| From Our Head of School | |
The following letter is adapted from my farewell address to Mrs. Ann Kupferberg, delivered on the occasion of her retirement on Dec. 1st, 2010.
Ann Kupferberg has served The Barnesville School these past 26 years as a teacher and an educational leader. Since her start in 1985, she has held the positions of Kindergarten Teacher, Second Grade Teacher, Lower School Division Director, and Division Director Emeritus.
A look back on her educational career is to see her influence on both our students and those beyond Barnesville’s walls. She shaped our practice of focusing on students’ youngest ages and stages so that they are set on the right path for learning. She helped to introduce handwriting and behavioral programs, and she sought out community resources for the benefit of our families. During her tenure, she developed our Lower School language arts and science programs, ran individualized early reading groups, and established PreKindergarten assessments. Ann contributed her knowledge on multiple AIMS school accreditation teams, and she served as both President and Secretary of Kappa Kappa Iota, the nation’s oldest organization of educators.
Despite these many achievements, I wish to reflect on another aspect of Ann, that which I will most cherish from my time with her. It’s what I have come to think of as “The voice of Ann.”
I teach an 8th grade ethics course, and one of the exercises I have our students do is to think of easy ways to know how to be good. How should we lead our lives? One of the easiest ways to do this is to think of someone whom you respect, someone who you think leads an honorable, principled life, and do what they do.
To me, and I suspect to many of us, that person is Ann Kupferberg. And this is what the Voice of Ann tells me.
- Pitch in and help out when you can. Ann exemplifies an ethos of service, believing that there’s no job too big or too small. When help is needed, when the call goes out from one of our parents or teachers, Ann is there, grounded, humble, ready to serve.
- Take care of your teachers. Ann is fiercely loyal of our faculty and staff. She does not hesitate to lend a hand and ensure that each teacher is supported. Even the most straightforward administrative task, running a division meeting, she does so in a way that each teacher heard, each concern met.
- Don’t let things fester. Ann has mastered that rare skill of talking with tact, care, and directness. Ann is not one for letting things stew, and she will always get at the heart of the matter when the need arises.
- Everything will be all right. Part Yankee practicality, part inner resourcefulness, Ann’s philosophy is that there’s little use bellyaching, and the best thing to do in times of trouble is to pick your head up and carry on.
Ann’s voice leads us toward better lives. And therefore in her honor we have created an award for the students of Barnesville, so that her voice will continue to be heard. This award shall be known as the “Kupferberg Cup”.
The Kupferberg Cup is an award that will be given to the 4th grade student or students who best personify The Barnesville Way. This will be given in honor each year to celebrate her 26 years of dedication to Barnesville. Her love of learning and passion for education helped to shape Barnesville’s Lower School, and we give this award to celebrate her life and work.
This award will be given to a rising 5th grader enrolled in Barnesville for the past three or more years, and the recipient will be chosen by the Lower School faculty. The criteria for this selection are as follows:
- Adherence to our character words: kindness, service, perseverance, respect, initiative, courage, cooperation, responsibility, and honesty
- Good academic standing
- Potential for leadership in our Middle School
I have invited Ann to give this award at our graduation exercises on June 10th, and I am delighted to announce that she has accepted our invitation.
Ann, for your voice, your wisdom, your leadership, we thank you. You are an inspiration to me and to us all.
John Huber |  |
| What's Happening in the Classroom | | Our Annual Holiday Shop will be taking place next Thursday and Friday, December 9th and 10th. Your child should have brought home a form for you to complete in order for them to properly shop. Please complete the form and send it back to school with them.
Please join us next Friday and Saturday, December 10th and 11th at 7:00 PM in the gym for our middle school winter play entitled “Once Upon a Time . . . or the Truth About Fairy Tales.” It is a play filled with humor and great entertainment. Admission is free! Come and support our students hard work to present this play to our community.
Our middle school chorus will be traveling to Shady Grove Hospital on Monday, December 26th to perform a variety of songs for the hospital community. They have been practicing and are looking forward to a great experience.
Just a reminder that our Middle School Holiday Show is Tuesday, December 14th at 7:00 PM and our Lower School Holiday Show is Thursday, December 16th at 7:00 PM.
~Vickie Roos, Assistant Head of School | |
| Admissions | | Be part of our Referral Campaign!
The Admissions season is in full swing for prospective new families for next school year! Because we know that 90% of our inquiries come to us through "word of mouth", we are pleased to launch this year's Referral Campaign!
As a sincere thanks for promoting Barnesville to your friends and family...
We'd like to give you $1,000!
Give your friends and family a special Referral Card with your name on it and if a student using your card enrolls, you may be eligible to receive $1,000! In addition, the family who applies using your card will receive an application fee waiver saving them the $75.00 application fee. It's a win-win situation for everyone!
Be on the look out next week for your referral card and the terms and conditions of the campaign via kids mail!
Thank you, in advance, for furthering our mission of joy. support. and excellence!
~Susanne Johnson, Director of Admissions
| |
| Communication, Marketing & Special Events | | Thank You
Thank you to the all of the volunteers who have helped organize and coordinate both Grandparents Day last week and last evening's Retirement Reception for Ann Kupferberg. Without amazing parents like you, these memorable events couldn't be possible. We are extremely grateful.
Gift Cards
We're collecting gift cards! While you are out getting stocking stuffers and such, please consider picking up an extra gift card or two to donate for the school raffle. We need lots of small gift cards ($5, $10, $15, $20 denominations) for places you and your families like to go (think ice cream, book stores, movie theaters, pizza, coffee, toys, etc.). Your donations are tax deductible and help the school! You can deliver donations to my office -- be sure to fill out a donation form!
