Dear Parents,
This has been an exciting week in the Lower School with two of our faculty members giving birth to their first child. Our guidance counselor, Yasmine Schmid, gave birth to an adorable baby girl, Frances Wren. Holly Payne, second grade co-teacher, is now the proud parent of a beautiful baby boy, Chapman Payne. We are eagerly awaiting the news of the birth of Teddi Bair’s daughter. We wish all three of these ladies much happiness and joy as they begin the most important job they will ever have, being a parent.
While Yasmine is out on maternity leave, Laurie Smilack and I will have a chance to return to our first love of teaching. Laurie and I will be teaching guidance to the kindergarten, first, and second grade children. We are very excited about this opportunity.
During the second semester, the guidance curriculum is centered on the Too Good for Drugs (TGFD)program developed by the Mendez Foundation. TGFD for elementary school students is a school-based drug prevention program designed to build the self-confidence of students so they are better able to make healthy choices and achieve success. Although there are different objectives across grade levels, promoting positive attitudes and fostering healthy relationships is a running theme throughout the program’s curriculum. Overall, TGFD seeks to develop positive peer norms; appropriate attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; personal and interpersonal skills relating to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; knowledge of the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; and finally the knowledge of the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle. All of the lessons are age appropriate beginning with the kindergarten children setting goals to live a healthy lifestyle by making healthy food choices and understanding that medicine should only be taken when given by an adult. We are proud to partner with you in helping our children lead healthy lives.
There are a few things I would like to remind you of or bring your attention to:
Edi Houghton
This has been an exciting week in the Lower School with two of our faculty members giving birth to their first child. Our guidance counselor, Yasmine Schmid, gave birth to an adorable baby girl, Frances Wren. Holly Payne, second grade co-teacher, is now the proud parent of a beautiful baby boy, Chapman Payne. We are eagerly awaiting the news of the birth of Teddi Bair’s daughter. We wish all three of these ladies much happiness and joy as they begin the most important job they will ever have, being a parent.
While Yasmine is out on maternity leave, Laurie Smilack and I will have a chance to return to our first love of teaching. Laurie and I will be teaching guidance to the kindergarten, first, and second grade children. We are very excited about this opportunity.
During the second semester, the guidance curriculum is centered on the Too Good for Drugs (TGFD)program developed by the Mendez Foundation. TGFD for elementary school students is a school-based drug prevention program designed to build the self-confidence of students so they are better able to make healthy choices and achieve success. Although there are different objectives across grade levels, promoting positive attitudes and fostering healthy relationships is a running theme throughout the program’s curriculum. Overall, TGFD seeks to develop positive peer norms; appropriate attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; personal and interpersonal skills relating to alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; knowledge of the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; and finally the knowledge of the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle. All of the lessons are age appropriate beginning with the kindergarten children setting goals to live a healthy lifestyle by making healthy food choices and understanding that medicine should only be taken when given by an adult. We are proud to partner with you in helping our children lead healthy lives.
There are a few things I would like to remind you of or bring your attention to:
- Internationally known, award-winning author of children’s literature, storyteller and radio contributor, Carmen Agra Deedy, will be visiting the Lower School on Monday, February 2. She will be speaking to our first–fifth grade children. Children are welcome to bring one of Ms. Deedy’s books from home and have it signed during the day. Please attach a post-it note with your child’s name and teacher’s name when sending a book in to be signed.
- We are excited to have Gerry Craft visit the Lower School on Thursday, February 12. Gerry is a syndicated cartoonist, illustrator, and author whose works focus on good character. Additional information about his visit was sent home earlier this week.
- On Friday, February 13, will we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Lower School with classroom parties and a Red/White/Pink NUD.
- Please remember that children should not be dropped off in the morning until 7:25 am and PRIDE is outside. There is no supervision provided for the children until that time. Your help is needed to ensure we keep our children safe. Thank you.
Edi Houghton