AN IB WORLD SCHOOL

Community News

Dear SGS Community,
I hope you all enjoyed the mid-Winter break.  The timing was good for several reasons, including the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the general cold and flu season.  Our ultimate concern is for the safety and well-being of our students and community.  I expect families will act in the best interest of their students and the greater community, which includes notifying the school if you or anyone in your family receives a presumptive and/or confirmed diagnosis or comes in contact with someone who has a presumptive and/or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.  
 
Below is a list of agencies guiding our planning:
• WA State Department of Health: https://www.doh.wa.gov/
• Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: https://www.k12.wa.us/
• NWAIS schools state-wide
• Public school reports
 
Our action items below are based on the recommendations from the aforementioned agencies:
• Stress the importance of hygienic measures in limiting the spread of the coronavirus – washing hands, coughing in sleeve, staying home when sick, and seeking medical treatment when needed (call your primary care physician first).
• Continuing with the daily cleaning regime with disinfectants on table surfaces, door handles, hand rails, drinking fountains, etc. 
• Monitoring reports on possible school closures and the details that are involved.
• Developing contingency plans in case of a school closure or if someone tests positive in the school community.  
• Each division is set up to address the educational needs of each age group they work with and will cater the programming accordingly with the possibility of “distance learning” in the event of a school closure.  We are hopeful these plans will not be needed but will prepare to maintain some continuity in the learning process. 
 
Gatherings and Travel Considerations:
• Many of the above agencies are cautious of large gatherings of people and travel.  A suggested strategy if attending populated events is to try to “distance” yourself from others in the crowd.
• With Spring Break fast approaching, I would urge families to be aware of travel advisories internationally and domestically.  Our international students will not be traveling internationally as a result of the travel restrictions currently in place. 
 
We are approaching this situation from an informed position and trying to balance concern and preparedness without creating panic among our students and families.
 
If you have questions, please contact me at Jamie.tender@sgs.org or by phone.
 
Sincerely,
Jamie Tender,
Head of School

S.M. (Sarah) Hulse, SGS Class of 2002, has just released her second novel, "Eden Mine".  Set in Montana, she traces the aftermath of a bomb explosion on two families and explores the themes of faith and forgiveness.  Read the LA Times Book Review of her novel (in the S-R Feb. 16 edition) and plan to hear Sarah speak at 7pm on March 18 at the Montvale Event Center (1019 W. First Ave.) as part of the Spokesman-Review Northwest Passages series on regional authors.  Plus, read an article by Sarah in the Fall-Winter 2013 Saint George's Magazine about how she became a published author.

Saint George's hosted Northwest Christian at the Battle for the Holy Grail spirit competition on Friday, Jan. 31 in the Schmidt Center Gym.  In the annual match up of the Dragons vs the Crusaders, it was Saint George's that came out on top in the spirit competition and regained the coveted trophy!  See a video of the SGS Dance Performance and photo galleries of the Spirit Competition and the Winners with the Grail.  Go Dragons!

The SGS Center for Family Engagement will welcome a panel of local professionals to talk with parents about healthy and effective communication.  It will be on Wednesday, February 12 at 6pm in the Dragon Room.  We will have Spokane professionals  -- including a private therapist, a human resources director, and a GU professor -- speaking on peer-to-peer relationships, parent/child relationships, and parent/teacher communication.  Come join the discussion and ask your questions about healthy and effective communication.

Upper School students got a break for one period on Feb. 10 to enjoy time together playing games and decorating cookies (as well as practicing yoga, dance and meditation) for a social-emotional “recess”.  See a Photo Gallery of them playing games and decorating (and eating!) cookies, and a brief Slow-Motion Video of how to win at Jenga!

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."  To celebrate Dr. King's birthday, SGS is holding its annual ML King Jr. Essay Contest.  The topic is, "How does service honor the legacy of Dr. King, empower individuals, and impact communities?"

This contest is open to all members of the Saint George's community -- students, faculty, parents, and alumnae.  All essays will be judged together.  Two essays will win a $50 prize and will be published for the community.  Essays must be typed and submitted to Joelle Neiwert via email (joelle.neiwert@sgs.org) or in her Upper School box by Monday, January 13 and should be no more than 800 words.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, January 15 and will get to read their essays at the MLK assembly during the morning break time (9:45-10am) in Founders Theater on Friday, January 17.

Winter Formal Dance on Feb. 8

February 03, 2020

The Upper School's Winter Formal dance will be Saturday, February 8 from 7-10pm at Commellini’s Event Center.  Tickets are $25 at the door, and the theme is Winter Wonderland.

The SGS Center for Family Engagement is holding its next Book Club for parents on Thursday, January 30 at 6pm in the Upper School Library.  We will be discussing "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.  All parents are welcome to connect with one another and learn from members of our community.  Snacks and drinks will be provided.  Please email meghan.kilgore@sgs.org with any questions or go to the CFE Webpage for details.  

Saint George's celebrated the Asian New Year of the Rat on Friday, Jan. 24 in the Upper School Courtyard.  There were treats to sample and performances to enjoy; see a Photo Gallery of the activities.  Plus an Asian New Year Video, edited by Nianwen Dan, shows the Chinese class singing, Angelina Jiang on violin, Caroline He's solo, a balloon-popping game, and Caroline, Lisa Yuan and Krystal Huang rapping!

6th graders Carsyn Gildehaus and Emily Mullins won the ML King Jr. Essay Contest and got to read their essays at the King Day Assembly on Jan. 17.  See a Video of their Speeches on the topic, "How does service honor the legacy of Dr. King, empower individuals, and impact communities?"  Each girl received a $50 prize for their winning essay; read Carsyn's Essay and Emily's Essay on the SGS website. 


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