Lower School Pizza Reminder

Students who would like to purchase pizza for Friday lunch must turn in their payment on Wednesdays. Pizza is $1 per slice and all proceeds benefit Student Council activities.

Prom Committee - Help Needed

Environmental Club Fundraiser

Upper School Phone Number: Please note that the Upper School now has its own phone number: 440-832-7830.  Please program this number into your cell phones and add it to your address books. Upper School calls coming into the 440-526-0003 phone number will be asked to call the new number as calls can no longer be transferred between buildings.  The Lower School will retain full use of the 440-526-0003 number, and the admissions number will remain 440-526-0717. Thank you for your cooperation!

Drama Production: The Upper School drama club is proud to present Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2 at 8 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Reserve tickets by calling the box office at 440-832-7844. All seats must be reserved in advance.

Understanding Your Child's Test Scores: Although standardized testing has become the norm, many parents have told us that they have never really been given the information to understand exactly what the results of these tests mean. Join Lower School psychologist Dr. Ethan Schafer for a two-part workshop that will give parents the tools to both understand test scores, and place them in the proper context. Part I of "Understanding Your Child's Test Scores" will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 8:15 am. Part II will take place on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 8:15 am. Both workshops take place at the Lower School. The classes are geared for Lower School, but Upper School parents are welcome to attend. Contact Dr. Schafer via e-mail or 440-832-7850 for more information.

High School Midterms: Midterms for high school students will take place from January 15-17. Please note that the midterm schedule and format has changed this year. A letter has been sent home describing the exam schedule and format, or you may access the letter here. It is very important that all high school parents read the information, sign the permission form and return to the school by Jan. 14. For questions, contact Mr. Ryan Masa via e-mail or 440-832-7825.

Moms and Muffins: The Lower School Moms and Muffins takes place on Friday, Feb. 1 from 7:30-8 am. Invitations were mailed to all Lower School families. Please RSVP by Jan. 28 to Mrs. Pat Feith via e-mail or 440-832-7838.

Class Trips: There are only a few spaces left for high school class trips. The deadline to turn in your deposit and trip agreement is Friday, Jan. 18. Grades 9-10 will visit New York City from May 19-22 and grades 11-12 will visit New Mexico from May 17-22. For questions, contact Mrs. Tracy Pedaline at 440-832-7839. 

Weekend Social - Save the Date: Lawrence students and families are invited to enjoy tobogganing at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville on Saturday, Feb 2, from 8-11 am. All grade levels are welcome. The Chalet will be closed to the public during these times, so there will be plenty of opportunity to ride! Cost is $5 per person (must be 42" or taller) and gloves or mittens must be worn.

Winter Semi-Formal: Students in grades 9-12 are invited to attend the Winter Semi-Formal "Frozen in Time" on Saturday, February 9 from 7:30-11 pm in the Upper School Gymnasium. Tickets are $20 and will be sold during lunch from Feb. 4-8. Any parents who are able to donate snacks or beverages are asked to contact Miss Amanda Hedrick via e-mail.

Lower School Talent Show: Mr. Zubek is organizing a Talent Show for Lower School students to take place on Friday, February 15. Applications will be sent home with students and need to be returned by Thursday, Jan 17.  For questions, contact Mr. Zubek via e-mail or 440-526-0003 x1425.

Parent Technology Classes: The next free Parent Technology class is "MS Excel Basics," on Thursday, Jan 17, from 4-5:30 in Room 303 at the Lower School. Learn the basics of using the spreadsheet and mathematical functions of MS Excel. RSVP to Miss Sally Garza via e-mail or 440-832-7840. For a complete schedule of remaining courses, click here. These classes are free and open to the public.

Donuts with the Deans: All Upper School parents are invited to join Mrs. Walker, Mr. Culp and Mr. Masa for Donuts with the Deans on Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 7:30-9 am in the Upper School Conference Room.

Target Red Card Fundraiser: Did you know you can raise money for Lawrence School every time you use your Target Visa® or Target® Card? We will receive a percentage of the amount of each purchase in the form of a cash donation from Target through the Take Charge of Education® program.  Just visit target.com/tcoe, or call 1-800-316-6142 to designate our school (you must designate either Lower School or Upper School). Grandparents, alumni, neighbors and friends can take part, too.

  HEAD NOTES

Several weeks ago, Ryan Masa (our Upper School Academic Dean) shared with me a story about a boy with dyslexia from Virginia.  I found his story to be so inspiring, that I asked him to write a guest blog for this week's newsletter. Many thanks to Ryan for contributing to the Head Notes column this week!

- Lou Salza

I have noticed that one of the most appreciated dialogues that Lou provides, to both staff and parents, is his "slide show" where he illustrates people who struggled mightily as students but later became highly successful adults.  Lou has spoken eloquently about Tim Page, David Neeleman, and Charles Schwab.  I would like to take this time to continue the conversation and tell you a little story about a boy named Tommy.

Tommy was born in Virginia, the son of a Presbyterian minister.  His household was one defined by academics and piety, as his mother was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister herself.  Unfortunately, Tommy was a poor student.  He did not learn the alphabet until age nine, and he was not able to read until almost 12.  His teachers thought him slow and his parents even described him as "a dolt" and a "lost cause."  Historians now believe that Tommy had a form of dyslexia.  Luckily, Tommy loved to learn and had a resolve to achieve greatness in life. 

You may know Tommy better as our 28th president - Woodrow Wilson.

What is ironic about Thomas Woodrow Wilson is that most historians regard him as our most "academic" President.  He certainly is the most educated, attending law school at the University of Virginia and earning his Ph.D. from John Hopkins.  Not only was he the first President to earn a Ph.D. - he is the only one.  He later became the president of his alma mater, Princeton University, and before that, had become one of the best known political scientists in America.  He wrote several acclaimed books on U.S. government. 

Because Wilson struggled with reading, his father schooled him for hours, every night, in the field of oratory and debate.  It was from that indoctrination that Wilson became someone who many historians view as the greatest orator of the Presidents. Amazingly, it was his struggle with reading, and the accommodative instruction that he received because of it, which led to one of our quintessential American events - The State of the Union Address. 

The U.S. Constitution simply states that, "The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union."  Nowhere does it state the President must deliver it verbally.  George Washington and John Adams did such, but Thomas Jefferson - not wanting to resemble a monarchy - wrote his.  After Jefferson, every President for the next 112 years followed suit and delivered a hand-written address to Congress, until - guess who - Woodrow Wilson decided to deliver his in person, as a speech.  Every President since has followed Wilson's example. 

Besides his aforementioned academic career, the man became governor of New Jersey, won two presidential elections, pushed through progressive legislation, led the U.S. during WWI, created the Fourteen Points to govern the world in peace - including the League of Nations, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919.  Not bad for someone classified as "slow", "a dolt", and a "lost cause."  I guess "great minds don't all think alike." 

As we consider Wilson's legacy and look at our own students and children, who struggle so mightily with school yet often possess such resolve and intelligence, just think... right now you could be raising the 50th President of the United States of America.

Ryan Masa

Upper School Academic Dean

440-832-7825 

Did this week's Head Notes column inspire you, puzzle you, or otherwise stir a response you would like to share? Let Lou know how you feel!  He welcomes all comments and correspondence via e-mail or phone (440-832-7820).