November 6, 2020
Notes from the Headmaster
Dear Families,
It was a delight to spend time with all of our scholars this morning. It is important for us to continue the traditions that help define and unify our community, and I was elated that we could find a way to assemble together, all grades and locations, to celebrate our shared love of literature. A passage from today’s reading really struck me, and I thought, if you missed it, I would share it with the whole community.
Milo quickly pulled the rule book from his pocket, opened to the page, and read, “Ordinance 175389-J: It shall be unlawful, illegal, and unethical to think, think of thinking, surmise, presume, reason, meditate, or speculate while in the Doldrums. Anyone breaking this law shall be severely punished!
“That’s a ridiculous law,” said Milo, quite indignantly. “Everybody thinks.”
“We don’t,” shouted the Lethargarians all at once.
“And most of the time you don’t,” said a yellow one sitting in a daffodil. “That’s why you’re here. You weren’t thinking, and you weren’t paying attention either. People who don’t pay attention often get stuck in the Doldrums.”
-The Phantom Tollbooth, p. 25-26
The above passage is not only entertaining and playful, but bold and profound. The idea suggests that if we “pay attention,” we would not “get stuck in the Doldrums.” Underlying this is a claim, a strong claim, about the nature of thinking and of reality. We are called not to turn our minds off or divert ourselves as a source of meaning, but instead, are to turn our minds on, and to diligently pursue the Truth head on as a source of delight. Thinking, proper thinking, should lead us to see the inherent wonder and goodness of reality. As the Great Hearts philosophical pillars state: “We believe that the world is ordered and knowable… we believe that truth exists.”
In the face of the mundane, or the unpleasant, or as we all have experienced this year, the disorienting, we can fix our minds on the hope that underneath all of this is the fundamental Goodness of reality. Each of us knows very well what these Doldrums refer to. It is so easy to miss the meaning that is ever before us. At Archway Trivium East, we believe with fervor that the world is coherent, that order and goodness can be found, and that ultimately, that which is True, Good, and Beautiful will persist, and the rest will fall away.
There is wonder and beauty and light if we continue to exercise our minds and pay attention. This is the message of the passage, and it strikes at the heart of who we are at Archway Trivium East. This is the end for which we labor and strive, that we cultivate students who strive to pay attention, and who seek the truth above all else. In doing so, our scholars will be able to find meaning and true joy, whatever the circumstance.
Thank you for your continued partnership in this shared pursuit for the Good of our scholars.
With Devotion,
Stephen Philabaum
Headmaster
Archway Trivium East
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Here are a few important reminders about upcoming events at Archway Trivium East. Please visit our website for more information!
The latest Athenian Echo newsletters can always be found on our website under
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Read-a-thon Packet Drop-off for Distance Learners, 8:30-9:30am or 1:30-2:30pm, East Lot |
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Literary and Historical Figure Day |
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Friday, November 13 - Friday, November 20 |
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Food Drive for St. Mary's Food Bank
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Virtual Family Game Night, 5-6:30 PM |
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Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27 |
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No School: Thanksgiving Break |
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*New Date* Picture Day for Distance Learners / Retake Day
More information to follow
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Reminder - COVID Guidelines for International Travel
As we are approaching the holiday season and setting our eyes again towards travelling with and to our families, we wanted to send a reminder about International Travel protocols. International Travel includes any country outside of the United States, including Canada and Mexico. If you and your family spend time outside of the country, please notify our Covid Response Coordinator, Cherie Miller, of your travel. Students must stay at home for 14 days after returning home from international travel. Alternatively, your children may come back after receiving a negative Covid-19 test result 5 days or more after returning. Thank you for your understanding and support, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
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Read-a-thon Update
From the packets we have received so far, our scholars have read more than 48,000 minutes, and we know that number is going to continue to climb! Go Athenians!!!
We will have a Read-a-thon drive-thru packet collection for distance learners on Tuesday, November 10 from 8:30-9:30am and 1:30-2:30pm in the East lot. The drop off box will also remain in the front office through November 10. Second grade students returning to campus may turn packets into their teachers on this day.
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Literary and Historical Figure Day - Friday, November 13
Benjamin Franklin! Abigail Adams! Lancelot! Aristotle! Athena! These are just some of the wonderful figures our scholars learn about through their classical education at Archway Trivium East. Scholars are invited to choose any literary or historical figure from the Archway curriculum and come to school (in-person or online) dressed as that figure* on Friday, November 13. This is a great way to celebrate our love of history and literature. All students are encouraged to participate!
*All costumes must abide by dress code guidelines in the Family Handbook and must exclude and frightening or aggressive costumes or accessories.
