Planning Ahead for the Busy Holiday Season
Dear Lower School Families,
In the next weeks, your children will be working with great purpose in our
classrooms. In addition, they will be preparing their Winter Music Program, our
Lower and Intermediate School Holiday Morning Ex. I want to alert you to a few
items particularly important for the week of December 15.
The science lab will be closed from 8 to 8:25 a.m. on Monday, December 15
through Friday, December 19 since the pets will be transitioning to their
vacation homes. The lab will also be closed on Monday, January 5 when we
return to accommodate the animals’ return to school. Please help your children
understand that they will not have the option of going to the science lab on
these days before school.
On Monday, December 15, all of our students in grades SK–3rd grade will be
celebrating “La Posada” by breaking the traditional “piñata” as part of their
Spanish program. While this is an event for the students only, you may wish to
ask your children about the experience when they come home.
The Winter Music Program, shared at the Holiday Morning Ex and performed
by students in grades JK–5, will take place in the Heller Auditorium on
Thursday, December 18 at 9 a.m. Families are invited to attend. The
program is scheduled to last about an hour. When you arrive for the program
there will be staff available to direct you to the areas for seating. Please sit in
these designated areas since the other seats are needed for the children.
Friendly reminder: we do not take food or drinks into the auditorium.
Children will return to their classrooms after the program for a regular day of
school, and you can then be on your way.
Early Dismissal Procedures for Friday, December 19
The last day of school before break is Friday, December 19. On this day all JK–
12 students will enjoy the traditional “12 Days” Morning Ex, which will be
presented by our seniors in the Heller Auditorium. The Lower School (grades
JK–3) will have their presentation at 9 a.m. and will then return to their
classrooms until early dismissal. The rest of the school (grades 4–12) will attend
the program during the normal Morning Ex time (10:40 a.m.)and be dismissed
after the program. Due to space limitations, only parents of 12th graders are
invited to attend this Morning Ex.
To facilitate pick up of children, we are following these procedures:
JK–3rd grade students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m. (Note this irregular
dismissal time.) We want our younger students safely in cars prior to dismissing
the rest of the student body.
Outdoor Pick up: Students will be outside by 11:15 a.m.
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JK students will go to Circle Drive on Clark Street.
SK–3rd grade students will go to Webster Avenue.
If you have a JK student and another in SK–3rd, please pick up the JK
child in Circle Drive, then go to Webster to pick up your SK–3rd grade
child.
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If you are picking up your child in the car, follow the normal procedures.
In the event that those picking up are running a bit late, please know
that teachers will bring children who have not been picked up after most
of the cars have come and gone into the Harris Center to wait in a warm
location. If you do not see your child’s teacher outside, please park your
car and come into the Harris Center to find him/her.
Indoor Pick up: Children may be picked up inside the building prior to teachers
taking them outside (occurring between 11:05–11:10 a.m.). By Wednesday,
December 17, please send a note to your child’s teacher indicating if you will be
picking up inside.
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JK and SK students should be picked up at their classrooms.
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3rd graders will meet their adults in the 3rd grade atrium.
1st and 2nd grade Teacher Assistants will walk children to the adults
picking them up in the typical location in the hallway.
For Older Siblings: 4th–12th grade students will be dismissed following the
“12 Days” Morning Ex, which is generally over between 11:20 and 11:30 a.m. If
you are waiting to pick up a child in these grades, please DO NOT remain in
Circle Drive or on Webster after you have picked up your child while we are still
loading the rest of the JK–3rd graders. We will need you to leave the area so
that we can get all the LS cars on their way, which will then provide room for
those picking up older students. Thank you so much.
There will be no Parker PM or Parker P.L.U.S. offerings on Friday, December 19.
During break, the building gets some extra cleaning. To make sure our cleaning
staff is able to do their job well, it is important that all lockers/cubbies are
cleaned out. Please remind your child to remove all items. Thanks for your
assistance.
This time of year is always filled with anticipation a great deal of energy, and it
can become very busy for all. Amidst all the bustle, please know that I
appreciate all you do to help our school function and thrive. I enjoy being part
of a team working together on behalf of all our children; it’s one of the greatest
gifts we have. I hope you enjoy these exciting weeks leading up to the winter
break and that the time with your families during our holiday is filled with love
and warmth. Following the break, we will see all of you again on Monday,
January 5!
Peace.
Kimeri Swanson-Beck
Head of the Lower School
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