Ghost Update
December 1, 2021
Dear RU Families,
The faculty student soccer game was a success. Advisory groups made signs and were prepared to gather and cheer on their favorite team. This community builder was the idea of the Director of Student Services, Kara Merrill, and with the help of teachers and students she was able to pull the event together for the benefit of our school community.
As we move further into this school year, we are finding that a return to "normalcy" is about more than the daily academic schedule and all of us being in the same school building. When schools were forced to go fully remote for the end of the 2019 school year, in many ways schools, which have long been something students grudgingly rely on, broke a sacred trust with our students. Over the course of one full school year they continued to find their way. At times, they were helping care for siblings and pets, while attending classes on line and balancing chores and other competing interests (often video games). This year, we have asked them to come back to school full time and be full time students again. At best, this is a return to expected routines and predictable growth timelines related to human development and academics. At worst, this feels like it fails to acknowledge the growth that occurred when our children were asked to multi-task and carry on with their education while taking care of other business. It is messy but we are finding our way. Events like the middle school CARE assembly, and our Staff vs. Varsity Athletes soccer game are important parts of how we are finding our way. In this newsletter you will see examples of how our students and staff are finding joy in our community and learning. We know, that bit by bit, by connecting with each other we can rebuild the parts of our community that feel as if they have been weakened by this pandemic.
This is important work, and we need you! Recently, a parent shared that they moved here from a community where community volunteerism at school was an important part of student success. We are eager to see how we can incorporate volunteers to help support our students. Please fill out the survey included in this document, so that we can learn more about how you are able to help support our school community.
Thank you all for the work you are doing to help keep our community strong and healthy headed into this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Lisa & Caty
Varsity Athletes vs. School Staff
Hands-on Learning at RU
In the Innovation Center students have been working together on a project that 7th graders are completing. Students in the Innovation Management class learn how to use and maintain the equipment in the innovation center. In recent weeks that knowledge has been put to good use as the high school students have mentored 7th graders who have been designing and creating game pieces as they work on a "Game of Health" for Deb Lary's health class.
Test to Stay
Vape Cessation Forum
meet.google.com/yzw-ebkv-eya
Join by phone
(US) +1 563-277-0564 PIN: 825 073 927#
We Could Use Some Help!
Middle School Recess
Contact Us!
Caty Sutton - csutton@orangesouthwest.org
Lisa Floyd - lfloyd@orangesouthwest.org
Co-Principals