School News
REMINDER ABOUT FOOD & SNACKS–Both Friday Lunch and the milk program are cancelled for the remainder of the year. Until Feb. 11, students must bring their own lunch on Fridays. Kid Chow will now offer lunch Tuesdays–Fridays. Here’s the Feb.-March menu. Order deadlines are Mondays, one week in advance of each school week. The next order deadline is Jan. 31 for the week of Feb. 7-11. Feel free to email Kid Chow or call with questions at 415-830-0089.
WINDRUSH STUDENTS SPEAK NOW ONLINE! Originally premiered at November’s Generations Day, this short film highlights authentic voices of Windrush students of all ages, talking about their beloved school. Click here to watch it. Special thanks to the students and families who participated and to 7th Grade parents Neal Davis and Esther Ehrlich of Group 5 Media for producing this gem.
SIGN UP FOR FENCING! The Afterschool Fencing class (which begins Feb. 1) will be cancelled unless three more students sign up. Currently there are five students registered. Fencing develops agility, speed, strength and dexterity. Students learn basic techniques and tactics in a non-competitive atmosphere through cooperative games and drills. With attention to the safety, the class will be taught with equipment provided by the Sports Fencing Center. For more information about the class or to register, click here.
LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! It’s not too early to start thinking of hosting a Pick-Party! The parties raise money for the Windrush tuition assistance fund and are a fun way to meet other families. For a list of previous Pick-a-Parties or for a better understanding of these parties, click here (and scroll down to the Pick-a-Parties section) or email Maya Varian.
GALA VOLUNTEER INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS–Interested in participating in a leadership role for the Spring Gala or just interested in learning more? The development team will hold two meetings in February: 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 3 and 6 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the Library. If you haven’t already done so, please RSVP to Maya Varian.
CALLING CREATIVE PEOPLE! The development team is looking for Windrush parents/guardians to plan and organize the decoration of the hall where the Gala will take place. This year’s theme is The Night of the Dragon. If you are interested in taking on this fun task please email Maya.
CATERER NEEDED FOR SPRING GALA–The development team seeks a caterer for the April 30 Gala. If you know a caterer who would be interested please email Maya.
EARN WORK HOURS HELPING AT THE WINDRUSH STORE–Parent/guardian volunteers are needed to help sell Windrush Spirit Wear at the afternoon traffic circle (days are flexible) or help make signs for the store. Please email Maya if you are interested or would like more information.
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENTS–Returning student enrollment contracts for the 2011-12 school year will be mailed on Friday, Jan. 28. They are due back no later than Friday, Feb. 4 along with the first deposit (or an ACH authorization form). If you are applying for a student’s sibling to attend, those re-enrollment contract(s) and decision letter(s) will be mailed by Friday, Feb. 11 and are due back no later than Friday, Feb. 18. For families paying monthly this academic year, the final tuition payment is due in March. NEW ADMISSIONS INQUIRIES–If you meet prospective families interested in Windrush, encourage them to contact David Bond at ext. 203 or via email. We welcome inquiries and requests to tour our campus. Though the initial application due date has passed, we continue to accept applications on a rolling basis. Thank you!
Upcoming Events
FULL HOUSE FOR WINDRUSH PRESENTS–The second Windrush Presents of the year will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 in the Library. No spaces remain for this event and registration is now closed. Simone Marean, Executive Director of the internationally renowned Girls Leadership Institute, will share ideas on how to help girls acquire assertive self-expression, emotional intelligence and societal leadership. She will cover the development of girl dynamics from preschool through high school. For those already registered for the event, limited childcare is available for $12. To reserve childcare please email Marisa Palomares or call ext. 219. The talk will kick off a series of spring workshops for girls at Windrush lead by the Girls Leadership Institute, which inspires girls to be true to themselves.
GIRLS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE WORKSHOPS AT WINDRUSH–Real Parents, Real Daughters, Grades 2-3: Girls and parents/guardians will have fun together while learning about friendship, feelings, apologies and healthy conflict. Weekly workshops will be 90 minutes long, for four consecutive weeks. 6-7:30 p.m. on March 1, 8, 15 and 22. Find out more and register here. Grades 4-5: Parents/guardians and daughters will laugh and learn about themselves in a safe environment. Every family will establish best practices in emotional intelligence, healthy communication and productive conflict resolution. Weekly workshops are two hours long, for four consecutive weeks. 6-8 p.m. on March 2, 9, 16 and 23. All workshops are $165 each, which includes tuition for one parent/guardian and child. Registration information is available here. The workshops fill up fast so don’t hesitate to sign up now!
SPRING BREAK CAMP AT WINDRUSH FOR GIRLS GRADES 4-5: In five days, girls in the Girls Leadership Institute camp will build a community where they can celebrate their authentic selves. Children will have the space to be silly and play while also building confidence and tools for healthy and rewarding friendships. They will deepen their emotional intelligence, learn about healthy relationships, and practice methods for direct communication and conflict resolution. The camp strikes a balance between transformational workshops and vacation fun. Workshops are supplemented by fitness, arts and crafts, games, group projects, scavenger hunts and more. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 18-22. The camp is $385 and includes a T-shirt. Grade-appropriate siblings qualify for 30% off. Children must bring lunch (nut-free please), but afternoon snacks are provided. Find out more and register here.
