Dear Lighthouse Families,
Thank you for joining us for last night’s talk with Dr. Edward Hallowell. What an incredible opportunity to bring such a renowned speaker to the island and to learn from one of the country’s leading experts on ADHD.
On Wednesday, January 31 at 6:00PM, we are hosting an All School Parent Meeting and Curriculum Night. We have an informative program organized for you, and we ask that at least one parent from each family join us for this important event.
The evening will be broken into three parts:
- Refreshments and an opportunity to connect with Lighthouse families.
- A presentation on Nantucket Lighthouse School’s curriculum, special programs, and Board initiatives.
- A visit to the classroom your student will be entering in the fall.
We look forward to sharing highlights of Nantucket Lighthouse School’s curriculum and programs and how the different areas of the school work in collaboration with one another to offer an enriching and highly personalized experience for each student.
Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 31 at 6:00PM.
Warm regards,
Emily
Happy, Thoughtful Kids Grown Here
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
While we are all familiar with this proverb, we may not always know where to turn when we need support navigating the inevitable challenges that arise on our parenting journey.
I am honored to serve as Nantucket Lighthouse School’s licensed school counselor to support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of your child at school. Additionally, Nantucket is fortunate to have a Family Resource Center, which offers an array of free services to alleviate stress and bolster family unity outside of school.
At no cost, Nantucket Family Resource Center provides parenting workshops, support groups, clinical youth assessments, and academic tutoring at 1B Freedom Square.
From homework help to healthcare, the Family Resource Center is dedicated to offering all Nantucket families services at no cost.
I encourage you to follow @nantucket_frc on Instagram or to call 508-221-0193 to learn more about the scope of their supportive services.
Warmly,
Julia Maury
Fridays are fun at NLS! At the end of the week, we gather as a school community for All School Meeting to share stories, poetry, songs, and curricular studies. Last week, our school counselor led a peaceful snowflake-themed meditation. After the meeting, the children enjoy eating lunch in any classroom of their choosing. All School Meeting is one of the many special Lighthouse traditions that bring our school community together.
UPCOMING EVENTS and DATES
Wednesday, January 24 – Walk in Wednesday
Friday, January 26- Professional Development Day NO SCHOOL
January 31- Curriculum Night / All School Parent Meeting 6:00-7:30
Friday, February 9 – Recommitment Deadline
Monday, February 12- Financial Aid Application Due
Wednesday, February 14- Admissions Decisions for new families
Faculty Spotlight
Linda Ballinger
Linda attended Franklin Pierce College and Bennington College before moving to Nantucket in 1980, where she apprenticed under Andy Oates, her uncle and co-owner of the Nantucket Looms. While there, Linda was trained as a weaver, designing custom wall fabrics, upholstery fabrics, blankets, shawls, and table linens. Her career at the Looms lasted 19 years before she retired as head weaver.
Linda has always had a love for learning and adventure. One of her many travels took her to San Miguel, Mexico, where she enrolled in a two-month-long ceramic program, not knowing a word of Spanish. On another adventure, Linda traveled to New Zealand with her bike and camping gear and cycled alone through the north and south islands for a month. Each adventure provided Linda with the opportunity for greater self-knowledge.
After becoming a mother, Linda became interested in early childhood education. She was fascinated watching the way her young daughter explored the world around her. When her daughter was interested in summer camp, Linda accompanied her by signing up as a camp counselor. Lo and behold, she found a new calling. Her lifetime love of teaching children was kindled, and she soon began another adventure, this time as a teacher.
Linda joined Nantucket Lighthouse School in 2017 and has been an invaluable member of the school community ever since. She has held a variety of roles at Nantucket Lighthouse School, including small school teacher, kinderclass teacher, second-grade teacher, teaching assistant, and culture and traditions mentor.
“Working at Nantucket Lighthouse School brings me so much pleasure. I love the beauty of the campus, the involvement of the parents, the closeness of the faculty, but above all, I love seeing the eager smiles on the faces of the children as they come to school each day.”
