 |  | We have reached the home stretch! A period of time full of activities both at school and in communities. It is also a time when parents often begin to think about summer activities for their children. Dr. Michael Thompson is the author of a helpful book entitled “Homesick and Happy” about the importance of sending children to sleep-away camps and the growth and magic that happens during this experience. For parents thinking about sending their children to a sleepaway camp, I have this to say… DO IT! Your children will thank you. During college, I spent my summers working in northwest Iowa at a summer camp. Campers would arrive on Sunday afternoon with their anxious parents and be picked up Saturday morning – many of the campers in tears as they realized their week was over and they were having to say goodbye to new friends, counselors and the camp experience. Summer camp is an amazing experience for children. They gain many interpersonal skills and confidence in realizing they are absolutely fine without mom or dad for the time they are away and can thrive in activities that some have never done before. One of my responsibilities was teaching kids how to sail – something many of them had never done before growing up in Iowa. The camp I worked at was one that didn’t have a central focus or theme in terms of activities – children signed up each day to do something they wanted to try: crafts, archery, sailing, canoeing and a variety of sports. While there are many camps designed to focus on a particular activity or skill, I recommend a generalist approach where your children get to try many activities and the focus is more about the camp experience rather than defining or honing in on a particular sport or skill. I hope you will encourage your children to go to a sleepaway camp this summer, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Lower School Art Show
It was wonderful to see so many families join us on Wednesday for the Lower School Art Show. The children were so excited to show you pieces of work they completed in class this year. It also provided you a sense of the progression and types of art projects done at each grade level. A big thank you to our new art teacher Kerry Abraham for all of her dedicated work in planning and coordinating this special event for families.
No School on Monday
Monday, April 22, is a Professional Development Day for faculty and staff. There is no school for students. Enjoy your three-day weekend!
School Supply Kits for 2024-2025
Once again we will partner with The Write Stuff, a company that assists schools in ordering school supplies. If you wish to use this convenient service, please feel free to visit our storefront at this link. Kits will be packaged and sent directly to the school prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year. Promotional pricing and free shipping ends on June 16, 2024. Of course, you are welcome to purchase school supplies elsewhere using these LS Supply Lists. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Saling.
Lower School Parent Podcast Discussion Group
Our rescheduled date and time is this Wednesday, April 24, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Trustees’ Room in Academy Hall. For our first podcast discussion, we will discuss an episode from the podcast Flusterclux entitled “Parenting Phrases We Love to Use All The Time.” It is just 45 minutes long and can be found using this link. Lynn Lyons is the podcast host, and she spoke here at Academy last winter. She also recently held a virtual book club meeting for Academy parents. Please register using this link. Light snacks will be provided.
LS Spirit Week & Show-Your-Kindness Week Are Later This Month
We’ve got spirit, yes we do… we’ve got spirit, how about YOU? A fun Spirit Week is planned for next week, and we hope everyone will participate. If you have any questions, please contact your children’s homeroom teachers.
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