Lower School News
May 14, 2018

Dear Stanwich Families,

Last week we were thinking how wonderful it was that spring weather had finally arrived. This week we are wondering if it is over already.

The week ahead is busy with many exciting activities and events. This morning has started off with our Parent Association speakers, Nathan Hart, Stanwich dad and former Stanwich School Trustee, and Dr. Heather Wright, author, speaker, and the Director of the Greenwich Center for Hope and Renewal. They are presenting on the topic of  'Changes: Helping Your Family Navigate Transition', a subject very close to us at Stanwich. The faculty will also have the opportunity to listen to this presentation after the school day on June 6th. On Wednesday we have our annual Spring Parents' Luncheon, at the Belle Haven Club, followed by an opportunity for Grade 3 parents to visit the State Fair hosted by Mr Combatti and Mr Ramaley with their students in the school gym.  On Thursday the Senior House present their production, Little House of Horrors. Finally, this Friday is an extended day. During the afternoon on Friday, the Lower School students will be rehearsing for the Spring Concert which will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd whilst many of the teachers will be attending professional development led by Graham Fletcher. Graham Fletcher has served in education as a classroom teacher, math instructional lead, and currently as a math specialist. Graham's work with the math progressions and problem-based lessons has led him to present throughout North America and beyond focusing on finding innovative ways to support students and teachers in their development of conceptual understanding. He is coming to Stanwich in conjunction with Math Professional development he is running this week at GCDS, and we are very excited for this opportunity.

Last week was a real celebration of families, I would like to thank all of you who have Wildwood or Primary House children for making our Grandparents Day so special. It was wonderful to have so many Grandparents, and special friends in attendance for the children.

To the mothers and women in our lives who love or loved us, Happy Mother's Day!  I shared the following Jewish proverb yesterday with the Lower School faculty who are also mothers 'A mother understands what a child does not say'.   The same could also be said of the Stanwich teachers who work tirelessly and empathetically with the students each day.

Trudy Davis and Lindsey Wohl

Lower School Head and Lower School Assistant Head


Grade 4 Visit the Vernal Pool

Grade 4 has been enjoying their trips to Stanwich's vernal pool and making connections to their current Wetland Ecology unit. In the classroom, students learned about the different types of wetlands, food chains, animal adaptations and surface tension. They were then able to see these in action at the vernal pool and even caught a few frogs and water striders! We are looking forward to our last few trips on campus and our trip to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center next!
Grandparents' Day

Our tradition of inviting Grandparents and special friends for our Primary House and Wildwood students continued last Thursday with our Grandparents' Day events and concert.  With our IH students as very enthusiastic ushers, our guests were invited into the classrooms to participate in activities ranging from Math Bingo, to learning about famous historical and modern day figures. Following this, refreshments were served before our rousing, patriotic concert presented by the students from PreK through Grade 5.  For all of us in Stanwich, young and old, this was an opportunity to give back and say thank you to these very special people in our lives, for the wisdom that they share with us, the empathy that they teach us, and the patience that they show us.
Grade 3 Biographical Bust Project

In library the students selected a historical figure to research. Then they began with a brainstorming session and completed research using encyclopedia, books, and online reading.  The students went through the process of editing and using strategies learned through Writers Workshop. The students drafted their writing and presented a final finished piece.  

The third Graders studied different artists that create human sculpture.  They then used foam heads and built them up with plaster after studying the facial structure of their chosen historical figure.  They then created the identifiable features of their historical person with mixed media and plaster. Finally, objects were added that the student identifies with the person that they studied.  

This cross-curricular project is a highlight of the final trimester in Grade 3 involving library, art, and language arts.

Grade 4 Visit The Intrepid

 
On may 9th Grade 4 visited the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier to support their study of WWII.  Students were able to see crew men's quarters and the flight deck, where different types of planes were kept.  They were also able to see the steam catapult which launched planes off the flight deck, as well as the island where the ship was directed and steered from.
Science

Grade 2 are continuing their physical science unit 'Solids and Liquids'.   They are focusing on solid particles now.  After investigating the properties of different solid particles (lima beans, pinto beans, mung beans, rice, and cornmeal)  the students had to separate a 5 ingredient "soup mix" into its components using 3 different sized screens.


Looking Ahead to 2018/19 - Stanwich Uniforms

Stanwich School will continue with its current uniform for the 2018/19 academic year.  We appreciate that this may involve new purchases for students who are moving to a new school section or who have outgrown their current size.  In order to assist as much as we can with this, please note the following:
  • if your child is transitioning from WW - PH, girls and boys uniform does not change
  • if your child is transitioning from PH - IH, girls may continue in the previous  uniform  if you prefer.  Boys may continue in the white shirt if they prefer or transition to the blue polo shirt.
  • if you are entering IH, the navy sweater vest is optional for 2018/19

  • if your child is transitioning from IH - JH, girls may continue in the previous uniform if you prefer.  Boys transitioning from IH to JH will need to follow the current uniform policy for JH boys: Collared Dress/Button-Down Oxford Shirt in white or blue with a tie. Before October 15th and after April 15th, Stanwich logo Polo shirts - short or long sleeved, in white or navy are required.
Uniform Exchange

Mills will not be having a shopping event this spring, but check out their website for some great deals Click here !  

In June we will have a large uniform swop to aid parents, and to be more sustainable!  
  • The last week of school, Monday June 4th - Thursday June 7th, will be dress down for students.  (Friday, 8th is our Lower School closing assemblies and we ask that all students come dressed in perfect uniform).   During that last week  we ask that you bring in all Stanwich school uniform that your family will no longer be needing, drop off at the Lower School Office.
  • June 7th and June 8th, we will host our uniform swop, this will be outside by the Lower School drop-off area.
Clean out your closet to donate what you no longer need and then come pick up items for next year!  More details to follow.

 GCDS Mini-Camps

Enrollment for the 2018 GCDS mini-camps is now open.  There are over 25 minicamps being offered for children in grades PreK 3 through ninth grade.  Mini-camps will be held on the GCDS campus the week of June 18-22.  This is another opportunity for our students to get to know each other. 

Please see the email sent to Stanwich families previously with further details and for the link to sign up.  If you have questions, please contact Maria Malafronte in the GCDS Business Office at 203 8863 5601 or mmalafronte@gcds.net

Upcoming Dates
  • Tuesday, May 22nd Lower School Concert @8:00am
  • Monday, May 28th No School - Memorial Day
  • Friday, June 1st Lower School Field Day: 9:00 Wildwood, 10:00 Primary House and Intermediate House
  • Monday, June 4th Field Day Rain Date
The Stanwich School 
257 Stanwich Road,  Greenwich, CT 06830
 
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