Welcome Backaoke 2018

It is always entertaining to witness how each of the grades responds to our annual Welcome Back video.  The 6th graders typically have no idea what they are about to see, so we preface it with an explanation that our rules are very serious and important and for consistency we find it easier to record them in a message.  Once it gets going, it is fun to watch them look at each other to see if this is a joke or not. The 7th graders have already experienced a year of our humor and actually seem somewhat eager to see what the song will be so we don’t need much preface at all just to mention we spent time thinking about them.  We also had a great conversation following the video about their thoughts as to why we included all of the images that we did this year. The 8th graders balance between groans and laughter as they are trying to decide if it is still cool for them to exhibit any appreciation for lame adult humor...which of course is ironic that the closer they approach adulthood the less they are willing to admit they think we are funny.  So, for those of you not connected to our social media accounts, here is Welcome Backaoke 2018.

This morning our fall sports coaches met briefly with interested students to get contact information and give them some details about the season.  In order for any student to participate including any try-outs or practices, an up-to-date physical form (within the last 13 months) must be on file with Ms. Hanly in the Health Clinic.

Additionally, Ms. Hanly has asked me to remind everyone that students with life threatening allergies must provide Epipens and accompanying paperwork each year to her in the Health Clinic.

Finally, all 7th Grade students are expected to have a current physical form and immunization record on file, as well.  Please send the current information in to the Health Clinic if you have not done so already.

Due to the early release today, we are rescheduling tonight’s parent information session for Stony Brook Theatre Arts.  Please see the following information from Mrs. Watson:

SBTA's Parent Info Night has been postponed! Instead of Thursday 8/28, Ms. Watson will meet with parents of students interested in participating in Stony Brook Theatre Arts on Wednesday 9/5 from 6pm-6:30pm in the auditorium. All are welcome to attend!

Auditions for Stony Brook Theatre Arts' production of Urinetown: the Musical will be Tuesday, September 4th from 2-4:30pm OR Thursday September 6th from 2-4:30pm, with callbacks scheduled for Friday, September 7th from 2-4:30pm. Students can see Ms. Watson to sign up and get an audition packet. 7th and 8th graders auditioning for principal roles should prepare 32 measures of music from the show that best shows their voice. Students will be asked to read sides (sections of the script) and dance. Students auditioning for the ensemble and 6th graders can audition by singing any brief piece of music they know. Students may be asked to come to a callback and sing, dance, or act again. All students who audition for the fall musical will be cast.

Finally, in the opening day packets along with all of the other information, we included a pamphlet informing all of our families of the WPS Reunification Process in the event that we would need to leave Stony Brook and bring students to another building.  While I would like to think that we will not need to utilize this process, the district leadership team spent significant time this summer assessing these specific aspects to our already well developed safety plans. We share it with you in hopes of your early understanding that in the event that the reunification process is necessary, it will take a great deal of time under any circumstances to complete.  The more information you have ahead of time, the more prepared you can be to collaborate with us to best expedite the process.

The students remembered our 3 priorities here at Stony Brook when I asked them this week.

#1 Safety

#2 Growth

#3 Happiness  

Everyone’s safety is our number one priority: physical as well as emotional.  Second, we are committed to supporting everyone’s growth: academic, social, emotional and physical. Third, we truly care that folks are happy to be here at Stony Brook and we will do everything in our power to help everyone feel engaged in their experience by building positive relationships and nurturing their curiosity and inquiry.  They might not be happy with everything all the time, but we will help as best we can to keep the overall happiness quotient on the positive side!

That being said, have a wonderful long Labor Day Weekend.

Enjoy!

Chris

Dr. Christopher Chew

Principal

Stony Brook School