Dear
,
Join me as I stroll (metaphorically) around campus. Stopping outside the carpool cabana, you hear the beat of a mariachi band. Walking inside the art studio, we see kindergartners joyfully creating their own unique visions inspired by George Rodrigue's "Blue Dog" paintings. Heading into the Barn Theatre, we find middle years students engaging in a mirroring exercise to prepare for learning stage combat for "The Hobbit." In the courtyard, we hear sweet songs in Spanish being sung by first and second graders. Looking toward the upper meadow are third graders searching the pond for tadpoles. In the distant lower meadow, we see middle years students playing soccer. And we end our stroll in the media center, where students are using iPads and the Smartboard to learn about different kinds of charts and graphs.
 What we have just witnessed is our extraordinary
Connections Program in action. Typically called "specials" in other schools, our teachers created the name "Connections" to more accurately describe what they do at High Meadows; they connect writing, reading, science, math, and social studies with the arts, technology, physical movement, and the environment. Such authentic, interdisciplinary connections are
one of the core tenets of progressive education, and one of the things we do best at High Meadows.
Come see for yourself at tomorrow's
Connections Curriculum Carousel (9 to 10:30 a.m.), at which our Connections teachers will showcase their programs and the work of their students. These programs are yet another reason why High Meadows is such a "connected" place!
Cheers,
Jay Underwood
Head of School
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Don't miss these great opportunities to join us at High Meadows!
Fall Admission Open House
Sunday, November 8th 2:00-4:00 pm
Register now to join us for an introduction to High Meadows School presented by our administration, faculty, parents and Ambassadors.
Independent High School Admission Fair
Thursday, November 12th 6:30-8:30 pm
Register now to j
oin us as we welcome admission representatives from independent high schools from the Atlanta metro area and beyond. Admission is free and open to the public.
Speaker Series: Kevin Carroll
Tuesday, November 17th 7:00 pm
Register now to join us for a thought provoking evening with Kevin Carroll. An agent for social change, Mr. Carroll is the founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC and author of three highly successful books: Rules of the Red Rubber Ball; What's Your Red Rubber Ball?; The Red Rubber Ball at Work.
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Third Graders Explore Wellness Through Mindfulness and Nutrition
By Third-Grade Teachers Kirsten Fournier & Cari Newman
As teachers, we recognize that being ready to think and learn goes beyond a comfortable seat and sharpened pencil. Each of our students experiences different schedules and family routines outside of our classroom. Knowing this, we do our best to help students understand the importance of wellness in their success in the classroom and in their lives.
In third grade, students begin to understand and take responsibility for maintaining and controlling their social-emotional well-being. Our class members use the Zones of Regulation to encourage, recognize and manage their emotional states, with the goal of being in the "green zone," which means they are ready to learn as much as possible. Students are also encouraged to practice various personal strategies to help themselves stay in "green" to benefit their own learning, as well as those around them.
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| Preschool Celebrates Birthdays With Frosting-Free Fun By Preschool 3 Teachers Gail Albert and Tricia McDaniel When you've only had three of them, birthdays are incredibly special! In our preschool class, we celebrate each child's birthday in a unique way. At the beginning of the year, we hang empty canvases in our classroom with each child's name and birthdate on them. On their special day, the birthday children paint their canvas. Then, their classmates add a little "magic" by picking sequins, pompoms, and feathers to add. Finally, we add glitter for a little extra birthday sparkle! This collaborative fun is the perfect recipe for a fun, frosting-free birthday celebration. Recently, our class helped our new Early Years and Elementary Principal Margaret Jones celebrate her birthday with a birthday canvas.
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| The class helps Ms. Jones with her birthday canvas. |
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iPads as Instruments: SoundTapp Ensemble Makes Waves
Three years ago, HMS Music Directors Patrick Wright and Paula Williams began to consider using iPads as instruments. After a year of exploration, experimentation, a master's thesis on the topic, and a mini-course experiment,five Middle Years students were invited to become members of the original iPad ensemble.
With the group established, Mr. Wright spent the next several months working on multiple aspects of the ensemble, including appropriate music, set-up, various ways to teach and learn the music, settings and sounds that worked best, and how to best deliver a performance.
The original iPad ensemble performed in a clinic setting at last year's state music educators' convention (GMEA) in Savannah. After a successful presentation, Mr. Wright decided to continue with the ensemble and to build on its initial success as both an educational tool and a performance ensemble.
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Let's Play: The Purpose of P.E.
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By High Meadows Physical Education Teacher Karen Allen
I have many fond memories of running freely through the woods, exploring creeks, climbing trees, building forts, playing endless games of tag or hide and seek with the neighborhood kids, and staying out until the street lights came on. I was lucky to grow up during a time and place where children could go outside and play all day without parents worrying. High Meadows is that place for children to experience the freedom of movement and play. The 40-acre campus offers a wealth of places for our students to make their own memories of adventure and play.
Children need to play to grow. They need to climb, swing, roll, run, skip, stretch, push, pull, jump, crawl, spin and move. Playing promotes sensory balance, which prepares children for learning.
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Embrace Your Spirit of Play: An Evening with Kevin Carroll, Author of Rules of The Red Rubber Ball
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7:00 pm, Tuesday, November 17
High Meadows School Community Center
All are Welcome!
What's your "red rubber ball?" According to author Kevin Carroll, we all have one! Inspired by his love for sports--and the "red rubber ball" of his playground days--Mr. Carroll encourages audiences to discover their passion--the primal source of joy in their lives--as a means to discover their life's work. Mr. Carroll tells us that "once you find your red rubber ball, may the source of your play become your life's work so much so that no one--not even you--will be able to tell the difference between the two."
An agent for social change, Mr. Carroll is the founder of Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC and author of three highly successful books: Rules of the Red Rubber Ball; What's Your Red Rubber Ball?; The Red Rubber Ball at Work.
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Apply Now for the 2016-17 School Year
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Planning to submit an admissions application for the 2016-17 school year? It's not too early to get started! To apply, click here and follow directions to set up your application account.
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Halloweenie Roast
Thursday, Oct. 22
6:00-8:00 pm
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Connections Curriculum Carousel
(for Preschool-5th Grade Parents)
Friday, Oct. 23
9:00-10:30 am
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Fall Family Photo Day
Saturday, Oct. 24
By Appointment
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Advanced Band Student Conductor Concert
Wednedsay, Oct. 28
5:00-6:00 pm
Community Center
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Grandparents Day
Thursday, Oct. 29
8:30-11:30 am
Community Center
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Noon Dismissal
Thursday, Oct. 29
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Teacher Workday
No School for Students
Friday, Oct. 30
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SHARE Meeting
Monday, Nov. 2
8:45-9:45 am
Library
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7th Grade Photo Days & Fall Make-Up Photos
Tuesday, Nov. 3 and
Wednesday, Nov. 4
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Community Gathering, Parents Welcome
Wednesday, Nov. 4
8:30-8:50 am
Community Center
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Put your 2016 Taxes to work now!
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High Meadows School was named a National Green Ribbon School in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Education. The Green Ribbon is awarded to public and private schools that demonstrate progress in three "Pillars": (1) reducing environmental impact and costs, including waste, water, energy use and alternative transportation; (2) improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and (3) providing effective sustainability education.
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A new film from the makers of
Race To Nowhere is playing in a theatre near you.
Beyond Measure offers a positive picture of what's possible in American education when communities decide they are ready for change.
Click here to learn more and to find a showing in your area.
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