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September 19, 2008 Dear Parents, This has been a lively and unusually busy week for students, and most of them have earned time off this weekend and certainly next weekend. On the other hand, progress reports should alert parents in cases where students might not be managing their time and work effectively. Generally, academic problems have less to do with poor work than a student’s failure to submit assignments or make up missing work (though students may fail to do their work from a lack of confidence or a heavy workload caused by excessive absences). Parent-teacher conferences are most productive when teachers and parents can form a more objective view of student effort, efficiency, and progress. After conferences, many parents will want to take the opportunity to discuss with students not only grades but study habits and effective use of time. Betsy offers her thanks to all parents for making conference scheduling go so smoothly. If you still have not signed up for conferences, please do so by next Wednesday at the absolute latest. Walk-ins are not recommended because the schedules are very full and you might not be able to see the teachers you want to see. Due to conferences, we will have a shortened class day on Thursday and students should be picked up between noon and 1pm. Picture proofs have made it into your children’s possession. If you have not seen them, please inquire with your student. Orders are due by October 7th. If your child was absent on the original picture day, October 7th is also the day that the photographers will be back to take his/her photo. There are no retakes being done. If you decide not to order photos, the proofs still need to be returned with a photo chosen to be in the yearbook. Betsy has explained to the students how to do this. Parents with students interested in attending the Spring Break trip to Spain should plan to attend the meeting this Sunday 7:30 pm at Seabury. Feel free to contact the director of the trip, Ms. Meyers, at amymeyers@seaburyacademy.org. Parents of 8th grade students should remember that Mr. Patterson will be administering the Explore test on Thursday morning. Finally, as we are entering the most concentrated (and often unpleasant) part of our national political process, I spoke to students on Thursday morning about opinions and debate. Specifically, I drew attention to the fact that many people associate their political views (and being proved “correct”) with their sense of identity and self-worth. It is common for students (as well as adults) to feel defensive if their views are challenged. I encouraged students to remain open to discussion and to learn from the perspectives of others—that life and progress are not static but part of an evolving and complicated world. The search for the best course of action and effective leadership is tricky, but it is a citizen’s obligation and should be inspiring, not isolating and depressing. Yours respectfully, Dr. Schawang |