This past week, we had a real contrast of emotions and experiences on the Goshen Campus. At Monday's morning meeting, we heartily welcomed the 6th grade back from their adventures at Pine Mountain Settlement School last week! If you were fortunate enough to be present when they bounded off the bus the Friday of their return, it was easy to see on their faces they had a fantastic trip under the watchful eyes and experienced tutelage of Carol Clark, Shelly Jones, and Michael Mahoney. And they bubbled over with excitement in telling their stories at morning meeting. While they recognize the science, folklore, and history inherent in the trip, they also appreciate the bonding opportunities they receive and an appreciation for all the things they have in their day-to-day lives (a pretty apropos lesson this time of year).

Contrast that with the play the whole Middle School took in just two hours later: And Then They Came for Me, presented by CenterStage from the Jewish Community Center. This hour-long historical dramatic presentation partly based on the accounts of Anne Frank and the horrors of the Holocaust was powerful, disturbing and, at times, difficult to watch. Our students were a rapt audience and visibly affected by it. We discussed it as a whole Middle School on Wednesday and the students were clearly able to articulate both what affected them and why we would bring this show in as an assembly. The message wasn't lost on them that we learn from history and why it is so critical as one of our core subjects. 

Please read the two articles below by Carol Clark and Heather Varda, along with student comments, to see this contrast in action (and this Friday we will recognize the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination from a historical perspective). 

The joy and sentiment of Grandparents' Day next week will be a welcome respite!
As we will not have a weekly newsletter next week, have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and loved ones, and safe travels! 

                                 

I know I could wax eloquently about our 6th grade's five-day trip to Appalachia but I think our students say it even better. Here are some quotes from SFS 6th graders:

 

"What I appreciated today was being able to have a school that was willing to take us on such a life changing trip." Ryane Jones

 

"Over the last 24 hours it snowed heavily. The way the snow dotted the trees and lined the landscape was beautiful." Eli Jaffe

 

"During the night hike, I realized that color isn't everything we see. We see shades of black and white, shape, depth, and texture. The bright white moonlight shines on rocks and fallen branches, bringing their shape forward while their shadows dance in the background." Thomas Fogarty

 

"...I got to learn about how much the forests affect us as a planet and the less forest, the less oxygen we have." Bruce Hamilton

 

"The mountains were beautiful, with their tall, skeletal trees and high peaks that rose towards the clouds. It is hard not to appreciate the nature there..." Holly Yelton

 

"We went up to the place where you can see the coal mines and mountain top removal. It was really sad and depressing. They promised all these dumb things like strip malls and golf courses and that's not going to happen. " Caroline Frederick

 

"The thing that was most meaningful to me this week was seeing how some places in Kentucky aren't as lucky as us, seeing how a lot of people don't have as much money as we do. They still live happy lives; they just have to find different ways to live." Connor Gorman 

 

"As we walked to breakfast I looked at the mountain and I saw a white cloak of snow over the trees. I'm thankful for the food we eat here and also that my parents let me come here." Will Cole

 

"I remember other students coming back from their trip and telling their stories. Now I have my own stories to tell about Pine Mountain. I have new sentences that start with 'I remember'." Amelia Dimas

 

We will all remember. Thank you, 6th grade, for making this a wonderful experience!

(Photography by Michael Mahoney) 

On Monday, the Jewish Community Center's acting troupe CenterStage came to the Goshen Campus to perform the play "And Then They Came For Me". It was based on Anne Frank's life and included facts about both her life and the Holocaust. The material in the play was quite heavy, but the Middle School students enjoyed learning more about this dark part of history during World War II in an interactive format.  

 

For many students, it gave them a fresh perspective on the Jewish story that was easier to remember, rather than reading the facts from a history text. Every year the 5th graders study World War II, and the Holocaust is part of the curriculum. By Middle School, the students at Goshen have also learned that along with the horrors of Nazi Germany, there also have been other times and moments in history when humanity has reached lows with prejudice towards other races and religions, and that each person has the ability for great compassion and great harm.  

 

We hope to make our students compassionate learners, individuals who will check their own psyches for right actions delivered towards others before jumping to an assumption resulting in a prejudice. Below are a few comments from kids who were impacted by the performance.

