In This Issue
- Seeking buddy families
- Greening Day: April 2 & sign up for chicken care
- Persian New Year
- Opening Night: Disney's The Lion King Jr.
- Seas the Day--Photos & Thanks
- Lost & found
- Car Count: April 6, 17, 20, 27
- Upcoming events:
- April 1: Hack 4 Health
- April 5: 7th Grade Renaissance Expo
- April 20: The Way of Tea & Japanese Sweets Workshop
- April 21: Kids & Parenting Spring Pie Making
- May 4: South Africa Delegation 2018 Informational Meeting
- May 24: 7th Grade High School Family Info Night
- June 10: Eloi Run
- Just Imagine Club: Jonny Quest
- Athletics: Boys volleyball sign-ups & chess update
- Classroom Window: Gymnastics showcase
Heads Blog
"Below the Surface of the Water of the Mark Day School Iceberg" (Part 3) by Bonnie Nishihara
March SEL Theme
Honoring Differences
Announcements
Seeking Buddy Families for New Members of Our Community!
As you may remember from your first months at Mark Day, being part of a new environment can be overwhelming. The goal of our Buddy Family Program is to welcome our new families and help them make connections with current Mark Day School families. Our buddy families are essential to help our new families become familiar with the culture of the school and make the transition into our community as seamlessly as possible. As a buddy family, you are one of the first school community contacts for new families. We ask our buddy families to get together with new families over the summer, help to arrange gatherings of students (in the older grades) and answer questions as families get settled in the school. We will have a new parent welcome gathering on Thursday, May 18 from 6:00-7:30pm, where our new families and buddy families can meet each other. If you are interested in being a buddy family for a new family, please email Mandy Tachiki at mtachiki@markdayschool.org by Friday, April 7. Thanks!
Greening Day & Chicken Care
Spring is springing and so much is happening! Our chickens are turning 6! Celebrate their birthday by coming to Greening Day THIS Sunday, April 2nd from 9:00am-1:00pm. We're getting together to make our school shine amidst the construction dust. No gardening experience required. Get ready for a laid back, fun, community building event that includes lots of sunshine, fresh air, and yummy snacks and beverages. We need your help planting, weeding, and completing other projects. All are welcome and if you can, bring gloves, shovels, and wheelbarrows. Let us know if you're coming by clicking the blue button to the left. You can also celebrate with the chicken in person by signing to care for them over spring break.
Opening Night of Disney's The Lion King, Jr.!
One of the greatest experiences at Mark Day School is getting a group of friends together to see a Mark Day theater production. And Disney's The Lion King, Jr. is sure to capture their hearts!
Here are your Top 10 Reasons to Buy Tickets Today:
1. The joy of seeing these amazing kids perform
2. Hearing Thando sing
3. Costumes. Makeup. Masks.
4. Wonderful, positive messages of perseverance, friendship, and loyalty
5. Award-winning songs by Elton John
6. 5:00pm shows on Wednesday and Thursday are perfect for younger kids and their friends
7. No intermission means the production is just over an hour—home by dinner
8. Tickets start at only $13
9. Conveniently located at the Marin Civic Center's Showcase Theater
10. Friday and Saturday are almost sold out
Full details, including cast lists for each performance, can be found here. All tickets are sold through the Marin Center Box Office online, or in person Monday-Friday 11:00am-6:00pm.
Questions? Email lionkingmarkday@gmail.com.
Persian New Year
Last week, many cultures around the globe kicked off major celebrations in honor of spring and the new year. Indian and Nepali communities celebrated Holi, the festival of colors and in Middle Eastern and Central Asian communities, and the vernal equinox usher in Nowruz, a celebration of nature's rebirth that lasts for two weeks. As is the case with most holidays founded around seasonal shifts, Nowruz (which you may see spelled as Noruz or Norooz) dates way, way back in history. It's believed to have started in Iran, which is why it's also known as the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year. At this Friday's assembly, parent Semira Habis will speak to the students about her family's cultural traditions around this holiday.
Seas the Day Photos & Thank You
Here's to everyone who rolled with the tide and came out to support our students and teachers at the auction on Saturday night. Thank you so much to all who attended and supported the school and to the many volunteers who made Saturday night possible--from the donations and sponsorships teams to the set-up and clean-up crews. Carpe diem! The numbers are still rolling in, so after Spring Break, we will share the final fundraising totals.
Lost & Found
Did you know there are TWO lost and found locations? The Lower Division lost and found is located in the Lower Division hallway. The main lost and found shed is located by the Lower Division carpool steps. Check both locations for lost items.
