Earth Day Off Day
Dear St. Michael’s Families,
Resulting from our virtual parent meetings with Dr. Hilton on Friday, we keep thinking about her oxygen mask metaphor. For those who were unable to make the meetings, Dr. Hilton used the metaphor of the oxygen mask instruction at the start of any airplane flight. Namely, you must put on your mask before you can help those near you, even if they are unable to help themselves. You are no good to anyone if you can’t breathe.
The administrative team has taken what we’ve learned to heart. In reviewing ongoing feedback from our families and our own teaching community, we want to be responsive to what we see as an emerging need. Namely, we all need some time to take a deep breath.
Therefore, as announced, we are canceling all class meetings on Wednesday, April 22nd. This day fortuitously falls on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a perfect day for children to step away from screens and head outside. This day also gives any students who need this day to catch up on school work an opportunity to do so.
We do understand that working families need activities to keep children engaged during this workday. Below please find a variety of optional Earth Day activities for children who wish to do them. These activities will also be posted today on teacher Google Classroom pages. As well, our Extended Day team has put together a fun collection of mostly screen-free enrichment activities for children that can be accessed by all at the Extended Day Google Classroom page (under the Classwork tab) with the code: hqkrqac.
For our students, any work, projects, or assessments that were due on Wednesday and Thursday will not be due before Friday. Teachers will post updated deadlines.
Please note that we WILL proceed with the Kindergarten/First Grade Meet-Up on Wednesday at 4 p.m., as well as the Fiber Arts enrichment class. The Fiber Arts class will be recorded should participants prefer to take the class at a later time.
Enjoy this "Earth Day Off Day" to recharge! The faculty joins me in sending all good and healthy wishes.
Sincerely,
Bob Gregg, Head of School
Addendum:
Earth Day Activities (Optional)