Newsletter: October 16, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Dear Pilgrim School Families, First Church Members, and Friends Near and Far,
We are completing another fantastic week here at Pilgrim School!
Yesterday we had the great privilege of hosting author Jane Smiley. She spoke with our 4th, 5th and 6th graders about her first young adult book, The Georges and the Jewels. Our students had some wonderful questions for her, including “What is your process in making a book?” and “How does plotting work?” and “Do you relate to your characters?” Advanced Placement English and Creative Writing students had a separate session with her, where she spoke about A Thousand Acres (which the students will read), Shakespeare, King Lear, horsemanship, and the necessity of eavesdropping if one wants to be a writer.
I want to thank Charlotte Innes for arranging this very special day and to parent Janet Steeper for funding the Visiting Authors Series. Two more authors are visiting this month: poet Douglas Kearney on Thursday, October 22, and short story writer Aimee Bender on Wednesday, October 28. Both events will be at 1:25 in Amanda Scott. Parents and literature lovers are all invited. Don’t miss these opportunities!
The Pilgrim School Book Group held its first meeting this week. Librarian Marjorie Clifton said it was great fun! The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 11 in the library. Mrs. Clifton will announce the book choice soon (or you may e-mail her at mclifton@pilgrim-school.org). Again, all are welcomed!
Wednesday at 8 a.m. is the next parent TAPPS meeting. This is a place where your voice can be heard, plus you receive volunteer credit for attending. Volunteer credit is also given for helping in the classroom; working on a committee such as Read-a-Thon or Diamonds Are Forever; and for donations to the school (one hour for every $13 spent). The exceptions: hours are not given for class parties, nor for annual fund or silent auction donations. A list of upcoming volunteer opportunities follows this letter.
I want to thank the Pilgrim dads who have been helping with morning drop-off. At our Coffee & Conversation for Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents, a dad mentioned that a “Dads’ Event” would be a great way to help the school. A pancake breakfast or father-daughter dance were mentioned, but Dads – this is up to you to decide! E-mail me your suggestions and we can have a Dads Get-Together to see what event you’d like to focus on.
Elementary parents, please look for information about Grandparents and Special Friends Day. Scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, the event is designed to have your child share her/his school with people she/he loves. Please give us the names of people you would like to invite by next Friday, October 23 so we can get the invitations in the mail. The letter will go home on Monday with your student.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day is part of Read-a-Thon, which will kick-off on Monday, November 2. Every student will receive a goodie bag that includes a book, bookmark, pencils, and other reading- and writing-related items. We also encourage every student to draw a picture of her/his favorite character from a book. These “Book Buddies” will be hung all over the school for all to enjoy!
Students are asked to collect pledges from parents, friends, neighbors and relatives for every book they read (or a flat donation). This fundraiser increases interest in reading, and raises funds for new library books. The grade with the highest level of participation (pledge envelopes turned in, not the most books read nor the most money raised) will win a special field trip with Dr. Brooks.
Our “Got Books?” gently used book sale will be held on Wednesday, November 4. If there are books your family has outgrown, please donate them to the sale. Every student will visit the sale that day and be allowed to choose up to three books for just 25c each! (After school, they may return and purchase as many as they would like.) Parents, books for adults will be just $1. Please bring your books to the front office by Friday, October 23, to allow the committee time to sort them. Thank you for your generosity!
Tomorrow is the first Open House of the year, and we expect 150 families to attend. Thank you to those who have recommended your student’s school to your friends and colleagues – word of mouth is the best advertising! On Sunday, our Pilgrim School Team will participate in AIDS Walk LA. If you would like to sponsor our Team, please e-mail your pledge to faculty sponsor Elizabeth Turro at eturro@pilgrim-school.org. All donations are appreciated!
Next weekend is also busy, with the Homecoming Football Game at 4 pm; the Homecoming Dance for high school that evening; and Larchmont Fair on Sunday from noon to five. Volunteer opportunities are available for these events (see below). On Friday night, October 23 beginning at 9 p.m., all are invited to an innovative laser light show in the First Church sanctuary. The light show will be part of an organ concert, in which Christoph Bull re-imagines the music of Bach, bringing the Baroque into the future.
Congratulations to Junior Kindergarten, the second grade to reach 100% parent participation in the Annual Fund! Remember, every grade that makes that goal in October is eligible for a special prize. Your annual fund donation helps your student twice, through the fund and by winning a prize! Thank you so much.
