Our Masks

- By Adrianne Finley Odell

This goes without saying but, it’s COLD!  And I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to the cold.  Still, the predicted negative 12 degrees F for a high one day in the week ahead is truly cold!  I went for a walk over the weekend to check out the ice formations along Lake Michigan. To prepare for heading outside, I wore fleece lined jeans, snow boots, many layers of clothing, a long down jacket, a hat, a combo hat/ scarf over the regular hat, and a face mask. My husband was mildly entertained by how much I covered up, but my face was warm! When you wear that much clothing, the only things showing are your eyes.

We passed a fourth grade student and his mom walking by on the sidewalk and I had to pull the face mask down for them to recognize me when I said hello.  Of course, I could have just as easily walked right by without removing the mask and remained incognito. In fact, earlier this week I was talking with someone who told me that he really loved winter precisely because he could cover up in this way and walk through Evanston undetected, whereas other times of the year he could not be inconspicuous because he is well-known locally.  This got me to thinking about how often we wear masks, either physical masks or masks of persona to protect us from other people. A physical mask can take the form of the clothes we wear, the cars we drive or making various brand choices to align ourselves with an image or social class that we want to be associated with. A persona could range from presenting ourselves as someone who has a “perfect life,” as our Instagram world has greatly facilitated.  It could also be presenting ourselves as “the funny one,” “the smart one,” “the handsome one,” or some other such mask, when it is used to cover up our own insecurities.

Masks are worn by most everyone at times, however, they prevent us from expressing vulnerability and authenticity that allows us to truly connect as human beings.  It is a learned behavior that begins at a young age. However, if we can become attuned to our mask-wearing as parents, we can model vulnerability and authenticity for our children to help them do the same.  It takes courage sometimes to be your true self. By braving the elements and letting our true selves shine, we are better equipped to reach our true potential to become all that we are meant to be and all that we are here to do.

- Tuesday, Jan. 29th - Admissions Morning, 8:30 to 10:00am

- Wednesday, Jan. 30th - School Cancelled

- Thursday, Jan. 31st - School is Cancelled (EDP options available from 10:00 am -4:30 pm).

- Wednesday, Feb. 13th - Documentary Screening, "Won't You Be My Neighbor", Rotary International Headquarters Evanston, 6:00pm (Register Here)

- Thursday, Feb. 21st - FAN Presentation by Yong Zhao, "Reach for Greatness", New Trier High School, 7pm (Read More Here)

- Monday January 28 -Middle School Girls & Upper School Girls at Willows Academy - CANCELLED

- Wednesday January 30 - Middle School Girls at North Shore Country Day 4:00pm.  CANCELLED, Rescheduled for Feb. 4th

- Thursday January 31 - Upper School Girls Basketball Tournament, Roycemore Gym, 4:00-5:00pm

- Friday February 1 - Upper School Girls Basketball Tournament, Roycemore Gym, 4:00-5:00pm

- Friday February 1 - Upper School Boys Basketball game HOME vs Acero Cruz at 6:45pm

Last Week's Scores:

Jan. 23 Upper School Boys at Cristo Rey, Loss (81-21)

Jan. 24 Middle School Boys vs Hillel Torah, Win (19-17)

The Wednesday, January 30th event discussing Michael Delman's book "Your Kid's Gonna Be Okay", about Executive Functioning, has been postponed.  A new date will be scheduled and shared with the Roycemore community. 

Join Coach Jones for a Developmental Basketball Camp this Spring Break.

March 25 - 29th

Grades 4-8, Boys and Girls

Open to Roycemore and Non-Roycemore Students

Current Roycemore Families Can Register Here. 

Are you tired of asking, "How was school today?" Only to get a half-hearted "fine" for an answer?  If so, then join us for Parent Visitation Day and see for yourself what goes on at Roycemore.  

Wednesday, February 6th, 8:30am - 10:30am

Scholarship Dinner and Auction

Join us for this year's Roycemore's Scholarship Dinner and Auction on Saturday, April 27th.  For more information, please contact Sara McGuire at [email protected].

Bring a print out or electronic version of this flyer to Panera (1700 Sherman Ave) and they will donate a portion of the proceeds to Roycemore School.  

February 8th, From 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Please consider choosing Roycemore School for your Amazon Smile account.  Amazon allows customers to assign an organization to receive .05% of all eligible purchases.  Once you have chosen Roycemore, you can do all of your regular shopping through Amazon Smile and help Roycemore at the same time!

Summer Camp Registration Starts This Friday, February 1st! 

Camp Griffin, Roycemore's long standing traditional summer camp, will be running from June 17-August 9th.  Drop off starts at 7:30am and pick up is available as late as 6:00pm.  Hot lunch and snacks included as well as field trips and regular swim instruction at the YWCA. 

Inspiration Factory are theme- based, enrichment camps run by Roycemore faculty and start as early as June 10.  Morning sessions and afternoon sessions can be combined for a full day of fun.  

Please go to our website to read more about all of these great summer options. 

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