Schools that "shush," and schools that "schuss"
Shush: verb, demanding silence.
Schuss: verb, a high-speed run down an alpine slope. Growing up in rural Massachusetts, there were very few outstanding elementary schools. I spent my earliest years at one, like so many schools at that time, where the pedagogy was comprised primarily of sage-on-the-stage classroom structure, an environment where students were expected to passively absorb whatever was espoused. We were essentially told to "sit and git." In the winter months, old steam radiators and teachers alike could be heard throughout the hallways and classrooms issuing their own versions of shhhhhh. Winter seemed a particularly inactive time to me, and the implicit message imparted by the faculty’s telltale shushing sounds was that learning, too, was meant to be inactive.
Community Helpers Luncheon
An impressive showing of community helpers arrived last Friday to be hosted by the Primary School at their annual luncheon. Members of the Fire Department, Public Works Department, Post Office and Police Department were on hand in good numbers and were eager to share their stories with the young captive audience who stared back with wide eyes at the tales of bravery and adventure. Huge thanks to the parent volunteers who decorated the rooms so beautifully and to the community helpers themselves!
Primary Winter Games
Shepard Field was host to a snow-less but beautiful, fun-filled day of games among the primary school students. Primary Winter Games 2012 witnessed considerable team spirit, inventive cheers, and cooperation between older and younger students. Congratulations to all the teams for winning the following outdoor events:
Yellow Team-Slalom Run
Purple Team-Sled Pull
Red Team-Giant Snowball push
Blue Team-Olympic Ring ball throw
Black Team-Olympic-Egg on spoon
Kindergarten Post Office
Students in the Kindergarten will be running a school-wide post office beginning Monday, February 6, through Thursday, February 16, 2012. The kindergarteners will be selling stamps from 8:00-8:30 AM at the end of the Mattes Wing, near the Lost and Found. Please encourage your children to stop by and purchase stamps, which cost five cents. The money will be donated to Eleventh Hour Dog Rescue. There will be a mailbox in Blairhame on the right hand side of Mrs. Castellano’s desk. Please let your children know that they must have the name and homeroom of the person they are sending mail to on the outside of the letter. The students must also have their letters in the mailbox no later than 12:30 PM in order for them to be delivered that afternoon. Although faculty have discussed appropriate correspondence with all students, I encourage you take a few minutes to talk to your children about what is and is not appropriate to write to each other. If you have any questions about the Kindergarten Post Office, please email us or stop by. We hope you will participate as well as your children. Happy Mailing!
--Andrea Hutchins and Brianne Moses
I Capture the Castle
First grade students used paper mache and paint to create their castles, decorating them with flags and a coat of arms they designed thenselves. Finally the students created knights, horses, kings, queens and princesses to populate their creations. The students had been studing fairy tales in their classroom and reading fairy tale books in the library; now they've managed to add their own plot line to a rich tradition!
The Great Debate
Last week, students in 6th grade English debated two sides of an interesting topic regarding Karen Cushman’s novel, Catherine, Called Birdy. After working in teams to prepare points and site key references, students faced off in a head to head debate where they argued the motives of the main character’s parents who sought to find her a wealthy suitor for marriage. Were Catherine’s parents being selfless in finding a stable mate for her to marry? Or were they selfish, concerned only with bettering their own social status and wealth? Both sides scored many telling points, but in the end, it was “special guest judge” Mrs. Calderon who would decide!
Ski Day!
Our weekly ski day has proven fun for all--despite last week's absence of our Upper School--and fresh snow. Happily Tuxedo Ridge is handy with the snow machines and our 6th graders stepped up to fill in for the missing older students. They acted as responsible and dedicated buddies to their younger peers and judging by all the smiles, TPS students had a great time at the mountain!
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New Dates for ERBs
This year, ERBs will occur earlier than usual: on February 15-16, and on February 21-22 for students in grades 2 through 9.
Updates from the Parents Association
Thank you to all who attended the Parents’ Association Meeting last Friday and engaged in a Parents’ Ideas Exchange.
Looking Ahead
Please see the Web Calendar for division and athletic events.
Thursday, February 9 - Ski Race Day at Tuxedo Ridge (casual dress for all students) - Come Cheer on the Skiiers!
Friday, February 10 2:20pm - Todd Williams will be performing live jazz at Coquito in Warwick, with sets starting at 8pm and at 9:30pm. (While we like to think of this Wynton Marsalis protege as our own, every second Friday of the month we share him with the outside world.) HEAD OF SCHOOL, FOR A DAY
On February 14th, Kristen and Alex Gotsis will be Heads of School for the Day. They have decided that the dress code will be pajama day.
2012/2013 TPS Calendar
When does school start next year?
Click here for the TPS 2012-2013 School Day/Vacation Day/Early Dismissal Calendar.
No School days are in RED; 3PM or 12PM Dismissal Days are in Green.
Grease Rehearsal Prop Request List
With just one month until Showtime, the TPS Drama Department is seeking your help with accruing props for Grease.
Attention Upper School Students
If you are interested in earning additional service hours, the Extended Day Program would welcome your assistance. We are looking for students to spend time reading, doing a craft, and playing board games with the younger students that stay at school until after 4pm. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Morrisohn.
Project Linus
Come and help us make blankets for children in the hospital; all blankets will be donated to the NJ Chapter of Project Linus.
WHEN: Saturday, February 11 from 10am to 12pm, Tuxedo Park School Dining Room
WHAT TO BRING: Scissors, 1-3/4 yards 60" wide printed or solid fleece.
Students of all ages with their parents are welcome.
To sign up, call/email Kristen Heard: 351-4737x109 or kheard@tuxedoparkschool.org
Feb 25th Fused Glass Workshop
Come learn how to fuse glass at our next workshop for adults and children; the cost is $60. This can be taken as a one-time class to make simple projects, or an ongoing opportunity to delve into the many artistic possibilities of fused glass. The technique could be compared to quilting or applique (with heat), the colored glass being pieced together to form patterns or abstract motifs. The result can be complex or simple, or like applique, it can be an image on its own. The class will meet from 10:00 am until 1:30 on Saturday and includes a potluck lunch. To sign up contact Megan Sweeney at x111 or msweeney@tuxedoparkschool.org
Bullying Workshop
On February 19th at noon in Warwick, a class on bullying will be hosted by black belt master instructor Gary J. Stevens at the Chosun Taekwondo Academy, 62 Main Street Warwick, NY 10990 Top Floor. Admission is free but requires reservations: (845) 986-2288 www.chosuntkd.com
Boys Basketball Victory!
The boys basketball team took to the court confidently against Saddle River last night, and though we struggled in the first two minutes to put the ball in the hoop, we quickly overcame the sluggish start and simply picked up momentum from there. We never looked back. By the end of the first quarter we up 10 -0 and the coaches were able to sit out four of our five starters. All the players began to get some time and make impressive contributions to the team.
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