Kindergarten End Of The Year Newsletter
May 14, 2010
Dear Pilgrim School Families, First Church Members, and Community Members,
The end of the school year brings a multitude of opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of Pilgrim students. This morning began with a charming Elementary choral concert led by our wonderful music teacher Amber Farris. Next week is a busy one, so please mark your calendars for these upcoming events – we do not want you to miss them!
The 8th graders just returned from Manzanar Internment Camp this afternoon. They left on Wednesday, drove 200 miles North to the town of Independence, California and camped out for the last three days. The goal of the trip was to give the students a first hand experience of life in one of the largest camps that held Japanese Americans during WWII.
While on their journey, they read the autobiographical "Farewell to Manzanar" about a young girl's experience growing up at Manzanar. They spent all day Thursday touring the facility and their guide was Suburo Sasaki, a 75-year-old volunteer park ranger who was interned in the camp from age 7 to age 11. Highlights of the trip included visiting the memorial Obelisk at the Manzanar graveyard, holding campfire discussions about the book and their experience touring Manzanar, and eating smores. As a surprise treat, Mr. and Mrs. Sasaki joined the 8th graders for a special dinner last night.
Please look forward to pictures about this trip in next Friday's email.
Monday, May 17, at 8:50 a.m. is the last all-school chapel of the year. As is our tradition, the yearbook staff will unveil the identity of the person for whom the yearbook is honored. It is a tightly kept secret, so I will be as surprised as everyone else!
Tuesday, May 18 will feature the visual art and musical prowess of our Secondary students. Please join us at 6 p.m. for the Fine Arts Showcase. The Brown Family Fine Arts Center will be the scene of yet another fantastic Pilgrim School art show, featuring our own extraordinary and talented students. (I just need to brag here a little about the Class of 2010, as their art school acceptances are stellar: Rhode Island School of Design, USC School of Architecture, Pratt Institute, and the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago, to name just a few.)
At 6:45, the Fine Arts Showcase moves to Shatto Chapel for a concert featuring our Secondary band, concert singers, and hand-chime choir (a revivied tradition!). Students Khare Rhynes, Hayden Muir, and Jack Gallagher are playing and singing solos. Last year’s concert was one of the highlights of the year, and I expect this will be as well. All are welcomed and invited to attend!
On Wednesday, May 19, Mr. Calhoun’s film class will show their work in Shatto Chapel, beginning at 1:25. Each student has created two shorts for the event.
On the next day (Thursday, May 20), you can be at Pilgrim all day and witness two second grade Superhero Puppet Shows in the Fine Arts Building (at 10:30 and noon), and then hear our Secondary students read from this year’s literary journal, “Out of the Fog.” Ms. Innes’s creative writing students have been working on this publication all year, receiving individual editing advice from our writer-in-residence. The afternoon won’t be over until the traditional year-end rock and roll blowout. A number of our students are in bands, and I know we will hear a variety of great music. Friday, May 21 ends the week with the traditional Elementary poetry contest at 1:30 in Stuart Hall.
On Saturday, May 22, you are invited to join the deep sea fishing expedition organized by parent Barry Gleiberman. He has chartered a boat that leaves the Marina at 6 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m. The cost is $125, plus $15 for a fishing license for those 16 years old and above. Please note that an adult must accompany children in Grades 5 and younger. Dozens of Pilgrim families will be on board, enjoying fishing, camaraderie and good times. If you would like to join the group, spaces are still available. Please contact Toni DeVito at tdevito@pilgrim-school.org for further information.
Senior families, I want to alert you to some dates that have been changed. Senior’s finals are May 24 and 25. Their community service days (which are required) are on May 26 through 28th. They leave for their Senior Trip up Highway One to San Francisco on May 30, and return on Thursday, June 3. If you have not yet done so, please let Mauren know how many people will be attending the baccalaureate luncheon.
Would you like to get next year’s volunteer hours taken care of over the summer? We are looking for a parent to oversee the New Family Ambassadors program. It is a job that can be done from your computer and telephone. Pilgrim will provide you with contact information for our new families, and we ask that you pass that on to Ambassadors. Our Ambassadors then reach out to the new family to welcome them, answer questions, and be a resource about all things Pilgrim. This important program ensures that new families get a real Pilgrim School welcome! If you are interested, please let me know. Thank you!