The next planning meeting is Wednesday, December 8th immediately following morning drop-off. Join us in the Media Center and help us brainstorm about the Gala & Family Fun Night donations!
~Nicole Campbell, Director of Communications and Marketing | |
| Business Office | |
What Is The Stock Market?
All the Basics
The word stock simply refers to a supply. For example, you may have a stock of shoes in your closet, or a stock of pens in your desk. Well, in the financial market, stock refers to a supply of money that a company has raised. This supply comes from people who have given the company money in the hope that that company will make their money grow.
A market is a public place where things are bought and sold. So, the term “stock market” (when you put it all together), refers to the business of buying and selling stock. Although it may be a little confusing, since people use the term “Wall Street”, the stock market is not a specific place. In fact, it’s really the main street in New York City’s financial district.
Why do Companies Issue Stock?
If a company wants to grow---maybe build more locations or factories, hire more people, or to create new products- it needs money, right? Of course, it could get a loan from a bank, but then it would owe money. So, by issuing stock, a company can raise money without going into debt.
Why do People Buy It?
Owning stock in a company means owning a piece of that company. Each piece is called a share, even if you only own just 1% of the company; you’re now a stockholder or shareholder.
When you buy a stock, you’re hoping that the company will earn money as it grows. Likewise, if a company earns money that means as a stockholder you share the profits.
Bear and Bulls
Did you know that bears are cautious animals who don’t like to move fast? Well, it’s true. And bulls are bold animals who might charge right ahead with no hesitation. An investor is said to be “bearish” if he believes the stock market will go down. A “bearish” investor will buy stocks cautiously, whereas, a “bullish” investor believes the market will go up. He will charge ahead and invest his money into the market. An investor can be bearish or bullish about a specific kind of stock.
Likewise, the term “bear market” describes a time when stock prices have been falling as a whole. A “bull market” is a period when stock prices are going up.
Now that you know a little more about the stock market, you won’t have to skip that page in the newspaper that has the funny numbers and tiny company names.
Until Next Time...
~Lise Robinson, Business Manager | |
|   |
| | Upcoming Events | |
|
12/3 |
Spirit Day: Wear Your Barnesville Shirt! |
|
|
12/3 |
Timely Topics Event |
9:00 AM |
|
12/4 |
ISEE Exam |
8:30 AM |
|
12/6 |
Girls Basketball vs. New Life |
4:00 PM |
|
12/6 |
Boys Basketball vs. New Life |
5:00 PM |
|
12/9-12/10 |
Winter Play |
7:00 PM | | |
| From the BPC | | Timely Topics
TOMORROW! Join us in the Media Center at 8:30 AM for a just-in-time-for-the-holidays workshop on Limit- Setting During the Holiday Season! Learn strategies to help avoid over-indulgence, how to use wish lists to help kids winnow down wants, and preplanning with the family on expectations during the holiday season. Don't miss this two hour workshop with a experienced parent educator from The Parent Encouragement Program.
Holiday Shop Help Needed
The BPC is looking for shoppers for next year's Holiday Shop. If you have free time after Christmas and would enjoy shopping for discounted holiday goods for use in next year's Holiday Shop please contact Lynn Brown by December 15 at Lynnday01@aol.com.
Volunteers are greatly needed to help next week, 12/7- 12/10 in the Holiday Shop. Please take a moment to fill out and return the volunteer form that came home this week and return it as soon as possible. You can also contact Jen Hegarty if you are willing to help out at jandjhegarty@yahoo.com.Winter Wearables Drive
Starting immediately running through Friday, December 17th, 2010, the BPC will be collecting gently used, clean COATS in all sizes, clean snow suits, bibs, boots, hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves. Please look for the large drop-off bin available during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
All donations will be distributed to Coat and Toy - a Damascus based organization that distributes these items to upcounty families in need. | |
| Lower School Holiday Show | |
 We are looking forward to holding our annual Lower School Holiday Show on Dec. 16, at 7:30 pm. This is an oportunity for all Lower School students to perform in a traditional, formal concert setting. Therefore, Mrs. Taylor kindly asks that parents and friends in the audience observe the following requests:- There is to be no seating on the floor directly in front of the stage. (That's the "conductor's space"!) Siblings and other related children should sit in the chairs with their families.
- If you feel you must video-tape, please be discreet about it. Please don't put the cameras right in front of the children, or "in their faces-" it tends to encourage inappropriate behaviors.
The children should arrive at school the evening of the performance between 7:00 and 7:10 pm. They should report immediately to their classrooms to be with their teachers. Festive clothing is appropriate-the attire needn't be overly dressy, though. The children should be comfortable, and look nice and neat-no T-shirts or jeans!
Parents, when you bring your children to their classrooms between 7:00 and 7:10 pm, please take their coats with you to the gym. All Lower School children will be dismissed after the show from the gym!
We look forward to seeing you!! | |
| From the Library | | A big thank you to the wonderful and supportive library volunteers and everyone involved in Grandparents' Day. This wonderful event provides additional funds for the library that benefit the students and are appreciate so very much.
~Cindy Barr, Librarian | |
| A Note From Mrs. Nave | | Out of Office
As my husband is having surgery on December 13th, I will not be on campus most of the week before winter break. I have some wonderful volunteers covering my office while I am gone. If you have any changes in your child’s plans for the day or he/she is home sick, please call the school or send in a note.
Visitor Pass Cards
Please return any visitor pass cards that you have accidentally taken home.
Tooth box report- just for fun!
We had no teeth for the tooth fairy the last two weeks. | |
|
|