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FROM THE DESK OF DAN MARCHETTI
Greetings from TGS! This has been a whirlwind three week stretch and I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and our wonderful students. I have spent a great deal of time visiting classes and have accompanied a few field trips. I am continually impressed by our dedicated and creative faculty, and am equally impressed by our student body, who go out of their way to demonstrate and model their compassion for each other on a daily basis, while welcoming new students and faculty into the fold at TGS. I was particularly struck by our first Buddy Picnic last Friday, where assigned buddy pairs spent time together in a formal mentor role. This intentional structure, put in place to encourage mentorship and to break down any grade hierarchies, speaks to the supportive and nurturing culture that is so evident at TGS. Buddy pairs finished their time together by hanging their Wish Strips among the lilac bushes at the entrance to TGS. I hope you take a moment at drop off and pick up to read a few of these before the autumn weather takes them away. Your children demonstrate their thoughtfulness, their care, and their conscientiousness in these sometimes silly, and often poignant, wishes!  I look forward to spending more time with our incredible students and am particularly excited about our Putney Mountain Hike next week, and hope that you all feel welcome to join us if you are able.
A few nuts and bolts that I am sure are hardy perennials at TGS and all other independent schools:
Parking
Please do not block the entrance of the school with your vehicle at any time.
Attendance and Timeliness
While we have started strong in this area, I want to reinforce how important it is to get your children to TGS with enough time for them to start the class day, and not feel rushed. Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and for your efforts to get here, and to our two bus stops, on time.
Thank you,
Dan Marchetti
Head of School
PUTNEY FAMILY SERVICES
During the month of September, the 5th grade class will be spearheading our food collection endeavor for Putney Family Services. I signed our class up for September in the hopes that we could launch this schoolwide year-long important effort with gusto. Third grade teacher Linda Kosiba coordinates this effort. At faculty meeting she emphasized how appreciated our contributions have been in previous years. Ideally, we can collect nonperishable food items and, if possible, contributions that come in packages/groups of six. Thank you! Charlie
FALL SPORTS THIS WEEK
XC Meet at Kurn Hattin today, Sept. 18 - please arrange to pick your child up at TGS promptly at the end of the school day. Directions to Kurn Hattin
Soccer tomorrow, Sept. 19
3-4 at Newbrook at 4:30
5-6 Wilmington at TGS at 4:15
UPDATE: The Power of Discovery - An After School STEM Program at TGS
We are excited to share an update on The Power of Discovery After School STEM Program at The Grammar School. The FIRST Lego Robotics Club for students in grades 4-8 was SWITCHED to Tuesdays-which is GREAT NEWS for students who want to join both the Chess Club (Wednesdays) and the Robotics Club.
More Clubs Available Session I:
We are launching a Math Olympiads Team (Upper Level) for students in grades 7-8, thanks to current TGS parent and Math Department Chair at The Putney School, Kevin Feal Staub. The team will meet on Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm, and run for 7 weeks. Additionally, there will be a Math Olympiads Junior Team for grades 5-6 coached by TGS Parent Jay Reichman, which will run for six weeks on Thursdays, 3:30-5pm! We also are pleased to announce that we will offer a Junior FIRST Lego Robotics Club for young people in grades 2-3, which will run for 8 weeks and meet on Wednesdays, 3:30-5pm, thanks to current TGS parent Whitney Blauvelt. Find more information below.
Two new clubs starting during Session II:
We are pleased to announce that we will offer a Kids Craft Club for young people in grades 2-4, led by the extraordinary Ann-Michelle Andrews. This club will meet on Wednesday for eight weeks, 3:30-5pm. TGS students also will have the opportunity to join TGS's Future Problem Solvers for young people in grades 5-8, coached by Suzanne Rubinstein. Find more information below.
Still seeking mentors:
We still are seeking mentors for a handful of clubs. In particular, we are looking for someone who would like to offer a craft class and/or a read aloud and art class to young people in grades K-1. We are seeking a co-mentor: we found a wonderful mentor for a DIY Maker Scouts Club for Session II, grades 2-4, but he is seeking a partner to help run the club! If you are interested please contact Suzanne Rubinstein or David Hull.
What is TGS Community Dinner Initiative?
It is a new initiative launched to ensure that every TGS family has an opportunity to meet our new Head of School, Dan Marchetti, as well as other TGS families from all grades (pre-K through 8th) in a casual, fun, off-campus setting. The goals are to nurture and strengthen our school community, get to know Dan Marchetti, learn more about TGS, and have fun together! Every TGS family will be invited to one of these events during the 2013-14 academic year.
We are seeking a few more families to host TGS Community Dinner events! If you are interested/willing or would like more information about this new initiative, contact Suzanne Rubinstein.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NEEDED - We're looking for several guitars, two electric bass guitars, a couple of practice amps, and a drum practice pad for 7th and 8th graders to borrow for Studio this fall. If you have one of these that you'd be willing to loan to a student, please email or call Alli at ext. 108.
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September
20 Photo Day 9am
25 Putney Mountain Hike
27 Secondary School Visit Day for 8th Graders October 12 Medieval Faire
14 Columbus Day No School
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COMMUNITY NEWS!
HARLOW FARM CSA - Is it important to you to feed your family organic, local foods? Are you concerned about investing in a sustainable economy? Is a stronger community important to you? Harlow Farm winter CSA delivery to The Grammar School may be for you! We offer our own Westminster grown root crops, meats and poultry, eggs, fresh winter greens, frozen and canned goods and products from other local producers like cheese, honey, pies and veggie burgers. This year we will be collaborating with the Gleanery to provide convenient frozen prepared foods created with local ingredients. Our CSA is different, as you order what you need to feed your family using our easy online ordering system. Membership starts at $200, but you can join at a level that works best for you. 10% credit will be extended to TGS families and employees until 9/27, 3% credit is added to all TGS members as a benefit of the TGS group. Visithttp://harlowfarm.com/csa/ for more info, store button will list many of our items, sign up will lead to membership, FAQ will provide more info, or contact your coordinator, Tara Meinhard tmeinhar@thegrammarschool.org, or Jeanette on the farm atjstaley@harlowfarm.com MAIN STREET ARTS - In Saxtons River, VT is offering several new classes from hula-hooping to conversational Spanish. Check them out online at www.mainstreetarts.org
MUSIC LESSONS - Jared Stolper, who teaches music here at TGS, is giving private lessons on either the guitar, the banjo or the ukelele. He works with ages grade four and up. If you are interested, you can reach Jared at 603-756-4010. PUTNEY SKI CLUB - Weekly 5k Trail Run and Ride at the Putney School Lower Farm on Tuesdays, September 17 through October 29. Registration opens at 5:00, Mountain Bikers start time 5:30, Trail Runners start time 5:35. Entry Fee $5 / $25 series fee (suggested donation). Proceeds will benefit Putney Ski Club. Potluck to follow the final run. For more information contact: Kristin Dawley 802-376-6580
Vinyasa Yoga at The Grammar School - Mondays 4:45 - 6:00pm in the auditorium - begins September 16, open to everyone! $14 drop-in, $60 for 5-class card, $100 for 10-class card. Please bring a yoga mat.
B1 ZUMBA CLASS w/ PAULINE!! at The Grammar School
Fridays: 4:30-5:30pm. $6 per class for TGS employees, $8 per class for general public. Pre-buy discount tickets available: * 6 Classes for the Price of 5 *
To register or for more information:paulinebob@hotmail.com or 802/376-5397
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