Volume 38 I May 26, 2020

Roycemore School Weekly Newsletter

From the Head of School

Heroes Among Us By Adrianne Finley Odell

Who are your heroes? What qualities do they exhibit and how do they inspire you? In the challenging times of COVID-19, we celebrate individuals whom we have long thought of as heroes-- our health care workers and our first responders. But we also have other heroes among us. They might be individuals who are working in grocery stores, doing shopping for those who are too vulnerable to do so themselves or making masks for those in need. Today I would like to acknowledge a parent and student in our community who are heroes among us. We know Anita Shah as a parent of a student in our Pre-kindergarten class, others know her better from her work as a board-certified pulmonologist. Her expertise has become absolutely essential the last several months working in the ICU wards for COVID-19 patients. Before COVID-19, she was able to maintain a better work-life balance, but now with just 7 physicians in their private practice serving patients at Resurrection Hospital, Lutheran General, and a long-term care facility in Des Plaines she and her colleagues have been regularly working 12-14 hour days. Not only has she been selflessly serving those in need of critical care, but she is volunteering her time to serve in a consultative role for Roycemore’s Health and Safety Task Force in the development of our school’s re-opening plan.  About her work during this time Dr. Shah says, “Medicine is a very humbling profession. I have always felt that being a physician is a privilege and an honor. As a pulmonary critical care physician, the COVID pandemic has been one of the most complex and challenging diseases I have ever encountered. My team and I have lost some patients but have saved countless lives. There is the constant stress of treating patients without exposing myself to the virus but I am fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team of physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. Additionally, I have the unwavering support of my family, for which I am eternally grateful. I accept the risks of going to work every day because it is my job and I continue to feel honored to be able to care for the sickest patients in their greatest time of need.” Emeline Fromm is a senior who will soon graduate with the Roycemore Class of 2020. Before COVID, she worked part-time at Whole Foods to earn some extra money. Once COVID-19 became a real threat to our community, she had to make a choice... Click Here to Read Full Article

Coming up on the Calendar

Friday May 29th - Last Day of Instruction for All Saturday, May 30, 1:00pm - Griffin Great, Naomi Rubinstein '14 ( RSVP Here ) Monday June 1, 12pm -Upper School Virtual Awards Ceremony Monday June 1, 4pm - Lower School Virtual Culmination Night (Lower School grade-specific start times are as follows: PK&K at 4:00, JK & 1st at 4:15, 2nd at 4:30, 3rd at 4:45, 4th at 5:00) Tuesday June 2, 4pm- Middle School Virtual Awards Ceremony (includes sports and activities + special tribute to 8th graders) Wednesday June 3rd, 4pm- Middle School Virtual Graduation, + “Drive-In” at 5:30pm Thurs. June 4th, 5pm- Upper School Virtual Commencement; + "Drive -In” at th e Updated Time of 6:30pm Friday June 5th- Wrap Up Day: Locker Clean Out, Chromebook Return, Yearbook & Award Pick Up

Updated 2019-2020 Academic Calendar

Click Here To See Roycemore's Online Calendar

Wrap Up Day & Yearbook Pick Up - June 5th

Emails went out to each division with specific information regarding Wrap Up Day. This day will give families the chance to clean out lockers, pick up belongings, return Chromebooks, and pick up Yearbooks. We ask that all families send one person only and that they register for a time slot (see links below). Please know that masks are mandatory and we strongly encourage families to bring bags/boxes to help carry belongings. Our staff will be on hand to help assist with traffic flow and answer questions. Thank you for your cooperation!

Lower School Sign Up

Middle School Sign Up

Upper School Sign Up

Virtual Palio - Another Great Success!

Despite not being able to be together for this FABULOUS and longstanding Roycemore tradition, we managed to have yet another successful virtual celebration. Thanks to those of you who were able to attend. And a fond farewell to our super star, Mrs. Wunder, who has worked tirelessly on these shows for nearly FIVE decades! Each being, "The Greatest Show!"  She will be sorely missed, and we all send her a HUGE virtual hug till such time as we are able to give her a proper send off. Announcing the Palio 2020 Division Grade Winners: Lower School 4th Grade Middle School 8th Grade Upper School 11th Grade

Virtual Summer Camps

We are excited to offer a variety of virtual camps and courses this summer in addition to our longstanding Camp Griffin offerings (which now will start June 26th) and our enrichment theme-based Inspiration Factory offerings (starting in July). We have virtual options for 2nd Graders through Upper School and camps range from 1 week to 8 weeks. This week we are highlighting the following five Virtual Camps. ( Click here to see our full range of virtual camp options .)

Surreal Compositing - Fun with Photoshop Adobe Camp Incoming Grades 5th-9th

Eco-Independence - Agriculture/Farming Incoming Grades 4th-8th

Math Investigation - A Time to Indulge in Problem Solving & Algebraic Thinking Incoming Grades 3rd & 4th

What's Happening Now - Reading & Writing Through Current Events Incoming Grades 3rd & 4th

Stop Motion Animation Incoming Grades 2nd & 3rd

Did you know? Roycemore School is also offering 6 Adobe Camps this summer! All Adobe Camps are One or Two Weeks Long A New Camp is Offered Each Week from June 8 - July 13 Includes a Free 1-year Student License Discounts Offered for Campers who Register for 2 or More Adobe Camps

**Attention Upper School Students** Some virtual courses even give students the chance to earn High School credit!

Summer Camp Information

Griffin Greats Speaker Series

We are proud to continue Griffin Greats, our speaker series highlighting Roycemore alumni and their amazing talents. Please join us for an exclusive interview with Naomi Rubinstein. After graduating high school in 2014 she moved to the United Kingdom to do an undergraduate degree in conservation and restoration of historic objects (art and archeological conservation and specialized in metals and archeological material) at the University of Lincoln, in Lincoln UK. She continues to work and study in the UK as she pursues her Ph.D. at the University of Liverpool. Join us on May 30th to hear her whole story. Griffin Greats Speaker: Naomi Rubinstein Saturday, May 30th @ 1:00pm Facebook Live Event Feel free to submit questions is advance to  Sara McGuire

Register Here

Three Cheers

We are proud to give a Three Cheers shout out to the following Roycemore Teams who participated in this year's Kids Climate Summit! Finn, Selim, Alex, and Charlie Researched and Presented: "Flooding of Coastal Cities and Why it Happens" Leah, Bella, and Asher Researched and Presented: "Misuse of Plastics and How that Affects the Earth and What Large Companies are Doing and Not Doing About It" Mandy and Andy Researched and Presented: "The Effects of Climate Change on Arctic Animals"   Thank you to the Chicago Gifted Community Center for hosting this event and congratulations to all the students who took part in the Summit. Full presentations can be viewed below along with more information about the Kids' Climate Summit.

Kids Climate Summit Presentations

Looking For a Fun Summer Reading Challenge?

Interested in a Summer Reading Challenge that will help your students avoid the type of learning loss that is common during summer months? If so, check out the free Summer Reading Challenge offered by CommonLit. It begins June 1st and geared towards students in grades 3rd-12th. CommonLit is a nonprofit education technology organization dedicated to ensuring that all students graduate with the skills they need to be successful. Check out more about their Summer Reading Challenge below.

Learn More

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