Lower School: Jumping into Fall with Both Feet

Fall is here and we are enjoying the cool weather and the leaves changing colors. It is a beautiful time to be in north Georgia. Football, the Coosa Valley Fair and pumpkin patches confirm that summer is officially over.

At the Lower School, we are jumping in to fall with both feet. We learned about Johnny Appleseed through a special visit, we partnered with the eighth-grade class to celebrate International Dot Day, and we have participated in field trips to apple orchards and farms. We appreciate the parent support that we received at our Back-to-School night last week. Being able to showcase the learning that takes place in our classrooms each day is an exciting opportunity. Counselor Bebe Zazzaro is kicking off our buddy program this Friday with grades 5 and 6 coming over to meet and spend time with their kindergarten and first-grade buddies. Third-grade teacher Steve McConnell is also spearheading a sensational learning experience about the upcoming election. He, along with a team of creative teachers and parents, will be holding a Lower School election between characters from books written by our visiting author. Please look for more information and highlights in the coming weeks.

Fall for the Arts on Friday, Oct. 12, is an Early Release Day (12:30 p.m. dismissal). Lunch will be provided for all grades PK-4. Students in grades 3-4 will ride the bus to the Middle School at noon for the festival. Parents should pick up their children after the performance. Because this is a one-school event and alumni will also be participating, students in grades 3-4 will be gathered by their teacher after the performance and will have to be checked out by an adult. After 15 minutes, any child who has not been checked out will ride the bus back to the Lower School for Extended Day. Grades PK-2 will be dismissed for parent pick-up or Extended Day at 12:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to join everyone at the Middle School. Buses will run at their normal times. At the festival, there will be many art-based activities, music and snacks. Armbands are available for purchase from Wendy Payne in the office.

Tiger PRIDE is hosting the Run With PRIDE 5K, 10K, and 1-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 13. The race will begin in the Huffman Athletic Center parking lot and end at Thatcher Hall (Middle School). Music, snacks and fun are guaranteed, so bring your whole family to participate! For more information or to register, visit www.darlingtonschool.org/5k. To ensure that you get a free T-shirt, please register TODAY (Oct. 5 by 3 p.m.).

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17. There will be no school on this day. Extended Day will be available from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Interim progress reports will be also be distributed by this date, depending on when your child’s conference is planned. Some conferences may take place before this day in order to accommodate schedules.

Fall Break will take place Thursday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 21. Please enjoy this long weekend with your family. We wish you a safe, pleasurable break from school.

Our Annual Halloween Parade will take place on the Lower School track on Wednesday, Oct. 31, beginning at 8 a.m. Parents are invited to join us and take pictures. Students should come to school in their Halloween costumes. If possible, please have your child wear as much of his or her regular clothes underneath the costume as possible in order to ease the transition back in to the academic school day.

We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events!