Dear Lower School Families,
Monday was a spectacular day for our community. A visit from Drs. Deepak Chopra and Rudy Tanzi really drove home our Lower School messages about health and wellness. And, all week, I’ve heard teachers using language about students using their brains; about the importance of being polite, courteous and grateful. The doctors’ talk supports work that we do in the Lower School, and we were indeed fortunate to have them visit!
Yesterday, we were thrilled to have another great visit to our Lower School: author Jarrett Krosoczka. You may not know that the catalyst for Jarrett’s visit was second-grade student Adam, who read a few of Jarrett’s books then reached out to librarian Joan Eisenberg about inviting him to visit. Adam and his mom Rana wrote to the author and we were the fortunate recipients of Adam’s initiative. How powerful it is for a child to fall in love with a book and then to have the agency to bring that author to his school! I love the deep love of literacy in our students, and the message that ideas are powerful and that they can come to fruition. We encourage our children to take agency and to make change. Urge your children to bring their ideas our attention—we want our curriculum and practices to grow around their interests and thoughts.
In today’s Lower School Newsletter you will find a link to Monday’s visit with the Drs. Chopra and Tanzi; information about Monday’s Grade 4 & 5 session with Maria Trozzi; a check in from our faculty attending a conference in Atlanta; an invitation to participate in a skate exchange and updates for the week ahead.
Best,
Racheal
News and Announcements
Dismissal on Thursday, December 15 will be at Noon following the Holiday Assembly. Students will not be dismissed from the assembly. We will return to the Junior Building and Greenleaf and will follow regular dismissal procedures.
iPad and Chromebook Update—The web filter on student Chromebooks will be updated over break. This important work will not impact any school days. For some period of time over break, students will not be able to access the internet via their iPads or Chromebooks. If we receive more specific information about the dates that internet access will be unavailable from the devices, we will let you know!
Video of Deepak Chopra and Rudy Tanzi Visit—In case you missed Monday’s assembly with Drs. Chopra and Tanzi, click here to watch a video of the event.
Milton Teachers at National Association of Independent Schools Conference—Grade 2 Teacher Sachiyo Unger is among the dozen Milton Academy teachers at the NAIS People of Color Conference in Atlanta this week. This year’s theme is Advancing Human and Civil Rights: Fulfilling the Dream Together. Pictured are Sachiyo, along with Grade 7 math teacher Jin Lee, and featured conference speaker John Palmer. Dr. Palmer is chair of the department of educational studies at Colgate University and author or The Dance of Identities: Korean Adult Adoptees Reflect Upon Their Identity Journeys.
Skate Exchange—The Robbins Rink community skating program is in full swing, with a number of open skate times available on weekends and over winter break. Since children grow so quickly, skates don’t always last from year to year. If you have skates that no longer fit anyone in your home, send them to school for our skate exchange. Beginning Monday, there will be skate exchange boxes in the both the Junior Building and Greenleaf Hall. Students may bring and exchange skates as they wish.
Follow the Lower School on Instagram—Our Instagram account offers a window into the daily activities of our students and faculty—in moments both big and small. Follow us @miltonacademy_ls. Our account is private and requires that users “request” to follow.
Bookstore Extended Holiday Hours––We are working with Bookstore personnel to begin stocking youth and adult extra small sizes in January. In the meantime, the bookstore, located in the lower level of the Student Center, is open for holiday shopping Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until December 16, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from December 19–22. Click here for a 20% off coupon.
First Lego League Qualifying Competition—Congratulations to the Grade 6 Robotics team of Omar, Fernando, William, and Jack for placing fourth in their recent qualifying competition! All four boys finished our Grade 5 last June. In addition, the team received the Gracious Professionalism award and was invited to compete in the Eastern Massachusetts State Championship on December 17. If you’re available and would like to come cheer on the team, join us at Newton North High School anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Week Ahead
Grade 4 and 5 Family Education Series with Maria Trozzi, Monday, December 12, 8 a.m., Junior Building Multi-Purpose Room—Wondering what makes 9- and 10-year-olds tick? Thinking about the tools they will need as they look toward Middle School? This session is geared to the needs of Grade 4 and Grade 5 students and parents. The purpose is to discuss some of the challenges of tweens and to begin a conversation about building resilience in our children. We hope you will join us!
Grade 5 Writing Celebration, Wednesday, December 14, 8:15–9 a.m., Greenleaf classrooms—Students will read their memoir pieces to their classmates and members of their families.
K–12 Holiday Assembly, Thursday, December 15, 11 a.m., ACC—winter break begins at noon. Our Lower School students will join students from the Middle and Upper Schools in this holiday tradition. Students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 will be performing. Parents are welcome. The event is standing-room only.
Important Reminders
Lower School Snacks—Due to the increasing number of students in our community with peanut/tree nut allergies that range from mild to life-threatening, it is imperative that all snacks sent into the classroom be nut-free. This applies to every classroom and every grade, regardless of whether or not that classroom contains a student with peanut/nut allergies. Products explicitly containing nuts, nut traces, nut products and nut oils as well as those products that state they may contain peanuts or nut traces are not acceptable in any classroom. Any product with a label stating that it was manufactured on shared equipment with peanut/nut products or was processed in a facility that also processes peanuts and nuts is also not acceptable.
Because of the seriousness surrounding these health issues, unacceptable snacks will be sent home unopened. Please do not take offense. Be in the habit of reading the entire ingredient label every time (what may have once been safe may have changed, as in the case of Cape Cod Sweet Potato Chips). A statement about common allergens may appear elsewhere on the package and not necessarily on the ingredient label. For snacks that are homemade, be sensitive to the presence of nuts in your kitchen and take the necessary precautions. Finally, bakery items and chocolate are particularly at risk for potential peanut/nut contamination.
Click here for a list of acceptable snacks.
Birthday Snacks—Moving forward, the only birthday snacks that will be allowed are Rice Krispies® treats, Chloe Bars, Oreo® cookies, Chips Ahoy® cookies and fruit platters.
Early Release Skating Lessons—Lessons began last Friday during our Early Release Day. Even if you missed the first session, you can register for the remaining lessons. Click here to access the registration form. Additional forms can be found in the main offices of the Junior Building and Greenleaf. For questions, contact Noah Spofford.
Add These Dates to Your Calendar
- Tuesday, January 3—Faculty Professional Day, no classes
- Wednesday, January 4—Classes Resume
- Thursday, January 5—Speech Practice Party: Speechies planning to attend the Novice Tournament at Nashoba Brooks should come to the practice from 4–5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, January 8—Novice Speech Tournament at Nashoba Brooks School
- Sunday, January 8—Lower and Middle School Family Skating Party, 1 p.m.
- Friday, January 13—Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
- Monday, January 16—No classes in observance of MLK Jr. Day
- Tuesday, January 17— Maria Trozzi presentation to K–5 Parents: Five to Thrive
- Thursday, January 26—Geography Bee
- Friday, January 27—Early Release
- Thursday, February 2—Second semester begins
- Friday, February 3—Early Release
- Friday, February 17—Early Release
- Monday, February 20—No classes in observance of Presidents’ Day