September 4, 2008
Dear Parents,
This school year has gotten off to a very good start. The students are working hard and seem to recognize that this year is extremely important as they get ready for high school.
One goal for the eighth grade is to develop leadership. The eighth graders have met their kindergarten buddies and have helped Mrs. Joesting in the cafeteria by showing their buddies the procedures.
Mediation training will soon be given to the eighth grade students by Mrs. Reder, the school counselor. Students may then volunteer to be peer mediators if they are interested.
Another leadership opportunity will be our "student families" program. The eighth graders will lead the "student families" with the help of a teacher or staff member.
For the last two years, the eighth graders have gone to the Countryside YMCA Day Camp in Lebanon, Ohio, for a day of leadership training. The students will leave school on Tuesday, September 23, at 8:10 am and will return between 2:30 and 3:00 that afternoon. The difference in time returning is due to traffic. This day should be a fun-filled, hands-on, action-packed learning day. Last year activities included crossing stones, the climbing wall, and many group building projects and activities.
The cost for the training day will be taken from a school fund. Each student will need to pack a lunch and bring a drink.
There are several directions regarding clothes for the day. Obviously, it will be an out of uniform day. Many of the activities will be outdoors. The email message from the YMCA says, "Although we will be active outdoors, wear clothes that are easy to move around in." The students will need a pair of gym shoes which can be carried in their backpacks. They might also wish to throw a change of clothes in there for an emergency.
The YMCA has a dress code just as St. Lawrence does. There are to be "no short shorts, low cut shirts, or bell shirts." It might be good to just bring along or wear gym clothes.
There will be a locked and secure room for the students' backpacks during the day. The students may bring their cell phones, but they are to remain off and in their backpacks until we return to St. Lawrence.
If there are any questions, please feel free to call me or to email me. My email address is breitner@zoomtown.com.
Sincerely yours,
Miss Breitner
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