Welcome to this edition of The Westminster Weekly, where you will learn about what's been happening recently at Westminster School! We welcome story suggestions from parents, students, teachers, and alumni. Please email your news to
Mrs. Nancy Schuler
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Mark Your Calendar!
Upcoming Events
March 16-April 6
SCHOOL CLOSED
March 16-20
"Snow Days" & Prep for Distance Learning
March 23-27
Distance Learning
March 28-April 6
Spring Break
April 7
Planned Re-Opening of School
(will be re-evaluated as needed)
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At the end of last week, we enjoyed the final day of Spirit Week. We were grateful to get in our entire Spirit Week before the onset of the coronavirus in our area. The 8th graders did a great job with hosting this event. Each class presented a cheer in the cheer contest; Grizzy entertained the crowd with smooth dance moves; and everyone joined in a big dance party at the end. Thank you to the 8th-grade moms and to the Class of 2020 for a rousing great time! Check out the video for highlights.
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Varsity vs. Parents Basketball Games
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On Friday, March 6, the community came together for the annual Parents vs. Varsity basketball games. The varsity boys played the dads and the varsity girls played the moms. Both games were close and exciting. It's always great fun to see the moms and dads competing against their kids. Also, it's wonderful to have parents of students in other grades participate, and even some teachers as well. The teams get together to practice once a week in the months leading up to the big night, allowing for an opportunity to mingle with other parents and get some exercise. Thanks to all who participated!
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1st Graders Learn about the Spread of Germs
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The first-grade students had a lesson on germs and how to prevent the spread of them. The children learned about the importance of properly washing their hands and watched a video that demonstrated the effectiveness of washing hands with soap and water vs. using hand sanitizer. The students then worked with a partner to create their own germs. They gave their germ a name and age, came up with adjectives to describe their germ, stated how far the germ had traveled, and decided what their germ loves and hates. The students then presented their germs to the class. What a great way to help the children be healthier, while being creative at the same time. Thank you to Miss Deddo and Miss Ibrahim for such a valuable and fun lesson!
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School Closes and Preps for Distance Learning
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Yesterday afternoon, Governor Ralph Northam ordered all K-12 schools in Virginia to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to the continued spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. In compliance with this order, Westminster School will be closed from March 16 – March 27; in addition, Westminster’s spring break will take place, as scheduled, from March 28 – April 6. At present, we anticipate re-opening school on April 7, 2020.
Westminster teachers and students have been engaged in lessons about the use of Zoom for virtual classes and Google Classroom to assign and submit work. Distance learning will take place from March 23-27. We look forward to learning through these platforms and to having the ability to gather as a community, albeit virtually.
In a message to the families, Mr. Glover said, "I wish you and your family good health as we face this unprecedented challenge. While this time apart will create some inconvenience and challenges, it will also be a learning opportunity and, most importantly, help to curb the spread of the coronavirus. While we will not be together physically, we will remain in each other's hearts and minds. I look forward to seeing the children and you on Zoom!"
We hope that our extended Westminster community of graduates, grandparents, friends and neighbors will all be well through this health crisis.
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Alumni Basketball Game Brings Grads Back
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In between the parents' games, the alumni game was played. With a record number of alumni turning out for the game, there were plenty of members of both sides. Grads from the classes of 1985, 1990, 1991, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 participated. This close game was exciting to watch! Thanks to all of the alumni for coming back to hit the griffin court once more and to Mr. Le Moigne who helped to promote the game and organize the game.
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in·ter·po·late
/inˈtərpəˌlāt/
verb
- to insert (something of a different nature) into something else: "Illustrations were interpolated in the text."
- to alter or corrupt (something, such as a text) by inserting new or foreign matter
- to insert (words) into a text or into a conversation
- to insert between other things or parts
- to estimate values of (data or a function) between two known values
Did You Know?
Interpolate comes from Latin interpolare, a verb with various meanings, among them "to refurbish," "to alter," and "to falsify." (The polare part comes from polire, meaning "to polish.") Interpolate entered English in the 17th century and was applied early on to the alteration (and in many cases corruption) of texts by insertion of additional material. Modern use of interpolate still suggests the insertion of something extraneous or spurious, as in "she interpolated her own commentary into the report."
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The global pandemic of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 is an overwhelming and anxiety-causing phenomenon. We have been working with the students at school to practice preventative measures to help keep healthy and curb the spread of germs. We have also tried to help calm their fears about it. Hearing words like "national emergency," "quarantine," and "pandemic" everywhere they go can be very scary for children (for adults too!). This article from the Child Mind Institute has some good advice about how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus.
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Westminster School | 703-256-3620
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