Dear Parents,
It certainly looks like winter outside, but we’ve not yet had a really good snow. I always hope for just one! However, whatever the weather is, please make sure your daughter is dressed to be outside. Unless it’s below 20 degrees or raining, we will be playing outside. Your daughter needs to be prepared. If there is snow on the ground, she needs boots to be allowed to play in it. Otherwise, she will have to play on the shoveled sidewalks.
Please read below for news of upcoming events:
Lunch on February 8th RPCS will be the host site for a very popular AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) professional development event entitled, "Safe Schools." This annual event is about making sure that our schools are safe for all students and employees. It will be held in our Sinex Theater and the Dining Hall. Therefore the Dining Hall and food service will not be available on this day and the girls need to bring a complete lunch.
Lunch on February 15th On February 15th, the cafeteria will be closed for a special event. Please send your daughter with a complete lunch that day as well. She will need her regular snack on both days.
Valentine’s Day is February 14th Valentine’s Day is such fun in the Lower School! On that day, the girls may wear red shirts and socks with their uniforms, and there will be parties in the afternoon. In order that every girl has a happy time and feels good, please make sure that your daughter includes a valentine for everyone in her homeroom or in her grade. We don’t want anyone to feel left out or excluded, particularly on this day that celebrates friendship and caring.
Value of the Month This month the Lower School girls are talking about Good Manners. Using good manners shows respect for the others around her. We are, as always, practicing shaking hands and greeting each other. We have also talked about walking, not running, on the right in the hallways, eating in a polite manner, and waiting to speak instead of interrupting. More manners will be discussed and practiced as the month goes on.
Library News The Red Hot Bookworms, also known as the Book Club for grades 3-5, will be meeting from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Friday, February 10th to discuss the book Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes. The group eats lunch while discussing the novel, engaging in a fun activity and enjoying a snack related to the book. Since there are only 4 copies of the book available for circulation, we encourage your daughter to obtain a copy from the public library or a local bookstore. Please encourage your daughters to join in on the fun! Also, the library’s display case, which has been housing Ms. Edwards’ beloved collection of Harry Potter memorabilia, is available for displays of any sort. If your daughter or your family has a collection that you are willing to loan for display, please contact Ms. Edwards.
Preschool Corner Nothing is more fun for me than dropping into the Preschool 3s’ classroom! They are such “busy bees,” rarely holding still, and always exploring, creating, building, and practicing the skills that are preparing them for the rest of their lives. They are joyful and funny, as well you know. We will be holding a Coffee for Preschool parents at the end of the month. This is a time for you to join Ms. Davis, Ms. Harrison, the Lower School Guidance Counselor, and me for an informal chat about this wonderful class and this specific age group. We hope you will come at 8:00 am and meet with us in the Trustee Seminar Room, which is located in the RPCS Athletic Complex. We will end at 9:00 am so that you can get on with your day.
Looking ahead
Parent-Daughter Square Dance If your daughter is in the Third, Fourth, or Fifth Grade, please be sure to come to the annual Square Dance on March 2 at 7:00 pm. Beverages will be provided, but it would be lovely if you would bring a treat to share. Casual or western dress is appropriate, but please do not wear boots or any shoes with heels, only soft soled shoes. Bring your “pardna” and sashay on down!
How much we appreciate your support and interest in all that we are doing here at school! I always enjoy seeing you here for your daughter’s activities and presentations. Come often!
~ BGS
LOWER SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
To register, call Kaleidoscope at 410/323-5500, ext 3045
ART CLUB - Puppets, painting and pottery
Grades P1, 1 and 2 $185
March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24 May 1, 8, 15,
3:00 - 4:30 pm
We will have lots of fun learning how to make puppets out of: fabric, cardboard and recycled materials. Using paints, ornamentation and other decorations you will create your own characters, and settings. We will also use clay and modeling mediums to make pottery and amazing 3-dimensional creations. In addition, girls will enjoy painting realistic and decorative backdrops for the puppet character creations, as well as rooms, pets and accessories. (Program includes a healthy snack and all supplies.)
Coordinated by Ms. Holly McAslan
ART CLUB - Decorative Design: Jewelry Making, Card Printing and T-shirt Design
Grades 3, 4, 5
Thursdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17 $185
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Girls will learn about design and printing and how to utilize these techniques to personalize t-shirts, greeting cards, and their own logo stamps. They will also learn how to make jewelry using; paper, leather, clay and fabric as well as designing their own enamel jewelry. As a group, they will also design graphics that will be used in making their own limited edition t-shirts. Through this club girls will develop creative skills and learn how art is used in a practical way to make many beautiful objects. Objects you can wear not just look at. (Program includes a healthy snack and all supplies.)
Coordinated by Ms. Holly McAslan
CREATIVE DRAMA CLUB
Grades P1, 1, 2
Wednesdays, March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16 $185
3:00 until 4:30 pm
CREATIVE DRAMA CLUB
Grades 3, 4, 5
Thursdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17 $185
3:00 until 4:30 pm
This program uses theater games, dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys and music to let our girls present. Girls will benefit from dramatic experiences and there is no pressure to perform. The emphasis is on the process rather than the product. Creative Drama can let a girl learn about emotions, problem solving and relating to others. Children can develop their imaginations and confidence and pretend to be anything she wants to be. (Program includes a healthy snack and all supplies.)
Coordinated by Ms. Anita Horwath, a professional actress and teachers at Together Working in Gaining Skills (TWGS,) an after school program at Baltimore School for the Arts.
HEALTHY MINDS/HEALTHY BODIES
Grades 2, 3, 4
Tuesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22
3:00 until 4:30 pm $185
An afterschool club especially for RPCS girls, meeting weekly to exercise their bodies and minds through running, games, laughing and learning to make good choices that will last a lifetime. This is a popular program, registrations are first come/first serve. (Program includes a healthy snack and a t-shirt).
Coordinated by Ms. Heather Himmelstein and Ms. Tynaya Quickly
NEXT STEP DANCE CLUB
Grades 2 and 3
Tuesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22
3:00 until 4:45 pm $185
NEXT STEP DANCE CLUB
Grades 4 and 5
Thursdays, April 12, 19 26, May 3, 10, 17, 31, June 7
3:00 until 4:45 pm $185
This club is perfect for girls who have been studying dance and want to take their technical skills to the next level. The basis of the afternoon program will be on ballet, as the foundation for all other forms of dance. Building upon that foundation, we will work on extra jazz and tap to expand our techniques and concentration. From there we will go outward and upward! (Program includes a healthy snack. Tap shoes are available to borrow or you may bring your own. Jazz shoes are optional. Girls must provide their own black leotards and pink tights.)
Coordinated by Ms. Sylvia Botts