Reflections on the Trip to the YMCA Camp of the Ozarks
Our Eighth Grade Trip, excerpt from a letter to eighth grade parents by Liz BarnesIt is truly a privilege to be able to spend four days and three nights with 44 of our students because of all that we learn about them, the things they teach us, the courage they display, the leaders who emerge under different circumstances, and the roles that the more quiet of our students often exhibit.
These students defy stereotypes, especially of middle school students. Yes, most are energetic with seemingly boundless enthusiasm for the myriad of experiences offered. But there are those who are beyond exuberant, those who revel in it all, and those who are depleted by the level of activity. There are those who welcome the physical challenges and conquer them with ease. But there are also those who face real fears in attempting these challenges – from the fear of height to trusting the safety of their equipment to even trusting their peers to keep them safe. Almost all of them will do as much as they can (and more than we expect!) to overcome these fears. Leadership skills are observed in every student but often in very different circumstances. Some want to rally the troops and take command. Others wait for the quiet moment when they can offer their opinion – one which seldom fails to inspire awe from their classmates who have not often heard these softer voices. Some lead by helping a friend who needs her and others by offering the prayer before mealtime. Most pay attention to the more serious discussions that take place and become engaged in those conversations. Others find it harder to focus on such matters, until faced with a real challenge that brings the message home to them.
In the approximately 80 hours we spend with them (and, since they don’t spend much of their time sleeping, we do spend most of that time with them!), we seldom have to correct a student. If we do, it is almost always because we are concerned for his safety and not because she is misbehaving. We raise our voices, but it is in offering encouragement as they tackle 50 foot elements. Most of the time we are observers of really good children with normal middle school angst who are working together with a joie de vivre that is our privilege to see, up close and personal, under unique circumstances, and for an extended period of time.
I also thoroughly enjoy working with the wonderful adults who willingly take on these additional hours and responsibilities to make this trip possible for your children. Mr. van Thullenar, Ms. Glass, Mr. Stewart, and Mrs. Gruss are very dedicated to making this experience a good one for them – from defining the boundaries to participating in the activities to bandaging minor wounds to analyzing the dynamics and, perhaps the most difficult, to standing back to allow the students to work through their challenges.
It is a joy to work with such a collegial, dedicated group of professionals and a bright, enthusiastic, caring group of students. While each of us (students and adults) is quite unique, the mix of personalities and talents blends together beautifully in a trip like this one and I sincerely hope that each took away from it as much as I have.
All students will participate in the Buddy Run and all will receive a t-shirt to wear the day of the run! This event is a FUNdraiser and is the only fundraiser besides the auction that the Parents' Guild sponsors. All children who are registered or whose family is a sponsor at any level will receive a St. Paul's water bottle and be entered in a raffle to be the Master of Ceremonies the day of the race. We encourage families to consider a donation beyond the $25 child registration fee. Sponsorships are offered at three levels and ALL sponsor families will be listed on the back of the t-shirt. To appear on the back of the t-shirt sponsor families must make their donation by Friday, September 28th!
To register your children or be a sponsor click here!
If you prefer, you can print out your entry form and sponsorship form to turn in to the school.
Our students will also have the opportunity to raise money with sponsorships. The student who has the most sponsorships will get to be the HEAD OF SCHOOL for a day! There will also be prizes for the classrooms. The Spirit Award will go to the buddy classes that show the most spirit at the buddy run. The Spirit winners will have a pizza lunch on the upper field with games and fun. The classroom who collectively has the most sponsors will win a Breakfast with Sporting KC's Jimmy Nielsen! Print out a sponsorship form here for your child.
Buddy Run Sponsor Days!
Two partners have stepped up to help us raise money - STUFF and California Pizza Kitchen! Go to CPK on Monday, October 8th after noon dismissal for lunch or dinner and 20% of your check will come back to St. Paul's. There will even be a special section reserved for St. Paul's at the Plaza location! Print out the CPK flyer to show them when you go - the offer is good at the Town Center and the Plaza location. When you shop at Stuff on Thursday, October 11th they will donate 15% of the sales to the Buddy Run. Just make sure to mention that you are shopping for St. Paul's!
CPK
STUFF
Chartwell's Buddy Run Lunch
On the day of the run, Chartwell's will generously donate 50% of the lunch cost to the Buddy Run. Check out the menu here!
Author Coming to St. Paul's
Also, please mark your calendar for the St. Paul's Parent Book Club! We will be reading American Dervish. We will meet on Thursday, November 15th at 8:30am in the Garden Room of the Church.
Come meet the author on October 2nd and buy your book. Twenty percent of the proceeds of the sale of books from this event will go to the school library!
Fun with Buddies
The school is busy with fun buddy activities! The second grade met their eighth grade buddies this week and learned about similarities and differences in a Venn Diagram. After their hard work, they were treated with popsicles and play time outside. It was so much fun! Second grade also had a buddy activity with the Pre-K students where they practiced their excellent reading and leadership skills by pairing up with a Pre-K student and reading stories. They read outside on the south playground and enjoyed a snack together. It is such a joy to meet new friends and work together.
