Camelot Update 9/29/13

Greetings! 

Welcome to our newest student sixth grader Maki (Mackenzie) Swift and her family.

Congrats to the Soccer Knights and Coach Carlos on their Friday win versus Fletcher Academy (2-0). 

Thank you to Upper School parents for the great turnout at Back to School Night on Thursday.  I am thrilled that we have established such a great foundation on which to build the year.  Our next Big Step is to gather students, parents and teachers at Family Conferences the week of October 7 (just one week away!).  If you have not already done so, please respond to the email from Ms. Lynne that was sent to you last Thursday with days and times available. 

Many, many other things are about to be "nailed down" this week:

-  FINAL CALL for club sign up for the First Semester.  You can print a sign up form from our website here:

http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/2013-fall_clubs

- FINAL CALL for the Upper School rafting day-trip on Wednesday, October 9.  We need 9 more students to sign up for this trip to run as scheduled

- Williamsburg trip balance ($180) is due from Upper School participants by Tuesday

- Mountain trip balance ($95) is due from Middle Grades participants by Friday

- Mr. Mike can use Parent Service help this Saturday morning (October 5) prior to the afternoon Open House.

LOTS OF OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS ARE HAPPENING THIS WEEK!

Monday - Camelot Parent and Speech Therapist Diane Felton will be at school to conduct free speech screenings for our students.  Typically, students new to the school are provided this service as well as those recommended by a teacher or parent.  If you'd like your student to receive this screening, please send me an email.

Wednesday - Kalamazoo College (MI) will be on campus at 2:20 PM.

Wednesday - Deadline for high school students to apply for a job shadow offered during conference week.  Camelot Academy is proud to offer this unique experience for our high-school students. Several Camelot Academy parents have offered to host a “JOB SHADOW” in their place of business for our students to get a taste of what a day in the life of a professional is really like. You can find the list of job shadowing opportunities and more info on our website here:

http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/2013-job_shadow.pdf

Thursday at 5:30 PM – Ms. Charlotte will run an info meeting for parents about the June Costa Rica trip.  Pizza will be served.  Please RSVP to: charlotte@camelotacademy.org.

Saturday - 1-3 PM - Our first Open House of the year for prospective families.  Please refer your friends and be sure they tell us you sent them so that you benefit from the referral credit if they join our Camelot Family.

NEXT WEEK (Week of October 7-11) is Family Conference Week!

- Upper School is closed for classes all week

- Lower School and Middle Grades are closed for classes on Wednesday-Friday

- Optional Care is available on a space-available basis on Wednesday-Friday - contact Ms. Wendy atwendy@camelotacademy.org.

- Middle and Upper School students MUST attend their conference - younger students attend at teacher/parent discretion.

Thanks for your attention to all of the details. I hope that you have a great week.

Camelot Update 9/22/13

Greetings!

Do you hear that humming sound?  That's the sound of happy students and teachers settling into learning environments that are a good fit.  It has taken time, patience, communication and hard work - but the reward is emerging - a school year poised to "meet our students where they are" and to move them forward with love and support.

Speaking of love, the theme of our school year - "What's Love Got To Do With It?"  is apparent to me every day at Camelot - and warrants sharing and recording on a regular basis.  As such, I'll periodically give a shout out or two in my Weekly Update to recent moments that exemplify the theme.  Our first example is about Moon Cakes and the Mid-Autumn Festival - a day of big celebration in China.  When Ms. Lori, whose family is hosting tenth grader Johnny Qian, learned of this holiday she sprang into action!  She sought out traditional holiday celebration food (Moon Cakes), brought them in for the students to share, and taught the entire school about the custom in Morning Meeting.  I think we all looked up at the moon that night with an added sense of wonder and appreciation of the festivities happening "back home" for our students in China.

Closer to home, we are happy to welcome our newest student and her parents to our Camelot Family.  Eighth graderAbby Weber and her parents Jamie and Shelby officially joined the ranks this week.

This week is Club Preview Week.  Students may attend clubs of interest to check them out without signing up for the semester - with the usual after school protocol/fees being applicable.  Club sign up for the semester is due by this Friday, September 27.  Students have been given sign up forms and they are also posted on our website here:

http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/2013-fall_clubs.pdf

Thanks to the efforts of Ms. Lori and Ms. Amanda, there are 2 announcement boards now hanging in the Big Hall. Parents in search of "Where is study hall?" or "Where does this club meet?" can consult the boards for all such information.

