Dear Lower School Parents,

The summer continues to fly by. And in just a few weeks we’ll be ready to launch into the Academy’s 278th school year. The excitement is building!

In July, we emailed information to you regarding faculty and staff updates as well as information for completing school forms on myMA. Some of you have already completed those forms – Thank you! If you haven’t started them yet, there is still plenty of time to do so, but please fill them out so that we have them all in place prior to the start of school.

The following is some important information for the start of the school year:

Summer Skills

Summer Skills Session is taking place next week, August 12-16. If you have not registered your child but would like to do so, there is still space. Please click here to register.

Lower School Playdate

Join us at the Lower School playground on Thursday, August 15th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm for the Lower School Playdate. It’s a great time to connect with new and old friends, play games, and enjoy a picnic together. Please bring a lunch. Water and Kona Ice will be provided. All students Primer to Grade 5 and their families are welcome. RSVP here.

Lower School Student-Parent Handbook

The 2019-2020 handbook is now available on the Lower School Resource Board on myMA. Please review with your child. You will see a notification on your myMA account to sign a form acknowledging that you have the handbook and agree to the Acceptable Use of Technology policy.

School Uniform Closet

For those who would like to purchase previously owned uniforms, please contact the Lower School Office to shop our Used-Uniform Closet. We will be happy to assist you in trying to find specific items and sizes.

Office Hours

Beginning August 12th, our office hours will be 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. During the school year, our hours will be 7:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Summer Reading

Please remind your child(ren) to complete their summer reading requirements. The Lower School Resource Board on myMA has all of the information posted. Feel free to contact the Lower School Office should you have questions.

Back-to-School Picnic

The all-school Back to School Picnic will be held at Benigna House on the Merle-Smith Campus on Sunday, August 25th. You may drop by the picnic at any time between 2:00-5:00 pm. Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, games, and music where you can meet new members of our school community and reconnect with friends.

Bring your appetites, blankets and beach chairs; we will provide food and beverages as well as entertainment for the children. We look forward to seeing you there. No pets, please. RSVP here.

First Day of School

The opening day of school for students in Grades 1-5 is Monday, August 26. Morning and afternoon extended session will be available to students in Grades 1-5 that day. Students are to wear their informal uniforms.

Students in Primer, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten will have their first full day of school on Tuesday, August 27th. Extended session is open to all students in the Lower School beginning August 27th.

As mentioned previously, we will begin each day at 8:10 am with the First Community Circle for all students in grades K-5. First Community Circle is a time for getting to know one another and further building community through conversation, activities and games. All three divisions will be using Developmental Design techniques such as this throughout the year.

Please give us a call or reach out via email if you have any questions leading up to the first day of school. You can look forward to additional communication in the coming weeks, including homeroom assignments and class schedules.

All School Opening Chapel

On Tuesday, August 27th, we celebrate the opening of our 278th school year with an All School chapel service. Students (Grades 1 to 12) and faculty from all three divisions will gather in Central Moravian Church at 9:30 a.m. Chapel will be followed by our traditional flag-raising ceremony. Students should wear formal uniforms for this occasion.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Monday, August 12-16: Summer Skills, 9:00 - 11:30 am, Lower School Campus, Grades 1 - 5. Click here to register
• Thursday, August 15: Lower School Playdate, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Lower School Playground, Primer to Grade 5. Click here to RSVP
• Sunday, August 25: All School Back-to-School Picnic, Merle-Smith Campus, Benigna House. Click here to RSVP
• Monday, August 26: Opening Day of School for students in grades 1-12.
• Tuesday, August 27: All-School Chapel, Grades 1-12 *Formal Uniform Required
• Wednesday, August 28: Grade 1 and 2 Picnic, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
• Friday, August 30: Labor Day Weekend, School Closed
• Monday, September 2: Labor Day Weekend, School Closed
• Wednesday, September 11: Lower School Picture Day, Primer - Grade 5. *Formal Uniform Required for Grades 1-5.
• Friday, September 13: Red & Gold Games
• Thursday, September 19: Back to School Parent Night, 6:00 - 8:30 pm, Primer - Grade 5.

Regards,

Ann S. Mindler
Interim Director of Lower School
Assistant Head of School