HoundsTruth November 2, 2017

Thursday, November 2, 2017

NEWSLETTER

FEATURES

PLEASE COMPLETE CLIMATE SURVEY BY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Last week, parents received this climate study by email. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Stpatricksparentsurvey We encourage all parents to complete the anonymous survey. The feedback you provide here will be carefully reviewed by Day School faculty and administrators as part of the required self-study portion of our reaccreditation process, conducted once a decade through the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools (AIMS).

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PARENT CONVERSATION ON TALKING ABOUT RACE WITH OUR CHILDREN

On the evening of Thursday, October 26, more than 50 parents joined Assistant Head of School for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Erica Thompson and teachers Samantha Fletcher and Jonathan Fichter for a discussion about talking with children about race.

GRADE 4 AMERICAN MUSIC PRESENTATION—TOMORROW—1:30 pm

If you're in the neighborhood, please join us tomorrow at 1:30 pm for the Grade 4 American Music Presentation of American folk music and culture. This delightful performance complements the Grade 4 social studies curriculum that focuses on colonial America. You can enjoy listening to music from student-made mountain dulcimers, bowed psaltery, and hammered dulcimer, with some lucky students participating as members of the "band." Come enjoy a little bit of Americana with our Grade 4 classes and Artist-in-Residence Tom Jolin.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR UPPER SCHOOL VETERANS DAY CHAPEL ON NOVEMBER 8

Upper School Veterans Day Chapel welcomes Day School parent Greg Muhlner.

SPONSOR A TABLE AT GIFTS FOR GOOD

St. Patrick's eleventh annual alternative holiday gift fair will take place on Saturday, December 9, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. Complete this form to sponsor a table with your child(ren) to help raise money for a cause that is important to you, and save the date for this wonderful community event!

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

UPCOMING ADMISSION PARENT PROGRAM: INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING

On Friday, November 17, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, the Admission Office will host an Admission Parent Program on Inquiry-Based Learning. Many current parents have already posted information about this season's admission events on neighborhood listservs. We encourage you to forward information about the event (below) to anyone who might be interested in considering St. Patrick's!

"YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE" FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF THE CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK

The Grades 6 and 8 Community Service Clubs are asking for your help. According to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), in Washington, D.C. and its six surrounding counties, more than "540,000 residents are at risk of hunger. That's 12% of the region" (CAFB, 2016). Beginning on Monday, November 6, and extending through Monday, November 20, the Grades 6 and 8 Community Service Clubs will be hosting a canned food drive in support of the CAFB. Drop-off boxes will be located in each homeroom classroom and in the reception area of the MacArthur Campus.

GRADE 5 PARENTS: SAVE THE DATE FOR A MacARTHUR CAMPUS ORIENTATION COFFEE

Please join us on Tuesday, December 12, at 8:15 am for a coffee orienting you to the MacArthur Campus experience. The program will include a presentation from a panel of faculty, an administrator, and students; a tour of the facility; and a question-and-answer session. More detailed information will follow in a dedicated email to Grade 5 parents. Parents at other grade levels who are interested in learning about the program should reach out directly to Dan Spector, Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School.

ALL THINGS BOOK FAIR

Please complete your Book Fair Authorization Form today! Volunteers needed! https://www.stpatsdc.org/community/volunteer/book-fair/book-fair-expense-authorization-form

THIS WEEK IN THE LIBRARY - El Día de los Muertos | The Day of the Dead | All Souls Day - October 31 - November 2

Juntos honramos a nuestros antepasados. Together we honor our ancestors. Attend a Day of the Dead event at the Smithsonian Latino Center! http://latino.si.edu/LVM/DayOfTheDead

THANKS FOR AN ALLERGY-SAFE HALLOWEEN

Thank you to all members of the Day School community who helped keep our students safe and allowed children to have a wonderful Halloween. Because of the careful choices made by the students, families, and teachers, we had no allergic reactions on a traditionally risky day. Sincerely, The St. Patrick's Nurses Sincerely, The St. Patrick's Nurses

HALLOWEEN AND SERVICE – "ANOTHER BAG OF CANDY?"