The Soccer Team has 2 home games this week (Wednesday and Friday).   We'll transport Middle and Upper School Fans for whom I have a parent request email received by the night BEFORE the game!

This Thursday at 5:30 PM all Upper School parents will attend Back to School Night.  Please note that this is aREQUIRED parent event and that your family conference in October will be maximally effective only if you have the benefit of the Back to School Night experience.  Please arrive early and allow time for parking so that you don't miss any of the important information that will be shared that evening. I will also run a pre-event session at 5:00 PM for parents who want to discuss strategic planning for high school course selection including honors, AP and online options and anything else folks might want to bring as questions.  Retreat Feedback indicated to me that this is a common topic of questions and that we might all benefit from some Q and A on this topic.

This week we have college rep visits on Wednesday from Duke University, on Thursday from Bates College (ME) and on Friday from Colgate University (NY).  Upper School students may sign up to attend on the sheets found on the Guidance Bulletin Board in the Upstairs Hall.

Mr. Mike could use Parent Service help this coming Saturday (September 28) in preparation for our first Open House of the year on October 5.  Please contact him directly at mike@camelotacademy.org.

Conference week (week of October 7) is fast approaching!  Look for an email to sign up for your meeting in the coming week.  Also note:

- Upper School students will have job shadow opportunities that week

- Upper School students have an optional rafting trip on that Wednesday, October 9 (please don't schedule a conference that day if your student goes on the trip!)

- High School students are encouraged to visit colleges that week

- Lower School students may sign up for Optional Care on the Wednesday-Friday of their conferences on a space available basis (contact Ms. Wendy at wendy@camelotacademy.org)

That's a lot of info!  Thanks for your attention to the details.

I look forward to seeing Upper School parents on Thursday night.

Camelot Update 9/15/13

Greetings!  We had a very productive week and are poised to launch into Module 2 tomorrow with fine-tuned plans and direction for our students.  Thank you to everyone for their feedback and support of our schedule to do this important work.

We welcome Joyce Pardon to Team Camelot as our Lower School Assistant.  Joyce brings a wealth of education, classroom and research background to our school and we are thrilled to add her expertise to the mix.

Congratulations to Ke Lu, Grace He and Zack Milkereit who were inducted into our chapter of the National Honor Society this week.

Also, congratulations to our Soccer Knights who had their first win of the season on Wednesday in their game against Fletcher Academy.  There are no home games this week.

The Upper School participated in an afternoon of reflection and activity to honor the September 11/Patriot Day anniversary.  Ms Melanie Mitchell facilitated thoughtful conversation, Ms Krista had students engaged in stair climbing in honor of the stairs climbed by rescue workers in the Twin Towers, Ms Judith had students decorate a peace garden and Ms Roni led an examination as to the immediate and lasting changes in the media as a result of that day.  All told, it was a uniquely-Camelot way to honor the day and we are deeply appreciative of the work of our facilitators.

Music group sign up is due on Tuesday!  If you need a form, please email Mr. Glenn at: Glenn@camelotacademy.org.

This Thursday at 5:30 PM all Lower and Middle Grades parents will attend Back to School Night.  Please note that this is a REQUIRED parent event and that your family conference in October will not be maximally effective if you do not have the benefit of the Back to School Night experience.  Please arrive early and allow time for parking so that you don't miss any of the important information that will be shared that evening. (NEXT Thursday - September 26 - Upper School parents will attend).

All high school families should keep an eye on our ongoing updates to the College Guidance Calendar on our website ( http://www.camelotacademy.org/guidance-google-calendar.php ).  Please note that both Raleigh and Chapel Hill are hosting huge college fairs this week.  These can be a valuable way to learn about a lot of colleges quickly and also to spend a few minutes with a college rep who may later be reading your application!

Sunday, September 15

2:00pm- Wake County College Fair- NCSU McKimmon Center

2:00 pm - Washington University (St Louis)  Admissions Info Session- Marriott RTP

Tuesday, September 17 -

6:30pm College Fair at UNC Dean Center

Wednesday, September 18 - 12:00 PM

AT CAMELOT - Eckerd College (FL)

Friday, September 20 - 12:00 PM

AT CAMELOT - Emory University (GA) 

Have a great week and I look forward to seeing Lower and Middle School parents on Thursday night!

Camelot update 9/8/13

Greetings!  I hope that you have found a way to work some of this beautiful weather into your weekend.  The blue skies and sunny days gave us a great backdrop for this past week of settling in.  We have just three days this week before our much-anticipated Faculty Retreat and then the year will fully unfold.

PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE FACULTY RETREAT FORM THAT YOUR STUDENT BROUGHT HOME AND RETURN IT TOMORROW. (You can print out another copy from our website here:   http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/1314-retreat_form.pdf ).  It is very important that we have 100% representation of our student body on these feedback forms.  Do you have an idea, question or comment you want shared when the faculty reviews your student? Please record it on the form.  Do you have a request for a peer tutor?  Note it there.  Just want to tell us you are happy?  That's great too - write it on the form and share the love!  Please return the ACTUAL form to us - don't send an email in lieu of the form - it makes organization much easier on our end if we have a physical form for each student.

On behalf of all of us that comprise Team Camelot - thank you, in advance, for helping us carve out the time for these important meetings.  We appreciate the cooperation and commitment of all.

As noted above, school is closed and there are no classes this Thursday and Friday.  Optional Care is available for Lower and Middle Grades students - with limited space remaining.  Please email Ms. Lynne (lynne@camelotacademy.org) to sign up, as Ms. Wendy has Monday off.

First Lego League (FLL) will start to hold weekly meetings as of tomorrow (Monday) after school from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Meetings will be held upstairs.  If you are interested in joining the RoboKnights please turn in your signed Team Agreement contract to Ms. Lynne or Ms. Amanda and join us Monday after school.

All of our other Fall Clubs will launch at the end of this month.  I am looking for someone to sponsor a chess club after school.  If you are interested and available please let me know.

Tuesday is the sign up deadline for the Middle Grades October trip to the mountains.  Sign up form and details are here:

http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/2013-mg_trip.pdf

Our Soccer Knights started the year well - and the team has picked up several players in the last few days.  We are excited about the season ahead and look forward to cheering our players on. The home game this week is on Thursday, a day on which school is not in session.  Any fans who can show up at Piney Wood Park on Thursday at 4:30 PM will be greatly appreciated by Coach Carlos and his team.

I truly look forward to the hard and important work of Faculty Retreat and fine-tuning the year on behalf of your family.  I hope that you have a great week.

Best,

Thelma

Camelot Update 9/1/13

Greetings!  I hope that you have found a way to work some of this beautiful weather into your weekend.  The blue skies and sunny days gave us a great backdrop for this past week of settling in.  We have just three days this week before our much-anticipated Faculty Retreat and then the year will fully unfold.

PLEASE BE SURE TO COMPLETE THE FACULTY RETREAT FORM THAT YOUR STUDENT BROUGHT HOME AND RETURN IT TOMORROW. (You can print out another copy from our website here:   http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/1314-retreat_form.pdf ).  It is very important that we have 100% representation of our student body on these feedback forms.  Do you have an idea, question or comment you want shared when the faculty reviews your student? Please record it on the form.  Do you have a request for a peer tutor?  Note it there.  Just want to tell us you are happy?  That's great too - write it on the form and share the love!  Please return the ACTUAL form to us - don't send an email in lieu of the form - it makes organization much easier on our end if we have a physical form for each student.

On behalf of all of us that comprise Team Camelot - thank you, in advance, for helping us carve out the time for these important meetings.  We appreciate the cooperation and commitment of all.

As noted above, school is closed and there are no classes this Thursday and Friday.  Optional Care is available for Lower and Middle Grades students - with limited space remaining.  Please email Ms. Lynne (lynne@camelotacademy.org) to sign up, as Ms. Wendy has Monday off.

First Lego League (FLL) will start to hold weekly meetings as of tomorrow (Monday) after school from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. Meetings will be held upstairs.  If you are interested in joining the RoboKnights please turn in your signed Team Agreement contract to Ms. Lynne or Ms. Amanda and join us Monday after school.

All of our other Fall Clubs will launch at the end of this month.  I am looking for someone to sponsor a chess club after school.  If you are interested and available please let me know.

Tuesday is the sign up deadline for the Middle Grades October trip to the mountains.  Sign up form and details are here:

http://www.camelotacademy.org/admin/editor_assets/documents/2013-mg_trip.pdf

Our Soccer Knights started the year well - and the team has picked up several players in the last few days.  We are excited about the season ahead and look forward to cheering our players on. The home game this week is on Thursday, a day on which school is not in session.  Any fans who can show up at Piney Wood Park on Thursday at 4:30 PM will be greatly appreciated by Coach Carlos and his team.

I truly look forward to the hard and important work of Faculty Retreat and fine-tuning the year on behalf of your family.  I hope that you have a great week.

Best,

Thelma