February 3, 2010

Calendar

February

5    No Preschool Classes
PS Admissions Day

     No Friday Sing

10  Minimalist Works Art Exhibit, 5:00-7:00 pm, Cabell Center

11 NutureShock Book Discussion, 8:40 am, BS Well 

12  No Kindergarten Classes - Kindergarten Admissions Day

      No Friday Sing

     US Jazz Band opens for John Craig, 8:00 p.m., Cabell Center

15  NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day

16  Esther Dayman Strong Lecture, 7:00 p.m., Cabell Center Theater

19   Viewfinder Global Film Series

19   Re-enrollment Contracts Due

March

4-5  *No BS/LS Classes - Parent - Teacher Conferences

5   Viewfinder Global Film Series

13  GAMBOL

20-28  No School - Spring Break

29  Classes Resume

April

16  Viewfinder Global Film Series

30  Spring Parade

*Prearranged childcare available as space permits

 

Each year, it seems, something large and difficult happens in the world. In light of the earthquake in Haiti we thought the following might be useful.

We may not like it, but we must face the fact that we are raising our children in a world that is unpredictable. We, the adults charged with caring for and educating these children, can feel confused and at times upset in the face of the unexpected disaster or the violence we see, hear, and find around us. What to do?

 

Even as we try to create a protected small world for our children, we are not immune from violence and disaster. If we ignore these issues and events and don’t speak up to each other and to our children, we lose an opportunity to help them become the resilient people we wish them to become. 

 

Here are some of our thoughts about this.

 

Do some shielding of your child from media and adult conversations. When your young children come home, be acutely aware of how television and radio coverage of a terrible tragedy can be very alarming to young children. Even if your child appears not to be listening, be careful. It is surprising how children who may look absorbed in play or conversation can pick up information from media, older children, or adult conversations.

TV can frighten children with its repeated exposure to images of explosions, injured people, racing law enforcement personnel, and weeping friends and families. Many young children cannot understand how far away the tragedy is, how prevalent it is, and may fear for their own families. Of course, as adults we want to get as much information as we can, but we should be careful not to be so preoccupied that we are unavailable to our children.

 

Should your child be worried, check in with him or her. Ask what he or she knows. Does he or she have the story straight? Be clear about what his/her understandings are. Discuss his/her feelings. Talk about it. It’s the un-talked about events that frighten children the most, because it must be really bad if grown-ups can’t face it. 

 

Emotionally, children fare better when they can do something about what they are experiencing. Children are hardwired to bounce back from hardship. Children naturally look to their relationships to help them be resilient. They use service, humor, and spirituality to help them feel better about difficult news or hardships. In the Lower School, children have decided to have a Read-A-Thon to raise money for children in Haiti. First graders took this a step further and wrote a letter to the children of Haiti. They chose to focus on the positive future and not so much on the tragedy. They spoke about the good things that are to come and offered hope as a resource; a perfect example of children speaking to children about resiliency. Help your child understand and implement his/her own resiliency traits. As kids play and talk, be there with them. 

 

Try to modulate your own emotions. We know that it can be a challenge when there is a tragedy not to show emotional stress. Please try to soften your response while you are with your children. If you can’t, tell your child that you are sad about some news that happened in another city. Children need containment during tragedy and showing them that you are calm will help them feel more secure. Model your own resiliency and specifically talk about how you are choosing to bounce back and what you are doing to help yourself be a resilient person. If a family member has been directly involved or injured, share this with your child and let us know.

 

Above all, and this may seem highly repetitive, talk to your children, listen to your children. Their worries, concerns and fears are very real to them. They need the loving and caring adults around them to help them process what they see, hear, and think about. We need to let them know that it is our job to keep them safe and that there are things they can do to help.

 

 

It’s not too late to join us on Thursday morning after drop-off to discuss NurtureShock. We had a lively discussion of the first two chapters, “The Inverse Power of Praise” and “The Lost Hour” on the surprising effects of insufficient sleep. 

 

At our next meeting we will discuss the next two chapters, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk about Race” and “Why Kids Lie”. It’s bound to be a meaty conversation. Please jump in!

 

Next meeting:  Thursday, February 11th, 8:40 a.m., BS Well

We have an extraordinary art exhibit at our school from the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his families foundation. Bring family, colleagues, and friends to the Cabell Center foyer on Wednesday, February 10th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Let us know you’ll be there!  Please RSVP to Mira Om.  There will be delicious food and interesting discussion with renowned experts in the field.  Click here for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Esther Dayman Strong Lecture

February 16, 7:00 p.m., Cabell Center Theater

“Earth Becomes Us: Coming Full Circle in Dealing with the Dead”

 

 

 

Re-enrollment Contracts Due February 19

Re-enrollment contracts for the 2010-11 school year were mailed on January 27th. Signed contracts must be postmarked or hand delivered to Toad Hall by February 19. This deadline is firm. We cannot guarantee a spot for your child(ren) if we do not receive the contract by February 19.

If your child is not returning, please return the enrollment decline form by February 19.

Please call Traci Jernigan Rossi ’83 in the admission office if you have questions about re-enrollment, 503-297-1894 ext. 346. Questions concerning payment options should be directed to Mary Ann Rogers in the business office at 503-203-5114

 

 

 

GAMBOL AUCTION NEWS

The Tuition raffle is back by popular demand. Don’t miss this opportunity for a chance to win $10,000 towards tuition at Catlin Gabel. You can purchase your raffle ticket at www.catlin.edu/giving/gambol. You must be 18 years and older to purchase a raffle ticket. Drawing for raffle will take place on March 13 at the Nines. Need not be present to win. For more information, please contact the auction office at gambol@catlin.edu.

 

  

CALENDAR NEWS FOR 2010 - 11

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2010 - 11

June 13 - 15