Middle School News
CAREER CHOICES SPEAKER INSPIRED BY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.–Last week, Ella Callow–an attorney and the parent of a Windrush 2nd grader–spoke about her law and activist career at the Middle School Assembly. Originally from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, she moved often as a child and spent part of her childhood in the rural South within 45 minutes of where Dr. King was killed. His life and death greatly influenced her career. She attended her first protest against apartheid at the age of 12 and left high school at age 15 to work with the Committee to Stop the War during the first Gulf War. Ella encouraged students to not be afraid of tension and to work through disagreements. It is okay to have and talk about unpopular viewpoints, she said. According to Ella’s Cherokee heritage, a lawyer is someone who argues on purpose with a purpose. As a lawyer she provides legal assistance for families with disabilities, fighting to ensure equal treatment.
8th grader Jessica Gorovitz asked Ella how she feels about gun control in the light of Dr. King’s death and the recent events in Arizona. Ella replied that it highlights the division in our society and the need for better mental health support. 7th grader Roosevelt Jones III (also known as Tre) asked if she enjoyed her career, and Ella explained how working with those in need often pays less but is more rewarding. She said she appreciates working with people she respects and that inspire her. 6th grader Jordan Lawther-Jackson was curious about her opinions on our current government and economy. Ella explained her belief that we are a nation of law, without it we aren’t the United States, and it is important to use the law to ensure our government does the right thing. 8th grader Rahel Blackmon wondered if growing up in the rural South shaped her career and Ella said it had an impact–the level of racism and government compliance encouraged her to act and she learned that courage is contagious.
Thank you to Ella Callow for sharing her story, and to the middle schoolers for their respectful listening and insightful questions!
NIGHTMARE ON PUBERTY STREET THEATRICAL PRODUCTION–The Special Events Committee is pleased to announce the award-winning production of Nightmare on Puberty Street on Jan. 28 for students in Grades 6-8! This live performance provided by Kaiser Permanente uses drama, humor and popular music to teach about the complexities of adolescent years. Performed by teenagers, the play’s cast consists of professionally trained actors who are also trained peer educators. The play focuses on four young people experiencing adolescence. Characters ask themselves, "Am I normal?" while learning to accept the mental and physical changes they face. The play's goal is to show students “how to cope with many of the issues of puberty, including how to handle pressure to be sexually active, how to build self-esteem, how to avoid drugs and alcohol, and where to find help if faced with feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide." The performance will take place from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in the gym. Windrush has invited other independent schools including Tehiyah Day School, Prospect Sierra School, and Archway so about 270 students will attend! For more information check out the “Parent's Guide to Nightmare on Puberty Street."
SERVICE LEARNING DRIVING FRIDAY, FEB. 4–We need your help! Most students will go off campus for Service Learning between 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. next Friday. This is a great work hour opportunity and a fun way to see our fantastic students in action. Please email Rebecca in the Division Office or call ext. 239 if you are available to drive.
WINDRUSH HOSTS EBISC DANCE FEB. 11–All students in Grades 7-8 are invited to join us at Windrush from 7-9:30 p.m. on Feb. 11. We will host eight other independent schools to make this the largest and most fun dance of the year! The Student Leadership Elective has chosen the theme “Amore” and the dance will be held in the gym to accommodate everyone. Tickets are $5. The permission slip is available here or outside the Division Office. Please return all forms to the Division Office. If you have any questions, please email Rebecca Wralstad or call ext. 239.
DRAMA REHEARSAL DATE CHANGE–Schoolhouse Rock has changed the Saturday rehearsal to Feb. 12. All actors should meet in the drama room at 10 a.m. Students should bring lunch and come dressed to paint and build. They will be available for pick-up at 4 p.m. Parent/guardian volunteers are welcome too. Please email Lisa Hensley if you are interested.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday, March 1: 3-5 p.m in the multipurpose room–Music review
Thursday, March 3: 3-5 p.m. in the gym–Stumble thru with set, props, sound, etc.
Friday, March 4: 3-6 p.m. in the gym–Dress rehearsal. 6-7 p.m. dinner break in the multipurpose room, 7-8:30 p.m. Final Invited Dress Preview
Saturday, March 5: 5:30 p.m. brush-up rehearsal (if needed), 7 p.m.Show in the gym
Sunday, March 6: 2 p.m. Matinee in the gym (1 p.m. call). Students need to stay to help strike the set.
PRACTICE HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST–This is the last chance to sign up for Saint Mary’s 7th Grade Practice Test on Saturday, April 16. Space is limited. Click here for more information.
NEED BABY PHOTOS FOR YEARBOOK! The yearbook staff is soliciting baby photos of our Middle School students to be included in this year’s edition. The photo deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 16. Please give photographs directly to Yearbook Advisor Aimee Van Dragt. Your photo will be scanned and returned. A digital photograph (high resolution) is preferred and can be emailed to Aimee.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILD’S YEARBOOK? You can sponsor yearbook pages for your student! This is a great way to help create a book of lasting memories for your child and other students. If you’re interested, please email Aimee Van Dragt or call ext. 272 for more information. A half page costs $50 and a full page costs $80. Thank you for getting involved!
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