Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly
Nicoletta Chitty and Eliza Weidinger introduced the Lower School Martin Luther King Jr. assembly on January 10th. Each grade in Lower School and the Upper School Select Chorus contributed to the assembly under the guidance and leadership of Traci Douglas, Director of DEI, and Michael Schwartz, Lower and Upper School music teacher. Kindergarteners contributed artwork to the display, 1st graders sang “We Shall Overcome” by Bob Dylan, and 2nd graders sang “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens, a.k.a. Yusuf Islam. Our 3rd graders wrote acrostic poems related to the words peace, belong, freedom, and humble that were quite moving. Our 4th graders shared their ideas related to how they can change the world. In addition to leading all aspects of the assembly, our 5th graders shared letters they wrote, taught us about the difference between equity and equality, and performed a role play. The Upper School Select Chorus sang “The Times Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan and “Rise Up” by Andra Day, a modern-day anthem of perseverance and resilience.

January 17th Assembly
Preston Padilla and Ava Colletti hosted our virtual assembly. They discussed what is going well so far in 2024 with a revisit of our goals. Preston and Ava shared many interesting facts about January and facilitated the passing of the Portledge Pillar Panther.

Health Notice
It is that inevitable time of year when colds, flu, and other illnesses are commonly seen throughout schools. We want to remind you about some of the simple things families can do to stop the spread of germs.

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups (water bottles) or eating utensils.
• Practice respiratory hygiene, such as covering the nose and mouth with the elbow when coughing or sneezing, or using a tissue if possible. Additionally, all teachers are reminding students regularly of these practices. 
• Keep children home if they have a temperature. Students may return to school when they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc.) and with symptoms improving.
• Keep children home if they have bouts of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child has a stomach virus, 24 hours is required from the last bout of vomiting/diarrhea. Many stomach viruses require two days at home, introducing fluids and solids gradually for optimal recovery.
• If your child has an active cold with coughing and sneezing, please keep them home. If your child has a lingering cough (whether they have a fever or not) and has not been seen by a physician, have your healthcare provider further assess your child. Respiratory illnesses, which include the common cold, are contagious through droplets. 
• Consider receiving a yearly Influenza vaccination. While this is not mandatory, it is an important step toward minimizing the impact and transmission of the flu.