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PRAISE THAT MOTIVATES – OR STIFLES - by Head of School Dr. Timothy Johnson
Next Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, teachers will meet in the library to share their assessments of your children’s academic progress, to structure support where needed, and to consider motivational strategies for the months ahead. Grade reports, which generate dinner conversations throughout the North Shore, will soon follow. How much should we praise good work? What should we praise? When should we offer the carrot, and what should the carrot look like? How critical should we be when expectations are not met?
As educators and parents, we all struggle to say the right thing in the right way, and the art of teaching and parenting is challenged in these sensitive exchanges. Sometimes words said with the best intentions don't help us reach our shared goal of raising young adults who are confident, kind, responsible and intellectually curious. (more)
HEALTH UPDATE
To read the most recent letter from Dr. Johnson and School Nurse Elizabeth Robitaille about the H1N1virus and the School's precautionary measures, please click here.
SCHEDULE YOUR PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
You should have received a mailing with your child's class schedule and instructions on how to register for PTC Wizard and Parent Teacher Conferences. You will need to know your child's teachers' names in order to schedule your conferences. Those names can be found on your child's schedule. Some may find it helpful to keep the instructions that were mailed to you by the computer as well. Please note that it is required that you bring your student with you to the conferences. Click here to schedule your conferences on PTC Wizard.
GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA (GOOD MORNING JULIET) - Fall Drama November 13, 14 & 15
Pingree’s theater department will perform Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) on November 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee performance will include a special lobby display, a post-show talkback, and a tour of the stage for audience members. Study guides will also be available for audience members interested in learning background information about the play and the rehearsal process. For more information, please click here.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PINGREE GOLFERS
The Pingree golf team finished second in the Eastern Independent League (EIL) tournament on Wednesday. Scoring a 428 to Berwick's 426 and missing first place by just 2 strokes. Jack Whelan '11 won the overall individual trophy with a score of 78. Also playing well were, Nevin Pathak '10 with an 88, Sam Bachelder '10 with an 89, Sam Cregg '12 with an 85, and Jon Ahern '12 with an 88. The team finished tied for first place overall in the EIL with a 15-1 record.
SHARE YOUR RECIPES
The staff of Pingree's newspaper, The New Columns is asking parents to share their favorite Thanksgiving or December holiday recipes for the next edition of the paper. Please click here to fill out and send electronically, the recipes to your favorite dishes!
THE PINGREE PARENTS ASSOCIATION WANTS YOU!
Please join the PPA as they host their second meeting, on Monday, November 9th at 8:15 a.m. in the Library.
WE'D LOVE YOUR HELP! - Admission Information Night - November 17
Each year, our parents help us spread the word about "Admission Information Night" which is coming up on November 17th (6:30-8:30 p.m.). The evening is a way for prospective families with sixth, seventh or eighth graders to learn more about our programs, our people and our offerings directly from Pingree students and teachers.
The Admission Office is asking current Pingree parents to place signs in their towns' YMCAs, supermarkets, health clubs, dance and music schools, hair salons, coffee shops, book stores, bicycle shops, libraries, churches and other places that people congregate. Please contact Director of Admission Eric Stacey (estacey@pingree.org) if you are able to help us spread the word. Every little bit helps.
GLOBAL EDUCATION SURVEY
The Global Education Committee is interested in your thoughts and ideas. Please take a couple of minutes to answer 2 questions. Please click here.
FOUR BY FOUR ART EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY - Bertonlon Family Art gallery
Prints, drawings, paintings, and architectural detail constructions by four Boston area artists, all employed at Stanhope Framers in Somerville, will be on display at the Bertolon Family Gallery at Pingree School from November 2 until December 11. For more information, please click here.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The Social Concerns Group has been very busy this fall, and now we're on to our November Challenge - CAN STRUCTION - the fall canned food drive November 2nd - 25th
What is CAN STRUCTION? Building art-type formations with canned food donations. Each class is being challenged to build the biggest and best-looking pyramid using the food drive donations. The winning class will be treated to a Holiday Ice Cream Sundae Party.
Seniors - Sauces and pastas
Juniors - Baby related food, formula and diaper items
Sophomores - Canned fruits and vegetables
Freshman - Soups, cake, brownie and cupcake mixes, ketchup and relishes
Parents please bring your donations when you attend the Parent Conferences.
Coats for Kids - Anton's Cleaners, has begun their Annual Coats for Kid's Program. Please donate your gently used coats & jackets for children, babies and adults - just drop them at your local Anton's Cleaners before January 9th. Anton's will clean and press all items and deliver 60,000 (hopefully) items to families in need this winter.
Additional Holiday Outreach Efforts will be listed in next week's newsletter.
Thank you for your continued help with the Outreach Efforts of the Social Concerns Group.
PLEASE JOIN DR. JOHNSON FOR CIDER & COOKIES - Thursday, November 19
Dr. Johnson invites all Pingree students to Rogers House Thursday, November 19 from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. for Cider & Cookies prior to the Fall Athletic Awards at 6:00 p.m. in the Theater. Parents are welcome to join their students for the Awards to celebrate the season's successes. Every team is recognized and awards are given for sportsmanship, effort, and ability. Students are asked to dress nicely for the occasion. To read the students' invitation from Dr. Johnson, please click here.
ALUM SKATER SUFFERS SERIOUS INJURY
Tom Smith, Class of 2008, celebrated his return to hockey in September after suffering a spinal cord injury in July 2008 while skating for his Junior Hockey team. Cleared by all his doctors to return to the sport he loves, Tom was eager to show what hard work and the exceptional care he received at the Miami Project in Florida could achieve. Unfortunately, things didn’t go Tom’s way.
On October 1, while skating at a Boston Bulldogs practice in Salem, NH Tom fell and hit his head on the boards during a hockey game. He was airlifted to Boston Medical Center where he was diagnosed with another spinal cord injury.
A fundraiser to help Tom and his family on their long road to recovery will be held at Prince Pizzeria on Tuesday, November 24, for more information, please click here.
ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: YEARBOOK NEWS!
Show your pride and appreciation for your senior. Create a parent message in the 2010 yearbook
by using Jostens' convenient ad website. Please log on here or access through the Pingree website.
Also upload photos you may have of seniors here. If you have any questions contact Liz Taft, ltaft@pingree.org, 978-564-0662
LUNCH BREAK WITH DR. JOHNSON!
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday of each month have been reserved for Faculty/Staff, Students, and Senior Leaders to have lunch with Dr. Johnson in the Commons. Sign-up sheets are available at specified locations. To view the available dates and to find out where you may sign-up, please click here.
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