| | | In this column...
From the Head of School * Financial Aid Deadline * Auxiliary Programs * A Night in New Orleans UPDATE |  |
| From the Head of School | | John Huber
Just a few days ago, we bid farewell to our four middle school exchange students from the Leonardo da Vinci School in Lima, Peru. It was a tearful parting (as it always is each year) as we waved goodbye at the airport.
As our students hugged and cried, I reflected on the experience of hosting these past few weeks. For our families, it was an opportunity to serve as ambassadors and show off the greater Washington region. One of our favorite activities was a visit to the National Pinball Museum in Baltimore. Who would have thought that I would need to explain how pinball works to my own children?
But at a deeper level, hosting an exchange student provided a moment to think about all of the routine activities of daily family life. Meals, clothing, rooming, transportation–everything gets considered, with the goal of providing as kind and comfortable a setting as possible. The voice in the host’s head asks: This is the way our family does things, but is it the way your family does? And how do you like it?”
For our students, the experience of hosting is a bridge to a different culture. But it is also the beginning of self-reflection, a consideration of the patterns that make up their own lives. And this is certainly a central goal of our middle school, to raise reflective students who can contemplate what it means to be a good host, a good student, a good citizen.
And so I urge you all to continue this wonderful educational experience, first by agreeing to host a Peruvian student next January, and second by sending your child along when we travel down to Peru in June. For all the gain received in hosting, it is multiplied tenfold when your child stays with a family in a foreign country. After all, we are most receptive to learning when we are completely immersed in the experience.
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| Financial Aid Deadline February 15, 2012 | | Each year the Barnesville School budgets a percentage of its operating budget for tuition assistance. It seeks to provide financial assistance for mission-appropriate students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Financial aid (FA) provides assistance for those who could not otherwise afford to attend Barnesville. Aid is awarded solely on the basis of demonstrated and documented financial need. Therefore it is not guaranteed that all applicants will receive aid. The Financial Aid Committee will convene to review applications and consider recommendations of need from School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS).
Completed documents must be submitted or postmarked by February 15, 2012. Financial aid applications submitted or completed after the February 15, 2012 due date will be considered only as funds remain available.
Please contact Susanne Johnson if you have any questions about the Financial Aid process. | |
| Auxiliary Programs | | Lynda Forman, Auxiliary Director
Summer Camp!
Summer camp registration is now underway! Many families have already taken advantage of the 15 percent Early Bird discount and sdecured their spots. Each week, I will highlight some of our camps.
EC's-2nd grade: It's a Jungle Out There! - Campers will spend the week exploring the creatures that live in the jungle. Features jungle stories, games, crafts and even a field trip to the zoo. This camp is offered June 18-22.
Grades 3-5: Pokemon Tournament - Campers will compete against each other in a Round Robin tournament. Each day brings new opponents. We will also learn new strategies and how to make good trades (actual trading will happen only with parental permission). This camp is designed for the Pokemon novice as well as experienced Pokemon masters. This camp is offered June 18-22.
Grades 6-9: Hiking and Biking Adventures - Join Mr. Hart for some outdoor fun! Campers will help plan the week's activities with many options of local trails to explore. Test your endurance or just enjoy a day in the park, it is up to you! This camp is offered June 25-29.
Registration forms are on our website. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!
After School Activities
We are in the final planning stages for the last session of after school enrichment activities. If you have any suggestions for activities we should offer, please let me know. Soccer Shots, Mountain Biking, and Hoola Hooping will returning a bit of an absence. Painting with Mrs. Waldhorn continues. Other new classes are still being planned -- stay tuned! Look for registration forms in March! | |
|  | | Sponsors
A big Thank You to Apex Home Loans, Michael C. Parsons, Chairman and his wife Frances Ybanez-Parsons for being our first French Quarter Gala Sponor. Their generosity is allowing us to provide the much-loved Signature Drink glasses the night of the Gala.
There is still time to sponsor the Gala. We have two sponsorship levels and many catagories of auction needs to support. See the Sponsorship Agreement form for more information or call Georganna Glen, 301. 972.0341 ext. 235.
Barnesville Tuesdays
Every shade of purple was seen on Purple Tuesday and the kids (and faculty) wore it well! Congratulations to Elise Nikitina who won our "Breakfast with Beignets" raffle. We have two more gift cards to give away so next week one of them could be yours!
Tuesday, Feb. 14 is Gold Tuesday. Have your kids wear some gold along with their Valentine's Day red.
Raffle
Don't forget to send in your Raffle Ticket Order forms or order your tickets online. Twenty dollars gets you 20 tickets ($1 per ticket) or $100 buys 140 tickets! We have an amazing array of items for you and your kids to win including Coldstone Creamery for a year, Dunkin' Donuts for a year, an iPad, two different Harry Potter Lover's baskets, a Money Tree and so much more. Check out the banner above to see what is on display at the School. | |
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| | | | In this column...
Important Dates * Looking Ahead to Middle School * Facilities & Transportation * Notes From Mrs. Nave... | |
| Looking Ahead to Middle School | | Just a reminder that next Thursday, Feb. 16 is the Looking Ahead to Middle School meeting for all 3rd and 4th grade parents at 8 am in the Media Center. This gives you the opportunity to understand what is offered in our middle school and ask any questions you may have about the program. | |
| Facilities and Transportation | | Two reminders: If you are just visiting our school or volunteering your services, please remember to sign in just outside of Karol's office. In the event of an emergency where a total head count is required, we need to know that everyone is accounted for. Also, visitor's door swipe cards are programed to operate our four doors on that system between 8 am and 3 pm. | |
| Notes from Mrs. Nave... | |
Just a Reminder
Each morning between 9 and 9:30, I send to the teachers the Attendance Report. This email tells the teachers the students that are absent, tardy, students arriving later, early dismissals and carpool changes. If there are any changes to your child’s schedule for the day, please email me by 9 am so I may include the changes in my Attendance Report email. Thank you for your support.
Tooth Box Report – Just for Fun! (4 boxes since the last Bits)
On Feb. 7 when I was out of the office for the day, one tooth box left my office in the hands of Caroline Butz (2nd). Just in time for my report - Zac Goldstein (4th) lost a tooth on Feb. 8 and came to my office for his tooth box. As I was submitting my report on Feb. 8, Caroline Butz (2nd) came to my office for another tooth box. Hopefully, Caroline will not lose another tooth this week. Oh no! Now Trey Valenta needs a tooth box and it is not 2 pm on the 8th of February.
Land’s End - School Code is 900039249 | |
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