6-8 year olds
June 29-July 10, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Improvisation, Singing, Painting, Drawing, Creative Movement, and Dramatization with Alison Allbee, Marya Huseby, Ann Lauterbach, and Robin Zegge MADD Camp is a fun-filled two-week arts and recreation program for 6-8 year olds, and a collaboration between the Brattleboro Music Center and Neighborhood Schoolhouse. Mornings are filled with a variety of fun and creative arts experiences. In the afternoon campers explore the woods, experience nature and the environment,enjoy outdoor play, group games, and individual choice time that can include fantasy play or build on the more structured activities of the morning. MADD Camp culminates in music, drama and dance performances, as well as an exhibit of the campers' artwork. Location: Neighborhood Schoolhouse. Two Weeks: $430 / $105 deposit / financial aid available. Register today by calling the Brattleboro Music Center at 802-257-4523 or download registration form at www.bmcvt.org.
Summer Music Lessons
Alli Lubin will be teaching flute, piano, guitar and voice at her home studio in Rockingham and one day per week at TGS throughout the summer. Email Alli for info.
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