From Us To You:  Merry, Merry and Happy, Happy.
The TGS staff and faculty wish our students, parents and friends an enjoyable, safe and healthy vacation and of course a Happy New Year. Let It Snow !

Ski forms and payments for Grafton and Okemo are due!  Please turn them in if you have not done so. Thanks, Deb


Holiday Fun! The eighth grade is organizing the annual TGS Secret Santa draw in conjunction with a food drive for The Putney Food Shelf. This is a school-wide activity that involves all faculty and staff as well as students from K-8th grade. Each person will draw the name of someone in the school: Then, until December 14, we will write notes to the person for whom we are Secret Santas, giving hints as to who we are and perhaps including a little surprise, if it is convenient. Remember not to tell anyone whom you have drawn, as it is secret! During the week of December 13th everyone will bring in a gift (value under $6.00) for the person he or she drew, AND an item to donate to The Putney Food Shelf. On the last day of school, Thursday, December 16, we will have a Secret Santa Assembly when gifts will be distributed and the food we have collected will be presented to Mike Mrowicki of Putney Family Services. Thanks, Laurie 



From the Desk of Steve Lorenz

Student Council News
This year's TGS Student Council members have set some very ambitious goals for the school year. One recent activity has been to establish a healthy food snack store in both the upper and lower schools. With Tammy's help the students visited the Putney Coop and met with the manager, Robyn, to select some healthy snack options and to talk about marketing and pricing. The profits will go toward the current accessibility initiative to refurbish the cubby room bathroom(s). This will begin after the vacation.

Other activities the council will report on soon are: a "no idling of automobiles" campaign, a solar energy project, the placing of suggestion boxes in both the lower and upper schools, and an all school lunch this winter to further fundraise for the accessibility initiative.

Student Council members are: Wyeth Olmsted, Ben Shumlin, Jennifer Flint, Hannah Oxholm, Aly Silbey, Stefan Grallert, Carrie Brautigam, and Libby Green.

The Annual Fund Campaign and You

The Annual Fund Campaign supports the school in many different ways. In reality, there is approximately a $1,500 to $2,000 a year gap per student in what tuition covers and the cost of operating the school. Thus each student receives what amounts to a $1,500 to $2,000 silent scholarship. This additional revenue is raised via the annual fund, parent/school fundraising events, interest on investments, grants, and major gifts.

This year we ask that you consider increasing your gift by 50% in honor of our 50th Anniversary. If that is not possible, please give what you can as your participation is important no matter what your level of giving. This year we are striving for 100% staff, faculty, trustee, and parent participation. You also may defer your gift and make a pledge to be paid by June 30th.

I sincerely appreciate the investment you are making in money and in time in your child's education. 

Steve Lorenz

LOST AND FOUND!!  The basket is overflowing. Please check out the lost & found table in the cubby room on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Unclaimed items may become donations to a community cause. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Financial Aid Applications Are Due One Month from Today! Families interested in applying for financial aid for the 2011-12 academic year should start getting organized now.  Planning ahead is key to ensuring that your application is complete, error free, and submitted on time.

If you are currently receiving aid, you should expect a packet of materials with instructions and application to arrive at your home this week.

If you are not receiving aid and would like to apply for next year, please pick up or request a copy of the instruction booklet and forms from Meg Lyons in the Admission Office.

As in the past, all applications for financial aid will be handled through the Admission Office in partnership with the School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS). This is a financial aid management service used by more than 2300 K-12 independent schools throughout the country to help assess a family's ability to pay school costs in a way that promotes objectivity, fairness, and consistency.

The timetable for financial aid this year is as follows:

December - Families receive SSS applications and instruction booklets, carefully review instructions, gather documents and start to complete paperwork.
January 5 - Last day to mail hard copy applications to SSS
January 15 - Last day to submit on-line applications to SSS
February - Financial Aid Committee reviews all applications
March 15 - Award letters sent to families

It's important to note that the application process for financial assistance is confidential. If you need help, please contact Meg Lyons in Admission or Deb Gray in the Business Office.

K-4 Winter Concert TONIGHT at 6:30 pm
Students arrive 6:15 pm
K-1-2 report to Kindergarten room
3rd & 4th report to respective classrooms 
Snow Date: Thursday, December 16 (same time)


Photos by Liz Olmsted from  TGS Together on Shutterfly

REMINDER: Thursday, December 16, will be a half day and the last day of school before the Holiday Break. School reopens on Monday, January 3.
 
COMMUNITY NEWS!
Maasai Jewelry, Carvings, and Fabric for Sale! These items will make perfect gifts for the holidays, and all proceeds will benefit the women and children of Leyeyo's village in Tanzania. Just come to the faculty room at TGS!

PENELOPE WURR Fine Contemporary Glass and Gifts
Has relocated to the Putney Tavern next to the Front Porch Cafe. Come join other Grammar School Families for fun and unique Holiday shopping. Open 10 am - 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday 802-579-5130  email wurr@sover.net