"My favorite part of this program was when we could ask questions about the play and learn about what we didn't get" - Bennett Middendorf, 5th grade

"I liked how it was a true story and not a fairy tale; they were really good actors"- Audrey McClain, 5th grade

"I liked that the characters that told the story were cast as young and old, so the story that happened so long ago did not seem so old and felt a lot more real" - Aidan Campbell, 6th grade

"What I learned from the program was the war was terrible and it was a crucial time period" - Carolyn Siegenthaler, 6th grade

"I learned how much stress European Jewish people must have been under, and how determined they were to survive rather than give up" - Abby Waggener, 7th grade

"I learned about the people connected with Anne Frank"- Adam Prys, 8th grade    

Your Lower School student(s) will start to bring home clay sculptures in the coming weeks.  

 

Some of them are functional and some are aesthetic. If the clay looks shiny, that means it has been glazed and is safe to eat off of or drink out of. You can consume hot or cold food or beverages with the clay sculptures.  

 

However, we use low fire clay, which means that they are not meant to be put into an oven, microwave, or dishwasher. They cannot be placed on top of a hot stove either. Simply make your food or beverage, place it into the clay and enjoy, and then hand wash in the sink!   

 

 

Last Saturday, three of our middle school band students, Meredith Fleming, Audrey McClain and Bella Nugent, participated in the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band's Band Day.  

 

Meredith, Audrey, and Bella, along with other area students, were Marching Cardinals for a day. We had a 90-minute rehearsal at the stadium several hours before kickoff with college students and staff. The marching band's student leaders helped Band Day members learn the music. Then the students were able to work with U of L's band department directors, Dr. Fred Speck, Dr. Amy Acklin, and Dr. Mark Lynn from the university's school of music.  

 

Following rehearsal, we had a "behind the scenes" view of the Cards' March where the coaches and players from U o fL's football team enter the stadium. Then, we had a great view of the CMB's pregame show.  

 

After relaxing and enjoying the first half, Meredith, Audrey, and Bella went out onto the field and performed the halftime show in front of 60,000 Cards fans. It was a great event!

Boys' 4th & 5th Grade Basketball
On Saturday, in the first of two games, the 4th grade team took on the Whitefield Wildcats. The team was without a few players, plus Coach Butler, due to sickness.  Given the circumstances, the Wyverns played incredibly hard for three quarters before wearing out late. In the second game of the day, the 4/5 team took on Walden and were victorious, 16-14. Stevaun Butler led the Wyverns in scoring with 7 points.

Girls' 4th-6th Grade Basketball
The girls continue to make progress as the focus over the past few weeks has been fundamentals - dribbling, passing, and being assertive. There appears to be a lid on top of the basket at times, but the girls are getting very good shots, which will start falling soon though. They'll learn to be less frazzled out there and have confidence that they can make shots against another team. The Wyverns will be back in action this weekend as they take on Anchorage.

Boys' 6th Grade Basketball
The lingering effects of the class trip to Pine Mountain were too strong for the team to overcome a big and quick undefeated Christian Academy of Indiana squad. Ford Middendorf  scored his first two points of the season in the loss.
Sunday, after leading for the majority of the game, the 6th grade was unable to hold onto the lead as they lost a close one, 22-17 to St. Patrick's. Eston McLeroy played perhaps his best game of the season.

Boys' 7th & 8th Grade Basketball
In each and every game this season, all Middle School teams haven't had the luxury of a true "home" game. Tuesday the 6th graders were presented with that opportunity as they took on Our Savior Lutheran at St. Stephen's. The group played together as a team, played solid defense and secured the 28-14 victory.

With the team severely undermanned, 6th grader Connor Gorman and 4th graders Isaiah Robles and Stevaun Butler helped out the 7/8 "B" team in a highly intense overtime win over Walden. Connor made clutch free throws and Harrison Crawford used his length to create steals and easy baskets to seal the victory. The duo led the team with 17 and 12 points respectively in the 32-28 win.  