Parents and guardians, every one of you is a member of our parent organization, TAPPS. The last meeting of the year is Wednesday, May 19 at 8 a.m. Please join your peers for this important meeting, which includes voting for next year’s officers. You may hand in your ballot beginning at 7:30 to either Tori Gleiberman or Linda Ikegami, who are the Nominating Committee. If you have any questions, please contact the Committee.
Our 8th graders just came in from their trip to Manzanar – we will share details about this great experience with you next week!
I hope to see you all during our many celebrations next week!
With warm wishes,
Mark A. Brooks
Head of School
PS: Remember to sign up for eScrip! If you need help, stop by the front office in the afternoon, and earn three volunteer hours in about three minutes!
Dates to Remember
Saturday, May 15
7 pm - midnight: Prom, the Biltmore Hotel, downtown
Monday, May 17
8:50 a.m.: Last all-school chapel of the year. Yearbook dedication!
Tuesday, May 18
6 p.m.: Fine Arts Showcase
Wednesday, May 19
8 a.m.: Last TAPPS meeting of the year. Elections for officers will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
1:25 p.m.: Shatto Chapel, Pilgrim film festival
Thursday, May 20
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Superhero Puppet Show, the Brown Fine Arts Center.
Noon – 1 p.m: Superhero Puppet Show, the Brown Fine Arts Center.
1:25 p.m.: Stuart Hall, Literary Magazine unveiling and rock & roll concert
10 p.m.: Senior Grad Night at Disneyland
Friday, May 21
Senior Ditch Day
Saturday, May 22
6 a.m.: Jump on the boat for deep-sea fishing!
Monday, May 24 - Tuesday, May 25
Senior finals
Tuesday, May 25
8:30 a.m.: “Getting Ready for Junior Kindergarten,” Elementary library
Wednesday, May 26
5 p.m. Preschool closes
Wednesday, May 26 – Friday, May 28
Senior Community Service trip
Wednesday, May 26 – Thursday, June 3
Secondary finals and textbook returns
Thursday, May 27
12:45 p.m. dismissal for grades 7 – 11 to study for finals.
Friday, May 28
Spirit Day – free dress!
Tommy Burger sale, Class of 2012 Fundraiser
Sunday, May 30 – Thursday, June 3
Senior Class Trip
Monday, May 31
Memorial Day: School closed.
Tuesday June 1 – Thursday, June 3:
Senior Community Service Trip
Friday, June 4:
7:30 a.m.: Headmaster’s Breakfast, by invitation only
9 a.m.: Elementary Awards Assembly and Grade 5 Promotion, Sanctuary
Noon: Dismissal for K-5
1:30 p.m.: Secondary Awards Assembly and Grade 8 Promotion, Sanctuary
Last day of school!
Sunday, June 6
11 a.m.: Baccalaureate Sunday, First Church
Noon: Baccalaureate Luncheon, Barnum Room
Monday, June 7
6 p.m. Commencement. All are invited!
Monday, June 7 – Friday, June 11
Pilgrim Sleep-away Camp, Cedar Lake (Grades 2 – 8)
Wednesday, June 9
10 a.m.: Preschool/JK “Graduation,” Stuart Hall
Thursday, June 10 – Friday, June 11
Preschool closed for cleaning.
Monday, June 14
Kindergarten Summer Bridge Program begins
Sunday, June 20
Hooray for Dads on Father’s Day!
Monday, June 21
Pilgrim Summer School begins!
Elementary News
Mrs. Koller writes:
Last Friday, 28 4th graders returned from three days of tent camping in Malibu Creek State Park! The children emerged from their bus tired, dirty, and full of wonderful stories to tell their waiting families! These students are the youngest participants in our Outdoor Education Program and many, if not most, had their first away-from-home experience on this trip. Fostering a sense of freedom and independence in the children while ensuring that they are safe and well supervised is a delicate balancing act that chaperones Amy Murphy and Jose Reyes helped to maintain brilliantly! (Many thanks to you both, Amy and Jose! You guys are amazing!) Whether building their own tents, hiking to the Rock Pool, trekking through the chaparral, or exploring the tide pools at the beach, the kids were always thoroughly engaged and full of smiles! Thanks also to Katrina Alexy, who volunteered to join us for our day on the beach with tide pooling and some on-site art! This year's Malibu Creek Adventure was another colossal success, and I am deeply grateful to those who gave up their time to be a part of it. Good times and great memories for all involved! We are already talking about next year...!
