October 7, 2021 | Issue 7

“While the steeple of historic St. Thaddeus Church is being repaired we welcome our school families to celebrate our school at Mead Hall Sunday.” Mead Hall Sunday Sunday, October 10th at 9:00 am and 11:15 am Join us this Sunday, October 10th for Mead Hall Sunday at St. Thaddeus Church. Services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. PTO will have a table with take and go breakfast items available. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open for shopping from 10:00 am. to 12:30 p.m. in the APC Gym - bring your church bulletin for 10% off your purchase!

A Message from the Head of School

Global Connections and International Exchange Students   One of my goals for Mead Hall is that we can strive to be a school that is locally rooted and globally connected, where our students are nurtured by the community at Mead Hall and in Aiken while being aware and knowledgeable about the world around them. Over the past few years we have had foreign exchange students from Brazil, Kenya and now Spain, whom by their presence have raised our students’ global awareness. Our latest exchange student, Gonzalo Osorio-Torres, brings us an international perspective and is enjoying the welcome of our local community and Mead Hall.    Gonzalo is living in Jackson with his host family and transferred to Mead Hall early in the year from Silver Bluff High School. He comes to us from Madrid where he lives with his parents and two younger brothers and attends Colegio B.V. Maria, El Soto, a independent university preparatory school. Gonzalo became interested in the possibility of a full year exchange program after living in Switzerland with his family when he was 10 and 11, and then later spending a 3 month exchange with a family in Ireland. He had never been to the United States but had a desire to experience our country by living and studying here through an international exchange program which landed him here in Aiken County.   One of the first things Gonzalo noticed about America is that things are very big, especially the cars, and everyone drives everywhere. He has been struck by how friendly everyone is so Aiken’s southern charm is alive and well. He is happy that he has made new friends and enjoys that Mead Hall is small so that he knows everyone which is very different from his school in Madrid that has 1000 students.   Gonzalo enjoys all of his subjects at Mead Hall, which include British Literature, US History, Government, Biology, Geology, and Algebra II. One difference for him is that in Spain he studies Spanish History every year and the students argue their differences passionately whereas here people are much more polite with each other when their views differ.    He hopes to experience American culture as well as travel during his time in the United States. Gonzalo has already enjoyed some American high school football games at Silver Bluff and South Aiken. He thinks that the sport is dangerous compared to his beloved football (soccer) and finds the fans pretty intense. He is hoping to get to see some baseball and basketball in America as well. Gonzalo finds the food here greasy compared to Spain but he really enjoys our wings and hash browns. He hopes to see New York, D.C. and Philadelphia.    It is a blessing to have international students join us to study at Mead Hall. I also hope that our students can take opportunities to study abroad during their education at Mead Hall and perhaps also in college. These are wonderful opportunities the broaden the horizons of students, build a sense of global connections, and become better educated about the world around them. While it is not possible for everyone to have these international experiences, at Mead Hall we are committed to bring the world to us in our curriculum and school life so that our students will be blessed through these broadening global connections while growing up with meaningful and supportive local roots here in Aiken.   Blessings, Frank Sawyer Head of School

Lower School Pom Squad – We are looking for a coach!

We are looking forward to bringing back Pom Squad for Grades 1 – 4 this year. We do need a coach and an assistant for this team. If you are interested please contact Coach Antonio Grant at the Aiken Prep Campus: agrant@meadhallschool.org

Dedication of the Weight Room in the Aiken Prep Campus Gym

Yesterday we dedicated the new weight room at the Aiken Prep Campus. Please read about this new addition to our school in tomorrow’s In the Hoop.   We would especially like to thank Dana Massey for her leadership and work in seeing this project through from beginning to end. We were delighted to have her cut the ribbon at the ceremony. We would also like to thank all of the following people for their contributions to this project:   Mead Hall Booster Club ( Additional Funds for Flooring) Reece and Howard Family and Bonitz Flooring (Gym Flooring) Becky and Toby Marks and Toby Marks Construction (Painting) The Reynolds Family and Reynolds Construction (Demolition and Construction) The Hearne Family and Golds Gym (Equipment) Dana and Ray Massey (Equipment) *Thank you to the following Students who also helped: Stern Massey, Granger Young, Brooks Abrams, Ashton Stroud, Wyatt Geitner, Chuck Stanley, Jon Current and Emma Farmer.

