Thursday, November 16, 2017
NEWSLETTER
FEATURES
PROFESSIONAL DAY, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27 – NO SCHOOL
We'll extend the Thanksgiving holiday one more day while faculty and staff further their work on a Professional Day.
VERACROSS PARENT PORTAL ON ITS WAY
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We are migrating to a new school database system called Veracross and will phase out MyBackPack and its related database Senior Systems over the coming weeks and months. This migration will give parents easier and more streamlined access to school information. We will roll out Veracross in phases to minimize disruption. Here's what you need to know:
THE WRITING & LEARNING CENTER: SUPPORTING CHILDREN THROUGH ANXIETY AND STRESS WITH DR. BONNIE ZUCKER
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The October 11 issue of the New York Times Magazine included the article "Why Are More American Teens Than Ever Suffering From Anxiety?" While highlighting one young person in particular, the article explores sources of and approaches to addressing anxiety in young people. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/magazine/why-are-more-american-teenagers-than-ever-suffering-from-severe-anxiety.html?_r=0
STUDENT PLANNING IS WELL UNDERWAY FOR GIFTS FOR GOOD
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Grade 5 students presented their grant proposals for the Gifts for Good alternative gift fair to members of the Gifts for Good Planning Committee and the Parents Association Tuesday. Students seek $25 grants from the PA to buy materials to create token gifts and supplies to create table displays for the fair on Saturday, December 9, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm in the Gymnasium and Performance Center. Each year at Gifts for Good, attendees make donations to a variety of organizations in exchange for token gifts that can be given to family and friends in place of more traditional consumer products. With PA funds to offset expenses, proceeds from each Gifts for Good table can go to supporting the organizations researched by students. This year's fair will support a variety of local, domestic, and international organizations such as No Kid Hungry, United for Puerto Rico, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Horizons Greater Washington, along with our annual support of St. Etienne, our partner school in Haiti.
VETERANS DAY CHAPEL
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Last week's Upper School Veterans Day Chapel speaker, Greg Muhlner (Zoe 6A and Eve 2B), gave an inspiring talk about service, discussing three central values of the Navy SEALS with whom he served: Teamwork, humility, and perseverance. After his talk, service members who are also Day School parents stood on the altar with their families, in St. Patrick's tradition. Click Read More to see the text of the speech.
THOUGHTS OF THANKSGIVING FROM SUZANNE BURROWS
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At this time of Thanksgiving, new Assistant Head of School for Development Suzanne Burrows thanks the St. Patrick's community for the warm welcome.
HELP ST. PATRICK'S MEET OUR $33,000 MATCH ON GIVING TUESDAY!
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The Day School will celebrate #GivingTuesday's sixth year as a global day of giving and philanthropy on November 28. A generous current St. Patrick's family has offered to match #GivingTuesday gifts up to $33,000 to support the Annual Fund, directly benefiting our students and faculty! Last year, more than $100,000 was raised on Giving Tuesday for the Day School thanks to the generosity of our community. Nationally, 40,000 nonprofits harnessed the power of collective giving to raise more than $168 million, bringing people together around the values of service and giving back on that day. We encourage you to celebrate #GivingTuesday 2017 on November 28 and help St. Patrick's earn this generous matching gift! Ready to give or pledge now and help build the momentum for #GivingTuesday? Visit our secure online giving form at www.stpatsdc.org
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE PBSA
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The 16th Annual Parents of Black Students Association (PBSA) Holiday Potluck will be held on Monday, December 11, at 5:30 pm in the Gymnasium and Performance Center. This event is open to the entire St. Patrick's community. Come celebrate family and community with us. Enjoy great food, conversation, and some fun surprises.
GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS VISITING DAY ON NOVEMBER 21
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Students are getting excited about upcoming Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day on Tuesday, November 21.
THIS WEEK IN THE LIBRARY - Gratitude - November 13-24
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"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy This Giving Tuesday, give your time and voices to projects you care about!
FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20
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At this time of thanksgiving, please think of those less fortunate by supporting the Grades 6 and 8 Community Service Clubs food drive for the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB). Food donations will take place through Monday, November 20.
NEWS BY DIVISION
WOLFHOUND WATCH
DEVELOPMENTAL SPORTS OPPORTUNITY: SOCCER
Is your Grades 3 to 6 son/daughter interested in learning about and playing soccer? This winter, as part of our athletics program, we will host Thursday Developmental Soccer.
PARENTS ASSOCIATION AND COMMUNITY NEWS
HOLIDAY ONLINE AUCTION OPENS DECEMBER 1
Mark your calendar for Friday, December 1, to kick off your holiday shopping with our Holiday Online Auction in support of the Financial Aid Program.
COFFEE & CONVERSATION ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
Please join your fellow parents for a hot cup of specialty coffee and some great conversation in the Great Hall on Friday, December 1, at 8:15 am. This is the third in a monthly series offered by St. Patrick's to give parents an opportunity to connect and converse. Questions? Please email Elizabeth Owens or call 202-342-7007.
THANK YOU FOR A SUPER BOOK FAIR!
Thank you to our entire community for supporting the 2017 Book Fair. And special thanks to our Chairs, Kate Meek and Heather Ricks, and our many parent volunteers. It was a huge success!
THE BOWEN CENTER LECTURES – ADOLESCENCE
Thursday, December 7, at 7:30 pm - Navigating the Waters of Adolescence – Moving from Surviving to Thriving in the Education Experience. Please join Amie Post as she speaks on the challenges of adolescence.
. SECOND LOOK
RSVP FOR THE AUCTION KICKOFF AND WINE PARTY ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16
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Please join our entire community for the annual Auction Kickoff and Wine Party held tonight—Thursday, November 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm—at the home of Bridget and Greg Nikodem.
SAVE THE DATE: EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS SUNDAY AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19
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Join us Sunday, November 19, at 10:30 am for Episcopal Schools Sunday. The themes this year are "All Are Welcome" and "Be Transformed, Through the Renewing of Your Minds."
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.
BOOK DRIVE: SHARE THE JOY OF READING
BOOK DRIVE: SHARE THE JOY OF READING Help your child's old favorite books find a new home! Donate new or gently-used children's books for the benefit of various organizations, including Reading Partners, the Bishop Walker School for Boys, and Bridges Public Charter School. A collection bin will be available in the gymnasium during Gifts for Good (Saturday, December 9) and in the main Day School entrance until December 20. Want to donate after December 20? Contact Ann Rakestraw (ann.h.rakestraw@verizon.com) to arrange a pick up. Thank you!
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HEALTH OFFICE NOTICE
'Tis the season to be healthy: Please let the Health Office know by emailing nurses@stpatsdc.org or calling 202-342-2820 if you have a child out with an illness that may have been contagious or that requires medication to be administered during school hours. This information helps us monitor cases of contagious illnesses so that we are able to alert parents when clusters occur. Happy Holidays from the Health Office!
LOST & FOUND WILL BE DONATED AT THE END OF THE MONTH
Before we break for the Thanksgiving holiday, please have your children check the Lost & Found for any missing items. Please note that when we return from break, all unclaimed items will be packed up for donation.
LUNCH MENUS
GO WOLFHOUNDS!
CALENDAR
November - 2017
December - 2017
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW • Washington, DC 20007-1598 • 202-342-2805