Newsletter: June 12, 2009

Dear Pilgrim Families, First Church Members, and Friends,

What a send-off for our Golden Graduating Class of 2009!  Glorious music welcomed our guests in the Sanctuary.  Faculty processed in robes, followed by our glowing graduates.  Salutatorian Jose Martinez spoke about each member of the class, reinforcing the close-knit community that Pilgrim School promotes.  Valedictorian Karissa Azucar thanked each of the faculty members who have taught and mentored the Senior Class this past year.  Math teacher Joe Concialdi’s hair is now forever immortalized by the phrase, “luxurious, flowing locks”!

Commencement speaker Victoria Seaver Dean encouraged the graduates to “follow your passion with compassion.”  Mrs. Dean spoke about the importance of making the best of your opportunities.  She noted that she did not get into her first choice of college or graduate school, and yet because she was at those particular universities, she was able to accomplish things she would not otherwise have been able to.

As with all things Pilgrim, the evening ended with a surprise.  As graduates lined up on Commonwealth for one last group photograph, fireworks erupted behind them!  A jazz trio played in the Forecourt, lemonade and cookies were consumed, and parents and friends engaged in a festival of digital memories!  Tears, laughter, hugs and kisses were shared.  It was truly a memorable commencement.

On the Sunday before commencement, Rev. Colglazier gave an inspiring Baccalaureate sermon reminding our seniors that, “Yes, you can!” accomplish their dreams.  As at every First Church service, the music was magnificent, and the warmth from the congregation was infectious.  At Baccalaureate luncheon, Senior awards were handed out (list follows), and each student read a letter to her or his parents.  Tears and laughter were intermingled, Kleenex was passed around, hugs provided, and parents beamed.  It is so meaningful to hear our students’ words of gratitude.

Wednesday morning saw our Preschool and Junior Kindergarten students “graduate.”  Stuart Hall was jammed with proud parents and family members, as our youngest scholars performed songs and dances and received their diplomas.  The students could not have been cuter!  Enormous thanks are due to our Preschool faculty members, who ensured that the show was fun and that the students were prepared and well behaved.  After cleaning and organizing rooms, Preschool classes will resume on Monday morning.

This culmination of our 50th-anniversary year was immediately followed by plans for the 2009-2010 school year!  We don’t rest over the summer months, instead we carry on to make Pilgrim School stronger than ever.

Next week is Mrs. Carr’s last week before her retirement.  She will be missed, but after 43 years as an educator, she deserves a rest!  I know she wants to catch up on her reading, but I anticipate she will also somehow be involved as a volunteer with students.  And she promises to visit at Christmas, when she comes to see her grandchildren and family in Southern California.  Our new Elementary Director, Teresa McDougald, will work with Mrs. Carr next week, and will spend the summer here getting ready for the first day of school.  We plan a get-together later in the month for parents to meet Ms. McDougald, so watch for that information.

Do you know families who are concerned about cuts at their local schools, or who have not yet decided where to send their children to school next year?  On Saturday, July 18, we are hosting a tour of Pilgrim School at 9:30 a.m., and welcome all families to visit.  If you have any questions, please contact Admissions Director Patricia Kong at pkong@pilgrim-school.org.

The Cedar Lake campers just returned, and they sound happy and excited!  We had 22 campers this year, and I can’t wait to hear about their adventures.

Parents, look for the summer mailing to arrive by mid-July.  Pilgrim staff members are busy updating calendars and other information that you will need to ensure a smooth segue into the new school year.  Until then, have a safe and enjoyable summer.

This is my last weekly e-letter, but don’t worry you will be hearing from me periodically throughout the summer as I keep our community updated about Pilgrim School news.

With appreciation for a fantastic school year and all best wishes,

PS:  Report cards will go out next week.  Summer reading lists will be included, so be sure to get to the library with your student!

SENIOR AWARDS

•    The Citizenship Award
This award is presented to the student who has been responsible and fair, who has served his or her classmates, Pilgrim School and our community well, and who has shown exemplary attitude and conduct.  The 12th grade award is presented to two students, Saleha Bhatti and Eric Cho.

•    The Scholarship Award
This award is presented to the student who has demonstrated a love of learning, who pursues knowledge in breadth and depth, and who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement.  The 12th grade award is presented to Jose Martinez.  

•    The Leadership Award
This award is presented to the student who has demonstrated fine and promising leadership skills and who has led his or her class in a meaningful, positive way.  The 12th grade award is presented to Ed Lee.

•    The Viola P. Elder Award
This award is given by Hyde Park Congregational Church in memory of a church leader who attended Congregationally-founded Talladega College and was a lifelong Congregationalist.  Mrs. Edler was a woman who overcame many challenges yet pursued academic excellence, exuded responsibility and perseverance, and led by example.  This award is presented to Senior Mira Park.

•    The Covenant Award
This award is presented to a graduating Senior.  In the Biblical tradition, the Covenant represents the agreement made between every member of a community to care for each other’s needs, to protect and comfort each other, to be alert to those who are often left out, to carry out enthusiastically their responsibilities within the community and to celebrate the Pilgrim School community through acts of worship and service.  This award is presented to Joyce Kamau. 

•    The Pilgrim Academic Hall of Fame
Induction into the Pilgrim Academic Hall of Fame is designed to recognize the achievements of a graduating senior who has shown consistent and superior academic performance over the span of years.  This year’s award goes to a senior who has been on the Headmaster’s List since the first year of eligibility in 4th grade.  This award is presented to Karissa Azucar.

