Dear Parents,
It is a busy week in the Lower School as we prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. You can feel the excitement in the air as the children come in the building each morning. As parents, you are probably taking advantage of these last few days before the children are home to finish decorating, cooking and shopping.
During this season of giving, I wanted to share with you a story that came to my attention a few weeks ago. I have asked permission from the adults involved to share the story, but have changed a few of the details and names so as not to embarrass the children.
It seems that an assignment was given in class that would require some keyboarding skills. As the deadline was approaching, one child, Susie, realized that she was having difficulty and would not be able to complete the assignment on time. Not wanting to receive a grade of incomplete, she offered another child, Mandi, $3.00 to complete the assignment for her. (We do want our children to be problem solvers.) This seemed like a win/win situation to both girls.
After a day or so, Mandi’s conscience began to bother her because she knew it had been wrong to do the work of another child. She confessed to her mother about what had transpired, and her mother contacted Susie’s mother to make her aware of the situation.
And then… here is the most important part of the story, Susie’s mother contacted the school to let us know that although her daughter and turned the assignment in on time, it had not been her work. So many times, as parents, we try to protect our children and not hold them responsible for their decisions. It is during these years that we can have the most impact on shaping and developing our children into young ladies and gentlemen of good character. Part of our job as parents is to teach our children that we do the right thing even when it is uncomfortable or when no one is looking. Children need to know that it is safe to make mistakes as long as we grow from them. Susie’s mother set a wonderful example for her daughter.
As you are out shopping for the perfect gift, remember that one of the best gifts we can give our children is to be a good role model, let them take some responsibility for their actions and help them learn from poor choices they may make.
A few reminders and news for the new year!
1. We will have a holiday NUD on Thursday, December 18.
2. The Lower School Holiday Musical will be Wednesday, December 17, at 7:00. Second, third, fourth and fifth grade General Music students will be performing. Please remember there are assigned seats in the theater and you need a ticket to attend the performance. Tickets are available in the Fine Arts office.
3. Please remember to drive slowly and pay careful attention during carpool on the Lower School circle. Children may be playing in the dell and might not be looking as they cross the street. Parents, if you are picking up a kindergarten children and then waiting to pick up an older child, please make sure you and your kindergarten child are in your car at 2:40 in order to keep our children safe and have carpool run as smoothly as possible.
4. Lower School families are invited to participate in the chapel service and downtown march celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The service will be held in the Alston Memorial Chapel on January 19, 2015 at 11:00am, followed by a pizza lunch in the Middle School MPR at 11:45am. All are welcome to attend both! Lovett busses will be transporting families to the march downtown after lunch, so if you and your children would like to attend that activity please RSVP to Ms. Walls by January 14, 2015 with the number of seats you’ll need. Just as in last year’s chapel service, some Lower School students will take special part in the service to honor Dr. King’s work and to share their own dreams for future generations.
I hope your family has a wonderful break. We will see you in 2015!
Best,
Edi
It is a busy week in the Lower School as we prepare to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. You can feel the excitement in the air as the children come in the building each morning. As parents, you are probably taking advantage of these last few days before the children are home to finish decorating, cooking and shopping.
During this season of giving, I wanted to share with you a story that came to my attention a few weeks ago. I have asked permission from the adults involved to share the story, but have changed a few of the details and names so as not to embarrass the children.
It seems that an assignment was given in class that would require some keyboarding skills. As the deadline was approaching, one child, Susie, realized that she was having difficulty and would not be able to complete the assignment on time. Not wanting to receive a grade of incomplete, she offered another child, Mandi, $3.00 to complete the assignment for her. (We do want our children to be problem solvers.) This seemed like a win/win situation to both girls.
After a day or so, Mandi’s conscience began to bother her because she knew it had been wrong to do the work of another child. She confessed to her mother about what had transpired, and her mother contacted Susie’s mother to make her aware of the situation.
And then… here is the most important part of the story, Susie’s mother contacted the school to let us know that although her daughter and turned the assignment in on time, it had not been her work. So many times, as parents, we try to protect our children and not hold them responsible for their decisions. It is during these years that we can have the most impact on shaping and developing our children into young ladies and gentlemen of good character. Part of our job as parents is to teach our children that we do the right thing even when it is uncomfortable or when no one is looking. Children need to know that it is safe to make mistakes as long as we grow from them. Susie’s mother set a wonderful example for her daughter.
As you are out shopping for the perfect gift, remember that one of the best gifts we can give our children is to be a good role model, let them take some responsibility for their actions and help them learn from poor choices they may make.
A few reminders and news for the new year!
1. We will have a holiday NUD on Thursday, December 18.
2. The Lower School Holiday Musical will be Wednesday, December 17, at 7:00. Second, third, fourth and fifth grade General Music students will be performing. Please remember there are assigned seats in the theater and you need a ticket to attend the performance. Tickets are available in the Fine Arts office.
3. Please remember to drive slowly and pay careful attention during carpool on the Lower School circle. Children may be playing in the dell and might not be looking as they cross the street. Parents, if you are picking up a kindergarten children and then waiting to pick up an older child, please make sure you and your kindergarten child are in your car at 2:40 in order to keep our children safe and have carpool run as smoothly as possible.
4. Lower School families are invited to participate in the chapel service and downtown march celebrating the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The service will be held in the Alston Memorial Chapel on January 19, 2015 at 11:00am, followed by a pizza lunch in the Middle School MPR at 11:45am. All are welcome to attend both! Lovett busses will be transporting families to the march downtown after lunch, so if you and your children would like to attend that activity please RSVP to Ms. Walls by January 14, 2015 with the number of seats you’ll need. Just as in last year’s chapel service, some Lower School students will take special part in the service to honor Dr. King’s work and to share their own dreams for future generations.
I hope your family has a wonderful break. We will see you in 2015!
Best,
Edi