March 30, 2011

Wrap from the Trips:

First, amidst all of the trip excitement, please join us in congratulating math teacher Blair Livingston who became Blair Lucas over the weekend. She and her new husband, Michael, were married here in Houston on Saturday, March 26th

So, while Ms. Livingston prepared for her nuptials, the trips last week seem to have been a great success. The reports from the 8th grade trip to DC were that the kids had a great time. From touring the White House to spending an afternoon and evening on the National Mall to dinner in Union Station, the trip was all that was promised. Isabel Graubart’s design was chosen for the trip t-shirt and her acceptance speech included the statement that this will be the event that seals the deal for her entrance into college. So, the long wait on the tarmac leaving Reagan National could not squelch the feeling that our students gained an understanding of what the Democratic process is all about and the power of our nation’s capital. One student revealed such a perspective at Arlington National Cemetery that it brought Mr. Stern to tears.

The bus pulled in to New Orleans under crystal blue skies. With such beautiful weather setting the tone, students enthusiastically visited such local hot spots as The New Orleans Museum of Art in the largest city park in the country, The French Quarter including Café Du Monde, the outstanding Holocaust Memorial set against a backdrop of the Mississippi River, and the always thought-provoking WWII Museum. On the final day, under more perfect weather, students saw countless alligators under the ever-hanging Spanish Moss as they toured the swamps of Lafitte. It was the perfect ending to an outstanding trip where students learned a little history, made some prints, and really felt the flavor of this classic American city.

Warm and sunny was the outlook as the buses carrying our 6th graders rolled into Galveston. It seemed that the trip met the expectations of students and teachers alike! When I asked a teacher on Monday morning about the best parts of the trip, she answered, “the whole thing.” I got the same feeling from the kids as I wandered the halls. The time at the beach, the tours and the time spent with friends seemed to make for an outstanding first trip for the 6th graders.

We are so grateful to be able to spend these trips with such great kids. We say it a lot, but it is worth mentioning again how wonderful your children are. We love spending time on and off campus with them as they are so interesting, personable, and engaging.

Thanks again and have a great week!

Athletic Events this week:
• Monday –
Girls MS Softball v. Holy Spirit – 4:30pm

• Tuesday –
Boys MS Baseball v. Grace Pres. – 4pm
Co-Ed Track @Northland Christian – Time TBA

• Thursday –
CANCELED - MS Baseball @ John Cooper– 4:30pm

Happy Birthday to the following students who are celebrating birthdays this week:
• Apologies to Harrison Rosenthal who celebrated a birthday on March 17th
• Brandon Miller – March 30th
• Bethany Yeh – April 1st

Mazel Tov to the Megan Rahlfs who is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday.

Kallah and Advisory:
• Monday –
Trips’ Wrap-up Kallah

• Tuesday
6th – study hall
7th – advisory
8th - advisory

• Wednesday
Clubs

• Thursday
Kallah - EWS Trip Final Four

• Friday
Kallah – Concert – MS Music Students

Calendar Events:
• 8th Grade Tikkun Olam – MOVED to April 6th
• 4th interim grades – should be emailed home by April 4th
• April 6th – 12:30 dismissal

Looking Ahead:
• Passover Break – April 18-26