This week, the second through fourth graders have been participating in standardized testing, so the children may seem a bit exhausted as the week wears on.  We spread the testing out over the week so the children do not have to simply test all day long.  They keep their normal schedule for each day, and then they test in homeroom daily for one or two blocks of time.  When we get the results back from the ERB (Educational Testing Bureau), we will share them with you.  It is important to keep in mind that these tests are only one snapshot of your child, but they do help us look for patterns as the years go on.  We have chosen to use the ERBs because they not only compare your child on a national and local level, but they also compare your child to children in their grade from independent schools like MPA.  I will send a letter of explanation with the results. 

This Friday the 12th is a two-for- one deal!  (No, not two tuitions for one.)  You may come to the Gallery any time between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. for coffee to celebrate new families as they have now been in the school for half of a year.  We love to have returning families there to socialize and help welcome them, so please come.  At 9:00 a.m., the Lower School parents will move to room 113 for the Lower School meeting. There we will have presentations from the French and Spanish teachers along with our regular meeting.  I hope to see you on Friday. 

On Sunday, January 14^th, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is offering a free family day to celebrate Chinese art, music, dance and culture.  From 11:00  a.m. – 5:00 p.m. you can paint your favorite symbol in a brush-painting workshop, enjoy Chinese pipa music by Gao Hong, see the fantastic Chinese bells now on view in the Cargill Gallery, and enjoy a local hand-bell choir. 

Monday, January 15^th, the school is closed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.  There is no school and no Panther Club, so think of something fun to do with your children.  We may even have snow by thenJ 

Wednesday the 17^th, is our next duty-free lunch.  Even if you are not on the schedule, you are always welcome to come and help us out.  Extra hands are never turned down. 

The Winter Show is in the Black Box at 8:00 p.m. for two weekends:  The 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th. The Winter Show is NOT appropriate for Lower School students, but might make a nice night out for parents. 

Has your child grown since this summer?  Are his/her pants looking short?  Worn?  Faded?  Our Mid-Winter Used Uniform Sale is coming up in the Kreischer Gym.  It is a great way to get uniforms, fleece, etc. at very little cost.  The hours for the sale are 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Monday the 22nd and 8-10 a.m. on the 23rd.  We felt we would cover both drop-off and pick-up with these hours, so I hope you will all attend.  We still need help with set-up (8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on the 22nd) and take down (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on the 23rd) - please contact Renee Wright if you are willing to help.  This sale gives you an opportunity to buy gently used clothes at a very small cost, and the money earned this year is going toward the ribbon climbing wall we are buying for the playground this spring.  Please come and support us. 

The annual Book Festival is the week of January 29th, with the Family Night being held February 2nd.  It’s another wonderful event to build community and to share an evening as a family.

Monday, February 5^th, is the second annual Upper School Orchestra Disney Concert.  The Upper School Orchestra prepares a concert just for the Lower School, and what a treat it is.  Kids can come in pajamas so they are ready for bed right after they leave.  The evening starts at 6:30 p.m. and is in the Nicholson Center.  We don’t want to disappoint the Upper School Orchestra students, so please reserve this date to share with your children. 

I think winter may be around the corner.  We sure could use some snow.

Nansee Greeley
Lower School Director