NOTES HOME

04/10/2020
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Thacher News
A Note from the Head of School

Dear Thacher Families,

A typical first line that many of us use when sending an email is, “I hope this finds you well.” My how a few weeks can alter the impact of a phrase, as we now think deeply when we utter those words. I do sincerely hope this finds you well, healthy, and finding silver linings wherever possible.

As we come to the completion of week 4 of social isolation, I wanted to share with you a little bit about an important, meaningful, and productive Zoom that Michelle and I had this week. On Wednesday, we had the pleasure of connecting with parents Denice Kresker and Lisa Franz. Discussing ways families could be connected with administration in order to best support the guides, as well as ways for parents to be more involved in the process, Denice and Lisa shared their own thoughts and ideas. They also shared ideas and suggestions that came from many of you. Thanks to our collaboration, plans are in motion to offer future opportunities for parents to participate, should they wish, in virtual ways to support the work being done by the guides. 

Thank you, Denice and Lisa, and all the parents who participated in the discussion to find ways to strengthen our community during this time of social distancing. This pandemic may bring isolation, but for Thacher Montessori School, let it bring the opportunity for us to grow closer together. We are Thacher Strong!

In partnership,

Deba
Note from the Business Office

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, Thacher has taken steps to ensure financial stability for itself and its employees. No Thacher employee has been laid-off, and we plan to continue our full commitment to our staff through to the end of the school year.  As we look forward to uncertain times, we want to assure our families that our finances are strong, and we will be ready for the start of the 2020/21 school year and the beginning of our 50th anniversary celebrations!

To end the week on a positive note, Nikki Toon, our Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, reported today that we have 22 new families that have just enrolled for September...and there are more to come. Thacher is as strong as its members, we are viable and ready for whatever comes next!
April Vacation Cancelled

We want to give families advanced notice that Thacher will not be taking a break during our usual April vacation (4/20-24). Families can continue to expect normal communications and virtual, online learning without interruption.
Email Compromise

Several Thacher emails (deba@thacherschool, melaniecolby@thacherschool sharyn@thacherschool, and kelleyb@thacherschool) were hacked this week and we apologize for any confusion this caused. The emails were delivered as an attachment to old correspondence. If you receive anything suspicious, please delete it (do not open any attachments).

Thanks to everyone who notified us - if it happens again, rather than forward the infected email to us, please take a photo and send that instead.

We've taken several steps to prevent a recurrence including switching our email provider! We hope to make this transition as transparent as possible, but excuse any potential email delays over the next few days.

Our friends at OUNCE I.T. wrote this timely blog about Phishing attempts and how to protect yourself.

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing their photos - we love to see what your family is doing.
Remote Learning Update
Toddler & Children's House
Music with Melanie
Melanie has been writing a Children's Music blog with several fun sing-along-videos.
Art with Renay

Renay teaches a lesson for Children's House and LE students.
Reading Time with Kim Storch
Kim has been reading stories for us every day! Subscribe to her channel.
Dance with Clarissa and Keiran

They're back with a 3rd three-part dance class!
Lower Elementary

We are happy to announce that we've launched new Google Classrooms for both of our Lower Elementary classrooms today! Guides and Specialists will be posting in the Google Classrooms, so please ask your child to check in every day.

If you are a LE parent, you should have received instructions to help your child access their classroom. Please contact Andrea ( andreabd@thacherschool.org ) with any questions.

Music

Audiation Game with Victors.
Upper Elementary & AP

Google Classrooms

Guides are emailing students with Zoom classroom links and times, so please be sure your child checks their school email regularly.

Students can access their mail by going to: gmail.com and logging in with their Thacher account.