From the Desk of the Lower School Director - 9

What a great week we had at the Lower School! Children's author Lola Schaefer’s visit was well-received by both faculty and students. She worked with students in grades 1-4, showing them how to write a story from start to finish. She also held a pre-K through grade 4 all-school assembly on Tuesday and met with parents over morning coffee on Wednesday. She conferenced with teachers each day to review the day’s events. Lola brought lots of enthusiasm and expertise to our students and faculty. Please see photos and comments from our students, parents and teachers. Again, thank you to Tiger Pride for funding this wonderful experience for the Lower School. Please visit Lola’s website at www.lolaschaefer.com.

Please mark your calendar for Friday, Oct. 15, for the all-school Fall for the Arts Festival, which will be held in the Middle School Courtyard from noon to 4 p.m. Students in grades 3 and 4 will be bused over with their teachers at 11:30 a.m. for their performance. They will have lunch in the Middle School dining hall. Students in pre-K through second grade will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m. in the regular car pool lines to allow parents to participate with their children in the many activities that are planned (art, music, silent auction to name a few). Extended Day is available for those who need it. Please let your child’s classroom teacher know in writing (use Notes from Home) as well as Mrs. Johnson or Mrs. Kearton if your child is staying for Extended Day no later than Wednesday, Oct. 13. Students may wear their Fall for the Arts Festival T-shirts on Friday as part of the celebration. Friday is also a Tiger Spirit Day so they can also wear their Tiger Spirit shirts with khaki bottoms.

Now that the weather is turning cooler, soup has been added to the dining hall menu starting Monday. Only the regulation fleeces, sweatshirts, jackets or sweaters may be worn during the school day. Jackets are for outside use only. Please sure that you have your child’s name on these items so they can be returned quickly when left around campus. All clothing with no name goes into the Lost and Found box located in Tiger Hall.

Headmaster Tom Whitworth invites all parents to a meeting themed “What’s on Your Mind and How Can We Help?” The coffee will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 8 a.m. in Tiger Hall. James Milford, Jill Pate, Lea Duncan and I will also be attendance. I am anticipating a great response from our families.

Our Fall Break begins at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20. School resumes on Monday, Oct. 25, which also kicks off our Red Ribbon Week (Say No to Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco).

Please mark your calendar for the Lower School Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the Lower School campus. Pre-sale tickets for lunch are available in the front office through Wednesday, Oct. 27, at noon. Shane’s Rib Shack is catering the event. Adult tickets are $8 each and include a choice of pulled pork or chicken sandwich, two sides, a cookie and tea, water or lemonade. A child’s ticket is $4 each.