Interact Club Induction

On Friday morning September 29, 2021 Mead Hall Interact and Sunrise Rotary gathered in the East lawn to celebrate a new year of service. Dr. Sawyer, a Rotarian himself, welcomed all and club president Arein Delairarte presided over the meeting. Ms. Rysheeka Bush from Rotary performed the Induction of the 20 students listed below who joined Mead Hall Interact. She also confirmed the executive officers, Arein Delairarte, Ben Thomas Weidenman, Maggie Elliott Sawyer, and Robin Merritt. Arein then went on to confirm the rest of the leadership council and welcome back the other continuing Interactors. After the ceremony, there was a beautiful display of snacks that all enjoyed while learning about and from one another.    We thank our Rotary sponsor for joining us and look forward to a wonderful year of service. Brooks Abrams Moriah Awkward Jack Bey Lily Carroll Tori Goodson Alex Hammell Taylor Houck Caroline Johnston Sabin Kruth Xander Leigh Novee Mitchell Cassie Rodriguez Ron Shepherd Zalyric Singleton Kate Smith Loralei Stanley Shaelin Sullivan Caroline Weidenman Witt Wilkins Julia Young Sunrise Rotary President Rysheeka Bush presenting certificates to new members. Upcoming Events:   Mead Hall Interact will be handing out candy at the Aiken Symphony Spooktacular on Saturday October 23.   Mead Hall Interact will be at the Fall Festival on October 24 offering fairy hair and face painting to raise funds to support World Polio Day.

Mead Hall Band

The Mead Hall Band will be holding their Fall Concert on Tuesday, October 12. This year's theme is "Ultimate Pep Band." Come out to the APC soccer field and join in the tailgate feel with your folding chair or blanket. Picnic/tailgate foods are encouraged as we celebrate with traditional Pep Tunes heard this time of year at football and other sporting events. "Kick off" is at 6PM. The band would also like to thank everyone involved in the success of our bake sale held on September 25. Through the help of donations of baked goods, waters, and money, we were able to raise around $1,200 to help our program pay for music and instrument repairs.  We are exceptionally proud to announce that six students in the Mead Hall High School Band have been named to the first ever Pfeiffer University Honor Band Clinic to be held in November 2021. Students will be learning and performing music with the renowned band composer, Robert W, Smith and with 175 other band students from North Carolina Schools. Congratulations go to Ben Herron, Caroline Johnston, Dean Bryce, Peter Garrison, Esther Marks, and Joseph Zeller!!!

Mead Hall PTO News and Events

Fall Festival  October 24th 1pm - 4pm Come One, Come All and Celebrate Fall at the Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 24th from 1pm to 4pm on the Aiken Prep Field  See the flyer for event details and make sure to join us for a fun afternoon!

Vote Now for our Mead Hall Scarecrow  The Mead Hall Scarecrow is located on Lauren's St. in front on Cyndi's Sweet Shoppe Visit the ADDA Facebook Page and cast your vote by "liking" the photo! Click Here to Like

Panther Club

We couldn't do it without you!  Each week, the Panther Club's presenting sponsors will be advertised In The Loop. This week's spotlight is on Toby Marks Development, Inc. For all they've done in the past and continue to do for our school,  For all they've done in the past and continue to do for our school, we thank you!

Support Mead Hall Athletics by becoming a Panther Club Sponsor - Click Here for Panther Club Sponsor Information

Did you know when you go to the grocery store, shop online or enjoy a Coca-Cola product, it’s also an opportunity to give back to your school?

Here are 6 Easy Steps to Help Support Mead Hall! Share the steps! Every donation counts! You can make a difference!

1.  Amazon Smile Experience Feel-Good Shopping Shop at smile.amazon.com for the same products, same prices, same services, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization, at no cost to you. You can Get Started today.   Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

2.  Box Tops Scan Your Receipt and Earn for Your School Use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add cash to your school's earnings online. From playground equipment to technology to library books, your school can use this money to help teachers and students get the supplies they need. Receipts are redeemable for 14 days plus you can also access special bonus offers. Get Started today, visit the App Store or Google Play !   If you discover a traditional Box Tops clip on a product, you can still clip it and send it to school. Every valid Box Tops clip is still worth 10¢ for your school. Make sure each one you turn in has a clearly visible product acronym and expiration date.  Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

3. Coca-Cola Give Your School Can Benefit by Using Codes from Your Favorite Coca-Cola Products. Any Coca-Cola beverage that has a product code under its cap or printed on its paper packaging is eligible to be used for donation. It’s easy to donate by signing in and choosing your local school. Your donation will result in a quarterly payment to be used to purchase supplies for your school’s interest such as physical education, sports, technology, and/or arts which will be designated by your school. Give more happiness with your purchases from The Coca-Cola Company! Get Started today!    Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