High School Mentors
We have launched our first group of high school mentors for our 7th and 8th graders. Each student has been assigned a high school student who will serve as a phone or e-mail buddy, responding to questions regarding middle school, high school or friendships. All 15 buddy/mentors are SPEDS grads and are currently juniors or seniors in seven area high schools . Serving as 8th grade mentors are: Hannah Tutera, Caroline Creidenberg Emily McCann, Nick Saleh, Brittan Bates, Maddie Miller, Aaron Branch and Malik Tidwell. Serving as 7th grade mentor are: Arianna Lane, Tommy Larson, Brendan McCann, Connor Prochnow, Jackie McGee, Sammy Patterson and Emma Robertson. Each buddy/mentor is assigned six students. The program was introduced in Middle School Chapel by a handful of the buddy/mentors and contact information was distributed to the students this week. We are excited about this new and very positive resource for buddy wisdom!
Mr. Kurt's Summer Trip
Randy Kurt was the teacher chosen to receive the Lathrop M. Gates Faculty Enrichment Award last spring, based on his presentation to the selection committee. The Lathrop M. Gates Faculty Enrichment Award is made possible through a generous gift from his wife, Dody, and daughters, Newell and Sally. It is awarded annually to a faculty member to enable him/her to undertake a professional activity that would not be funded through normal channels. He visited seven Halls of Fame in seven days during the first week of August. (College Basketball in KC, National Basketball in Springfield, MA, Baseball in Cooperstown, NY, Volleyball in Holyoke, MA, Tennis in Newport, RI, Rock and Roll in Cleveland, OH and Football in Canton, OH) He traveled alone and spent hours and hours at each facility taking in every exhibit there. In November, Mr. Kurt will work with the 7th/8th graders doing research on current Hall of Famers and hopes to contact as many as possible to find out how they chose their path when they were junior high age. This was a trip of a lifetime!
Show your support to the Annual Fund and dodge that reminder call in November.
There's no time like the present! Thank you for your continuous support!
Donate Now
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For more information on the Annual Fund, click here.
Thank You St. Paul's Community for a Great 2012 Family Fun Fest!
Fifth grade Heartland Field Trip
Written By Janie C.
What makes you feel optimistic or pumped up? Candy, good grades, Fridays? These are all good examples, but what makes me feel happy are challenges. That’s why I was super excited when I heard we were going to Heartland. The fifth grade class went to Heartland Presbyterian Center in Parkville, Missouri on September 14. It was so much fun! We walked down to an open meadow and began our first challenge; it was really hard. They had a big jump rope and were swinging it. All forty students had to run through the swinging jump rope at once. Then, they split us up into small groups. We did a lot of fun challenges. It was a great experience because we learned a lot of valuable things. For example, I learned that to succeed you need to persevere, listen, participate, cooperate, and problem solve. I had heard so many great things about Heartland, and when I got there I knew it was true. But, honestly, it is really hard to put into words all the reasons why Heartland was so amazing. So if you want to get the full experience the only option is to go!
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| 5th Grade Class |
Let's Meet a Teacher by Bridget Heos and Kyle Poling
Creative Writing teacher Bridget Heos wrote a series of books about community helpers. Her book, Let’s Meet a Teacher highlights a day in a life of a fourth grade teacher. She interviewed Mrs. Van Maren to get information for this book, and Mrs. Van Maren herself is the character in the book!
Kindergarten Campout!
Our Kindergarten students presented the first musical performance of the year titled, “Kindergarten Campout”, under the direction and leadership of Missy Haskamp. The performance was based on the popular children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. The students delighted family and friends through creative movements, singing and storytelling. It was a wonderful way to start the day and to celebrate the musical talents of our children!
Extended Day Program offered on Early Dismissal Day
Join us for a Halloween Blast!
October 8th
12noon- 6pm
Bring a sack lunch and join us for an afternoon of Halloween activities with your friends!!
Fall Scavenger Hunt
Creepy treats
Halloween Bingo with prizes
Howling artwork
Sneaky games
Cost is $33 per student
Registration is required~ (deadline to register is October 3rd)
To register, contact Karen McDonald:
kmcdonald@speds.org
or
Karen McDonald #816.268.6536
*Toddlers through 8th grade are invited
Calendar Notes
10/2 Middle School Parent Coffee
10/3 Reception for Father Todd
10/4 ECC Parent Coffee
10/5 Buddy Run Pep-Rally
10/8 Noon Dismissal
10/9 6th grade to Tucker Leadership
10/10 Parents’ Guild Meeting
10/11 7th grade to Tucker Leadership
Lower School Parent Coffee
10/12 Buddy Run
10/18-10/20 ABC Sale
10/19 Pet Blessing
10/24 Kindergarten-8th New Students Lunch
10/25 1st grade Music Program
10/26 Spirit Day
10/31 Toddler-2nd Halloween Ball
Middle School Dance
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