The Weekly Bulldog
October 24, 2019
From Tim: This Little Light of Ours
Last week, we gathered as a school community for our first family group meetings of the year. We initiated family groups ten years ago as way to further build connections across grade levels and throughout the school. Every student staff member is part of a group – typically two students at each grade level, plus several faculty and staff. Like our mixed-age homerooms, students stay with their family group all the way through their time at Stanley.
K-1-2 Social-Emotional Teacher Allison, with help from former Stanley BPS teacher and consultant Katie Russell, leads the program, each year identifying a theme that becomes the curriculum of the program. Two years ago, we explored the notion of Integrity through family groups, last year focused on Stanley’s Umbrella (community), and this year, our theme is “This Little Light of Mine.” We kicked off the program in the ballroom by thinking together about ways each of us lets our light shine, culminating in a powerful “passing the light” activity set to song provided by a number of teachers. Groups then dispersed to various locations around campus to talk about ways we share our own light and to decorate beautiful light jars (perhaps your child’s made it home).
Always at this time of year, we start to look ahead to a number of upcoming fall Stanley traditions in the next month. While some events have come and gone over the years at our school, there are many that have stood the test of time. As traditions tend to do, each of ours in its own way reveals a bit about our community and culture. Our events also serve to bring our community together, sometimes in celebration, sometimes to mark an important transition, sometimes to simply enjoy the company of friends and family.
On Thursday, the 31st, perhaps the official beginning of our traditions “season,” we hold our annual Halloween parade-pageant-assembly in the gym, starting at 8:40 a.m. This tradition is one of our many truly unique, student-centered events throughout the year. We strive each year to make the event enjoyable and safe for all, and we ask that you help us by reviewing costume creations with your child or children. Please be aware that certain costumes can be culturally insensitive or stereotyping and may be offensive to particular groups or individuals within our school community. While we certainly do not want to dampen the creativity nor the slight irreverence of the event, we also have no intention of causing anyone to feel alienated. Also, older students planning scary costumes are reminded that our younger children can be easily frightened by excessive gore and masks that completely cover one’s face.
We hope you’re able to come by on the 31st to enjoy the festivities, and if not, there’s plenty more on the horizon, including the Multicultural Feast (November 16), Grand People Day (November 22), and our Holiday Program (December 20).
All the best,
Tim
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Top Five Things
1. Help grand people feel grand!
2. With a lot going on, Halloween dismissal is a little different next week...
Next Thursday is Halloween Day, featuring our beloved parade at 8:40 a.m. in the gym. (Book Fair in the Library all week, the school store is open on Thursday, and we have half-day Thursday and no school Friday for K-8 conferences - whew!) After the parade, conference times begin as early as 10:30 a.m., and you are welcome to take your student home anytime -- though coverage is offered till 12:15 p.m. and Extended Day available on both days off.
3. Booook fair is spooooky fun
Next week, the Stanley library transforms into the Stanley Book fair -- or you can visit the book fair online. Every purchase earns rewards for our library and classroom wish lists, and volunteers get special treatment, too.
4. Housekeeping says: "Drop off lanyards. Pick up lost & found!"
With the change of seasons, lost and found is exploding -- be sure to peruse the rack in the front of Hambidge Commons for items collected from outdoors, the gym, and beyond. And when you stop in, please return any visitor lanyards you find in your car or in your closet... Thank you!
5. Stanley sibling application deadline November 1
Upcoming Events
October 25
October 26
Stanley Coffeehouse - Best Date Night of the Year!
October 28-31
October 31
Last day of Middle School Sports
K-8 early dismissal and K-8 conferences
November 1
Sibling admission application deadline
November 4
No School - K-8 Faculty-Staff Work Day and 6-8 Conferences
November 6
Middle School tour for 5th-grade Parents
November 7
Extended Day Welcome Breakfast
Stanley Pick-up basketball - Bricks & Brews
November 8
Parent Association Pop-Up Social
November 16
Stanley British Primary School
Email: admin@stanleybps.org
Website: www.stanleybps.org
Location: 350 Quebec St., Denver
Phone: (303) 360-0803
Facebook: facebook.com/stanley.british/
Twitter: @stanleybps