Car Count--April 6, 17, 20, 27
As part of our long-standing agreement with the City of San Rafael, Mark Day School will participate in four car count days again this spring. This is a great time for students and families to recommit to the bus, their carpools, or biking to campus. Help us improve our traffic numbers!
Upcoming Events
April 1
8:30am-5:45pm
Marin County Office of Education
Hack 4 Health
Attention 7th and 8th graders—come together with your peers and work together to solve problems in our communities. Who knows? Your ideas could be a shot in the arm for the health of thousands. Click here to sign up.
April 5
8:45-10:00am
11:00am-12:15pm
7th Grade Renaissance Expo
The Expo is the culmination of the "deep dive" 7th grade intensive study of the European Renaissance Period. Families are invited to a day of student presentations, performances, and displays of Renaissance music, art, politics, food, inventions, and drama.
April 20
3:30-5:30pm
The Way of Tea & Japanese Sweets Workshop (1st through 8th graders and adults)
In this class, you'll learn how to prepare a bowl of Matcha tea and serve it to a guest (table style). You will also learn how to shape and color traditional Japanese sweets called Nerikiri. Each student will make three sweets (one to serve to a guest and two to bring home). Cost is $35 per student and $10 per accompanying parent/grandparent. To sign up, contact Kim Danforth by April 14.
April 21
12:00-3:00pm
Kids & Parenting Spring Pie Making!
Join foodie, visual artist, and amateur chef Ms. O for an afternoon of pie making. We'll make the pie dough and while it's chilling we'll prepare fillings for an apple pie with lattice crust and a berry pie. Each family will take home two pies. Please bring two pie dishes. All other ingredients provided. Cost is $90 per student and special friend pair. To register, contact Kim Danforth.
May 4
6:00pm
ASC
Informational Meeting: South Africa 2018
Come learn more about next summer's delegation trip to visit our partners in South Africa (July 21-August 3, 2018). The delegation will visit Johannesburg, spend time at Kliptown Youth Program (KYP), fly to Durban, and drive up through the iSimangiliso Wetlands (hippos, crocs, and wildlife) to eSibonisweni, where we will spend a few days.
May 12
6:30pm
Gym
Trivia Night
Sixth, 7th, and 8th graders, their parents, and high school-age alumni are welcome to come to Trivia Night, a fundraiser for the eSibonisweni Primary Orphan Project (ePOP), which provides school uniforms, blankets, food, and household supplies for around 50 learners. Pizza will be provided.
May 24
6:30-8:00pm
7th Grade High School Family Information Night
Seventh grade families, including their 7th grade children, are invited to learn what to expect as your approach the high school decision process. Special guests, including alumni students currently enrolled in area high schools, will also share some perspectives. Together, we will then answer your questions and facilitate discussion. Knowledge is power, and although it may seem early to begin thinking about life after Mark Day School, parents and students have found that preliminary information has helped diffuse concern while setting a constructive course moving forward. We will also address and deconstruct some myths and stereotypes about the high school process. In many ways, the research, application, and decision-making associated with the high school process is a culmination of the skills and attitudes your child has cultivated over the years at Mark Day School. Please RSVP via this link.
June 10
8:00am
Eloi Run
Registration has begun for this annual run in memory of 8th grader Adrian Vasquez's brother. Sign up before April 1st and be eligible for a raffle for 4 tickets to any home San Jose Earthquake soccer game.
Just Imagine Club
Jonny Quest (1964) "Robot Spy" a UFO lands near a secret lab and a robot onboard tries to steal classified material. A classic animated TV show.
Just Imagine Club takes place on Fridays in the Gym during lunch period (12:30-1:10). Kids bring their lunch, drop in and watch a movie. This year, we're celebrating classic science fiction, fantasy, and horror television.
Athletics
Interested in Boys Volleyball?
All 7th and 8th grade boys interested should contact Mr. Orwig and Mr. Cheong for more information. Practice days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm.
Chess
This past weekend, three members of the Mark Day School Chess Team took part in the San Francisco City Scholastic Championship. Both Max G. and Justin T. went 4-0 to claim the championship in their respective age divisions. Daniel G. also participated in the event.
Classroom Window
4th through 7th graders showcase the gymnastics skills they learned in their PE unit.
Hip Pocket Submissions are due by Monday at 4:00pm (Tuesdays at noon after long weekends). Please email sshulman@markdayschool.org.
