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FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
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In These Times
In these times it is always heartening and reaffirming to know that TGS is a school that supports not only the academic and social needs of our students, but also their emotional needs. As evidenced by the events of the last week, in trying times our school supports all members of our community including students, parents, faculty, and staff. The recent tragedy in Walpole, NH has brought this important feature of our school community to light. It is with heartfelt concern and a deep sense of empathy that we extend our thoughts and prayers to our many Walpole families, our other New Hampshire families, and all of the members of our community who have connections to the Walpole School and the greater community. We remain open and available to support and help in any way we can. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Steve Lorenz
Head of School
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STUDENT COUNCIL WINTER EVENT!!!!
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Student Council Winter Event/International Theme Parent Potluck - The Student Council will be hosting a Winter Event on Friday, February 24, from 3-5pm that will consist of (weather permitting) skating, sledding, and skiing, with a bonfire. Chris Harlow is helping the Student Council organize the afternoon event. Following the activities for students, our parents will host a potluck dinner , with an international theme, at 5:30pm in the gym/auditorium. Parents are encouraged to bring dishes from their ethnic backgrounds. This will be a great opportunity for our new parents to be welcomed into the TGS community. TGS will provide water, plates, and utensils. We need 5 parents to volunteer for the potluck set up and 5 more for clean up. Please RSVP to Pauline O'Brien, pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106.
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SPORTS
| BKL practice is at Grafton Ponds this afternoon. See the BKL website for more details.
8th graders practice Zumba with Pauline O'Brien for PSD |
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FRIDAY YUM YUMS - a possible lunch option coming your way from the student council!
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Would you like to help lessen The Grammar School's carbon footprint, and receive a healthy and yummy snack and lunch for your child?! We, as part of the student council, are polling The Grammar School community to see if there is interest in this idea. We are purchasing a few lunch and snack varieties from the Putney Co-op. You will be able to choose from a small menu for your child's lunch for five dollars, or include snack for an extra two dollars. If you are interested in this healthy and yummy option, please email student council members Ona Hauert or Hannah Oxholm with a quick YES, we would love the idea, or NO, it wouldn't work for our family. Thank you, TGS Student Council |
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Information Evenings for Parents
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Reminder: There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 8:30am in the Library with general information and sign-up opportunities for the Spring '12 Dinner/Auction. This is the final parent-driven fundraiser for the 2011-2012 school year. The 2/16 meeting will be another opportunity for our new parents to learn about this event and become better connected with other parents and the school. Anyone planning to attend the 2/16 meeting is asked to please RSVP pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106
Information Evenings for Parents - Steve has worked out a schedule for parent information nights. The first evening, featuring a general discussion with our counselor, Karen Blumberg, will be on Monday, February 27 from 6:30-7:30pm. April 8 and May 21 have also been reserved for parent information evenings, and discussion topics for those evenings will be proposed at the 2/27/12 meeting.
Thanks!
Pauline
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OPUS 24 ENTRANTS
| 21 GRAMMAR SCHOOL COMPOSERS ENTER OPUS 24 Putney, VT - Seven sixth graders and all fourteen fifth graders from The Grammar School are currently working on fourteen compositions they have entered in the Vermont Midi Project's Opus 24 spring competition for woodwinds and strings. Composing with their teacher, Alli Lubin, with support from mentors statewide via an online learning center, the final entries will be submitted in early April. The selected pieces will be played in a live concert by professional musicians in the Opus 24 Concert at the Ludlow Town Hall in Ludlow, Vermont Wednesday, May 2, 2012. 
Left to right -bottom: Wulff Lauterbach, Pauline Farrington, Anja Stolper, Abby Brennan, Aicher Hearon; middle: Tyler Silbey, Andrew Brooks, Ivy Dall, Miranda Fuller, Gracie Childs, Dylan Ray, Hamza Abadi; top: Molly Durling, Ethan Foster, Molly Cameron, Alex Opsahl, Kit Blazej, Roselle Lovell-Smith; missing: William Parkman, Gwyneth Thomson, Rachel Racco. |
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PUTNEY FOOD SHELF
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Please continue to support our local families by donating non-perishable items. Emily and her fourth graders are collecting donations in a basket outside their classroom, and there also is a box outside the main office. THANK YOU!
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DICK DONOVAN'S BIRTHDAY!
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CIRCUS ARTS AT TGS
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After School Circus Arts Opportunity at TGS for 8 Mondays from March 19 through May 7, 3:15-4:15 pm. Ages 8-15 years, cost $120.
Do your kids like to jump around, climb things, and throw stuff? Sounds like a circus! With experienced instructors from the New England Center for Circus Arts, kids will learn group pyramids, solo tumbling, aerial skills, juggling, and more, all while learning how to work together, be strong, and have physical confidence. This is special class held on site at the Grammar School in Putney. The enrollment deadline for priority to Grammar School Students is by February 15; after that date other students may register for remaining spots in the class. For information, contact NECCA at (802) 254-9780. Register online at www.necenterforcircusarts.org. |
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A Note from the Nurse
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Strep Throat and Whooping Cough We have had several cases of Strep Throat at TGS in the last few weeks and there is a local outbreak of Pertussis, commonly called Whooping Cough. In light of this, I just wanted to remind everyone about ways to prevent the spread of bacteria, as well as signs and symptoms of these two conditions. Click here for more information. To help prevent the spread of viral and bacterial illnesses: - Keep yourself healthy by getting proper rest, regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often and well with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. (Especially after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose and before preparing foods or eating.)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- If you are sick with a fever or flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
For more information about Strep Throat and Pertussis, please visit www.cdc.gov and/or www.healthvermont.gov. If you believe that your child has strep throat or pertussis, please keep him/her home from school and see your healthcare provider then notify the school as soon as a diagnosis is confirmed. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you, Sara Dunbar, RN sdunbar@thegrammarschool.org |
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ART NEWS!
| There is all new art in the hallways. Come see still lifes, mini-Sistine Chapel Ceilings, fabulous picture frames, gravity paintings, and so much more. Please come and check it out when you have a chance.
