Monday Morning Memo

We hope that you enjoyed a lovely Easter weekend!

Christine Cowan, one of our fourth grade teachers, has decided to resign her position at the end of this school year.  Mrs. Cowan is looking for more work/life balance while her children are so young and will be seeking a part-time position for the near future.  We hate to lose her but do understand her priorities.

Johanna Russell has been selected for the part-time ECC Physical Education position.  Ms Russell has a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  She brings experience in teaching, and not just PE, from preschool through high school.  Mrs. Shurtleff will be teaching our first through fourth grade students next year and Mr. Kurt will continue his work with fifth through eighth graders.

Our In Harmony choir will perform at Crown Center and Bishop Spencer Place this afternoon!  They will demonstrate their enthusiasm for and talent in singing and will represent our school well.  Mrs. Everly is their teacher and Ms. Meli assists.

Parents of kindergarten students are invited to preview first grade on Tuesday morning, April 22 or Wednesday, April 23 from 9:00 – 10:00.  First grade students will be engaged in their regular morning work which we invite you to observe.  Teachers will not be able to converse with parents, because of their teaching responsibilities, but Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Abio will be available outside the classrooms to answer any questions you might have.  We recognize that the transition into a new division is not only a change for students but for our families too. As always, parents are also welcome to join us for chapel in the first floor commons that morning.

Tomorrow Night! Tuesday, April 22nd - Technology and Your Child for parents with students in ECC-3rd grade at  6:30pm.   Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert will address the challenges of parenting in the online space.  They will describe sites commonly used by our children, discuss health consequences that arise from unrestricted or unmonitored internet use and finally, suggest practical ways to guide and monitor your child's online life. (There will be another session for parents with students in 4th-8th grade on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30pm.)

Parents of second grade students are invited to preview third grade on Wednesday, April 23 from 9:30 – 10:30.  Mrs. Jones will be in the commons area to answer any questions you might have.

World Culture Night, an evening of fun, facts, and food from around the world that is created and presented by our eighth graders, is this Thursday evening, April 24, from 4:30 – 6:00.  The students dress in costumes and prepare food representative of the country they have selected.  Be sure to ask them facts about their country, if you come to share the experience.  Our third floor classrooms and commons area are transformed for this international experience.  Mr. Stewart is their teacher.

The Fourth Grade Showcase is also this Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the north wing multipurpose room.  The students have worked hard to bring a program of music to their parents and guests that will be a fun, memorable experience.  Mrs. Everly will be directing the students.

Chapel services will be a little different this week in order to celebrate Easter Eucharist with our 3^rd through 8^th grade students.

·        Thursday, April 24^th – Toddler through second grade has a special chapel in the church sanctuary

·        Friday, April 25^th – Eucharist Chapel for 3^rd – 8^th grade students

·        Feed The Need – Friday, April 25^th – This is an opportunity for students to bring items for our food pantry.  Our younger students are welcome to bring their contributions on either Thursday or Friday.  Thank you for your support!

Community Learning Center Events are coming!  Please Join Us!

Monday, April 28^th - Sun Safety and Healthy Nutrition 4:30pm

Learn helpful information about how we can protect our children from the damaging effects of the sun and still be able to enjoy outdoor activities. AND Learn nutrition information and resources to help our students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Head into summer armed with information and solutions for keeping ourselves and our children healthy and safe. 

Protective and attractive hats with the St. Paul’s logo will be on display for purchase.

RSVP with Linda van Thullenar at Lvan@speds.org.   Childcare available $15.

Did You Know?

• Up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.

• There is NO safe tan.  A tan is the skin’s response to injury caused by UV exposure.

• Skin Cancer accounts for approximately one half of all cancers in the US.

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. 

• Your risk of melanoma is greater if you have fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes

• Your risk of melanoma more than doubles after 5 sunburns in childhood.

• Many kids aren't hungry for breakfast because they snack at night

• Kids mimic their parent's behavior, so make it a habit to sit down and eat breakfast with your kids every morning.

• Want your family to have healthy hearts? Start with the family dinner table. Not only do most adults consume too much sodium, most kids do as well.

• When parents fail to plan weekly meals, it increases stress at the dinner time hour and inadvertently decreases variety.

• If the kitchen is open all day and night, your child will not understand that eating happens on a structure, with intervals between meals and snacks for other activities. Children learn to graze, overeat and lose the sense of appetite regulation.

• Having moderate exposure to sweets, for example, in the home allows your child to balance them in the real world. Don't make foods "off limits," rather have them as special treats for special occasions or manage them in a way that creates moderate exposure.

