Sunday, November 24, 2013

Camelot Update 11/24/13

What does it take to make a great family gathering?

It takes a lot of dedicated and wonderful people.  Occasions such as Friday's Academic Fair and Thanksgiving Feastremind me that I am very thankful to be able to share my life with all of you - our Camelot Family.

Huge thanks to Ms. Jill, Ms. Erin and Ms. Michelle who had the daunting task of coaching many students with varying levels of research experience through a myriad of topics - and all while teaching their regular course load.  Fantastic job!

Much appreciation to Ms. Stephanie, Ms. Lori and Mr. Tom for giving extra support to our international students in helping them to understand the expectations of this research assignment.

Kudos to Ms. Wendy for coordinating the great meal and the new venue. Both were a hit.

Well done, Mr. Matt, whose "cool energy" was key to onsite management - including the troubleshooting involved when all of the display boards were stuck in traffic on 147!

Thanks to Ms. Judith and Ms. Roni for their help with student presentations and Ms. Judith for working with Lower School art classes in creating the table decorations.

Way to go, Mr. Glenn and Ms. Teresa, for filling the room with the wonderful sounds of music from our young people and to Mr. Dan and Ms. Amanda for their great work in coordinating all that goes into that behind the scenes.

Awesome job, Ms Lynne, on the Scavenger Hunt and thanks to Ms. Denise, Ms. Liz and Ms. Amy for their help in executing this new activity.

Kudos to Mr. Scott for getting the word out to prospective families and to the press about the event and, of course, for working every day to help assemble such an amazing student body.

A thousand thanks to Mr. Mike, Ms. Joyce, Ms. Jenny, Ms. Charlotte and Ms. Krista for the myriad ways they supported our students in preparation for this event.

Special thanks to the tutors for their many hours of help and guidance.

Thank you, parents and families, for your work and encouragement pacing your students through this important work. Also, thank you for arranging your very busy schedules to attend the event - there is nothing that sends a stronger message to our children about what we value than being there- and we fully appreciate the enormous effort made by all to gather together for this occasion.

Finally, a word of thanks to our students, who were exemplary in supporting each other, welcoming our guests and rising to the occasion.  I couldn't be more proud of you.

I wish you all a week filled with time to count your many blessings and with much peace.  I look forward to seeing you on Monday, December 2 for the last module of 2013!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Camelot Update 11/17/13

Greetings!

Congratulations to Ms. Denise and family on the birth of granddaughter Aurora (Rory)!

Congratulations to Camelots FLL Teams: Robo Rainbow Unicorns (Ian Robinson, Chase Laster, Harry Jones, Zach Ireland, and Evan MacDonald) and Titanium Pegasi (Eoin Stephens, Gray King Baker, and Ryan Rusconi-Warner). The two teams competed in an FLL tournament in Winston Salem on Saturday with great success. The Robo Rainbow Unicorns won a 2nd place trophy for Robot Design and Titanium Pegasi led a spirited dance party at the end of the day. Thank you to parents Becky Wilkes, Brennan Stephens, Chris Rusconi and David MacDonald for volunteering either with the teams or at the tournament itself. Thank you, also, to Camelot senior Rachel Roush for her role as an FLL YAM (Young Adult Mentor).

We are entering a special week that culminates with us all gathering at the Durham/Marriott Convention Center in downtown Durham on Friday morning!  Please be sure to be clear on arrival and pick up times and other directions as found here:


TodayMs. Stephanie and her husband David are hosting a "coffee talk" at Bean Traders on Hwy 54 (104 West NC 54 - near Shiki Sushi and Harris Teeter).  Beverages are Camelot's treat.  Please stop by to chat with our international students anytime between 1:30 and 3:00 PM.

Sign-up opportunities for the June Costa Rica trip are winding down.  Please register here:
Code:  Frysinger-136

Can't decide? More questions? Please be in touch with Ms. Charlotte (charlotte@camelotacademy.org) so that our plans include your feedback.

Our long and short sleeve Camelot shirts have arrived.  If you ordered one please send in $20 per shirt and see Ms. Lynne for pick-up.  Shirts will also be available at the Academic Fair on Friday.

Also on Friday, please bring your contributions to the Academic Fair collection for the Veteran's Day Care Package drive.  You can find a list of needed items here:


Now that cooler weather is in our forecast our number of "found" items skyrockets.  Please label all jackets, hats, gloves, etc.

Camelot's wonderful music instructor, Glenn Mehrbach, is directing/musical directing "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood" which also features Camelot Junior Lance Wilkes as the stage manager. The show is next weekend only - more info and online ticket sales info is here:


The upcoming week:

Wednesday-

Middle(those presenting) and Upper School students bring in completed poster boards.  Upper School students present to teachers for a grade.  Presentation boards stay at school from this point forward.

First game of the Camelot basketball season - at Emerson Waldorf (4 PM)

Friday-

Academic Fair and Thanksgiving Feast - at Durham Convention/Marriott Center
(no Before/After School or On-Campus Activities that day)
- Middle Grades and Upper School arrive at 8 AM
- Kindergarten and MAPP students arrive at 10 AM
Come enjoy the student work, musical performances, good food and family time!

We will be closed for Thanksgiving vacation the entire week of November 25

I look forward to seeing you this Friday to celebrate the holiday and the accomplishments of our wonderful students.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Camelot Update 11/10/13

Greetings!

I hope you are doing well.  Lots of important things to share - please read this carefully!

School IS open tomorrow and our day will start with a Morning Meeting recognition of Veteran's Day - thanks to the efforts of students Chris Radcliffe and Olivia Arges.

