Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Champion Donor Plaque Updated

Channing Hall Donors over $500- 2009-2011
We have the plaque updated with our 2011 donors from the end of last school year. I like to see the trend of increasing names each year. The value that CH provides to our children is becoming more apparent by the increasing giving we are seeing.

THANK YOU ALL WHO DONATED!  (Check it out in the Lobby)

Everyone and every little bit makes a difference.

Let's keep up the trend for this year!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Welcome Back CHanning Hall Families!

It's time to kick off a new year!
We had a partial week of school last week to ease us all back to learning and teaching. The excitement is in the air and determination to make another great year is palpable! We had our first board meeting of the school year Thursday and are very excited for this year. As one of our board members said, "We've tackled major things over the last 5 years, but now we can begin fine tuning what we do." It is really true. We have a lot of small improvements planned that alone may not have the flash of a new addition or field but we hope will add up to a great year for our students.

We want to return focus back to the students. And to begin with we want to highlight some examples of our students. Last year we asked you to give us examples of how our IB attitudes are being reflected in your children's actions. We got tons of great examples that have to be shared. Here are a couple to start with and we'll try to bring new ones up often here on the blog. Let us know what you think, or please share your examples. After all, we are all about the kids here at Channing Hall.

RISK-TAKERS

"My Channing Hall student believed that she had been teased for something she truly loves and believes in while at school. That night she put together a talk about respecting others beliefs, tolerance and understanding. This was something she felt so strongly about that she wanted to talk to the class about it. The next day, with the permission of Miss Winnie, she presented her thoughts to the class. I wasn't there to see it, but I'm sure she did a great job and I am so proud of my little risk taker(she was so nervous)."

"My Channing Hall student is a great example of the goals being met and exceeded. When she is afraid and doesn't want to try something new (a new food or a new activity) I often hear her say "I am a risk-taker and I can do this". More often than not she is surprised at how good a new food tastes or how exciting a new activity like a huge waterslide can be. Channing Halls program has given her the best start for education and successful learning, that will stay with her throughout her schooling. I feel the IB Attitudes make the students at Channing Hall better people as well as courageous, responsible and aware citizens of the world. They are our future and the leaders of tomorrow and Channing Hall gives them the opportunity to be the best they can be. Thank you and keep up the great work."

"I was standing with a group of friends at a church-sponsored party recently when a woman I know walked up and said that she wanted to share something. My Channing Hall student had been hanging out with six friends in a corner of the gym where the party was being held. They'd just been introduced to a new girl in our neighborhood--a girl not of our faith and from another country--and had chatted briefly. The girl now stood somewhat awkwardly on the edge of the group when a man who was photographing the party in action asked the girls to pose for a picture. All of the other girls clumped together, leaving the new girl standing 10 feet away and no doubt feeling doubly awkward. My Channing Hall student had her arm around on of her friends just as the photographer was to take the picture but upon noticing the girl, she asked the man to wait a second and walked over to her. My Channing Hall student asked the girl to come get in the picture, but the girl shyly refused. My Channing Hall student then hooked the girl's arm through her own and walked her over to the group of girls. They all posed for a picture with huge grins on their faces.

The woman who told me this story then paused and said, "She had no idea anyone was watching her, but I saw it all. I just hope that one day my (younger) girls can be so caring. That was truly awesome to watch."

While my Channing Hall student is caring by nature, I believe the IB attitudes confirm and encourage her natural tendencies. I really appreciate that Channing Hall stresses the importance of being a well-rounded human being as well as great academics."