Bulletin May 9, 2008

Dear St. Luke's Families, 

"That is the final bid, ladies and gentleman," intoned auctioneer and parent Chris Dealy.  "But, for an additional $1,000, Mr. Baldwin and I

Grade 6 and Grade 1 moms celebrate their inner model at the Benefits photo booth.

will accompany you on this trip to the beach.  For $2,000 we will accompany you and keep our shirts on while at the beach.  For $3,000 we will let you go on the trip by yourself."  And so the evening went. One bid, one threat, one promise at a time the St. Luke's Family raised money in support of our scholarship and financial aid program. 

Although Thursday night was the culmination of a fantastic event, the inspiration, dedication, and yes, perspiration, began months ago when parents Sara Costello, Amanda Moretti, Valerie Pels, Ellen Reynolds, and Stella Um agreed to coordinate the auction with the support of Director of Development Clint Rataczak.  They, in turn, were supported by the generous donation of time, talent, and resources of countless individuals who both planned the event and participated in it. 

That is the true wealth of our community:  we are adults united by a common vision, inspired by a common mission, and driven by a common dedication to work on behalf of our greatest treasure - the children we all serve.  It was, indeed, a fantastic party, a successful auction, and a great benefit for the school, and we are deeply grateful to all who made it so.

And now, if you excuse me, I have some baking to do.

With deep gratitude,

Bart Baldwin, Head of School

SCHOOLWIDE

BENEFIT REAPS RECORD RESULTS
Special thanks to the benefit committee and to everyone who supported the event by purchasing tickets, donating auction items, and contributing personal time and resources. Thanks to you, over $130,000 was raised for the St. Luke's scholarship fund!

BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED     
Please sign up to work the Book Fair next week on the Bulletin Board in the front hall.  We need not only people to set-up Monday Morning, but to help with the classes during the week and then pack up on Friday morning.  Any and all help will be appreciated.

COOKING UP SUPPORT FOR A GREAT CAUSE

The Community Outreach Committee of the Parents Association asks that you busy bakers use the ingredients in the class baskets as well as your own creative imagination to come up with wonderful items for a bake sale:  Our goal is to have 1100 items to sell to raise money for the 1100 AIDS orphans in Ilenge.  A hand-made paper flower (pictured right) will be given to each person making a purchase from the bake sale as a thank you.   

 MOTHER'S DAY BAKE SALE!!!!!!!  

Our last bake sale of the year!

MONDAY, MAY 12TH, FROM 7:30 a.m-4:30 p.m.

Corner of Hudson and Christopher Streets

GREETING NEXT YEAR'S CLASSES
There are two Welcome Receptions scheduled this week.  On Tuesday, May 13 from 3-3:45 p.m., we will assemble all the incoming Junior Kindergarten students and parents.  And on Wednesday, May 14, from 3-3:45 the current JK will greet the incoming Kindergarten students and parents to welcome them into the St. Luke's School community.  We can all help families arriving at St. Luke's School feel included and welcomed in the warm tradition of this school.  If you see anyone looking lost or waiting in the hallway, we urge you to greet them, too. 

YOUNG ALUMNI NIGHT or ST. LUKE'S STUDENTS - THE SEQUEL
Graduates of St. Luke's School from 2004-2007 are invited to our Young Alumni Night next Friday from 5:30-7:00.  Come meet your former classmates and partners in crime and retell all those wonderful stories of being at St. Luke's as well as sharing your high school adventures.

ALUMNI PANEL or LIFE AFTER ST. LUKE'S
The Diversity Committee of the Parents Association is holding an alumni panel on May 29, 2008, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Grace Sawyer Library.  Childcare and pizza will be provided.  Alumni from different eras will speak about their transition to high school, including from a perspective of diversity.  Everyone is urged to attend. 

There will be a follow-up chat in the Auditorium on Monday, June 2, 2008, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

UPPER SCHOOL NEWS

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

May 15:  Grade 6 students will visit the Cloisters

May 23:  Grades 7 and 8 will attend a performance at the new Victory Theater.

May 23:  Grade 6 will attend a performance of Ballet Hispanico

May 23:  Grades 7 & 8 band and chorus will perform at Convocation in the auditorium at 8:30a.m. Parents are invited to attend.

LOWER SCHOOL NEWS

FIELD TRIP FOLLIES
Grade 2 will travel to Brooklyn to visit an authentic surviving farmhouse in Prospect Park, Lefferts House.

WE'RE COMING TO AMERICA

Congratulations to all Grade 3 students for two astounding performances of their original play, "Letter from Home."  The students wrote the play as a language arts project after studying immigration in social studies with third grade teachers Amanda Rowland and Becca Essler and working with Drama teacher Karen Butler on a series of theater games and improvisations.  We all left informed, entertained, and inspired.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

VOLUNTEER THANK YOU BREAKFAST

The Parents Association will hold its annual breakfast extravaganza as a thank you to all the volunteers who let our small school dream big.  Your gifts of time and talent enrich us all, and we are truly grateful.  Please join us at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, May 13 in the South Garden.

ATTENTION SURVEY TAKERS:  GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL SEEKS YOUR INPUT ABOUT EXPANDING TO HIGH SCHOOL
        Dear Independent School Parent,

        Grace Church School, a Pre-k-8th grade independent in Lower Manhattan, is considering the possibility of expanding to include a high school division. We are trying to gauge the demand for such a school, both on its own and in relation to the other potential new programs being developed. We would greatly appreciate a few moments of your time to fill out a survey. It should not take more than 2 minutes. Please just click on the link below to access the study.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=o4nXWQ_2byp83HQqLeMWMOnA_3d_3d

        Thank you for your help--The High School Study Committee at Grace Church School

ATHLETICS

Monday, May 12, 2008
Softball vs. City & Country
Home Game @ 4:00 p.m.
J.J. Walker Field @ Carmine

Wednesday May 14, 2008
Softball vs. VCS  4:00 p.m.
@ Pier 40

Thursday, May 15, 2008
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Volleyball Club