Here's a note from senior Olivia Arges:

The NHS is sponsoring a care package drive for soldiers overseas in honor of Veteran's Day.  This was a great success last year and we are excited about doing it again! All items can be placed in the labeled boxes in the Big Hall and Upstairs.  There is a list of items to donate posted on the Camelot website here:


We will be collecting donations starting Veterans Day until the end of November.  There will be a collections box at the Academic Fair.  Thank You for taking time to honor our Veterans!

Also, we raised $304.87 for UNICEF.  Thanks to everyone for their help.

Congratulations to Module 3 Merit Award students: Ashley Hartman, Nate Hopkins, Gabriella Taylor and Ian Robinson. Also, kudos to Module 3 Honor Roll students:  Brian Powell, AJ Palomar, Ke Lu, Grace He, Olivia Arges, Spencer Ahn, Lance Wilkes, Zack Milkereit, Cole Farmer, Fiona Castorina, Alex Berro, Elizabeth Provenzale, Cole Kurtzman, Ben Kirby, AJ Johnson, Danny Sutton, Rachel Milkereit, David McShea, Richard Carruthers, Collin Wilkes, Abby Weber, Ben Sharp, Christopher Radcliffe, Rachel Kowis,Virginia Bruhn, Amzie Yurko, William Whetzel and Ray Palma.

Congratulations to the RoboFoxesVirginia Bruhn, Amzie Yurko, Kathleen Stancil-Sutton, Claire Rusconi-Warner, Annabelle Brown, Heather Hartman and Susannah Hill! Saturday the Robofoxes won a spot at the State FLL Robotic's Championship AND they won first place in Core Values!! The Core Values of FLL are: sharing what you've learned, working together as a team, friendly competition, GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM, AND learning is more important than a win.  Also, congrats to coaches Robyn Stephens, Chris Wilkes and Amanda Fox.

YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LARGE ENVELOPE IN THE MAIL FROM US THIS WEEK.  The contents included TWO items needing your response and return, please.
1)    Thanksgiving Feast RSVP - needed back from EVERYONE tomorrow (Monday) - this is a not-to-be missed highlight of the year - truly a celebration of our students and our Camelot Family.  Copies of all of the info is on our website and the RSVP form is here:

2)    Second Semester paperwork - due back Monday, December 2


The Upper School biking unit has wrapped up.  Please ask your student to see Ms. Krista at end of day Monday for bike pick up.  Thanks to everyone for the cooperation to make this a fun few weeks.

Basketball practice starts this week.  Interested 6th-12th grade male students should let me know if they would like to sign up.  Players will receive a separate email today and every Sunday of the season.  Note to all - we have a player in need of a ride home to Chapel Hill after practices/games - especially on Wednesdays.   Please let me know if you can help.

Here are the details of this coming week:

Monday -
Kindergarten snack sale  (all items 75 cents)
Upper School crates out for parent review
Thanksgiving Feast RSVP due from everyone

Tuesday-
Upper School crates are out
Achieve portal closes for viewing of Upper and Middle School  Mid-Semester grades
Basketball practice begins
11:30 AM - Hollins University (VA)

Wednesday -
Upper School students may bring presentation boards and speech notes for optional Academic Fair help from Ms. Roniand Ms. Judith
Noon - Senior Group picture will be taken
1:00 PM - Randolph College (VA)

Next Sunday (November 17) -
Coffee and Conversation hosted by Ms. Stephanie at Bean Traders on HWY 54 (near Southpoint Mall) from 1:30-3:00 PM.  Please turn out for a beverage courtesy of Camelot and partake in the opportunity to converse with one of our international students to assist them in getting practice speaking English to a variety of people on a variety of topics.

Have a great week!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Camelot Update 11/3/13

Greetings!

Did you remember to "fall back"?  I hope you enjoy the extra hour of weekend.

We had a great week - full of the activity of documenting Mid-Semester progress and the excitement of Halloween.  Ms. Charlotte and Ms. Stephanie traveled to a professional conference on foreign language instruction and came back full of great ideas and Ms. Erin was off on Friday to share her ideas and present a paper at a professional conference.  We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic and passionate faculty.

All Upper School students and a portion of our Middle Grades students are gearing up for their own presentations at our upcoming Academic Fair to be held at the Durham Convention Center (new venue) on Friday, November 22 (a required parent event).  In preparation, Upper School students will have the option of working with Ms. Roni and Ms. Judith on the oral and visual components of their presentations during the 4th period choice-time offered the next two Wednesdays (November 6 and November 13).  Students should come prepared to avail themselves of this opportunity with presentation boards, visual components and the "talking points" of their topic.


Many thanks to parent Lisa Warner for replanting the porch planters for the fall and to Ms. Jenny who frequently putters around the grounds doing "little things" to beautify the place.  Our season-specific tasks include an annual call for Parent Service leaf rakers - please email Mr. Mike to "get on the list" of Saturday rakers.  mike@camelotacademy.org.

Thanks, again, to alum Meg Rusconi-Warner ('13) for getting yet MORE pictures on our website -

This Week:

Monday
- Kindergarten bake sale at lunch
- Upper School PE goes biking
- Individual picture order info goes home

Wednesday
- Sr MAPP trip to symphony in Raleigh
- Upper School bike option- 4th period
- Upper School - Academic Fair presentation prep option - 4th period

Friday
- Upper School PE goes biking (make up from rainout last Friday)





IMPORTANT REMINDERS!

Costa Rica sign up!
Code:  Frysinger-136

Mid Semester Warnings (sent home in the mail) need to be SIGNED and RETURNED by this Wednesday, November 6.

Basketball practice starts next week!  Boys in grades 6-12 should let me know if they want to join the team!

Have a great week!