Faculty News

Heather McNair, our 4th grade teacher, has been told by her doctor that she will need surgery that will take her out of school for at least a few weeks.  At this time all indications are for a quick recovery – but we all know how surgeries can go…  In the interim, Shelly Negrete, who we hired to be a teacher originally and to move into the next available teaching position (she is a certified teacher) will fill in.  The library will be covered by another certified teacher, Terri Evans (mother of Mikhayla in 5th grade).  Please keep the McNair family in your prayers.  The surgery will take place this Thursday, February 28th.
Rich Webb

IB in Action

Attitude of the Week ~ Enthusiasm
~ To enjoy learning and participate eagerly in learning experiences~

IB in Preschool ~ Often times the focus of IB is on encouraging student inquiry and action. It is easy to see how an older student could participate in researching and presenting information. For three and four year olds, however, the story is much different. IB allows for several unique set-ups in preschool classes with the understanding that these children are not at that advanced level of thinking yet. Students at this age level are only required to complete four units of inquiry and the teachers can teach these units at anytime throughout the year, even overlapping them if necessary. The focus at this age level is on expanding the child's understanding of a concept. For instance, our three year olds study families. At the beginning of the unit, they were asked, "Who is in your family?" Most children responded with mom and dad only. The teachers then read books about family that extended past just mom and dad and students brought in information about all the members of their family at home, including pets. By the end of the unit, when asked the same question, students had a broader knowledge of who is in a family.

Hot Lunch Menu & Servers

Monday ~ Steakfingers ~ Melissa Wray
Tuesday ~ Fazoli's Trio Sampler ~ Lynn Allinson
Wednesday ~ Double Dave's Pizza ~ Staci Love
Thursday ~ Hot Dogs ~ Shanna Mattson
Friday ~ Chick-Fil-A Nuggets ~ Wendell Seitzler

Last Week for Project Suitcase

The City Council is collecting “slightly used” suitcases and duffle bags for foster children to be distributed through Child Protective Services.  The child will be given a suitcase to keep his or her belongings and special items with them when being removed from their home. (Normally they would use trash bags). Please drop off your “slightly used” suitcases in the Parish Hall any time in February!

This Week at St. Paul's

February 25-26 ~ Filming for Marketing DVD
February 29 ~ 9:00-10:30 ~ Kinder Kafe and 6th Grade Artist Presentations

Basketball Games This Week

Basketball Tournament will take place on Tuesday and Thursday, but the schedule has not been released.

6th Grade Artist Presentations

You are invited to join us this Friday morning as our sixth graders present the life of a famous artist. Anytime between 9:00 and 10:30, you can visit the artist museum. There you will be able to hear presentations from the sixth graders dressed up as the artist and see their renditions of 2 paintings by that artist. Please plan to join us!

Annual Fund

As we enter the 2nd half of the school year, it is so difficult for us all not to have a touch of Spring Fever (or the Flu for some).  As we enjoy the buds blooming and the grass turning back to a vivid green, I ask you to take a moment to think about the ever blossoming minds of our St. Paul’s children. They are bursting with energy and excited about learning. Thankfully, St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School fosters this enthusiasm through a superior curriculum and nurturing environment. We are blessed to have a terrific administration and talented teachers. All of this could not be offered without the continued support from our tuition and fundraising efforts. At this time we are mid way through our Annual Fund Campaign. The Board of Trustees uses this particular fundraiser to offset the difference between what we charge to educate each child, and what it actually costs us to do so. Said specifically, there is a $1500 shortfall per child each year. Some of you might ask, then why don’t we just raise tuition? Simply answered, the Waco market won’t allow it. So…annually we ask you for help. If you have already given to the 2007-2008 Annual Fund Campaign, please accept my heartfelt THANK YOU. If you have not yet given, please consider making a pledge or contribution. Your participation is critical to the continued success of our school. No amount is too small! We are striving to have 100% participation. Please be a part!

Most Sincerely,

Loren Schwartz
President
Board of Trustees

P.S. Your tax deductible contribution may be made by Check to St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School, Annual Fund, 517 Columbus Avenue, Waco, TX 76710. Or you may use a credit card and contact Stan Abbott at 254-753-0426.