Elementary Art News
Ms. Katrina Alexy reports:
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of once again accompanying the 4th graders on their annual trip to Malibu. I met them at the Malibu Lagoon where I gave a brief introduction on artist Andy Goldsworthy. Goldsworthy is a British sculptor who uses natural materials usually found at the site in which he is working. The 4th graders were instructed to create a work of art on the sand using only the natural materials found on the beach. They immediately started tugging dried seaweed, stacking stones, collecting shells, and began assembling two separate creations. Watching them plan together and gather together was quite a sight! Thirty minutes later they had created a large seaweed fish complete with the letters "S.O.S". in the fish's belly and a huge eyeball made of shells and rocks. The other group created a massive seaweed sundial with a stick in the middle to tell time and rocks for numbers. Evan had a compass on hand to make sure that 12:00 faced north and indeed, their artistic timepiece was spot on! They left their creations on the sand for the tide to take back later in the day.
Sun, sand, water, art.........what more could one ask for on a perfect Friday afternoon in beautiful Malibu? A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Koller, Ms. Murphy, and Mr. Reyes for making the entire trip possible. It truly was my pleasure to spend the morning with them! The 4th graders had a ball and so did I.
Save the date (May 20) for the first puppet show in the new Fine Arts Center! The 2nd graders have been making puppets inspired by Paul Klee. They have been creating sets, props, and giving each puppet a unique character of their own and May 20th is the day to show them off! Come meet puppets by the name of Bubble Queen, Silly Sally, and LeBraun Jackson. See puppets skateboard to the moon, hiccup uncontrollably, sing opera, run from tigers, and so much more!
There are two show times: 10:30-11:30 and 12:00-1:00 up in the Brown Fine Arts Center.
Secondary News
The Class of 2010 will participate in a community service project that will include a two-week Help the Homeless drive (food clothing, and toiletries) in May and a three-day community service project from May 26th through May 28th. We are kindly taking contributions from the Pilgrim School community for our Help the Homeless drive from now until May 27, 2010. Please donate canned or boxed food, spare toiletries, and gently used footwear and clothing. Please drop off the donations to Ms. Turro (Room C409) or to the front office.
On Wednesday, May 26, 2010, the seniors will volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank where they will help the staff sort food. On Thursday morning, May 27, 2010, the seniors will organize and box up the food, clothing, and toiletries for the Help the Homeless drive. In the afternoon, we will take the Metro downtown and go on a tour of the Japanese American Museum. On Friday, May 28, 2010, the students will be going to Playa del Rey to participate in an Adopt-A-Beach (Beach Cleanup Program) in the morning, and then enjoy a well-deserved, leisurely afternoon at the beach.
Community Service News
This week ninth grader Grace Cho was honored with a commendation from Meals on Wheels for her amazing and creative fund raising. Grace has raised hundreds of dollars for Meals on Wheels, an organization that provides healthy cooked meals to senior citizens. She raised a similar sum for the Great American Bake Sale, an organization designed to stamp out hunger in America. Grace created beautiful handmade brooches, in colorful food shapes, which she sold around campus. The whole school can be proud of the way Grace represents Pilgrim. What a wonderful idea and a great way to earn money for two very worthy charities.
2010-2011 School Year: Important Dates
Thursday, August 26
8 a.m.: First day of school for Secondary students
Friday, August 27
Secondary students to the beach!
Monday, August 30
8:15 a.m.: First day of school for Elementary students
Monday, September 6
Labor Day: School closed.
