Wed. Jan 9 - Film Screening: Most Likely to Succeed, 6pm at Rotary Headquarters, Evanston

Sun. Jan 27: Roycemore-Chicago Bulls Family Night

Wed. Jan 30: Free Parent Presentation: How to Build Executive Function Skills: Your Guide to Raising Confident and Competent Kids; with Michael Delman, Massachusetts Distinguished Educator.

The January Lunch Menu is now available, with a delightful selection of healthy meals.

Roots & Family

By Adrianne Finley Odell

I have always had an appreciation for the outdoors.  My Dad used to take my brother and me camping and hiking when we were kids. He grew up on a farm in southeastern Ohio and spent a lot of time outdoors.  Even though I grew up in the city, he wanted me to experience some of the things he was able to experience as a child. I didn’t always love it. I distinctly remember when I was about 12 years old going on a backpacking trip with my Dad and brother.  I was so tired, my feet hurt so badly, and I cried and complained so much that my Dad had to leave me at a roadside pick up point, go get the car, and come back and rescue me! Boy, he was patient; I doubt that he felt that 12 was the “best age.” But as all good parents do, he stuck with me and continued to take me on field experiences! Fortunately, as I got older I got a little tougher, went on to do some tremendous hikes, went wilderness camping and have had some of the most amazing experiences of my life.  

I had an opportunity for one of those experiences recently with my 20 year-old daughter.  She has embraced my love of the outdoors and going on hikes is one of her very favorite things to do--so when we can both hike together, it’s special. We gain energy and our spirits are lifted in nature.  It is something that grounds us both. The roots we climb up as we transcend a steep hill also serve as metaphors for how we are connected. We are connected to the earth and to each other. The time that my daughter and I have as we are surrounded by nature serves as a relationship-sustaining opportunity for the two of us.  We take in our surroundings with our whole beings--eyes wide open to the shapes, colors and textures. We listen to the sounds of nature that we so rarely hear in our busy lives. We breathe in the rich, musty smell of the earth. We enjoy the silence, but also the time together to talk. As we have time for unhurried conversation, we acknowledge the twisted nature of our relationship and our years together just as the twisted roots wind up the hill.  At the same time, these roots ground us, support us, hold us together as mother and daughter. Our lives are both complicated and enmeshed with each other, yet in many ways simple--our roots are deep, life-sustaining arteries of love.

As my daughter went through the various stages of growing up, I always said to people, this age is the BEST age.  Then as she got older I said, THIS age is the best age. Each stage of a child’s life offers so much and teaches us so much as a parent and as a human being.  What I realize is that it is NOW that is the best age, the best time, whatever “now” that is. It is through being present with ourselves and our children that we are rewarded most.  Sometimes that “now” is messy and difficult and you just want to run away from it. But it is through embracing that messy and difficult now that you can truly appreciate the next now that is uplifting, inspiring and special--just as my daughter and I did on our hike and when we reached the top of the ridge to enjoy exhilarating, expansive views--together.  

2019 opens with lots of great news to share! It's only the first week of January, and our students are having great success with college acceptances. Several of our soon-to-be graduates are celebrating a full academic run with us, having first enrolled in Roycemore's Early Education program.

See our Lifers in action, exhibiting great leadership while passing along the skills they learned in Roycemore Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes.

   
Hahrim Choi received Early Decision acceptance from Northwestern University!

   
Katrin Gross celebrated Early Decision acceptance from the University of Pennsylvania!

 
Tom Ellis received a very quick response from the University of Minnesota, which wanted to snap him up as quickly as possible!

 
Mark Reiland, another lifer since age 3, got into the Visual Design/Computer Science Program at Chapman--one of the top programs in country!

We're looking forward to sharing even more of our students' successes in the upcoming weeks. 

Join us tomorrow!

January 9, 2019, 6 p.m. at Rotary Intertnational Headquarters, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston

An encore showing of the film, "Most Likely to Succeed".  Partnering with Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Rotary International, we offer this free showing of the film that explores compelling new approaches that aim to transform learning as we know it. Lively discussion and snacks follow viewing. Let's reimagine education together!

View the trailer here. 

Please RSVP here. 

We're holding our first Early Childhood and Kindergarten Expo!  Saturday, January 12th, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Whether your child is enrolled in our Early Childhood program or has completed it in the past, or you are looking for a great place to build your child's foundation for academic and life success, we'd love to have you join us.

Families and children are encouraged to explore our Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms. Our expert teachers will engage children as they take part in interactive STEAM based activities and make something fun to take home! Families will also enjoy locally-sourced snacks from our food service provider, HandCut Foods and enjoy a storytimes with our delightful and energetic librarian.

Current and prospective families are welcome! RSVP requested to attend the Expo.

Learn more about Roycemore's Early Childhood Education philosophy and programs here.

Share the event flyer with another family or friend!

This Week's Games: 

Thursday 1/10 Upper School Girls Basketball - 5:30 p.m. at Christ the King, 5088 W. Jackson

Thursday 1/10 Middle School Boys Basketball - 4:30 p.m. HOME vs Chiaravalle 

Friday 1/11 Middle School Girls Basketball - 4:00 p.m. HOME vs Baker

Friday 1/11 Upper School Girls Basketball - 6:00 p.m. HOME vs Our Lady of Tepeyac

Chicago Bulls Family Night is happening again on January 27th at 2:30 pm!  Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers 300 level tickets for $40.52 (plus $2 additional fees)  Purchase your gameday tickets here: Roycemore Bulls Family Night Tickets.

We are collecting BoxTops for Roycemore!  Bring in your BoxTops and put them in the donation bins located around the school. The collection bins say Place Box Tops here and are located by the double yellow doors in Lower School on the blue table, near the Elevator in Lower School, in the faculty lounge close to the printers, in the Upper School outside Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Rivera's offices. 

Want to volunteer to help the RFA?  Send a message to volunteer@roycemoreschool.org

Enrolling soon for summer enrichment programs!

Stay tuned for our full lineup of Camp Griffin and Inspiration Factory activities.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 - 7:00 p.m.

Roycemore Family Association cohosts a Free Parent Presentation
How to Build Exectutive Function Skills: Your Guide to Raising Confident and Competent Kids

With Massachusetts Distinguished Educator Michael Delman

As parents, we're sometimes filled with dread that our kids might not make it in the world. We are now in the Age of Attention, where the key skills are the ability to choose priorities, stay focused and get things done amidst an infinity of distractions. These skills are known as Executive Function skills--the self management abilities that children must learn in order to be motivated, productive and confident. Lifelong educator and expert in Executive Function intervention, Michael Delman, teaches parents how to equip their children with the skills they need today and for the future.

Read more about Michael Delman here.

View the event flyer here.

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