Sears to Home - March 14, 2016

March 14, 2016

A Message from the Principal

Dear Sears Families,

As many of you know, the benefit this year revolves around the theme of "Sears has Heart." On Sunday, in the pouring ran, a large turnout of 7th grade students walked for two hours to raise money for Smile Train. The goal was to raise enough money to sponsor 10 smile corrective surgeries through Smile Train. The organization assists young people with cleft palates and provides them with a life-changing surgery that allows them to live a normal life.

Watching our students engage with each other, seeing Ms. Teen Illinois who came out to support the event, and seeing the grown-ups that led the effort reinforced what it means to be happy. Despite the cold and the rain, our young people seemed to thoroughly enjoy the fact that they were doing this together for a great cause. They laughed, walked and hollered at local area parents that they were "walking miles for smiles."

The connection between philanthropy and happiness has been well documented and researched. Parents often comment on the changes they see in their children who get involved with volunteerism and become part of groups in school that support organizations and impact others. In Missy Yost's article, she explores the connection between giving of ourselves to others and happiness. She also points out five things to know in order to maximize the benefits of happiness from philanthropy.

I am very proud of our scholars who gave of themselves on a cold, wet Sunday and received the gift of happiness in return.

Dedicated to Excellence,

Kendra Wallace

School Notes and Reminders

Pick Up:
Please be reminded when picking up your child after school that the following practices should be followed:

Drivers must stay in the car.

Students need to be picked up on the south side of the bridge. No child should be picked up or dropped off on the bridge nor should they have to cut through cars to enter a vehicle.

If you do not see your child, it would be ideal to circle the block to make room for cars whose children are their waiting. It will ultimately will take the same amount of time and it will allow for families with a waiting and ready child to get their child.

Please do not park in the crosswalk or block the intersection.

Your cooperation and support at pick up is greatly appreciated.

Excused and Unexcused Absences:
Please notify our school nurse, Mrs. Janet Brothers, should your child be absent from school immediately before or after Spring Break. All students will be responsible for any assignment missed while on an unexcused absence.

Congratulations, Science Olympians!

Congratulations to the 20+ members of the Sears Science Olympiad Team who competed in last weekend's regional tournament in Naperville on March 5th.

Special recognition goes to Olivia Lafferty (7th grade) and Anita Rao (7) who received first place medals in the "Write it, Do it" event. Anita and Frank Kollar (7) received third place medals in the "Green Generation" event.

Congratulations also goes to Pranav Madhu (8), Lara Orhon (8) and Joseph Hu (6) who all represented The Joseph Sears School at the "You Be the Chemist" Regional Challenge on March 9th at Christian Heritage Academy. Our science scholars competed against other top science students from the area.

Thank you to Olympian parents, teachers and administrators for the support this year. A special thank you to parents Julie Frantsve-Hawley, JT Mohr, Caroline Slone, Jim Wejman and Maria Yen for mentoring Olympiad events.

Students Perform Service through

Miles For Smiles

Seventh grade students participated in the Miles for Smiles walk on Sunday, March 13th in support of Smile Train. Thank you to all of those who came out and supported the event!