The team competed in the Summit Academy Invitational Basketball tournament on Saturday. In opening-round action, the Wyverns took on the West End School and were surprised by their athleticism and quickness. St. Francis got down early and had to fight back, but it wasn't enough, as they lost 30-21. The next game brought on A.I.E; 8th graders Kyle Chandler and Chris Scott scored a combined 13 points to carry the Wyverns to a 28-25 win. Kyle and Chris were also named to the All-Tournament team for their play. The 7th/8th "A" team then took on a matching Walden squad and lost a tough one 31-26. The team has a rematch coming up in December and looks forward to coming out of that game victorious.

K-3 St. Matthews Practice Schedules Set
Please take a look at the practice schedules below for all K-3 teams that will compete in the St. Matthews Basketball league this winter.  

Coaches: K/1 - Tim Patrick / Nic Deitrich; 2nd grade - Gammon Wood /  

Rod Marks; 3rd grade - Byron King / Dave King

 

Date	Grade	Site	Time
11/23/2013 (Sat.)	2nd	Waggener (Big Gym)	4:00 p.m.
11/24/2013 (Sun.)	K/1	Ballard (Small Gym)	1:00 p.m.
11/24/2013 (Sun.)	3rd	Waggener (Big Gym)	2:00 p.m.
11/30/13 (Sat.)	2nd	Waggener (Small Gym)	12:00  p.m.
12/1/2013 (Sun.)	K/1	Ballard (Small Gym)	1:00  p.m
12/1/2013 (Sun.)	3rd	Waggener (Big Gym)	2:00  p.m.
12/7/2013 (Sat.)	3rd	Waggener (Big Gym)	3:00  p.m.
12/7/2013 (Sat.)	NO PRACTICE FOR K/1
12/8/2013 (Sun)	2nd	Waggener (Small Gym)	5:00  p.m.

                                  

If you have any questions, please contact Shavar Cowherd.   

Monday Nov. 25th
Multi-Purpose Room

JK-3rd Grade 9:00-10:00 a.m.

4th-8th Grade 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Tuesday Nov. 26th Multi-Purpose Room

JK-3rd Grade Schedule 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
Student Performances

1:20 - 2:00 p.m.
Classroom Visits

4th-8th Grade Schedule 1:00 - 1:130 p.m.
Classroom Visits

1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Student Performances

Please contact Kim Aberle or Bob Bertke if you know your child will not be at school on Parent Preview or Grandparents' Day. 

Invitations have been mailed. If your child's grandparent did not receive one, please contact Natalie and provide the necessary information.

Informational flyers were sent home today. Click here to view it.

Thank you!

St. Francis will be testing our AlertNow emergency notification system (used for snow closures and other breaking news) on Tuesday, November 26th at 12:00 p.m. Please notify Natalie Bruner if:

 

(a) you receive a test notification at a phone number or email address you would prefer not to have in the AlertNow system, or

 

(b) you do not receive the test notification and would like your email address or phone number to be added to our emergency notification list.

 

The High School's We Act community service group is raising money to build a school in Haiti under the auspices of the Free the Children organization.

Each brick costs $20 and the school as a whole is $10,000. The 11 student members of the group chose this as their globally-focused project and realize that it may take time to reach the ultimate goal, but little by little - brick by brick - they are committed to making educational opportunities possible for a group of children in Haiti.

One of their fundraisers is a Panera Night on Tuesday, December 10th from 4:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Panera on Bardstown Rd. in the Highlands. Up to 20% of purchases will be given to the group and funneled directly to this project. This flyer must be presented when you order.

If you can, please stop by for dinner or some carryout and help support the High School We Act group in building a school in Haiti!

Make-up/Retake Portraits have been posted online, and as a special courtesy, Stephanie has decided to extend the discount period until NOVEMBER 30, 2013 so everyone can take advantage of the offer.

To access your child's images click here and then and click on the VIEW & ORDER link on the upper right hand corner.

Choose your gallery and enter the access code (SFS2014). If you have children on multiple campuses, you will still be able to place one order.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!!
All orders placed before NOVEMBER 30, 2013 will receive 15% off

EARLY BIRD E-CERTIFICATE CODE:   QGRDYJP

Due to the rescheduling of the Big South Fork trip for the 8th grade class to the first week of March (the 3rd through the 7th), we have also had to shift our Parent Teacher Conferences to the following week on March 13th-14th!

Please make a note of this in your calendars too!