Weekly News 11-03-2023

Dear Lighthouse Families,

Thank you for joining teachers for conferences this week. Conferences offer an important opportunity for us to share feedback on student’s progress and discuss goals for the school year. In addition to the fall and spring conferences, and the progress reports that accompany them, you will also receive a Whole Child Report in February. These touchpoints throughout the year allow parents and teachers to share information about each student’s academic, social, and emotional development and to work collaboratively to support students’ continued growth and learning. If you have questions or concerns in between reports and conferences, please do not hesitate to be in touch with your child’s classroom teacher. We are always eager to partner with you.

As the school year is in full swing, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask for your support of this year’s Yuletide Fair and Annual Appeal which launched on Monday. Many years ago, Nantucket Lighthouse School did a full-scale review of its fundraising initiatives, and we eliminated a number of small events so that we could focus our energy and parents’ time on a few major fundraisers: Annual Appeal, Yuletide Fair, and Garden Festival. (Additionally, the school seeks funding through family foundations, grants, and friends of the school.)

The Annual Appeal is one of the most important fundraisers for Nantucket Lighthouse School (NLS). Each year we ask board members, families, faculty, staff, and friends of NLS to make a tax-deductible donation to our annual fund which helps to fill the gap between tuition and the actual cost of educating each student at Nantucket Lighthouse School. In the past, we have successfully achieved 100% participation from the board, faculty, staff, and families, and with your help, our goal is to achieve it again. Your gift, of whatever size is comfortable for your family, sends an important message to the foundations and donors who also support Nantucket Lighthouse School. It signals a significant commitment from our school community and encourages others to support it as well. If you have any questions about the Annual Appeal or how the funds are used, please do not hesitate to be in touch with Cayla or me.

As your school mailboxes fill with Yuletide reminders, I wanted to thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s festivities. This treasured community event brings such joy to the children and families who participate, and it is truly one of my favorite events on Nantucket. Having participated for decades, I am always struck by the beauty of the Yuletide Fair, the focus on children, families, and the holidays, and the quality of the items for purchase.

The Yuletide Fair is one of two major events for Nantucket Lighthouse School, and we need all hands on deck. With hundreds of visitors attending each year, we must have a sizable number of gift items available. Some are purchased, some are made by our beloved teachers and students, and some are made by our wonderful families. We have two parent craft nights this year, and we ask that at least one parent from each family attends either night (or both, if you’re interested): Friday, November 2, or Thursday, November 9 from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Warm regards,

Emily

Happy, Thoughtful Kids Grown Here

This Sunday, November 5, marks the end of daylight-saving time. While many adults rejoice at the prospect of an hour of extra sleep, those of us with children may dread the change as the clocks fall back before internal schedules do.

Tonight and tomorrow night, try moving bedtime later by 30 minutes. Not every child will sleep in for 30 minutes on the other end, but this approach may help you get a bit more shut-eye in the mornings. Sunday night, return to your typical bedtime schedule and keep it consistent each night. Having a set bedtime and routine will help your child adapt more quickly to the change.

The recommended amount of sleep for children ages 3 to 5 is 10-13 hours, while children 6 to 12 years of age require 9-12 hours of sleep. For young children in the midst of rapid physical and cognitive development, adequate sleep is fundamental to well-being. It is essential for memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning. Allowing children the opportunity to get adequate sleep is one of the most impactful ways to support their growth, learning, and overall health.

Warm regards,

Julia

CJ Stephens Nantucket Lighthouse School was delighted to welcome CJ as the third-grade teacher in 2022.   CJ is an artist-philosopher, educator, and researcher who has 28 years of teaching experience. CJ spent many years in the New York public school system teaching learners from a variety of backgrounds. In addition, she has worked as an audio/visual librarian, a teaching assistant at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts, and spent ten years as an art teacher at a Montessori school in New Hampshire.   In addition to earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art, CJ is a Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts. Her dissertation is entitled “For the Love of Nonsense: Toward an Ontology of the Non-Narrative.” Her essay, “A Psychological Journey into Otherness,” was published in the book Risk Change: Between Mobility Control and Social Transformation (2020).   CJ has three grown children and two amazing dogs.   “I love Nantucket Lighthouse School because with “head, heart, and hands” at the core of this community, our potential together grows and strengthens each day.” To read more about CJ click here