Consistent with St. Patrick's spirit of giving and helping others, we would like to invite our students to give bags of Halloween candy to children and their families at NIH who were not able to go trick-or-treating. Much of our donated candy will go to siblings of sick children staying at The Children's Inn, where people from all over the world reside while their children receive treatment at NIH.

EXTENDED DAY COVERAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL DAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Interested in a field trip for your child during the Professional Day on November 27? Let us know.

AFTER-SCHOOL KNITTING HAS SPOTS AVAILABLE

Is your child interested in learning how to knit and purl?

NEWS BY DIVISION

NURSERY SCHOOL NEWS

MAESA Conference – Nursery School Closed. Parent-Teacher Conferences. Book Fair. Make-Up Day for School Pictures.

UPCOMING NURSERY SCHOOL DATES TO NOTE: NOVEMBER

Friday, November 3 – MAESA Conference for Teachers - No School for Students Friday, November 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences for Nursery School - NURSERY SCHOOL CLOSED Sunday, November 12 - Fall Book Fair Begins Tuesday, November 21 - Thanksgiving Holiday Begins Monday, November 27 – Professional Day – No School for Students Tuesday, November 28 – Return to School

KINDERGARTEN PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES ON NOVEMBER 10

Parent-Teacher Conferences for Kindergarten will be held on Friday, November 10. School will be closed for Kindergarten students but will remain open for students in Grades 1 to 8. During conferences, Extended Day will be open for contracted students until 6:00 pm. Drop-in childcare coverage will be available all day Friday for children while their parents are attending conferences.

WOLFHOUND WATCH

WOLFHOUNDS ENJOY SUCCESSFUL FALL SEASON

The Wolfhounds have a successful fall sports season, securing banners, titles, and seven individual soccer all-star selections. Congratulations, one and all!

PARENTS ASSOCIATION AND COMMUNITY NEWS

RSVP FOR THE AUCTION KICKOFF AND WINE PARTY ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Don't forget to RSVP to the Auction Kickoff and Wine Party on Thursday, November 16.

VOLUNTEERING FOR GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS VISITING DAY ON NOVEMBER 21

Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day is coming soon! We still have volunteer slots open in the Kindergarten to Grade 5 classrooms and at the registration tables. Please sign up online (https://www.stpatsdc.org/community/volunteer/grandparents-and-special-friends-visiting-day/grandparents-and-special-friends-visiting-day-volunteer-signup) or contact Chris Bolger at bolgerc@stpatsdc.org if you would like to volunteer.

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE OR GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND TODAY!

We are so grateful for the St. Patrick's community's generosity over the years. Please help us reach our goals this year.

THREE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT ST. PATRICK'S YOU'RE SURE TO LIKE!

Earn money for our school when you buy any of three exciting new offerings! Our committed parent body has always been an integral part of making St. Patrick's such an extraordinary school for our children. We thank you for your support. Please use our links when shopping for labels, art books, and clothing. If you have any questions, please contact Whitney Rosenthal at rosenthalws@gmail.com, Parents Association Assistant Treasurer.

PRE-ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY HOUND SHIRT NOW!

Get in the holiday spirit the Wolfhound way! Pre-order your Holiday Hound tee-shirt here by tomorrow, Friday, November 3. They'll be delivered to your child's bag by Friday, December 1. https://www.stpatsdc.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=115

MAKE-UP DAY FOR SCHOOL PICTURES

Wednesday, November 15, is make-up day for school pictures. If your child was absent when school pictures were taken in October, s/he can have a picture taken that day. Contact Elizabeth Owens if you want your child photographed. If you would like to help with this session, please contact Elizabeth at owense@stpatsdc.org.

STORY TIME!

Family Story Time on Fridays from 10:15 to 10:45 am.

A SPECIAL SCREENING ABOUT ANXIETY

A special free screening of Angst: Raising Awareness around Anxiety and a post-screening discussion led by Catherine McCarthy, MD, will be held on Thursday, November 9, at 6:30 pm at : ALEXANDRIA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 2400 Russell Road Alexandria, VA 22301

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CALENDAR

SUMMER COSTA RICA TRIP OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT, NOVEMBER 2, 6:30 pm

Reminder about the Open House tonight to discuss the eco-tour trip this summer. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out if this trip is right for your son/daughter.