•    The Clifford Weining Scholarship
This award is a $1,000 college scholarship award in memory of Pilgrim School’s first Director of Athletics and honors one senior male and female athlete based upon outstanding character and morals, satisfactory academic achievement, outstanding achievement in one or more of Pilgrim School’s athletic programs, and outstanding sportsmanship combined with leadership teamwork, and a positive attitude.  This award is presented to Peter Young and Karissa Azucar.   

•    The Donald B. Ward Scholarship
This award is a $2,500 college scholarship award.  It is provided by Fifield Manors Corporation in memory of a former Senior Minister of The First Congregational Church of Los Angeles to honor a senior of outstanding character and morals, with high academic standards and achievement, who has been active in Pilgrim School’s extracurricular activities, and who has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities.  This award is presented to Ed Ko.

HEADMASTER’S BREAKFAST
Congratulations to the following students, in Grades 4 through 12, who enjoyed breakfast with their families and Dr. Brooks last Friday.  To be eligible, a student must have been on the Headmaster’s list for three of the last four quarters.

Karissa    Azucar
Joey    Cheng
Eric    Cho
Seong    Choi
Ki Lim    Choi
Seok Moon    Choi
Jay Hyug    Choi
Erin    Choi
Jae Won    Chung
Audrey    Dalton
Glenn    Han
Christopher    Han
Erica    Johnson
Soohan    Kim
Juliet    Kim
Edward    Ko
Patricia    Lee
Edward    Lee
Jonathan    Lee
Jia Hui    Lin
Avery    Lopez
Jose    Martinez
Homer    Mason
Nathaniel    Nelson
Sun Joo    Park
Jae-Jun    Park
Shivani    Patel
David    Shin
Journey    Streams
Jacob    Weber
Michael    Wong

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Faculty members in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary divisions voted for colleagues whom they believed embodied Pilgrim School’s dedication to students, in and out of the classroom.  Congratulations to these individuals who went well beyond the Pilgrim standard of “Above and Beyond”!:

Preschool:  Miss Aracely Salas
Elementary:  Mrs. Katie Lang
Secondary:  Miss Sarah Hatfield

SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer is here!  Pilgrim Summer School has classes for all ages and all needs, from the educational to the entertaining.  Classes begin on Monday, June 22.  Sign-ups are available on our website.

PRESCHOOL NEWS
New and exciting summer journeys are waiting for us and we are pleased to have your children with us throughout the summer. The Preschool and Kindergarten Summer Bridge Programs will encourage students to sharpen their academic skills and enhance their social and emotional skills by making new friends while interacting and exchanging their ideas.  The "Summer Theme" calendar for the summer follows:

JUNE 2009

SUNDAY    MONDAY    TUESDAY    WEDNESDAY    THURSDAY    FRIDAY    SATURDAY
14

15
*Parent Participation Day!
16
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)                        17
YELLOW
& GREEN
DAY!                    18
ART/
SCIENCE
DAY!                    19
MUSIC
DAY!
(children can bring an instrument from home)    20
21

22
*Parent Participation Day!
23
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    24
PAJAMA/
BREAKFAST
DAY!    25
ART/
SCIENCE
DAY!    26
EXERCISE
DAY!
(children need to wear comfortable clothing for workout)    27
28

29
*Parent Participation Day!
30
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)               

*Parents are invited to come to their child’s class to do a creative art or cooking project with the students from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the preschool classrooms. 

JULY 2009

SUNDAY    MONDAY    TUESDAY    WEDNESDAY    THURSDAY    FRIDAY    SATURDAY
1
PRESCHOOL
SUMMER BRIDGE
PROGRAM BEGINS! ?

RED/WHITE/BLUE DAY!    2
ART/
SCIENCE
DAY!    3
SCHOOL
CLOSED
(PS-GRADE 12)
4
INDEPENDECE
DAY!
5

6
*Parent Participation Day!
7
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    8
CRAZY SHOES DAY!
9
ART/
SCIENCE
DAY!

10
BIKE/
SCOOTER DAY!
(children can bring their own bicycles/
scooters)    11
12

13
*Parent Participation/
Educational Program Day!

14
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    15
STRIPES DAY!    16
ART/
SCIENCE
DAY!    17
WATER PLAY DAY!
(children need to bring their swimwear)
18
POTENTIAL FAMILIES VISIT:  9:30 a.m.
19

20
*Parent Participation Day!
21
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    22
HAT DAY!
23
ART/
SCIENCE DAY!    24
MUSIC DAY!
(children can bring an instrument from home)    25
26

27
*Parent Participation Day!
28

BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    29
PAJAMA/
BREAKFAST
DAY!

30
ART/
SCIENCE DAY!    31
WATER PLAY DAY!
(children need to bring their swimwear)

AUGUST 2009

SUNDAY    MONDAY    TUESDAY    WEDNESDAY    THURSDAY    FRIDAY    SATURDAY
2

3
*Parent Participation Day!
4
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    5
POLKADOTS
DAY!    6
ART/
SCIENCE DAY!

7
EXERCISE
DAY!
(children need to wear comfortable clothing for workout)    8
9

10
*Parent Participation Day!
11
BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)
12
TIE/SCARF
DAY!    13

ART/
SCIENCE DAY!
14

WATER PLAY DAY!
(children need to bring their swimwear)
15
NEW
FAMILY
PICNIC
16

17
*Parent Participation/
Educational Program Day!    18

BOOK DAY!
(children can bring their favorite books to school)    19
DRESS-UP
DAY!

20
ART/
SCIENCE DAY!

21

MUSIC DAY!
(children can bring an instrument from home)    22