THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL WEDNESDAY NOTICE
March 5, 2014
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GREETINGS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear TGS Parents and Families,
TGS is a school with rich traditions and an incredibly talented group of students, teachers, and parents. While this is widely known, I think all in attendance at the Bell Bottom Bash last Friday realized, if they did not already know, that the TGS community is also incredibly generous, creative, and fun. Our Bell Bottom Bash was a wonderful community event and was successful on all levels. We raised important funds to help TGS in essential ways, and more importantly perhaps, we demonstrated that we are a community that loves to be together and knows how to have a great time! This was my first TGS Spring Auction Event and I am still in awe of what our parent Auction Committee accomplished, led expertly by the indefatigable Auction Committee Chair, Nancy Brooks. Green Mountain Orchards was transformed, as one parent exclaimed, into "Vermont's version of Studio 64," thanks to the incredible vision and artistry of Natalie Thomson. Nancy and her team selflessly dedicated hundreds of hours of creativity, sweat, and heart to this event and the results were unparalleled, and have set the bar at perhaps an impassable height. I also want to thank Regina Rockefeller and Catherine Dail for their incredible efforts launching another successful online auction, as well as organizing the live and silent auctions. Many thanks to Michelle Clarke for her success finding sponsors to help underwrite the event, as well as her amazing leadership and generosity organizing the auction. Finally, I was so pleased to see many new TGS parents taking on important volunteer roles. One of TGS's greatest strengths is found in our legendary parent volunteers. In fact, I know of no other school with the same level of parent engagement and volunteer spirit, which is of course seen in all of our major events, from the Faire, to the Auction, to the Musical, and much, much more. I am proud of the Auction Committee's accomplishments and am ever grateful for all they put into this legendary event that I will certainly never forget.
Below you will find information on a few very important upcoming events happening this week at TGS and in our community at large. Perhaps most exciting for many students is our upcoming two week vacation. While I know I addressed this in last week's notice, I am reminded of a saying one of my great uncles used to repeat at times of great anticipation, and I would remind our students that they should try to "keep it in the road," as they finish their academic studies in preparation for the vacation.
I look forward to seeing many of you this week at our Parent Information Night and wish you all a wonderful two weeks with your children.
In a conscious partnership,
Sincerely,
Dan
Dan Marchetti
Head of School
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
This is a special night for returning families to meet with their children's teachers for the 2014-2015 school year. The evening will provide you with an opportunity to meet teachers, visit your child's classroom, hear about the curriculum for that grade level, and of course to ask questions. The evening will also provide you with an opportunity to hear from our specials teachers in music, visual art, foreign languages, library etc.
Schedule:
- 6:00pm-6:30pm Kindergarten-5th grade in their classrooms
- 6:30pm-7:00pm Meet with Specialists in the Auditorium
- 7:00pm-7:30pm Meet with the 6th-8th grade teachers in their classrooms
COFFEE WITH DAN THURSDAY, MARCH 6 AT 8:30AM IN THE LIBRARY
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls on the Run at TGS started yesterday, and 15 girls already have signed up for spring practices! There is still time to register: Please go to girlsontherunvermont.org to register your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade girl. Practices will be held after school on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting after break on Tuesday, March 24.
This activity is open to all area girls in 3rd-5th grade. If you have questions, please contact Jen Robb (jenrobb@gmail.com) or Clare Mundell (cemundell@gmail.com). ECUADOR TRIP!  Thirteen eighth graders flew to Ecuador today with Liz Jackson and Steve Lorenz for a nine day service learning trip at Palugo Farm, near Quito, Ecuador. Liz says, " We will work with animals, engage with the local people, and connect with the different ways of food production and traditional living. Students will be exposed to an indigenous village and take part in two service-learning projects." We will post updates when we hear news!
Art electives are a wonderful opportunity for seventh and eighth graders at The Grammar School to pursue in-depth studies in their choice of four mediums. For six weeks during the winter term, the students take one three-hour art class each week. They are excited to have the opportunity to discover new art processes and follow their interests, while building connections and deepening their skills. This year, we have two electives off campus. Nine students are learning black and white 35 mm film photography and darkroom processing at the InSight Photography Project, and six students are learning wheel-throwing pottery at Clayworks Studio, a new offering this year. On campus, parent and local artist Rachel Portesi is teaching film/video to eight students, where they shoot and edit their own music videos, and seven students are learning oil painting on canvas with art teacher Hannah Richards.