With best wishes,
Mark A. Brooks
Head of School
PS: Monday is all-school chapel, so remember that it is a formal dress day from Junior Kindergarten through High School.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Saturday, October 17
9 a.m.: Admissions Open House
Sunday, October 18
AIDS Walk LA: Sponsor our Pilgrim Team!
Monday, October 19
All-School Chapel. Formal dress for students from JK up.
Wednesday, October 21
8 a.m.: TAPPS meeting, Stuart Hall
Thursday, October 22
6 pm: Workshop for Secondary parents on helping students master the challenge of homework, led by Martin Bullock, in the Chemistry lab.
Friday, October 23
Book donations and addresses for Grandparents and Special Friends Day invitations due.
9 pm: Laser Light Show and Organ Concert at First Church
Saturday, October 24
4 pm: Homecoming Game! Mark your calendar to cheer on our Patriots.
7 pm: Homecoming Dance. Parents, food, beverages, plates, cups and utensils are needed. Thank you!
Sunday, October 25
Noon: Larchmont Fair. Visit our booth!
Monday, October 26
Make-up photo day and senior portraits
Wednesday, October 28
6 pm: High School Awareness Program for 8th Grade Families
5 pm: Preschool dismissal
Thursday, October 29
6 pm: Workshop for Secondary parents on helping students get organized for learning, led by Martin Bullock, in the Chemistry lab.
Friday, October 30
1:30: Halloween Parade!
ATHLETICS NEWS AND DATES
Saturday, October 17
3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Football at Valley Christian, Santa Maria
Monday, October 19
4:30: Hollywood/Wilshire Volleyball vs. Hollywood Schoolhouse at Pilgrim
Tuesday, October 20
3:30: Middle School Flag Football vs. Westmark at Westmark
Wednesday, October 21
3:30: Middle School Flag Football vs. Newroads at Newroads
Friday, October 23
4 pm: Hollywood/Wilshire Flag Football vs. Hollywood Schoolhouse at The Hollywood Recreation Center
4 pm: Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Price at Price
Saturday, October 24
1 pm: Middle school Flag Football vs. First Lutheran at First Lutheran
4 pm: Homecoming! Boys Varsity Football vs. First Lutheran at First Lutheran
COLLEGE VISITS
Monday, October 19
10 am: Seton Hall
12:50 pm: Purdue
Tuesday, October 20
2 pm: Skidmore
7 pm: Georgetown, at Brentwood School
Wednesday, October 21
1:30 pm: Reed College
PARENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Martin Bullock, our Secondary Science teacher, has arranged for two parent workshops for Secondary parents. One workshop will cover helping students master the challenge of homework, and the other will focus on helping students get organized for learning. The first workshop will be held on Thursday, October 22 from 6 to 8 pm in the Chemistry lab, and the second on Thursday, October 29. RSVP to Mr. Bullock at mbullock@pilgrim-school.org. Thank you!
STUDENT TRIPS
Last week students in grades 9 through 11 were on educational trips. Reports from our students follow:
GRADE 11, by Caroline Wade
On October 4th, my class ventured to the East Coast where we were exposed to colleges and universities with many different qualities. Although exhausting and a bit overwhelming, it was as much fun as a “Bawston Clam Bake”! Personally, I became more aware of my individual needs, academically as well as emotionally. The first day included tours of Tufts College, Boston University, and a choice between Emerson, “Hah-vaad,” and Northeastern. Following Boston, we traveled through Massachusetts and Connecticut, stopping by Wheaton and Trinity on our way to New York. There we visited Fordham and NYU, and took a quick peek at Columbia. The 90-minute tours through Drexel and University of Pennsylvania were probably more aerobic exercise, due to the guide’s swift pace, than many of us have had in months. Ending in D.C., we realized the life of a college student ain’t no piece of mamma’s sweet cherry pie! Waking up on our own was hard enough, let alone being on time for the tours through George Washington University, American University, and Georgetown. Despite our fatigue, the trip was quite a success, benefiting us with much personal growth and new understanding of college life.
GRADE 9, by Henry Klapper and Eli Halbreich
The freshman class of 2013 visited Pilgrim Pines. The class arrived on the beautiful campground late in the afternoon on Monday. Some of the activities we did included hiking, rock climbing, archery and zip lining. Mr. Bullock, Dr. Gregory and Rev. Dae never allowed us to have a dull moment in the trip. The food was scrumptious and we had a hearty meal every day. Everyone had a great time on the trip and accomplished the goals of self-improvement, evaluation and self-awareness. We filled out time machine envelopes that we will open when we graduate.
