We are on the verge of Spring springing! Much has been going on and will continue to through the rest of the school year, which will go by quickly as it always does.
I’d like to take a minute to thank many of you who contributed to a wonderful Faculty Appreciation Week recently. Whether in person, through financial support of the Parents Association or both, please accept my heartfelt thank you on behalf of the faculty and staff of the Upper School. We feel truly blessed to share this community with you and appreciate your care for us.
Thank you also to those who participated in Parents Weekend by attending the family dinner and/or took in the winter musical production of “Beauty and the Beast.” That was a tremendous weekend and I thank you for making the effort to be with us.
I’d also like to ask for your continued help with something I’ve written about earlier this year and last, and that is school days immediately preceding or following breaks. As per our Attendance Policy, please do not make plans for students to miss those school days adjacent to scheduled vacations. Any time missed due to illness or absence (college visit or other planned absence) will need to be made up by the student in Saturday study hall upon the resumption of classes.
We try to ensure there are productive and educational lessons in place for those half-days that usually precede vacations, they help meet the attendance requirements set forth by the state, and also allow families more flexibility for travel. We had over 60 students absent the half-day prior to Winter Break, who unfortunately missed an exceptional presentation by Erik Weihenmayer that day.
Spring semester exams will be here before we know it as well. As with the above, please keep in mind that students are expected to take their exams as scheduled. Absences from exams should be only in extreme emergency; illness must be documented by a doctor’s excuse. Unexcused absences from the exam will likely be assigned a zero.
Thank you for your understanding and help ensuring these policies are followed. Please feel free to call me with any questions you may have.