4. Kroger Community Kroger Community Rewards Program Makes Fundraising Easy Kroger will donate to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. Once you link your Card to an organization, all you need to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Shopper’s Card.  Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations. Follow the below steps to Get Started today!   Create a digital account. A digital account is needed to participate in Kroger Community Rewards. If you already have a digital account, simply link your Shopper’s Card to your account so that all transactions apply toward the organization you choose. Link your Card to an organization. Selecting the organization that you wish to support is as simple as updating the Kroger Community Rewards selection on your digital account. Sign into your digital account. Search for your organization here Enter the name or NPO number of the organization you wish to support. Select the appropriate organization from the list and click “Save”. Your selected organization will also display in the Kroger Community Rewards section of your account. If you need to review or revisit your organization, you can always do so under your Account details.   Note: If you are a customer, make sure you have a preferred store selected to view participating organizations. If you are applying on behalf of an organization, please select a store in the same area as your organization.  Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

5. Publix Partners Participating is Easy! Sign up with Club Publix or log in to your existing account and every time you shop at Publix, pay with the Publix app or enter your phone number at checkout, we’ll give back to the school of your choice—one of the many perks of being a Club Publix member! Get Started today at Club Publix ! When you log into Club Publix, select Mead Hall under the “My Publix Partner” in the account settings. Then by simply entering your phone number at checkout, eligible purchases* at Publix will help earn money for your school. Your school chooses how to use the money. Whether your school needs computers or microscopes, art supplies or sports equipment, Publix Partners can help make it happen. *All purchases are eligible with the exception of gift cards, alcohol, lottery items, money services, postage stamps, prescriptions, purchases from Florida stores, purchases from Publix GreenWise Market locations, and purchases for delivery or curbside pickup, both Powered by Instacart. Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

6. SRP Debit Like Mead Hall, SRP is Committed to Community and Making a Difference. The SRP High School Affinity Debit Card Program was designed to help provide funding to our local high schools. Every time a purchase is made using one of our High School Debit Cards, SRP donates money to that school. The school can use these funds to purchase books, equipment, materials, fund programs or for other needs. Make sure to get your High School Affinity Debit Card and help raise money for your school with every purchase you make. Join SRP in their efforts to give back to our school by requesting a Mead Hall Debit Card, making a difference could not be easier with SRP. To Get Your High School Affinity Debit Card, please follow the below steps to become an SRP member or to change your existing SRP card.   Not an SRP member? Join today! Click the link to Get Started today at SRP Debit. Simply open a checking account and select the school of your choice for your affinity debit card.  If you are a current SRP member, to switch your current card you can send a Secure Message through SRP Online or call 803-278-4851 or visit your local branch. Thank you for supporting Mead Hall!

School Store  The School Store will be open Monday 10/11 - Wednesday 10/13 8:00am - 9:00am and afternoons by appointment by emailing MHStore@meadhallschool.org Please note the store will be CLOSED on Thursday 10/14 and will reopen on Tuesday, 10/19 after the return from fall break.  New to the School Store:  Port Authority Canvas Tote Bags - perfectly sized for chromebooks and laptops!  Medium Size - $37.00  Available in Navy or Red  Limited Quantities - grab yours today!

"FEATURE ITEM" Port Authority Canvas Tote Bags

SUNDAY Rite I Eucharist no music 7:45 AM Rite II Eucharist with Contemporary music 9:00 AM Rite II Eucharist with Traditional Music, choir and organ 11:15 AM WEDNESDAY Rite II Eucharist in the chapel 11:00 AM 1ST SATURDAY We will have a service at the Prep Campus on the first Saturday of each month.   We also live stream the services.  Please visit our FaceBook page for video. All of our services offer Communion. Church office hours are Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00 803-648-5497

Notification Process for a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 Please notify the school if your child or a member of your child's household has a COVID-19 positive test result. If your child is sick and is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please keep the child home and contact the school.  Please see the link below for further details of what to do in the cases of Covid-19 symptoms or exposure.

Notification:       Frank Sawyer fsawyer@meadhallschool.org, (843) 560-9539 (School Google Voice)  Joanne Morton jmorton@meadhallschool.org, (803) 803 649-1914 (Cell)   Chris Riley criley@meadhallschool.org, (762) 333-2553 (School Google Voice)  Heather Wiseman hwiseman@meadhallschool.org, (803) 761-7553 (School Google Voice)  Amy Calfee acalfee@meadhallschool.org, (678) 753-4195 (School Google Voice)

COVID-19 Protocol