September 7, 2018
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 .
Mark Your Calendars
Upcoming Events

TONIGHT
WPC Back-to-School Picnic
5:00-8:30 p.m.

September 13
Picture Day--Remember Blazer & Tie

September 14
Fun Lunch
Don't Miss the Back-to-School Picnic TONIGHT!
The Annual WPC Back-to-School Picnic starts in just a short while! All Westminster families are welcome. We hope to see lots of grads tonight as well!

Due to the expected rain, all activities have been moved indoors, but that won't dampen the fun!

Support the Class of 2019 by purchasing Spirit Wear; there are some great new options this year, including a nice windbreaker embroidered with the school logo. Perfect for an outing to Great Falls or to the golf course!


See you there!
First Day of School
While the first day of school was last week. we didn't have this great video quite ready to share in time for last week's Westminster Weekly. Everyone looks so sharp in their blazers and ties and ready to start the year. Please enjoy all of the smiling faces!
Upper School Welcome Event
The 7th and 8th graders gathered together last Friday for the annual "Welcome to the Upper School" event. This year, the activities revolved around the theme of WORDS! The afternoon began with a walk to Accotink Park where the groups of students were shuffled several times and they were given different topics to discuss.

The students then returned to school and participated in Classical Escape Rooms that were created by the 7th/8th grade teachers. The students were absolutely engrossed in figuring out the clues which started with solving math problems that were longitude and latitude coordinates for countries. Highlighted letters from the countries made up a word scramble that they had to work together to solve. Inside that word was a scientific riddle in English, Latin, and French leading them to the key to exit the room. They had to use their critical thinking skills, detective skills, and cooperate to be successful. They did a great job and had a blast.

The event ended with a picnic dinner outside. Kudos to the Upper-School teachers for coming up with such a creative and fun activity!

Preschool News
The preschoolers are settling in nicely to being in school. The first day and first week of school were quite possibly the smoothest start to the school year in nine years! The children are quickly learning the routines of the classroom, solving problems, rekindling old friendships, and forming new ones. No surprise that the building centers and dramatic play centers are among the favorite areas in the new classrooms! All of the excitement in the mornings and enjoying the wonderful playground leads to well-earned naps in the afternoon. The new hot lunch program is proving to be a big hit with the children, and we are excited for the first Pizza Fun Lunch. After only three practice runs, the preschoolers have mastered the evacuation routes and are set to impress the rest of the school during the first Fire Drill.
Alumni News
It is hard to believe that the Class of 2014 has graduated from high school and is moving on the next step of their journey. Most have reported their college choices and have begun their freshman year. Best of luck to the entire class and please stay in touch!

A funny coincidence--Charlie Breen and Alidaad Daneshvar (pictured below) found themselves roommates at the University of Virginia. They were randomly matched, but were grateful for it!
Boston University
Christopher Newport University (3)
College of William and Mary
Emory University (2)
Fordham University
George Mason University (2)
George Washington University (2)
Georgetown University (3)
Georgia Southern University
Hampden-Sydney College
High Point University
Mary Washington
McGill University
Texas Christian University
University of Georgia
University of Mary Washington
University of Pittsburgh
University of Virginia (3)
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
Virginia Tech (2)
West Virginia University
SAVE THE DATES!
Word of the Week
pu·sil·lan·i·mous
ˌpyo͞osəˈlanəməs/

adjective:  pusillanimous
  1. showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.
  2. synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking;
  3. "with the tough issues facing this city, the last thing we need is another pusillanimous mayor"
  4. antonyms: brave

Origin

late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin  pusillanimis  (translating Greek  olugopsukhos  ), from  pusillus  ‘very small’ +  animus  ‘mind,’ + -ous.

Food for Thought
This recent article from the Washington Post notes that cursive may be making a comeback and why. At Westminster School, it never left!
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