Winter Sing-A-Long

On December 19^th, we conducted our first Winter Sing-A-Long in recent years.  I would have stated it was our first ever, however after speaking to a Reed Alumnus he remembered having something similar as a student when Mamie Reed was Principal.

The students sat with their Reed Families and enjoyed singing songs that focused on winter and all the major winter holidays.  Mrs. Schwartz  even threw in a few “Frozen” songs.

The purpose of the Sing-A-Long was to acknowledge and celebrate each other’s differences.  However, maybe most important, it provided all of us an opportunity to feel part of the greater Reed Family.  I can’t think of another event where the entire school was in the same room and participated together at the same time.  For me, the Sing-A-Long was a reminder that sometimes it is the simplest things that make the greatest impact. 

Does Your Family have Patience…Ours “Reed Families” Do

Around seven to ten times a year, typically during Early Release Days, we meet as “Reed Families” to teach Character Education, to give students a voice, and to ensure all students feel a part of Reed. Most Reed Families consist of two students from each grade level and one full time staff member who is regarded as the “Parent.”  Our goal is to have families stay together until students leave to go to the Fifth Grade Center. 

On December 12^th, we met as families and focused on “patience.”  We discussed what patience looks like at school, home, and other places.  Then we practiced using patience by playing familiar board games.  Playing the board games also provided students an opportunity to socialize with someone new.

Share Holiday Happiness Update

This was our first year in organizing our Share Holiday Happiness initiative (read initial post at - http://principaldispatch.blogspot.com/2014/12/sharing-holiday-happiness.html).  Maxine Birdsong, District Social Worker, worked with various district staff and community members to collect items for families who attend the Ladue School District.  In total, 24 families with over 70 children were assisted.  The Administrative Center adopted a family.  Old Bonhomme adopted a family.  The high school collected money for grocery gift cards, gas cards, and paid to have a family's electricity restored.  A department at Ameren adopted a family.  Crossroad Presbyterian Church adopted a family.  The District School Psychologist and District Gifted Education Coordinator adopted a family.  Reed adopted 8 families.   

Before the break, Susan Gartenberg and I were invited by Maxine Birdsong to see all the gifts that were collected.  Despite some of the items already being distributed before we arrived, the mountain of items left was overwhelming to say the least.  Below are a few photos.  However, nothing could have captured the energy that we felt once entering the room.  Thank you to all the families that participated.  I also want to give a special thanks to Katie Ciorba and Julie Higginbotham for the numerous hours they dedicated in making it a success.