Tuesday, March 25, 2014

April: Another Exciting Month at St. Paul's

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Spring Break full of fun and relaxation!


Upcoming Events
March 24 ~ No Classes, Professional Development
Friday, March 28 ~ Spirit Day
Thursday, April 3 ~ Middle School Transition Night for Parents of Current Fifth Graders at 6 PM in the Third Floor Commons
Friday, April 4 ~ First Grade Field Trip to the Zoo and Fourth Grade's States & Capitals Fair at 10AM
Thursday, April 10 ~ Fourth Grade to Jefferson City, Love & Logic at 4 PM, and Fifth Grade Showcase at 7 PM
Saturday, April 12 ~ St. Paul's Auction at Starlight 6-10PM
Monday, April 14 - Thursday, April 17 ~ Standardized Testing for Grades 3-7
Friday, April 18 ~ Good Friday, No School
Monday, April 21 ~ In Harmony Choir Sings at Crown Center & Bishop Spencer Place
Tuesday, April 22 ~ Kindergarten to First Transition Drop In from 9-10 AM, Mid Quarter, Fifth Grade to Exchange City, & Technology & Your Child Presentation for Parents of Toddler through Third Graders
Wednesday, April 23 ~ Kindergarten to First Transition Drop In from 9-10 AM and Second to Third Transition Drop In from 9:30-10:30
Thursday, April 24 ~ Toddler through Second Grade Chapel in the Sanctuary and the Fourth Grade Showcase at 7 PM
Friday, April 25 ~ Spirit Day and Eucharist Chapel for Third through Eighth Grades
Saturday, April 26 ~ Zoo Day from 9-1
Wednesday, April 30 ~ Grandparents' Day for Kindergarten, Fourth, and Eighth Grade Students and the St. Paul's Art Fair from 3:30-7:30 PM


Transition Events
If your child will be entering sixth grade in the 2014-2015 school year you are invited to join Ted VanThullenar, Middle School Division Head, and the Middle School teachers on Thursday, April 3rd at 6 PM to hear about the growth and development of sixth graders and what the sixth grade experience will be like for your child.  If you have a student who will be entering first grade in the 2014-2015 school year you are invited to join us for chapel and then drop into the first grade classrooms on Tuesday, April 22nd or Wednesday, April 23rd from 9-10AM.  This format will allow parents to see the first grade morning routine first hand.  ECC Division Head, Sheila Abio, and Lower School Division Head, Lisa Jones, will be available in the commons to answer any questions.
Though the transition from second to third grade is no longer a divisional transition it is physical transition since students will be moving to the second floor.  Third grade teachers invite parents to drop into the classrooms on Wednesday, April 23rd from 9:30-10:30 to see our third graders in action.  Though our students and teachers will be hard at work, Lisa Jones will be available in the commons to answer any questions you may have.


Standardized Testing
Students in third through seventh grade will take standardized tests Monday, April 14th through Thursday, April 17th.  We ask parents to help students get a good night's rest, a hearty and healthy breakfast, and to arrive at school on time each morning since testing will begin right after chapel.  Students will take two subtests each morning with a short break in between.  Students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack to eat in between subtests.  This year students will be taking the CTP4 test.  This standardized test was developed by ERB and was created for private schools.  After realizing that the Standford Achievement Tests which we have used in years past had dated private school norms and no intention of updating them it was decided that we change tests.  In addition to being a more challenging test, the CTP4 will also be timed and will offer two new subtests, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, that students have not taken before.  Students will be taking a practice test the week of April 7th so they will have some familiarity with the process and format. 

St. Paul's Auction
Please join us at Starlight Theatre on Saturday, April 12th from 6-10PM for our 2014 auction!  The theme for this year's auction is Great Expectations and black and white dress is encouraged.  Cocktail hour and the silent auction will be from 6-8 PM, dinner will be served at 8, and the live auction will begin at 8:45.  Be sure to purchase your tickets by April 4.  More information can be found at www.stpaulsacution.com.

In Harmony Performances in the Community
Our In Harmony Choir made up of first through fifth grade students will have the opportunity to perform outside of the school on Monday, April 21st.  Students will be accompanied by Mrs. Everly and Senora Meli as they perform at Crown Center and Bishop Spencer Place.  Thanks to all of the parents and students who have made the extra effort to arrive early on Mondays for rehearsals.  We are so proud of our In Harmony Choir!



Upcoming Community Learning Events
Technology and Your Child – ECC-3rd grade parents, Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:30 PM; 4th – 8th grade parents, Tuesday, May 6th, 6:30 PM.
During these events Drs. Kevin and Natasha Burgert will address the challenges of parenting in the online space. They will describe sites commonly used by our children, discuss health consequences that arise from unrestricted or unmonitored internet use and finally, suggest practical ways to guide and monitor your child's online life. This presentation was so successful at one of our other independent Kansas City schools that we wanted to make sure it was available for our parents. Please mark your calendar for one or both of these dates and plan to attend. 

ZOO Day
Save the date and be sure to join other St. Paul's families and community members at the Kansas City Zoo from 9AM-1PM on Saturday, April 26th.  More information coming soon!
 

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