New City School

Re-Enrollment forms are due Monday, February 1st.
There is a late fee of $75.00 assessed after this date.

Financial aid forms, which can be gotten from Deb or Dena in the main office, are also due February 1st.

The students in the 3/4s, 4s, 4/5s and kindergarten presented an engaging program for their parents and guests yesterday. They sang familiar songs, recited nursery rhymes and incorporated poetry selections in a very endearing presentation. The enthusiasm displayed by the boys and girls was oohed and awwwed by everyone in attendance. Most of the photos this week are from that presentation.

I received an email this week from my niece who works for the World Health Organization. She usually works with women's groups in Africa, so I hadn't realized that she was in Haiti . Her message was so poignant, and reinforces why this travesty has touched our students and families so much. I know she won't mind me sharing it with you.

Hi Famiglia-
Just a quick note to let you know I am OK. The work here has been so difficult and under really challenging circumstances. Today was my hardest day yet...and despite not having let my emotions get the best of me yet...today they almost did. We are opening a camp for displaced people and today - after two days of physical manual labor - we were able to construct 2 pit latrines, 3 shower stalls, and put up 40 tents. We transferred 17 families to our camp and more will be tranferred in the coming days. It is anticipated that the camp will reach 2000 people in the coming weeks.

I physically was lifting women and men with broken legs and arms and open wounds into a truck to transport them to our clinic. Seeing their suffering and their fear was unbearable at one point. Two women have 1-month old babies...

Despite this...Shannon (my amazing colleague) and I have been trying to keep our chins up. We are roughing it completely. Sleeping in tents, showering once a week, and living off of saltine crackers. MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat) are now a luxury. I am never camping again in my life...this [stinks]! It was fun for a a few days...but now I am ready to go back to my [seemingly] cush life in DC.

That said, a grandmother today looked at me after I took her to her new tent home and said, "thank you for what you have done for us. God will bless you." That made it all worthwhile.

Stephanie went on to write about her concerns for the lack of food for so many, wondering how they will ever be able to help so many people in need, and her fears that all the goodwill will soon dry up once the news quits carrying daily updates.

Our students and parents, however, are not forgetting about the children in Haiti, and are continuing their efforts to help. The fourth grade students will hold a rummage sale in the main hallway next Wednesday and Thursday, February 3^rd and 4^th, at the following times: 8:00 – 8:40 a.m.; 12:45 – 1:15 p.m.; and, 3:20 – 4:00 p.m. Students have been collecting a lot of wonderful things such as sports equipment, clothing, books, movies, and toys. They have also been using their recess time to make earrings and bracelets. Please stop by and get something for yourself while helping others who are in need. The money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Next week 4/5s parents will host a Hot Chocolate and Popcorn Stand to raise funds for those affected by the earthquake. The proceeds of the sales will be sent to the Red Cross. Suggested donations are $1.00/piece. Look for the stand after school in the front hall each day next week, or until all supplies are sold.

Please support our efforts on behalf of the people of Haiti. Thank you!

The Human Growth and Development curriculum begins in the 4th grade for girls and continues in the 5th and 6th grades fo boys and girls. Experts believe that parents are the best and most influential sex educators for their children; however, this parental responsibility may be one of the most delicate and difficult jobs to perform. On Wednesday, February 3rd, Laurie, our counselor, will give a presentation to parents of 4th, 5th and 6th grade students on this topic. Free child care for younger siblings will be provided. Snacks will be available, but no pizza dinner.

Also, for parents and students in the 5th and 6th grade, New City School plans to host two parent/child evenings, Tuesday evening, February 9th and 16th, beginning at 6:30 pm. These nights give parents and students the opportunity to share their thoughts and values about puberty, adolescence, and the situations and relationships during this time. A Planned Parenthood educator will facilitate both evenings. These sessions are for parents and children together and are co-ed. Free child care for younger siblings will again be provided.

If you are interested in attending any of these programs, please RSVP to Laurie 361-6411 x137 or email her at lfalk@newcityschool.org. Because of the uncertainties of winter weather complications, it is important to RSVP in case of the possible need to re-schedule.

Accomplished jazz pianist and NCS parent Peter Martin (Rachel 4th & Daniel 1st) is premiering a new Jazz concert series at the Sheldon on Feb. 5th with four-time Grammy award winning vocalist Dianne Reeves. He has made a number of tickets available to the NCS family at $15 each for balcony seats (normally $30). Please see Joyce (at the front desk) for your tickets quick before they're gone! Please note that the balcony is not wheelchair accessible.