Lower School: Welcome Back After Winter Break!

Welcome back after a long, winter break! I hope that you all enjoyed your time together and were able to relax and then recharge for a strong second semester of school. Despite the cold, rainy weather, we have jumped back in to the daily structure and routines of school and look forward to the continued growth and excitement for learning every day.

While safety has always been a concern for us, it has recently forced its way to the forefront of our minds due to tragic national events. As the letter from Headmaster Tom Whitworth stated, an Ad-Hoc Committee for Campus Safety and Procedures has been created to review our current crisis plan and recommend further safety procedures. 

Effective immediately, all Lower School faculty and staff are wearing identification badges so that it is clear who is an employee of Darlington. Additionally, as stated in the PK-8 Student Handbook, all visitors, whether they are parents and family members of current students or not, must check in with Mrs. Wendy Payne in the front office of the Thornwood Building before going directly into a classroom. If your child is brought to school late or needs to be checked out early, please be sure and go to the front office first. While this may seem slightly inconvenient, it is critical to keeping our faculty, staff and students safe. We appreciate your patience and trust as we work to further enhance our safety protocols on the Lower School campus.

• There will be no school on Monday, Jan. 21, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
• This month’s Parent Forum will take place next Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. for Lower School parents.  We look forward to discussing your questions and concerns in the Middle School Library.
• While we know that children at this developmental level are typically very excited to come to school (and we hope to never quell that), please remember that there is no supervision until 7:30 a.m. Therefore, children should not be let out of their parents’ cars until a teacher is on duty in the car line.
• There will be no after-school art or athletic programs during the month of January. We are looking at various options and teacher availability to, hopefully, pick back up next month.
• Please continue to collect box tops! Remember that every small rectangle is money that directly helps our teachers and classrooms.
• Lea Duncan, along with the admission team, is busy trying to get the word out about Darlington. She has scheduled several Fridays for Friends and Super Saturdays for families interested in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten. She is also holding campus tours regularly for interested families. Please encourage anyone you know who would be a great asset to our Darlington family to give Lea a call.

We know that this weather can quickly turn dangerous. Be on the lookout for official communication from Darlington in case of icy or snowy conditions. In the meantime, relax in front of your fireplace, drink some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and enjoy this quiet month, because February will bring several exciting projects and events!