March is student art month and we will have two panels at the Brooks Memorial Library during that month, and I am pleased to announce that the seventh and eighth graders will have an art exhibit at the Hooker-Dunham Gallery in Brattleboro during the month of April. It will showcase work from their six week winter art electives program.
Stay tuned for further details. Check out the art blog for more exciting posts. http://tgsartpage.blogspot.com
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SUMMER IS COMING!
SAVE THE DATES FOR TGS SUMMER CAMP!
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SAVE THE DATES! TGS SUMMER CAMP WILL RUN JULY 10 THROUGH 27! THREE ONE WEEK LONG PROGRAMS TAUGHT BY LOCAL ARTISTS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS! Watch the notice for more information.
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| ORDER TGS T-SHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS! | |
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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Survey: Adult Zumba Class
Pauline O'Brien, certified Zumba instructor, is conducting a survey for interest in a Zumba class at TGS on Fridays, after March Break. It's a great way to end the workweek and start the weekend! The first class of the seven-week session would be free. Fees for the remaining six weeks would be $48 pre-pay or $10 drop-in. Please contact Pauline at pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802/387-5364, Ext. 106, and also let her know your preference in class time, 4:30-5:30pm or 5:00-6:00pm.
Baseball and Softball - Putney Central School invites The Grammar School students in grades 7 and 8 to join the PCS baseball and softball teams. We're in the planning stages now for the spring season. To find out more or to sign up, contact PCS Athletic Director Jack Millerick at 257-0795.
Fiber and Metal Arts Class at TGS - Six-week after school program, Thursdays, March 22-April 16, 3:15-4:30 pm. Join us for weaving and jewelry making in a studio setting. Choose your own projects! Weave a beautiful belt, table runner, or wall hanging on an inkle, Cricket, or tapestry loom. Create a doll from carded wool. Design a silver ring, make a copper buckle, or build a wire sculpture. Use your imagination! Learn new skills. Taught by weaving teacher, Shana Frank, and jewelry maker, Ruth Wplk.
Recommended for ages 8 and up. Limit: 10 students. Cost: $90, includes healthy snacks and all materials. Scholarships available. Pre-registration required. Contact Shana at 802-722-4359 or shanaf@sover.net.
Come join us at Living Memorial Park on February 19 at 2pm. The entire club will be showcasing their skills to the theme of "An Afternoon at the Movies." Many TGS students are performing! Please dress warmly - the rink is a balmy 30 degrees. Any questions, please contact Alyson Opsahl nh.opsahls@gmail.com. The Brattleboro Figure Skating Club presents its annual ice show as part of Brattleboro's Winter Carnival.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On February 25th, from 10:30am-12 noon ( Childcare will be available), there will be a meeting at the Cuming Shaw home In Dummerston. For those who have not been here before, we have lived "off the grid" for the past 16 years in a solar and wind powered straw bale home which has been featuredin many books and articles. The meeting will be to discuss the recent ruling about the operation of the Vermont Yankee Facility. Email for directions and more information: earthswt@sover.net
Juliet Cuming and David Shaw
98 Falk Road
East Dummerston, VT. 05346
(802) 258-2486
Pilates comes to TGS: Hilary Famolare (extraordinary Pilates instructor and former TGS parent) will begin Pilates classes on February 2, 5-6 pm in the TGS gym. Cost is $10 per session.We have mats here for your use. Please email Deb you are interested in joining this amazing class with Hilary. Guaranteed to make your belly firm but still shake with laughter!
Deb Gray
Veronica Brelsford, grandmother to Rory & Luke Cuerdon and Willa Dana, is seeking a house to buy in or near Putney with 3 or 4 acres, or a small parcel of land to build on. Any leads would be greatly appreciated! Call Veronica at 254-0140, or talk to Carlotta Cuerdon or Alicia Dana.
Do you a have child aged 2-5 who is interested in making art? Taught by TGS mom Collin Leech, February 29 begins the next 6 week session of The Tots Class at River Gallery School. We explore all sorts of mediums in a fun and age appropriate, process oriented way. Although your child will bring home beautiful things, this class is designed to let children explore at their own pace, in their own way. A flexible framework of exciting projects is presented each week. The classes are on Wednesdays 10-11:30am. For more information check out Rivergalleryschool.org or call 257-1577.
Want to learn Spanish? Elissa McLean, mother of former TGS student Emmy Winter, is offering a weekend Spanish course in Brattleboro March 16th-18th. You can find more information here (http://escuelitaspanishschool.org/1/weekend_courses.html). Save $30 if you register before February 20! She also plans to offer a beginner Spanish course in Putney on Tuesday evenings starting March 20. If you are interested, please email her escuelita.vt@gmail.com. There will be a free demo class on March 6 in Brattleboro. Quote from a weekend course participant: "I learned far more in two days than I learned over the course of two months in Panama during the last two years. Your superb ability to involve each and every member of the class in the conversation, weaving together techniques from improvisational comedy, story telling, and play acting, made the experience fun, exciting, and memorable. I left with an increased confidence in speaking, a much larger vocabulary, and the warmth of friendships that developed in the class. Moreover, I left with healthy thirst for learning more and a deep appreciation for your approach to teaching. I loved every minute of this course." www.EscuelitaSpanishSchool.org
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