Dr. Amy Nopper and Dr. Margo Humenczuk are looking forward to sharing their knowledge with us on these important topics!

Congratulations to our eighth grade students who have been recognized with scholarship opportunities at the schools to which they were accepted!

Zachary T received an Ignatian Scholarship to Rockhurst High School for his 98 percentile score on the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Will P was also recognized by RHS for scoring a 99 percentile on the HSPT, but he has decided to attend Pembroke Hill.

St. Teresa’s Academy Alumnae Scholarship, awarded to students scoring in the 95-98 percentile on the HSPT, was give to:  Natalie K and Caroline S.        

Pembroke Hill awarded the following scholarships: 

Ella L: Raymond B. White Scholarship

Caroline S: Raymond B. White Scholarship

Will P: Headmaster's Scholarship

Roy W: Headmaster's Scholarship

The RB White Scholarships are awarded each year to two, new, incoming ninth grade students who achieved high scores on the admissions test, have exemplary academic records and have received excellent recommendations from their current teachers. These scholarships are renewable through graduation.  Our students received both of these awards!

The Headmaster's Scholarships are awarded to new students entering grades six through nine. These scholarships are awarded based on high levels of achievement on the admissions tests, strong academic records and excellent teacher recommendations. Some are renewable; others are for one year only.

REMINDER:  No lunches will be served on Friday, May 2^nd, as the cafeteria will be used for our final 50^th Anniversary Celebration – The Pillars of St. Paul’s Luncheon. 

Blood Drive:  The Community Blood Center will host a Blood Drive in the St. Paul’s Gym on Friday, May 16^th from noon – 4:30. May 16 is a St. Paul’s Spirit Day—show your giving spirit and register to donate today!   Anyone who registers to donate at our Blood Drive will receive a coupon for a “Buy One, Get One Admission Free” to Schlitterbahn Water Park.    Register for your donation appointment at www.savealifenow.org, enter Sponsor Code: stpauls.

Wedneday Morning Memo -- Special Edition

 

There will be a dedication of the swing set on the upper playing field on Monday, May 6, at 7:45 a.m.  The current fourth grade class has experienced the loss of four of their fathers and the swing set was a gift from the class to honor these dads and their families.  Please join us as we recognize the families and this gift to honor them. 

Mrs. Watt announced to the faculty this morning that she will not be returning to St. Paul’s next year.  She is seeking other opportunities both in and out of the education field to see how she can continue to grow and learn.  She expressed how much she has enjoyed her work with faculty, students and parents here and that this decision was a personal one.  I had some advance notice of this decision so I have asked Lisa Jones, current fifth grade teacher, to assume the role of Interim Lower School Division Head.  An interim fifth grade teacher will be hired with the hope that both Mrs. Jones and the fifth grade teacher will continue in their roles beyond one year, but ensuring that, if Mrs. Jones chooses to return to the classroom, we will have a position for her.

The personnel changes have been announced as they have occurred and so a recap of where we are at this time seems appropriate.

Starting at the top (literally – of the building!):

-          Hunter Ward, who is currently a long-term substitute in fifth grade, will become our Middle School Spanish and Language Arts Teacher

-          Mrs. Jones, who was a candidate for the Lower School Division Head two years ago, and has been a fifth grade teacher here for five years, will assume her new role as Interim Lower School Division Head in June

-          Newsflash:  As of late yesterday afternoon, Liz Thompson has been selected as our third grade lead teacher.  Liz taught here in second and fifth grades for ten years before moving to FL with her husband.  She’s back and we’re glad to have her!

-          Mr. Ronan, a substitute teacher here for three years, musical accompanist, and after- school music teacher, is assuming the role as the second grade associate teacher.

-           Mrs. Waller, an associate in first grade for four years, is becoming the “new” lead teacher. 

-          Jenny Wyllie, a teacher new to us, but fully certified and wholeheartedly supported by our faculty, will be Ms. Fate’s associate teacher.

-          Kindergarten sees the return of Mrs. Wiedeman, a current first grade teacher, as a lead and the move of Mrs. Crady from associate of three years to lead teacher.

In addition to these internal changes (and Ms. Wyllie), we will be adding a new Middle School French teacher, fifth grade lead, pre-kindergarten associate, pre-school associate, and toddler lead teacher.  We recognize that this is a lot of change in one year. However, the balance of internal moves that provide growth and development opportunities for our faculty, along with new hires who bring fresh ideas and perspectives, will enhance and strengthen our school.

Enjoy this warm, nice day before winter returns tomorrow!