From the Director’s Desk:

The first weeks of school are memorable for their newness, and both children and parents are thrilled to be back in the routine of school.  Then comes November…and the thrill appears to be gone!  Those school supplies aren’t looking quite so fresh, a lot of homework is assigned, the skills are getting harder, and that new friend ate lunch with someone else!  And there begins the correlation between the thrill being gone and our attendance records!  I read an article once about a grandfather and grandson who both graduated from high school with 12 years of perfect attendance.  Each attributed his perfect attendance to his parents’ influence.  Indeed, most of our lifelong habits are instilled in us by our parents.  Elementary school is exactly the time to begin teaching our children the importance of being present and on time—not only for their next schools, but for college and future employment.  Elementary school is where academic habits are formed; it is the basis for all future learning.  The best preparation for the next year is the current year—and our students need to be present to be prepared!  Besides that, I miss them when they aren’t here!

Calendar of Events:

Wednesday, November 3—Upper School Field Trip to Atwater Prairie Chicken Preserve

Friday, November 5—School Pictures and Noon Dismissal

Wednesday, November 10—Lower/Middle School to the Grand Opera House

Friday, November 12—Upper School to the Grand Opera House

Lower School News:

The letter for the week is the letter “J”—jumping jellybeans, it ought to be a jazzy week!

Middle School News:

Middle schoolers will begin their first research project with a study of land habitats; students will identify resources and landforms of their particular geographic region.  Star of the month is Martin Valbuena!

Upper School News:

We still need drivers for the Zoo Field Trip to the Atwater Prairie Chicken Preserve in Texas City on Wednesday; we need to leave at the beginning of the school day to arrive there for a 9 a.m. start and will leave around noon.  Please email Ms. Corley if you can help with transportation.

Art:

The “Nine Lines” project for all school levels is now on exhibit throughout the school; please take time to notice your child’s excellent contribution!  This project marks the culmination of art fundamentals lessons that allow students and teacher to be speaking the same language when it comes to discussing art.  This week, Lower School will rejoin the timeline at Egyptian art, and Middle/Upper School will cap off Greek and Roman Art in pursuit of the Byzantine Era—what fun!  Remember to return your child’s art folder each week if it is sent home.

PE:

Students will begin learning the fundamentals of volleyball.

Spanish:

Students will begin studying personal pronouns (he, she, they) and quantities—mas es mejor!

Odds & Ends:

• We will be working on a phone tree to implement in case of inclement weather, lack of power, or other emergencies.  Look for it this week in your child’s folder.
• Annual Giving letters will be sent out this week.
• November tuition is due by the 10^th of this month.
• Thanks to Ilse Benard for coordinating the greenery sales.

What I Overheard Today…

A fabulous rendition of “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain” in early morning care, and upon being praised, the student response was “that made my tummy feel so good!”

From the Director’s Desk:

I came across an article recently about the Love and Logic Institute, a parent resource group in Golden, Colorado.  Jim Fay, founder and former teacher, coined the term “love and logic” for his approach to parenting:  love is what parents show children when they make a mistake, and logic is what children learn from their own mistakes.  There are three simple rules:  give choices within limits, set limits through enforceable statements, and apply consequences without anger.  Fay tries to limit parenting advice to two simple points.  One is that parents have a job setting limits; the other is that kids have a job testing those limits!  The good news is that deep down inside, our children need to know that we care enough to hold the line, without falling into trying to reason with them.  Fay encourages us not to rob children of the chance to learn from affordable mistakes; he refers to those of us who do as limousine parents—adults who want to help their children avoid any stress of difficulty in life by taking over problems children need to learn to solve, like homework and chores.  Self concept, according to Fay, is developed through struggle and achievement.  Also, keep words to a minimum during the bad times; save those for happy times, because the minute we start arguing, we have just lost to a person 1/5 our age!  Enjoy the following helpful hints—surely wish I’d had these 20 years ago!

• I’ll keep the toys I have to pick up.  You can keep the ones you pick up.
• I’ll listen as soon as your voice is as calm as mine.
• I’ll provide TV and computer games when the chores are done.
• I will be happy to buy you the clothes I feel are appropriate.

Calendar of Events:

Friday, October 29:  Halloween Parties, 2:30 p.m. (reminder—children bring costumes, no masks, and no weapons)

Thursday, November 4:  Parent Board Meeting, 5:30 at Moody Mansion

Friday, November 5:  School Pictures/Early Dismissal at noon

Lower School:

Lower School’s letter of the week is…(surprise!) the letter H!  If anyone has a spare pumpkin or two, we would love to have them!  Check with Mrs. Roy if you forget what your child is bringing for the party.

Middle School:

Party on Friday!  Look for new Star Student of the month, Martin Valbuena!

Upper School:

Party on Friday!  Upper School students received a lovely note from the committee in charge of the workshop that the students attended in Houston last week—“It was great meeting you and your kids.  On behalf of our entire committee, we thank you for attending our mini-camp.  Your students were extremely well behaved and knowledgeable.  If we have another camp in the future, we will put you at the top of our list.”  Way to go, Upper School!

Art:

Volunteers are needed to wash t-shirts used as smocks; lab coats are no longer needed and may be discarded if found among the t-shirts.  Students in middle/upper school have been learning about geometric vs. organic shapes and forms, lines, and the ‘ogee’ shape and lines.  Our project this week was to find ogees in nature and all levels did a version of “Nine Lines” watercolor on construction paper.

Music:

Classes are listening to the story of Guido of Arezzo who created the method of writing music with notes and staves.  Each class continues to practice beating rhythms and singing Halloween songs.

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Spanish:

We are ending our unit on El Dia de los Muertos with a party on November 1.

PE:

This week begins the timing of certain physical activities and recording them.  This will be done throughout the year to allow students to chart their progress.

Odds & Ends:

• Defeat Breast Cancer Run is Saturday beginning at 8:45 at Moody Gardens.  Families may register Tuesday at Academy from 5-8:30 p.m. and at Randall’s from 10:30-2; on Wednesday at Fit to Run on 23^rd St. from 12-7.  All schools participating will be announced at the event.  Let’s get our fast little Satori legs running to support this cause!
• Please remember that open toed shoes are not allowed in the dress code.
• I will be out of town Wednesday-Friday for a wedding; take lots of pictures of our little trick or treaters for me!

What I Overheard Today:

When playing evil warriors on the playground…”I’m not evil; I’m clueless!”