In This Issue

• Construction Update: May 5, 2017
• Amazon Smile
• Mark Day Track & Field Championship--Volunteers Needed
• Spring Parent Outreach Hike: May 19
• Trivia Night: Friday!
• Faculty Appreciation Lunch: Volunteers Needed
• Upcoming Events
  • May 10: 5th Grade 1:1 Laptop Program Preview Evening
  • May 11: Last 4th Grade Cups for Kiva Sale
  • May 11, 12: Lost & Found
  • May 17: Spring Concert
  • May 19: Spring Dance (grades 6-8)
  • May 23: Jump-a-Thon
  • May 24: 7th Grade High School Family Information Night
  • May 30: 6th Going into 7th Step Up Parent/Guardian Info Night
• Just Imagine club: Thriller
• Athletics: Golf
• Classroom Window: 5th Grade World Language Field Trips

Heads Blog

May SEL Theme

Gratefulness / Gratitute

Construction Update: May 5, 2017

Roof decking is installed across the second floor of the Learning Commons and Creativity Lab. Marin Mechanical is busy putting in pipes for plumbing and fire control systems. Internal walls on the first floor are going up this week, as well as wood framing across the site. And on the front side of the building, scaffolding is being erected to attach sheathing for exterior walls. Watch now

Students' Swimming Ability for End of the Year Pool Parties

This year, ​1st-8th grade pool parties will take place on ​Wednesday, June 14 from 11:00am to 2:00pm​. Safety is always a primary concern and inclusivity is always our primary goal. To help us plan effectively, if your child is a non-swimmer, please fill out this form by Friday. Also, to ensure that everyone feels included regardless of swimming ability, there will be opportunities for all students to have fun. ​Questions? Contact Fernanda Pernambuco.​

Support Mark Day With Amazon Smile Cash Back Program (Year Round)

Perhaps you're wondering how you can contribute to Mark Day without going anywhere. Smile, because Amazon has the answer. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Mark Day School every time you shop, at no additional cost to you. You'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to Mark Day School. Bookmark this link on your computer and mobile device—and please spread the word to your family and friends!

Volunteers Needed--Mark Day Track & Field Championship (May 19)

The Mark Day School Track & Field Championship is coming up in a couple of weeks and we need your help! It is an all-day track meet held on the field behind the school. The students in grades 4-8 compete in various running races, as well as in field events such as the high jump and the long jump. Parent volunteers are needed that morning to help set up the equipment on the field. We need to bring out the hurdles, set up the high jump and the tents for spectators and students. We will meet outside the gym at 7:30am and set up should take about an hour. The more volunteers we have, the more quickly we can set up. Email Kristin Dickinson at Kristin@dickinsongraff.com with questions.

Spring Parent Outreach Hike

Please join us for our Spring Parent Outreach Hike on Friday, May 19th at 9:00am. All parents are welcome! This is a parent social event with exercise. We will hike the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Ridge. This 4.4 mile out and back hike is easy, with about 900 feet in elevation change. This hike should take about 2 hours.

Directions: After the Parents' Association meeting, please drive to the end of the Freitas Parkway and meet us there at trailhead at the end of the road. Parking is available along the side of the road and there is plenty of it.

From Central Marin: If you live closer to San Anselmo and will not be at assembly that morning, please drive from Butterfield Road to Fawn Drive and meet us at the top of Fawn. The trailhead connects between Fawn and Freitas. Please meet us at the Marin County trail sign at the top of Fawn. Limited parking is available on Fawn Dr.

Trivia Night--Friday!

On May 12, from 6:30-8:30pm, 6th, 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 and dessert will be provided. There is not cost to attend this event, and donations are welcome.

Volunteers Needed--Faculty Appreciation Lunch (May 31)

On May 31, we are honoring our fabulous faculty and administration with the lovely tradition of the Appreciation Lunch. It is a special day where parents provide food, beverages, and coverage for the teachers so they can enjoy a delicious and relaxed lunch. There are plenty of ways to help—bring food or beverages, help with set up and clean up, supervise children of all ages during lunch and/or the playground. Please click here to sign up to help. If you have any questions, please contact Houda Silcock. Thank you in advance for your help and contribution!

May 10

5th Grade 1:1 Laptop Program Preview Evening

6:30-7:30pm (Music Room)

May 11

Last 4th Grade Cups for Kiva Sale

12:30pm

May 11, 12

Lost & Found

May 15

On the Same Page

6:30pm 

May 17

Spring Concert

7:00pm (Gym)

May 19

Spring Dance--6th, 7th, & 8th Graders

7:00pm (Gym)

Sixth, 7th, and 8th graders are invited to dance the night away on May 19 in the Mark Day gym. All funds from the event support the Upper Division students' participation in the local Adopt-a-Family Program.

Click here to fill out the permission form. 

As part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive community at Mark Day School, we strongly believe that every student should be able to participate fully in school community activities. Our Indexed Tuition policy includes coverage for curricular and co-curricular events like this one. For information about this and any other aspect of Indexed Tuition, please contact Rhona Lovett in the business office.

May 23

Jump-a-Thon

For our 10th consecutive year through a voluntary Jump-a-Thon on May 23, we hope to alleviate the cost of food that the Mark Day School community provides for the AIDS orphans at our partner school, eSibonisweni in South Africa. The Jump-a-Thon makes a big difference annually for the AIDS orphans. The event will occur only during PE time and will not change the structure of the students' day. It will work in a similar fashion to any event for which people collect sponsors. In this instance, students will collect a pledge that is given per jump or it can be one amount donated for their efforts. Students will be able to collect pledges for each jump completed during the Jump-a-Thon and will turn their pledge sheets into Mrs. Sigler. At the end of each student's PE class, Mrs. Sigler or Mr. Orwig will record their jump. For more information, email Leslie Sigler (lsigler@markdayschool.org). There will also be coin banks located throughout the school on teacher's desks and in the front office and administration buildings to help raise extra funds. Students can bring in coins to "help change lives at eSibonisweni."

May 24

7th Grade High School Family Information Night

6:30-8:00pm (Music Room)

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.

May 26

Differentiation at Mark Day School (Parent Coffee)

9:00am (Music Room)

Head of Lower School Thad Reichley and Head of Upper School Dave Hickman will discuss differentiation at Mark Day School, with examples from classes and a short video.

May 30

6th Grade Going Into 7th Step Up Parent/Guardian Info Night

6:30-8:00pm (Music Room)

Hear from current 7th grade student presenters, the Upper Division faculty and Dave Hickman about what to expect regarding the transition from Middle Division to Upper Division. After the student presentations, the remainder of the evening will be responding to parent questions. Please bring your inquiries.

Thriller (1961) "Masquerade" starring John Carridine, Tom Poston, and Elizabeth Montgomery. A couple seeking shelter in a storm, wind up in a house full of vampires.

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.