| | | In this column:
From the Head of School * Annual Fund Update * Gala & Family Fun Night 2012 Themes Unveiled * More Loaner Nooks Available |  |
| From the Head of School | |
The end of November is approaching! We’re looking forward to hosting another record number of Grandparents and Grandfriends this coming Wednesday the 23rd, and I do hope that everyone can take part in this gathering once again. And then the next day is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of all. I think I like it best because it gives families an opportunity to come together, break bread, and give thanks for blessings.
I’d like to use this space to give thanks for Barnesville’s outstanding faculty and staff. We have a truly dedicated cadre of professionals who devote countless hours toward providing the best possible environment for our students. You put enormous faith and trust in us to educate your children, and we do not take this charge lightly. Our teachers, administrators, and staff members make up a reflective group that is willing to discuss openly philosophies of education as well as consider opportunities for personal growth. I have not seen many institutions in which individuals are so able to reflect upon their skills and work toward continual improvement.
As one example of our community’s professionalism, I wanted to share with you how many of our educators took an active role in the AIMS Annual Conference at the end of October. More than 2,000 teachers and administrators attend this conference every year, and Barnesville was very well represented in the leadership of this conference. The following list of individuals all held a key role: Mykel Hitselberger (Lower School Math representative, planning committee); Lynda Forman, Julie Smith, and Linda Birkholz (session presiders); and Ceil Dyke and Ann Pause (poster presenters).
I give thanks to these individuals, and for all our teachers and staff members, for their continuing hard work and professionalism.
Have a most joyful Thanksgiving,
John | |
| Annual Fund Update | | Georganna Glen, Director of Advancement
Each day, I am impressed with the number of children who excitedly run into school at the beginning of each morning. They are happy to see their friends, expressing anticipation over sharing their latest completed project with their classmates or huddling in groups discussing what’s to come in the day’s class.
Behind our students’ enthusiasm, I know, can be found a faculty and/or staff person that makes each child’s day special. Is it the person that assists your sons and daughters at drop-off? Could it be the educators of our specials classes that your child is most looking forward to seeing? Or, is it the classroom teacher who brings the love of learning to life for your Barnesville student? Whoever it may be, it is clear that the people of Barnesville School make a significant difference in your daughter's or son’s life.
Today, I ask you to think of that one faculty or staff person at Barnesville that has the greatest impact on your child. Then, consider that your Annual Fund donation is used in large part toward that faculty or staff person’s salary and benefits. If you have yet to participate, won’t you do so today?
For those who have made a pledge or gift, we extend our heartfelt thanks! Together, we have raised $178,220 and 57 percent of our current parents have participated. Only $46,780 remains to achieve the $225,000 goal!
GO BARNESVILLE! | |
| Gala & Family Fun Night 2012 Themes Unveiled | | Barnesville is headed to Louisiana for the 2012 Gala and Family Fun Night (FFN) events! Barnesville at the Bayou (FFN) is February 24, 2012 (snow date, March 2) and A Night in New Orleans (Gala  & Auction) is April 28, 2012. The themes were officially unveiled at the 2012 Gala Kick-Off meeting, Nov. 17, and planning is underway for these two exciting events.
Gift Card Drive
Help the Gala Team collect gift cards for Family Fun Night. Donate gift cards in dominations of $5 or more for the gift-card raffle during FFN. Each gift card is placed inside a sealed, unmarked envelope and displayed on a board. Each student trades in five raffle tickets for a chance to choose an envelope and discover the surprise inside.
Send gift cards to the attention of Georganna Glen, Director of Advancement. Please include your name so we can send you a corresponding tax-deduction receipt.
So, add a gift card for Barnesville to your holiday shopping list! Happy shopping and thanks!
Get Involved
Many opportunities, big and small, are available for you to lend a hand in the events. Contact Kristen Carter or join us at the next planning meeting, Thursday, Dec. 1 after morning drop-off, to offer your skills to make Barnesville's New Orleans "trip" both fun and successful. | |
| More Loaner Nooks Available | | Jim Snider, Technology Director
The library now has six Barnes & Noble Nook readers available on loan to students. Each Nook holds the following Black Eyed Susan books:
Cosmic (Frank Cottrell Boyce)
Out of My Mind (Sharon Draper)
The Smoky Corridor (Chris Grabenstein)
Closed for the Season (Mary Downing Hahn)
Trash (Andy Mulligan)
Half Brother (Kenneth Oppel)
Bystander (James Preller)
One Crazy Summer (Rita Williams-Garcia)
Each Nook may be checked out for a period of three weeks and students may create bookmarks, highlight text, and create notes for any/all books. The Nook readers not only make reading fun again, they make keeping track of multiple books easier. These readers, and similar devices, can become useful tools for students in grades 4-8 and may offer increased opportunities to just grab a book and read anywhere. | |
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| | | | In this column:
Important Dates * Alex Collins Needs You! * The Black Student Fund Fair * Grandparents' Day * Make-up/Retake Pictures * Admissions VIP Coffee * Notes From Mrs. Nave... | |
| Important Dates | | November
18: Eighth Grade Exams; After School Activities Session I Ends
21: Eighth Grade Exams
23: Grandparents Day; Noon Dismissal
24-25: Thanksgiving Holiday
28: No School for Students
30: Picture Make-Up Day
December
1: Admissions VIP Coffee, 8:15 am; Gala Planning Meeting, after AM drop-off | |
| Alex Collins Needs You! | | Eagle Scout Alex Collins '09 is seeking volunteers to help him construct the outdoor classroom walkway this Saturday, Nov. 19 from 12:30 - 5 pm. If you can help all or part of the time, come on out. Thanks for your support. | |
| The Black Student Fund Fair | | Susanne Johnson, Admissions Director
The Barnesville School will be represented at the 39th Annual Black Student Fund School Fair! This Sunday, Nov. 20 from 2 to 5 pm we will join more than 60 schools from the D.C. Metropolitan Area and beyond to educate families about Independent Schools. This year the fair is in collaboration with the Latino Student Fund.
Please tell your friends and neighbors to stop by our booth on Sunday at the Washington Convention Center! | |
| Grandparents' Day | | Grandparents' Day is Wednesday, Nov. 23. Please make sure your children's invited guests respond and let us know they are attending. They can return the enclosed post card or send an email to rsvp@barnesvilleschool.org. The program begins at 8 am and goes until Noon, when all students are dismissed for the Thanksgiving Holiday. | |
| Admissions VIP Coffee | | Susanne Johnson, Admissions Director
Calling all siblings! Is your youngest finally turning 3? The Admissions office is holding a VIP coffee for current and alumni families who are interested in submitting an application for next year. We will walk you through the admissions process and answer all your questions. All attendees will receive a voucher waiving the $75.00 application fee!
Please mark your calendar for Dec. 1 at 8:15 am for the Admissions VIP coffee!
New families... please note that you do not need to reapply each year. Re-enrollment contracts come out at the end of January 2012.
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| Notes From Mrs. Nave... | | Oh, I forgot my Lunch! Now available from my office... lunch!
Along with the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, my office is now offering cheese sandwiches and yogurt for students that have forgotten their lunches. Thanks to a wonderful mom for adding the American cheese and GoGurt to my menu.
Tooth Box Report – Just for Fun!
On Nov. 8, Julia Terrell came into my office with a very loose tooth. We filled one tooth box with the tooth that I pulled from Julia’s mouth. Several others students have loose teeth but the teeth are not ready to come out for a tooth box.
Lands' End - School Code is 900039249
Please find an attached note from Lands' End about ordering items with the Barnesville School logo on them. | |
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