Katrina Aid

Reports of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina fill the internet, newspapers, radio, and t.v. In response to the thousands of homeless victims of the Gulf area, we will be doing our part to join nationwide efforts to raise funds for the American Red Cross. The faculty and I have yet to determine the method in which we will be collecting funds, but already one class is underway in their efforts.

One of the multiage 1-2 students, Rachel Bowler, came to school last week with a ziplock bag containing some coins from her weekly allowance to begin a relief fund. This week she came into Ms. LeBlanc’s classroom with a large jar she decorated herself, so the students in Rachel’s class have begun their coin collection. As soon as the teachers have discussed fundraising efforts with their respective classes, they will get the information to you. In the meantime, the teachers are discussing the tragedy with sensitivity and in ways appropriate to the age groups. We will be thinking of ways that will encourage students’ own thoughtful giving, rather than just asking parents for money. We know that you will be generous with your support. We also suggest that you be judicious with your child’s viewing of daily media coverage. These are very difficult times for so many of our neighbors in the Gulf area, and we understand it will take months, even years, to recover from such a tragedy. What little we can do from our MPI classrooms, we do compassionately and respectfully.

Looking ahead, I would like to know how many parents would be interested in Christmas and/or Spring interim sessions for your child. The one- or two-week sessions might include special classes such as sports, creative movement, art, music, etc., at an additional fee. Classes could be taught by our own faculty or outside specialists. Please complete the enclosed survey and return it by September 23 to our school office.

Chaplain Brown began chapel service in one Fifth Grade class this morning, followed by the Kindergartners. We will continue to provide chapel service in each classroom until we receive our dining room tables, which can be converted into benches, and thus accommodate more students in the dining room. Our chapel service focused on giving thanks for our new school, friends, parents and families, our safety and health, and one another.

Our teachers and students are settling into routines and rhythms of preschool and elementary school. Transitions between classes (to specials’ classes) are improving. At yesterday’s faculty meeting, we began by sharing some highlights of the day from each of our classrooms or in our work. It wasn’t difficult to recall something inspiring, joyful, or humorous that a student said or did. Thank you for your children!

If you go to p5.midpac.edu on the internet, you should be able to read my weekly Thursday letters. In a week or so, all of the teachers will be downloading their weekly class letters, homework assignments, special events, or photos on the class’ website. I’ll keep you posted. We have a really wonderful preschool/elementary website that you can revisit for updated information.

For our children,

Edna L. Hussey

Posted on September 9, 2005 9:24 AM | Permalink