Thursday, November 15, 2018
NEWSLETTER
FEATURES
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A DIFFICULT WEATHER—AND COMMUNICATION—MORNING
We would like to report to you on the conditions surrounding our decision to close school today—Thursday, November 15—following an initial decision to open with a two-hour delay. While any disruption in the school-opening schedule can cause hardship for families and faculty and staff (this is especially true for those who live at a distance), a further change in opening plans later in the morning only results in additional, and particularly unwelcome, complications. However, in light of what appeared to be deteriorating conditions, we did decide to change our original plan.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM TESTED YESTERDAY: WHAT TO DO NEXT
Yesterday, St. Patrick's tested its emergency broadcast system. This system is used primarily to notify you of weather-related delays and closings, but it will also be used for an emergency. This system test verifies the contact information we have for you, and you were notified on ALL devices listed in your contact information in Veracross. Our system is set up to email, text, and call, meaning you should have received an email, telephone call, and/or text message for each entry in your record. If you were satisfied that the calls, emails, and texts reached you at the correct locations, there is nothing for you to do. If you did not receive the information where expected, please log into the Parent Portal and update your information. To see instructions for doing so, click "Read More."
STUDENTS SHARE ST. PATRICK'S WITH GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
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We look forward to welcoming some very special people to our Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day for Kindergarten to Grade 5 on Tuesday, November 20, from 8:00 to 11:00 am.
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, PROFESSIONAL DAY
Shared professional time is not always easy to come by in a busy school day or week, and these days provide time for us to engage in the kind of program planning and professional development you would expect of a school of St. Patrick's caliber. Following the Thanksgiving holiday—on Monday, November 26—faculty and staff will spend a Professional Day working in advance of students' return from Thanksgiving holiday on Tuesday, November 27.
SPECIAL PAC/EXTENDED DAY ACTIVITIES DURING ST. PATRICK'S PROFESSIONAL DAY - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Interested in a field trip for your child during the Professional Day on Monday, November 26? Register now!
MacARTHUR CAMPUS CHAPEL MARKS VETERANS DAY TOMORROW
Parents are invited to attend our second Veterans Day Chapel tomorrow—Friday, November 16—at the MacArthur Campus, when we once again honor members of the armed services and their families.
ALUMNUS PACK JANES DISCUSSES PASSION, SERVICE AT VETERANS DAY CHAPEL
Yesterday—Wednesday, November 14—students in Grades 3 to 5 honored members of the Armed Forces and their families at the annual Veterans Day Chapel. Day School alumnus Pack Janes spoke about service to community, first as a young person teaching soccer in D.C. neighborhoods and later as a Marine Raider in the Marine Corps with two tours in Afghanistan.
HELP ST. PATRICK'S MEET OUR $40,000 MATCH ON GIVING TUESDAY!
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The Day School will celebrate #GivingTuesday's seventh year as a global day of giving and philanthropy on Tuesday, November 27. A generous current St. Patrick's family has offered to match #GivingTuesday gifts up to $40,000 to support the Annual Fund, directly benefiting our students and faculty and staff!
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ALL SCHOOL NEWS
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EPISCOPAL SCHOOLS SUNDAY AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Join us Sunday, November 18, at 10:00 am for Episcopal Schools Sunday, when St. Patrick's Episcopal Church and Day School gather to worship and celebrate the essential work of Episcopal schools, both here at St. Patrick's and around the world. The theme for this year is, "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed."
FOOD DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK ENDS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19
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 19.
WRITING & LEARNING CENTER COFFEE: SUPPORTING CHILDREN THROUGH ANXIETY AND STRESES
Please join us for our third parent coffee of the year, Supporting Children through Anxiety and Stress, led by Dr. Bonnie Zucker, a licensed psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adults. Dr. Zucker utilizes a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approach with her clients and works with parents to help them learn the most appropriate responses to their child's anxiety disorder.
