Wednesday Notice from The Grammar School

The Grammar School

Wednesday Notice

March 30, 2011

From the Desk of Steve Lorenz

TGS Family and Staff Spring Green Up Work Day on April 30th

The Spring Green Up and Work Day date has been moved to Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, with a community lunch to follow. This is a fun family day as well as the ideal time to spruce up TGS for the spring and summer. TGS families have always enjoyed the sense of community and camaraderie as well as the sense of accomplishment. The day is very important as we clean up winter blow downs and reinvigorate our gardens, lawns, etc. This year we also will begin the weatherproofing of the school, with a volunteer team of people to seal some of our leaky walls, windows, and doors. So please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 30 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. For more information contact Chris Harlow or Deb Gray.

Steve

Steve Lorenz

Head of School

CHECK OUT TGS SUMMER CAMPS on Facebook!

Look for summer camp information on

Facebook and

The Grammar School

website. Camps run for three one-week sessions from

June 27 - July 15, 2011.

Once on this Island JR - April 13-16

Rehearsals for the upcoming 7th-8th production of Once on This Island, Jr. are well underway. In addition to the time set aside during the school day for rehearsals, the kids gave up their "NO SCHOOL/Inservice Day" to help make up the time missed due to the February snow days. An after-school rehearsal also was included to keep the momentum going. There are many people to thank along the way, as this production wouldn't be possible without the help of the7th and 8th grade parents. By the time production week is completed, just about every parent will have played a role that will contribute to the success of the show. Up to this point, the crew of volunteer cooks, bakers, and snack providers have done a fabulous job providing good eats that have kept the cast members well fueled during their long rehearsals. Food thanks go out to: Leslie Cornick, Heather Koledo, Jaja Laughlin, JoNell Hamilton, Sarah Messenger, Tracy Rodriguez, Barb Silbey, Libby Holmes, Ken Dufort, Eva Greene, Carol Jaenson, Liz Olmsted, Elisabeth Roos, Lisa Stolper, Karen Wu, and Alli Lubin, as well as to William Chambers for letting the cast members enjoy the remaining Art Show treats during rehearsal last Friday. Thank you everyone!

With a well fueled and hardworking cast, we are just two weeks away from the opening night of Once on This Island, Jr. Performances will be at 7 pm on April 13-16 (Wed/Fri Cast A - Thurs/Sat Cast B) with the Thursday evening performance being a benefit for Putney Family Services. Tickets will be $10 Adults, $5 Children/Alums, with a $25 Family maximum. Reservations are recommended and may be made by -mailing Tammy (tamwhite@thegrammarschool.org). Reserve soon as a formal press release will be going out to the greater community next week.

Art News

The 7th and 8th Grade Art Opening was a big success. We filled the auditorium, enjoyed the art, screened the films, and tasted yummy refreshments baked by the students. I am happy to report that we raised $55 that was donated to The Red Cross and specifically went to tsunami relief in Japan. This was the choice the students made, and though it is a small amount, every little bit does make a difference.

In the hallway gallery at The Lower School, third graders' automata are displayed. Each of these wooden toys is based on a theme and many have advertising posters to go with them. Turning the crank will make the toys go. They really are worth a visit.

William

Strolling of the Heifers

50th Anniversary Party

ANNUAL READING CHALLENGE

The reading challenge ends this Friday, April 1 - no fooling! All successfully completed contracts must be returned Monday, April 4. Please help your children record their time. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

Thanks,

Ponnie

Bagel Fundraiser to Benefit Haiti

Continues until April 1st!!! Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades will be selling bagels at snack time in the cubby room. We have plain, cinnamon raisin, and blueberry bagels, with or without cream cheese, available for $2.00 each. This is a fundraiser for Partners in Health, and all the money we raise will go toward relief in Haiti.

PUTNEY FOOD SHELF

Thanks to all who have donated to the food shelf this past week - your efforts are much appreciated. Hop and his 7th graders are still collecting for the month of March, and there is a box outside Tammy's office as well. Many thanks to all who give!

SPRING SPORTS SURVEY

Four classes enjoyed a sunny day of skiing on Dusty Ridge last week

Winter is still here, but the results of the Student Council Spring Sports Survey are in! We are looking for possible coaches for K-4 and 5-8 soccer, touch football, Ultimate Frisbee, a game day, and lacrosse skills (girls rules - we have limited equipment). We also have two returning coaches: Hop has offered to teach yoga and Charlie will lead mountain biking again. Once we have coaches and days set, we will have signups for specific sports. Please email Mary if you are interested in coaching an after school sport this spring.

Girls on the Run

Girls in grades 3, 4 & 5 are invited to join Girls on the Run at TGS. We will meet Mondays and Wednesdays at TGS from 3:15 to 4:30 beginning April 4. Space is limited and participants are registered on a first-come first-served basis. Registration is $40 per participant, thanks to a generous subsidy. Scholarships are available through Girls on the Run (TGS office has the forms). Registration forms will be sent home Wednesday, March 23. Please return completed registration forms, checks payable to GOTR, and scholarship forms to the TGS main office. The program is limited to 15 girls. The regional end of season 5K event will be held on June 11 at BUHS.

GOTR is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and preparing girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. It includes running workouts and games that teach important skills such as how to make healthy decisions and resolve conflicts. During the 10 week program, girls will be preparing for the Girls on the Run 5K event in Brattleboro. Fees per participant include sessions, lesson handouts, T-shirt, 5K entry fee, 5K medal, and end-of-season celebration.

See Anita Dunlap, Joanne Fuller, Natalie Thomson, or Lisa Stolper with any questions. Or email: jfuller1@uvm.edu

www.girlsontherunvermont.org

Local Baseball News

ALL 7th and 8th grade BASEBALL PLAYERS - The local public schools, both Dummerston and Putney Central, are teaming up with TGS to put together ONE baseball team. Practices have started, but all are welcome and they are hoping for a few more players. Jack Millerick, Putney's athletic director, would be the go-to-guy for more information, but this is what I know: Practices are being held at The Dummerston Central School from 3:15-4:30 Mondays through Thursdays. Right now, boys only need a glove and clean shoes, as they are practicing inside. There are games scheduled and Baseball means Spring! Call Jack at 257-0795 with questions or you can email Laurie: lfichter@thegrammarschool.org

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

On April 15th from 12:30-4:30 pm, The Grammar School will be offering a half day of parent/teacher conferences. As you know, these conferences are an important method of communicating between school and home. We offer conferences in August, October, January and April. The April conferences offer another way for parents to check in with teachers and vice versa.

Conferences for 5th-8th graders are by teacher or parent request. Because we have only a half-day of conferences, the number of conference slots is limited, and we may need to accommodate requested conferences at a mutually convenient time on another day. Teachers of these grades are not expecting to see every parent.

The preschool-4th grade teachers would like to see all parents, if possible. Again, conference slots are limited and will be twenty minutes in length, and we may need to accommodate some conferences on different days.

We ask for your patience and consideration of the limited time. Please call our office manager Tammy for an appointment.

COMMUNITY NEWS!

PUTNEY FAMILY SERVICES RAFFLE - WIN $1000 - Tickets are $20 each, and only 150 will be sold. Please ask Mary if you would like to buy a ticket.

PATTY LARKIN & CHRIS SMITHER - Saturday, April 9th at 8pm. The Latchis Theater in Brattleboro.Tickets $20 General in advance or $22 at door plus $1 surcharge to benefit the Brattleboro Arts Initiative are available at Turn It Up in Brattleboro or Northampton and at the Latchis Hotel in Brattleboro.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS!