Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (October 31, 2012)

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

            I’m sure that it did not escape anyone’s notice that it rained a lot over the past few days.  I do hope that you have power and that any damage from this storm has been minimal.  This has been quite an experience and I am sure that you are glad that your children are back in school today (because you don’t want them to miss out on their learning opportunities, of course).

I reported to you in my email yesterday that we had sustained minimal damage here at school.  That held true, I found, until I walked into the office as I was leaving.  Now, you would think that the office, not being near any windows or doors, would be protected from the effects of the storm more than any other spot in the building.  However, water came from somewhere and soaked the carpet, which we are in the process of replacing.  I was able to vacuum up about 5 gallons of water from the carpet so that at least it no longer makes that squishy sound when one walks on it.  Unfortunately, it will have to go.

I will also be working on getting the city to fix the roof, which was the source of most of our water.  I am sure that we are all thankful that we do not live in New York and/or have to travel long distances to get to work.  I can only imagine what others in more devastated areas have to endure.  Nonetheless, we are back up and running and the students seem happy to be back after their mini vacation.  Next week, you will get to enjoy their company for two days again as on Monday we attend the AIMS convention and on Tuesday we are closed for Election Day.  Don’t forget to vote!

A few other reminders:

• Beginning at 3:30 p.m., the Open Door has possession of the gym until 6:15.  Only parents who are picking up students will be admitted through the gym door.

• Parents who are picking up students in the gym between 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. are asked not to sit on the tables that are set up for Open Door.  They must be sanitized before the program starts and every time someone sits on them, they must be redone.

• The front door will be closed at 3:45 p.m. and no students will be allowed to re-enter without a parent.  Students are reminded to get all their things and use the bathroom before they leave at 3:30 p.m.  Work being done in the office has been interrupted many times by students wanting to get back to retrieve a lunch box or use the bathroom.  Unescorted children have to be monitored by someone in the office, who otherwise needs to complete important work.

• Don’t forget to “fall back” on Sunday.

Finally, please be careful tonight as you go trick-or-treating. Watch out crossing streets while wearing masks, and inspect all of your candy carefully before eating any of it.  Look for torn wrappers.  It’s probably also a good idea to stay away from any other unpackaged items, such as apples.

A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween. ~ Erma Bombeck

Cheers, Steve

Weekly Message from Steve Warner, Head of School (September 18, 2012)

Greetings, GreenMount Community,

                Today, I have some nuts and bolts to review with you that are typically discussed at this time of year.  First, let’s talk about parking and traffic flow.  Here are some rules that we have to ensure efficiency and safety during arrival and dismissal:

• Do not park along the yellow curb behind the designated parking spaces.

• Always leave our handicapped space available for those who have the proper parking permit.

• Do not park on the curb in front of the flagpole.  This space is for drop-off only.  Parents must safely discharge their children and then move their cars for another person to do the same.

• When possible, drop your children off at Miles Avenue. A parent is always on duty to make sure your child gets from the playground to the building.  The teacher on duty or I will be outside to watch the children as they make their way from the playground.

• Do not try to turn around at Miles Avenue.  If you need to travel East after drop-off, make your way to Sisson Street and go left or right to pick up 28^th Street or Wyman Park Drive.

• You may also choose to drop your child off at the church, although there is no supervision for that half-block from Huntingdon to Miles.

• Please make sure that students do not have to cross the street unsupervised.

• For parking at events, parents and guests may park on the grass behind the learning cottage.  A ramp has been built there and soon we will be adding mulch to the other side so that lower cars do not bottom out.

• The front gate will be opened from now on at 8:00.  We now find it necessary to begin enforcing this rule, which is in the handbook, because students are being dropped off to wait in the gated area without supervision.  This is clearly an unsafe situation for our children.  We would rather have students arrive late than in a possibly unsafe situation before 8:00 a.m.

             Not so much nuts and bolts: Ms. Elaine has decided to become a part-time employee at The GreenMount School so that she can devote more time being a mommy to Piper.  And who wouldn’t want to spend more time with that little darlin’?  This has been a tough decision for Elaine, but we are hoping that it will not be a permanent one.  This year, Elaine will continue to be the Admissions Director and will also coordinate our 20^th year anniversary, working with alumni, and our five-year AIMS accreditation visit.  Taking over her other duties will be Janine Spiker, who will be working closely with Jen in the office and coordinating our co-op efforts.  Janine has experience as a teacher and has worked at Towson University in their admissions and development offices.  We are pleased with the experience and expertise she brings.

                Finally, at today’s morning meeting I was happy to provide some positive feedback for all of our students.  I congratulated all the 7^th and 8^th grade students for the way they waited patiently and respectfully outside their homeroom while we concluded a meeting we were having with the science committee.  I was also happy to compliment all of the students on their way into the gym as they sat quickly and quietly, giving me their attention without me asking for it.  I told them, “Good job!” However, after saying this, I immediately reminded myself that this was not feedback.  I had not described specifically what they had done that elicited my comment.  But then I began to think that specifics were not needed in this case.  The kids just needed to know that I was very pleased with them for the way they entered the gym.  They actually know what they did that was a good job.

So, thinking about last week’s message, I want to be clear that we are going to continue to give our students those high-fives and spontaneous cheers for their actions and their work.  But when we are providing feedback for written work or projects or presentations that they are preparing, we will be specific with our feedback so that the students are clear about expectations and where they are in the learning process.  “Well done,” “Good job,” and even “Atta boy/girl” will remain part of the vocabulary we use with kids.  We will continue to use encouraging language as well as specific language in our communications with students.

               

Cheers,

Steve