Lower School: Our School Year is Coming to an End

Our school year is coming to an end and with it comes a mix of emotions. The last ten months have brought many changes and events. As we walk through our campus, it is easy to get wrapped up in the history and the incredible memories of our children (and even ourselves) growing up in these classrooms, on these playgrounds, and with these faculty members. Please come walk around, listen to the birds sing, admire the beautiful landscaping and watch the students as they so comfortably feel ownership of this campus.

Some may see this as an end to a story, but I prefer to look forward to the many beginnings and continuations of the traditions that are already established. Change can be a scary process, as we are forced to truly reflect on what we have always done. It can also be seen as a refining method, giving us the chance to identify what makes our Lower School community exceptional and unique and then altering areas in which we can improve. I encourage you to partner with us; let’s hold tight as a Darlington family to make this school better than ever. Come August, we will all benefit from the unity of being on one campus as One School and I feel blessed to be a part of it!

In April, we had a wonderful attendance at our Grand-Special Day and Spring Concert. We appreciate all who made the drive and spent time on our campus interacting with the students and listening to their performance. Kim Price and Kathleen Hughes put together an amazing morning, and we appreciate their time and creativity. As always, Ashley Henry produced an incredible show, highlighting many students’ musical talents and humor.

Throughout this week, students from second, third and fourth grades have spent time at the Middle School eating lunch, playing games with Coach Liddle and Coach Atha, and bonding with their buddies. Mrs. Zazzaro and I are looking at dates that our primary students can also spend time in Thatcher Hall before the end of the year.

Under the organization of Beth Smith, the 5th Annual Tri for the Kids will take place on Sunday, May 5, at 9 a.m. at the Upper School. Come out to cheer on the 250 participants! Athletes aged 7-15 will compete within the Beginner, Elite, and Physically Challenged categories. All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia.

On Monday, May 6, second grade will travel to the Tellus Museum and third grade will take their annual walking tour around Rome, guided by Anne Culpepper.

Kindergarten and pre-first will perform their spring play, “This Old House,” on Tuesday, May 7, at 1 p.m.  All parents are invited to attend this tribute to our very own White Building on the Lower School campus. Many Thornwood and Darlington graduates who attended the Lower School will be coming back for this event and to join the actors for a reception immediately following the show.

Wednesday, May 8, will be a late start for our last Full Faculty Meeting of the school year. We appreciate the flexibility and time that all of our parents have given throughout this year in order to cover our duties and accommodate our schedule on these days.

Local auctioneer Lou Dempsey will lead third grade’s annual community sale on Wednesday, May 8. This year, they are focusing on Rome’s landmarks and will base plots of land and buildings on the city of Rome.

Muffins for Moms will take place on Friday, May 10, at 7:45 a.m. Thanks to Glenn Pearson and KJ Albers for organizing this special time. Please look for an invitation and RSVP form in your email from Mrs. Payne.

Also on May 10, fourth-graders, under the guidance of Senora Evans, will host the 5th annual mercado internacional, for which they will prepare recipes from around the Spanish-speaking world. They have been studying a unit on food and learning vocabulary for different food items, along with how to order at a restaurant in Spanish, how to express what they want, and how to say what they like and dislike. Students have also been earning euros for class participation and good behavior. They will use the euros they have earned to “purchase” food from each other’s “restaurantes.” The mercado is always so much fun and is a great way to bring the vocabulary and culture together into an active learning experience. Parents are invited to come and taste the delicious food and experience firsthand what the kids have been learning!

On May 13 and 14 at 8:30 a.m., James Hutchins, Lea Duncan, DeLean Brandon and I will host “New to You Days” for those families who were unable to come to the night events or who want a second look at where grades PK-4 will be located next school year. We will tour Thatcher Hall and have time for questions.

Second grade will perform “Character Matters 2,” the sequel to the first-grade play, on Tuesday, May 14, at 2 p.m. in the gym.

The last day students need to wear uniforms is Wednesday, May 15.

Under the leadership of Melinda Brown and Jennifer Strickland, Tiger Pride will hold its annual uniform sale on May 20-21. Uniform drop off will be on Thursday, May 16, from 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. and on Friday, May 17, from 8-10 a.m. The sale will be on Monday, May 20, from 2-4 p.m. and on Tuesday, May 21, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Both of these events will take place in the gym. All of the information, including the pricing, family participation number and directions, will be linked to the Lower School Announcements page; please be aware that the Middle and Upper School have different numbers.  

On May 21 at 1:45 p.m., Lower School students in Annie Camp’s string classes will be performing in the Lower School gym at our very own “Battle of the Bands.”

Join us for Field Day activities and lunch on Friday, May 24. Please look for more details coming soon about this event, as the meal will require an RSVP. The day will conclude with an early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.

We will not have school on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

Our last day of school, May 31, will include the Lower School Awards Assembly and Fourth Grade Recognition Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the gym for all grades PK-4. Early dismissal will follow at 11:45 a.m. We hope you will plan to join us for our final event of the school year and the last time we will all come together on the Thornwood Campus.

Thank you for an amazing year! It has gone by more quickly than ever. When you have time, I urge you to step back and look at the developments your child has made – socially, emotionally and academically. Our teachers are top notch, but we could not do it without each of you. Ultimately, though, it all comes back to our students.