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FROM THE DESK OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
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NEASC Reaccreditation
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges reaccreditation process is an 18 month undertaking that TGS began a few months ago.This provides us with a 10 year certificate of accreditation, which also translates into approval by the State of Vermont Department of Education. A steering commitee of Libby McCawley (coordinator), Eve McDermott, Linda Kosiba, Ken Brautigam, and Steve Lorenz has been planning the process. This is an important process, as it allows us to assess ourselves as an educational institution and to set improvement goals for the next ten years. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to ask any of the committee members.
A letter was sent to the TGS community during the first week of February, outlining the NEASC accreditation process. The faculty members have filled out the faculty questionnaire. Questionnaires for the parents and students are being sent out. During our in-service day, faculty and staff broke into groups and did initial work on six of the standards and their indicators, and made excellent progress. Our goal is to have the research and writing for all of the standards completed by the end of the school year. The only exception is the Program standard, which is a huge undertaking and will be completed at the start of the 2012-13 academic year. The smaller committee (Libby, Steve, Eve, Linda, and Ken) will meet next week to discuss setting a date for the NEASC committee's visit in the Spring of 2013 and to discuss any other logistics needing long-range planning.
I am asking all parents to please respond to the Survey as soon as possible, as your input is important to the process.
Thank You,
Steve Lorenz
Head of School
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Winter Event Cancelled - Potluck Confirmed!
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Student Council Winter Event - CANCELLED International Theme Parent Potluck - CONFIRMED Due to the current weather conditions, the Student Council has cancelled the Winter Activities Event for this Friday, February 24, and will reschedule for an event in the spring. Parents will still host a potluck dinner from 5:30 to 7:00pm in the gym/auditorium, with an International theme. Parents are encouraged to bring a dish from their ethnic background. This will be a great opportunity for our new parents to be welcomed into the TGS community. TGS will provide beverages, plates, and utensils. We need parents to volunteer for setup and cleanup. Please RSVP to Pauline O'Brien, pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106.
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Student Council News
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Student Council News - The Student Council met on Friday, February 17, with Hannah moderating the meeting.
- The SC decided to cancel plans for the All School Sledding Party/Bonfire, but we will still be hosting the International Pot Luck this Friday the 24th.
- We discussed plans for the upcoming Healthy Snack and Lunch option, and the Cancer Awareness Week scheduled for after March vacation.
- We heard an update on plans to make soup for the Putney Food Shelf.
- The Valentine's Dance (February 10) was a big success, with $495 made at the door. The SC voted to donate profits to the TGS Accessibility Fund.
- Members of the Community Service committee reported on their lunch meeting last week with Julie Forsythe and Putney Cares. Plans are under way for TGS students to help with the monthly Senior Lunches at Putney Cares.
- We also reviewed plans for the upcoming Student Talent Show, and we talked about the process for maintaining suggestion boxes at both the Upper and Main School.
- Pauline introduced plans for a Ken Burns National Parks event to be held April 20 at the Landmark College Fine Arts Building. The Grammar School Student Council has been invited to take charge of the concessions for the event.
Respectfully submitted for the Student Council,
Ken Brautigam
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FRIDAY YUM YUMS - a possible lunch option coming your way from the student council!
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We are working with the Putney Co-op at this time, getting ideas, and pricing. We will keep you posted with an approximate start time for Friday Yum Yums!
Thank you for your input,
TGS Student Council
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Information Evenings for Parents
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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 6 and May 21 have also been reserved for parent information evenings. Suggested topics have come from the 1/18/12 Class Parent meeting and include social media and sport injuries.
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| Ken Burns Event April 20, 2012 | |
Ken Burns Presentation 4/20/12 - Please join The Grammar School and Landmark College for a special evening of entertainment and discussion with award winning filmmaker Ken Burns as he presents footage from his highly acclaimed film, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. This event will be held at the Landmark College Fine Arts Center, River Road, in Putney, VT. The evening's schedule will be as follows:
7:00pm - Opening Welcome: Peter Eden, President of Landmark
7:10pm - Remarks & Introduction: Steve Lorenz, TGS Head of School
7:20pm - The National Parks: America's Best Idea
7:50pm - Ken Burns
8:00pm - Ken Burns Question & Answer Session
Ticket prices: $8.00 students/seniors, $12.00 general admission. Seating is limited. Pre-event tickets are available for purchase by contacting Pauline O'Brien at The Grammar School, 802-387-5364, Ext. 106, pobrien@thegrammarschool.org. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
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TGS Student Art Show at Brooks Memorial Library during March
| As part of Student Art Month, 17 Grammar School students will have work exhibited at The Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro during March. Exhibitors include two preschoolers: Beatrix and Gillian; six third graders: Bryn, Maddie, Ava, Sam, Magda, and Kylee; six fifth graders: Hamza, Alex, Gracie, Aicher, Rachel, and Pauline; two sixth graders: Ethan and Molly C.; and two seventh graders: Toby and Aashna. I hope you will stop by the library during the month of March and see all the student art.
Yours,
William
Visit the art blog:
http://tgsartpage.blogspot.com
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Dinner Auction Planning
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Spring '12 Dinner/Auction: Planning is well underway for this final parent-driven fundraiser for the 2011-2012 school year. This is truly a fun event and there are many areas of opportunities to contribute. There are signup sheets posted in the hallway outside of Tammy's office that list specific areas needing support: Auction Items, Bar-Beverages, Cleanup, Decorating, Entertainment, Food, Marketing-Advertising, Setup. There will be another planning meeting scheduled in the near future and all parents are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Pauline O'Brien, pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802-387-5364, ext. 106.
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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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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. |
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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Zumba Classes - Pauline O'Brien, certified Zumba instructor, will be offering a Zumba class on Fridays from March 23 to May 4, 4:30 to 5:30pm. It's a great way to end the workweek and begin the weekend! The first class of the seven-week session is free. Fees for the remaining six weeks would be $48 pre-pay or $10 drop-in. For more information, please contact Pauline at pobrien@thegrammarschool.org or 802/387-5364, Ext. 106.
Girls on the Run in Vermont!
Registration materials and more information sent home backpack express on Wednesday, February 22
Open to all girls in grades 3-5
March 21-May 23, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3:15-4:45pm
Group size is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
MARCH 16 IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER
Program Fee: $70 checks payable GOTR-VT (scholarships available)
Return completed paperwork with payment to: Jo or Anita via Main Office - Questions: Joanne Fuller 802.338.0135 or Anita Dunlap 802.579.8001
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.
Saturday, February 25 at Sandglass Theater!
Tickets are $8
To reserve: 802-387-4051
info@sandglasstheater.org
On Saturday, February 25, Sandglass Theater, Crabgrass Puppet Theatre and Puppetwork New England present the next in the Winter Sunshine Series of family performances at Sandglass Theater: "The Little Bread Hen" by Barefoot Puppets of Richmond, VA.
Performances are at 2 & 4 pm and tickets are $8. Reservations are strongly encouraged - all of the shows in the series to date have sold out! For more information or to make reservations, please call the Sandglass box office at 387-4051. You may also make reservations by replying to this email; please be sure to say which performance you are attending and how many seats you will need.
Mark your calendars now for the rest of the series:
Saturday, March 31: Crabgrass Puppet Theatre in Haiku, Hiphop & Hotdogs
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.
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.
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