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Food Drive - November 13-20
Archway Trivium East will be hosting a food drive benefiting St. Mary's Food Bank on Friday, November 13 - Friday, November 20. We are looking for parents to volunteer to help with collection before school in the drop-off lines from 7:15-7:50am. All volunteers must have prior clearance through Raptor.
Did you know, lack of consistent access to adequate food is a problem 2 million Arizonans are faced with each year? Help our school reach our goal of 500 pounds of food to help our community.
The most needed food items are peanut butter, canned protein (tuna, chicken and spam), canned ravioli, canned fruits (no sugar added), canned vegetables (low or no sodium), canned and dry beans, and boxes of whole grain or 100% whole wheat cereals.
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Reminder: Great Hearts Open Enrollment is for NEW Students Only
Archway Trivium East Parents: Open Enrollment for new-to-Trivium students will begin Monday, November 9 and runs through Friday, December 11 for all Great Hearts Arizona Academies. Current K-4th Grade students at Archway Trivium East DO NOT need to participate in open enrollment. Re-enrollment information will be sent to current K-4th grade families in March of 2021.
If you have a 5th grade student currently enrolled at Archway Trivium East or Archway Trivium West, please plan to enroll them at Trivium Preparatory Academy during Open Enrollment. 5th grade graduates of Archway Trivium East and West receive "Archway Graduate" priority status which is the highest priority status for enrollment into Trivium Prep. More information will be sent to 5th grade families in the coming weeks.
If you are the parent of a sibling (entering Kindergarten - 12th grades) who is not currently enrolled at a Great Hearts Academy, please plan to fill out an application during the Open Enrollment period unless you have already rolled-over an active application in the enrollment system from the 2020-21 school year. This includes students entering Kindergarten in 2021.
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Great Hearts Info Night - November 17
Great Hearts Info Night returns on November 17. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and anyone who may be interested that Great Hearts will be hosting a virtual info session to answer any questions they may have about our K-12 schools and the enrollment process.
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Save the Date! Virtual Family Game Night - Friday, November 20
We have so much FUN planned for our community at our first ever VIRTUAL FAMILY GAME NIGHT! Mark your calendars for 5:00-6:30pm on Friday, November 20 and keep your eye on the Echo for the Zoom links coming soon!
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Help Make Copies for ATE Staff
ATE parents we have a volunteer opportunity available! This year we will be helping our amazing teachers and staff make copies! If you're interested in volunteering please sign up using the link below. All volunteers must be cleared through the Raptor system to volunteer.
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Happy Birthday!
Join us in wishing "Happy Birthday" to the following Archway Trivium East faculty and staff with recent/upcoming birthdays!
Nancy Villalvazo - 1A Assistant - October 23
Annie MacLeod - 4B Lead - October 27
Rachel Johnson - 3B Lead - November 2
Patrick Conklin - P.E. Teacher - November 14
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Distance Learners/Picture Retake Day
School Picture Day for Distance Learners/Retake Day has been rescheduled for Friday, December 4 to allow time for picture delivery before retakes. Mark your calendars and look for more information in the coming weeks.
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Great Hearts Title I Targeted Assistance Program Meeting
Please join us for the inaugural Title I Targeted Assistance Program annual meeting. This event will take place via Zoom on Thursday, November 5th at 6:30 pm MST. You can access the meeting by clicking on this link and entering the password 104835. We will be sharing what Title I means, what the Targeted Assistance Program is, and what resources are available for students that qualify for this assistance. To ensure that we have the proper amount of space on the video conferencing, please do RSVP by Wednesday, November 4th at 12:00 pm MST. We will also be following up with a survey shortly after the event to collect feedback from all attendees. If you have any questions about this event or any information related to Title I, please contact Missy Penniman via email at mpenniman@greatheartsaz.org.
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Order Hot Lunch
My Hot Lunchbox is excited for another great year of delivering school lunch! Lunch service in now available for all Trivium students.
If you are a first-time customer, follow these steps to create your free account. Families with students at multiple Trivium schools should create only ONE account per family.
Important Note: You will need to Update Your Profile with the student's correct teacher to view the meal calendar.
If you have any questions, please contact My Hot Lunchbox at (888) 894-8295 or by email at info@myhotlunchbox.com or visit the PSO Lunch page on the school website for more information.
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Quick Links:
Archway Trivium East Main Office: (623) 866-4718
Attendance Line: (623) 218-6607
Communications Updates
You can find all school-wide communications on our website on the Latest News page.
If you know of parents who are not receiving these communications, please ask them to check their junk/promotions email folders, and then email bmcdonald@archwaytrivium.org for assistance.
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Archway Trivium East would love your feedback. Post a review to our Google profile.
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