GRADE 10, by Xavier Sallas-Brookwell
I went to the Channel Islands for my sophomore class trip of 2010. Ms. Hatfield and Mr. Concialdi accompanied my class to Scorpion Landing, the cove on Anacapa where we stayed for the week. We went sea kayaking, hiking, and star watching. We even got to see a pod of killer whales while taking a ferry to an adjacent Channel Island. My class had a great time, but we were all excited when we ate In-n-Out on the way back to school Friday night.
GRADE 9, Mariah Davis
Grade 9 went camping and had some quality bonding time that brought us closer together as a class. Our awesome chaperones were Mr. Bullock, Dr. Gregory, and Reverend Dae Jung, and I know they had as much fun as we did. Low-rope courses, archery and rock climbing were among the activities that we participated in. All of us had a lot of fun participating in the activities and bonding with fellow students, as well as the teachers. We even had s’mores every night and sang tunes down by the campfire.
HOMECOMING NEWS
Families, please join us as we cheer on our Pilgrim varsity football players on Saturday, October 24 at First Lutheran School. The game is at 4 p.m.
That evening, high school students will enjoy their Homecoming Dance. ASB Advisor Hiromi Takahashi is asking for donations of food (pizza, chicken wings, fruits, desserts, sushi), beverages (water, soft drinks, juice), napkins, and paper plates. We expect 70 hungry teenagers! Your donations will count toward volunteer hours (just let Mrs. Sarafian know the value of what you have donated), and will help to make the evening a success for our students. Please let Ms. Takahashi know what you plan to bring at htakahashi@pilgrim-school.org. Thank you for your support!
OTHER PARENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We need donations of the following items for the following events. Please let Mrs. Sarafian know the value of what you have donated for your volunteer hours. Thank you!
Larchmont Fair, Sunday, October 25, 2009
Cases of soda (regular & diet) and water
500 plastic forks
500 plastic knives
500 plastic spoons
1000 napkins
400 to-go containers
Halloween Festivities, Friday, October 30, 2009
300 Halloween pencils
300 stickers
200 healthy fruit strips or fruit snacks
200 individual packs of animal crackers
200 individual packs of fish crackers
Candy
Thank you for your help!
KITCHEN CORNER
Students enjoyed vegetable fusilli pasta with a homemade heirloom tomato marinara sauce. Our 15 plus item salad bar, one of many lunch options, continues to be popular with the middle and secondary students and the faculty!
We are featuring homemade soups daily, as the weather gets colder. This week’s bean and vegetable soup was especially appreciated on our rainy day.
If you are on campus at lunchtime, please stop by and enjoy lunch on us!
Mrs. Lang's class was in charge of gardening this week. Wednesday morning, dodging the drizzles, they went out and picked several large zucchini and a few ripe tomatoes. The students were eager to pick the veggies, and were equally excited to deliver them to Miss Janet in the cafeteria!
BRING IN YOUR LABELS!
Last year, the school earned $436.80 – which is free money for collecting labels and box tops from items already in your cupboards!
Campbell’s Labels for Education Program
For Campbell’s, please collect the UPC Symbols – this is a change from the program in the past, where the front label was needed.
General Mills Box Tops for Education Program
Save the official coupon from eligible products.
For more information please contact Elizabeth Dever (parent of Logan Dever in Ms. Evan’s 1st grade Class).
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Our annual Preschool and Elementary Halloween Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 30th. The Preschool and Junior Kindergarten students will participate in the parade. The students may not wear their costumes to school, and they will change into their costumes around 12:45 p.m. Following our Halloween parade, each Preschool and Junior Kindergarten class will have a small class party. Please sign up to help us for changing/dressing students into costumes and setting up/cleaning up the afternoon class party!
Toddler class will have its own fun Halloween Parade (Trick-or-Treating) at 10:00 a.m. Our toddlers will go trick or treating from classroom to classroom and will get an opportunity to meet new school friends. The first “Daddy & Mommy Club” luncheon is also scheduled on this day from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Please join us for the first gathering luncheon in the toddler classroom. There is a potluck sign-up sheet on the classroom clipboard.
We would also like to thank our students’ parents for donating items from the teachers’ wish lists. THANK YOU! We really appreciate your continued help and support. If any parent is interested in providing projects or activities in the classrooms, please make an appointment to schedule the time and date with the homeroom classroom teacher.