Thursday, September 16
Back to School Night
Friday, December 17
Last day of school before Christmas Break
Monday, December 20 – Wednesday, December 22
Preschool open; Club Pilgrim available
Monday, December 27 – Wednesday, December 29
Preschool closed; Club Pilgrim available
Friday, March 4 – Friday, March 11
Spring Break
Monday, March 12
Professional Development Day (pupil-free day)
Friday, April 22 – Monday, April 25
Easter Break
Friday, June 3
Last day of school
Sunday, June 5
Baccalaureate Sunday
Monday, June 6
Commencement for Class of 2011
May, 2010
Our Head Start children are learning about colors. Color names, color mixing, stains, fading, camouflage, and color patterns are just a few of the topics being discussed. Children will increase their vocabulary and observe and explore color and patterns. We will continue to learn about letters and sounds and rhyming words.
We are in the process of completing our second home visit and looking forward to discussing your child’s progress with you. Please remember to check book bags each day and be on the lookout for notices of upcoming events. We truly enjoyed the time spent with our Head Start children and appreciated your support throughout the year.
Kindergarten students are in the countdown to first grade! Children are eagerly anticipating our end-of-the-year activities! Permission slips to participate will be coming home this month. Be on the lookout for them. We are practicing hard for our awards ceremony coming up on May 27th at 8:30. Parents and other family members are encouraged to attend, so save the date! A special thank you to all parents and relatives who have volunteered to help us with our Swimming Safety Lessons.
Our fabulous first graders enjoyed “going back in time” at their recent field trip to the Old Davie School House in April. They experienced an “old-fashioned” classroom, quilting, making orange juice, learning about the Town of Davie’s history, and petting some farm animals.
They are continuing their journey to becoming super subtraction stars and awesome addition athletes. They are also striving to become Reading Wizards by mastering the “Who, What, Where, When, and How” in every story. As always, a big thank you to all of our parents and care-givers for your continued support.
Third Grade had lots of fun on our Field Trip to the Museum of Discovery and Science in April. We are also anxiously awaiting our FCAT results. Congratulations to all third graders who made the Honor Roll. It was our biggest group of students yet. Keep up the hard work.
Some helpful hints for you to meet your child’s needs:
1.Counting to ten ALOT.. 2. Listening more 3. Watching 4. Using a softer tone 5. Freedom to fail 6. Being able to forgive, again and again 7. Turning the T.V. off 8. Using the answering machine more 9. Noticing your child does something RIGHT. 10. Seizing the moment 11. Laugh more 12. Give more hugs and kisses 13. Love 14. Stick to firm, but loving boundaries 15. NEVER GIVE UP ON EACH OTHER
Our fifth grade students have had quite a year. We’ve worked and studied hard and now its time to enjoy our end-of-the-year activities. The students are looking forward to field trips and fun closing activities such as The Annual Fifth Grade Barbecue and Movie Day. Please remind your child that all special events need to be earned through good school conduct and staying on task, learning each and every day.
ALL Library Books need to be returned to the Media Center or paid for (CASH ONLY please) by May 26. Log-In to Destiny Quest through BEEP to check for overdue/lost books in the student’s account. Why not have a “MAY DAY Book Hunt”? What a great game to have your Mustangs, hunt for books in the house, at their day care center, in the car, or wherever your family travels to find any missing books. Thank you for your help.
Effective May 10, 2010, the cafeteria cannot accept checks as payment for student meals for the remainder of the 2009 – 2010 school year. Please pay cash for all student meals.
On April 13th, our school spelling bee winners, Valerie (Left- from Mrs. Wilkinson’s class) and Anam (Right- from Ms. McClelland’s class), went to Hollywood’s Performing Arts Center to participate in the South Area 4th grade Social Studies Spelling Bee. We are so proud of them for placing 5th among 19 schools that participated! Our students used teamwork and spent extra time studying to achieve this goal. Their efforts were amazing. We thank them for making us proud!
Thank you, Cindy Griffin for arranging for the donation of cabbage plants so our third grade classes could participate in the “Bonnie’s 3rd grade Cabbage Program” contest. Ms. Griffin was also instrumental in arranging for the “Agriculture in the Classroom Learning Barn” to visit our school. Thank Ms. Griffin your support of our school’s science programs is greatly appreciated!