The students' work will be on display at the Hooker-Dunham Theater and Gallery for the month of March, with a public opening and reception on the evening of March 7, 2014 at Gallery Walk from 5:30-8pm, and another community reception with music video screenings after our spring break.
Here are some class updates for the week:
http://thegrammarschool.org/art/
PUTNEY FOOD SHELF
March Food Collection for the Putney Food Shelf -- The preschool has signed up to host TGS's Food Collection Basket for the month of March. The food we collect goes to the Putney Food Shelf each month, and this effort constitutes TGS's school-wide, ongoing Community Service Project. Please help us fill the basket (which is now located in the preschool cubby hallway) by the end of this week, as we'll be on vacation the following two weeks.Then, let's try to fill it again the week we return! Thanks in advance for your efforts, and for involving your children in this worthwhile project.
ALUMNI SPORTS Russell Boswell '13 qualified first in the east for J2 boys for the XC ski Junior Nationals, held at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont this week. For more results, go to http://www.jn2014stowe.com/results. Good luck, Russell!
TGS SUMMER CAMP The Grammar School's 2014 Summer Camp will take place during the weeks of July 7, 14, and 21. The Preschool Camp, for four- and five-year olds, features three themed weeks of arts, crafts, movement, and exploration. Children ages 6 to 14 experience the arts, nature, outdoor adventures, and optional supervised swim time. Full- and partial-day options are available. Visit the Summer Camp website for more information.
To inquire about teaching in the 2014 Summer Camp, contact Madeline Bergstrom at camps@thegrammarschool.org. For more information about The Grammar School, please visit www.thegrammarschool.org.
Our library can use your help! We need help shelving, processing, checking books in, creating crafts, sewing and more during school, after school, or even at your home. The library volunteering is a fun and easy way to be involved in the school. And, your help will be gratefully appreciated! Please let me know if you are interested. Ponnie (387-5364 or pderby@thegrammarschool.org)
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MARCH
5 Variety Show 2:00
6 Coffee with Dan 8:30am
6 Parent Info Night
10-21 Spring Break NO SCHOOL
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Inequality for all - This Thursday March 6th at 6:30pm at Next Stage in Putney there will be a special screening of"Inequality for All", the recent film by former United States Labor Secretary Robert Reich about income inequality in our county.
This special screening is being hosted by Vermont-NEA, and co-sponsored by the workers and their unions at both the Brattleboro Retreat and the Brattleboro Food Co-op, as well as the Vermont Workers' Center.
Stay after for a conversation on what action we can take to change this.
This is a public event, it's free, and all are welcome!
WILD NATURE FOR CHILDREN:
Coyote's Path welcomes new enrollments for its spring session. Meets one Saturday a month in Putney. Challenge, fun, more! Begins
March 8--register now. ifnaturallearning.com/programs/coyotes-path or802-254-5800
. (Note: This is not a school-sponsored event).
NEXT STAGE - Check out the exciting entertainment coming to Putney each week at http://nextstagearts.org/
2014 SUMMER CAMP IN SPAIN - Culture and Language Immersion Program
June 28 - July 12, 2014 (15 days) Led by Liz Jackson with Gogi Abroad -
Ages 13-16
Immerse yourself in Spanish language and culture this summer in Cadiz, Spain, the oldest city in Europe. Explore the cobblestone streets, friendly faces, and vibrant culture that Cadiz has to offer. In the afternoons, experience beautiful beaches and historical sites of the city and the region! Each afternoon will be filled with fun activities for teens (such as instruction in surfing, sea kayaking, Spanish cooking, sunset boat excursions, and tons of time exploring the many unspoiled beaches). We will travel to typical white Andalucían villages and soak up all the sites and different foods of the region. You will grow your Spanish skills through real world interactions as you speak with locals, your host family, and new friends. At K2 Internacional School you will not just be another student. You will receive personal attention due to the small class sizes (around 10 per class) with friendly teachers who create interesting, interactive classes. You will enjoy three hours of classroom Spanish and have the opportunity to utilize phrases and idioms in real life situations and expand your knowledge in a comfortable setting. After class is the time you can really apply your Spanish. The classroom provides you with more confidence to go out into the world and use what you know!
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
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