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Note Home

We had some wonderful conferences this week and hope to finish them up next week.   It is impressive how much work these students have done over the past few months.   Now we are starting to think more about our spring trip to Washington DC on May 9-13.   We will have an informational meeting Wednesday the 13^th at 7:00 PM.

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Well, the students pulled off another wonderful cabaret.   I hope you all had a chance to see their work on Thursday night last week, but if you didn’t, Alan Dater filmed the performance and will have some DVDs for soon for $10.00.  Thank you so much Alan for stepping in at the last minute.

This week we have switched gears and are working hard on portfolios to share at student led conferences.  If you haven’t yet called Gail to set up a time on Thur. the 31^st, please do.  It has been a long time since the students have had a chance to share and reflect upon their work.

Note Home

We will be rehearsing at the college beginning Monday. Please do not pack lunches that need to be heated up.  There is no microwave at the theater.

Dear Parents:

Here’s an update on conferences.  We will not be having our conferences on the 18^th because we need the time that week to get ready for our drama performance on Thursday the 24^th. Preparing portfolios for conference takes a considerable amount of time. Since there are no busses that day we will send work home with the kids so that they can have a “school day” at home.   We will be having conferences after  drama is over on Thur. March 31.  This is a regular school day and the kids should come to school  for the whole day.  You may call Gail to set up a time to meet with your child and either one of us.  Depending on the time you choose, the student will miss a half hour of study hall or one of the Thursday classes for their conference.

This week before vacation we are presenting Independent projects.  Please feel free to join us for any of these presentations.  There have been a few changes in the schedule since last week so the new schedule is posted with the homework.    The students have been working really hard on these and they should be great.

When we return from vacation we will turn to Drama with renewed energy.   The performance for the Cabaret will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday March 18^th at the Marlboro College Theatre.

We are also starting to plan our trip to Washington, DC (May 9^th-13).   We are looking for Chaperones.  Is anyone interested?   That’s all for now…

Every one is working hard these days.   Independent projects are well underway as students explore a range of topics from the science of baking and wind power to the Beatles, Buddhism and Stonehenge.  They are lighting light bulbs in science (hands on earning about parallel series circuits)  and creating a character who lived during the Civil War based on their own heritage.    Math and Literature groups continue to challenge and inspire.  With all this we are reading scenes to get ready for our drama production which will happen toward the end of March.   As soon as we have a date from the college for the use of the theater we’ll let you know.  I. project presentations are the week before February break and we will give you a list of times for those when we know that as well.  Parents are welcome to join us for these presentations, which will be during regular school hours.

School is back in session and the kids are working hard as well as skiing and participating in winter workshops.  Science projects on wireless technology will be presented next week starting on Wednesday. Even before those are finished, we are studying the structure of atoms and beginning our independent projects, which will last through January and be presented the week before February break.  Ask your son or daughter to share the letter home we handed out on Wednesday. Math and Literature groups continue and we are wrapping up our study of the Bill of Rights and moving into a study of the Civil War with two more debates.  The first is on 9^th Amendment rights and the debate over Roe versus Wade.  The students requested this as a debate topic and, as I saw in the freedom of speech debate over the “I love boobies bracelet”, they are perfectly capable of tackling these sensitive and controversial issues with intelligence, skill, and grace.   The second debate will use the 10^th Amendment to discuss states’ rights and the question of secession.

Looking toward the future see below for a notice from the Compass School.

Compass School Information Session, January 11^th

Compass School, fostering a love of learning for students in grades 7-12, is hosting an Open House for interested students and their families on Tuesday, January 11th at 7:00 pm. Compass School prides itself on developing “good students and good people,” with over 90% of its graduates going on to college. To learn more about the school, come to the Open House on the 11^th, visit the school website at www.compass-school.org, or call at802-463-2525. You can watch short videos about the school at http://www.compass-school.org/admissions. Compass is located on Route 5, just south of Bellows Falls.

Notes Home

Have you heard about the earth ovens?   Perhaps you wondered what all that wood smoke smell was on Wednesday.   Our study of heat and energy continues.  In Literature we are starting new books; ask your kids what they think utopia means.   In Social Studies our study of the legislative process continues with our trip to Montpelier.  We will be leaving at 8:30 sharp so if you bring your child to school please be on time.   We will not be back in time for the afternoon busses.  Please plan to have some one pick up your son or daughter at about 4:00.   Don’t hesitate to call over the weekend if you have any questions.

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Notes Home

It was great to meet with most of you for the student led conferences.  The students have been working hard and it becomes clear as they talk about that work with you.   If you’re wondering what we’re moving on to now, ask about poetry, or heat & energy.  Perhaps you have been hearing the preamble to The Declaration of Independence in the shower.  We had a number of very fine recitations.   If you are wondering who to vote for on the 2^nd, ask your child or come by the school on the first when their election fliers , debates, and pod casts should be complete.   Soon we will be starting new lit. books, building earth ovens, and on Monday Nov. 15^th we will be traveling to Montpelier for the day.   We will not be back for the busses but plan to be back around 4:00.  We’ll let you know more  as the details of the trip are ironed out.

Hey all,
Short week this week.   We are looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.   The students are working hard getting their portfolios ready.

Notes Home

All our classes are well underway.  If you have a chance ask about stream monitoring, or the Boston Massacre, or Monday night math, or magic, ghosts or immortality in fiction.  Along with all this thought and activity  we are also thinking about the Cider Sale! Thank you Steve & Vanessa for putting so much work into that,  and we’ll see you on October 2^nd for apple picking.