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE PBSA
The 17th Annual Parents of Black Students Association (PBSA) Holiday Potluck will be held on Monday, December 10, at 5:30 pm in the Gymnasium & 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 wonderful surprises.
THE STUDYPRO WORKSHOP COMES TO MacARTHUR CAMPUS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
On Saturday, December 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, teachers from The StudyPro, an executive function and study skills center in McLean, VA, will be on the MacArthur Campus to teach a free Growth Mindset Workshop to students in Grades 4 and 5. The focus of the workshop will be on writing. During this time, students will explore different types of writing, practice ideas to get started when feeling stuck, and learn how to look at editing in a more positive light. If you are interested in having your child attend or hearing more about this opportunity, please email MacArthur Campus Learning Specialist/Writing & Learning Center Director Leah Corradi (corradil@stpatsdc.org).
HEALTH OFFICE NOTICE: PLEASE KEEP NURSES AWARE OF CONTAGIOUS ILLNESSES
'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!
STUDENT PLANNING IS WELL UNDERWAY FOR GIFTS FOR GOOD
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Students in Grades 5 to 8 have been busy researching nonprofit organizations, planning their " take-aways," and creating table displays for the Gifts for Good alternative gift fair to be held on Saturday, December 1, from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm in the Gymnasium & Performance Center.
THIS WEEK IN THE LIBRARY – American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
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"Like our languages, our stories hold the truth, our stories tell us who we are...and I want to share that truth to give context to the past, present and future." - Ryan McMahon (Anishinaabe)
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 19 IN THE LIBRARY – Gratitude
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"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude." ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh This Giving Tuesday, give your time and voices to projects you care about!
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NEWS BY DIVISION
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UPCOMING NURSERY SCHOOL DATES TO NOTE: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Attention, Nursery School parents! Please take note of the following November and December dates. Thanksgiving Holiday. Professional Day. Gifts for Good.
TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR THE ELEVENTH YEAR ADDS UP FOR UNICEF
For the 11th consecutive year, Lower School students, with the help of some of their older and younger siblings, raised money trick-or-treating for UNICEF this past Halloween.
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WOLFHOUND WATCH
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DEVELOPMENTAL SPORTS OPPORTUNITY: SOCCER
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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 be hosting Thursday Developmental Soccer.
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PARENTS ASSOCIATION AND COMMUNITY NEWS
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AUCTION KICKOFF AND WINE PARTY TONIGHT!
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ZZinfandel; Chardonnay - oaky or not; Pinot Noir; Bubbly? Bring your favorite tonight!
HOLIDAY ONLINE AUCTION OPENS TODAY—THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15!
Today kicks off your holiday shopping with our Holiday Online Auction in support of the Financial Aid Program!
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SECOND LOOK
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DIAPER DASH: DIAPER COLLECTION ENDS TOMORROW, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Just one more day to donate diapers to the DC Diaper Bank! For the third consecutive year, Nursery School students will be joining in a service-learning project with Grade 6 students for the DC Diaper Bank. Our students are eager to work together to bundle them in packs of 12 for families in need. Let's help make this the largest collection so far!
STUDENT-MADE GREETING CARDS AVAILABLE AT GIFTS FOR GOOD
Mrs. Simon's "Peacocks, Paisleys, Prints, & More" After-School Club would like to announce that they will be having a super-sale! Seasonal greeting cards, as well as cards for any occasion, will be available on Saturday, December 1, at Gifts For Good.
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COMMON SENSE MEDIA TIPS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPCOMING COMMON SENSE PARENT TALK: DIGITAL MANIPULATION
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Upcoming Common Sense Parent Talk: Digital Manipulation. Hosted at Landon School on Tuesday, November 27, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOST & FOUND WILL BE DONATED AT THE END OF THE MONTH
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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 - 2018
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St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
4700 Whitehaven Parkway, NW • Washington, DC 20007-1598 • 202-342-2805