The Upper School's "Path of the Dragon" Peer Mentor program completed its first year with a joint lunch in the US Library on April 18.  See a Photo Gallery from the event.  The program brought one junior or senior alongside several 9th graders or other new students to provide advice and encouragement during the transition into high school.  "The program helped new students feel welcome and develop positive relationships," said Mark Rickard, thanking the three students who proposed and organized the new program last fall.

Several of the mentors described their interaction with the 9th graders, who also spoke about their experience at the lunch.  "Having a kind face in a crowd of people you weren't acquainted with eased coming into high school," said Erika Piotrowski, who thanked her mentor, senior Katie Thew, for all of her help.  "She got me into rock climbing, and knowing she had my life in her hands, and that she wouldn't let go, is an incredible bond to have with someone."  Current 10th and 11th graders can sign up to be mentors for next year's incoming students.

The Upper School Awards Day ceremony will be held in Founder Theater at 11:25am on Thursday, April 26.  Parents and family members are welcome to help honor the outstanding work of our students this past school year!

Students and families can sign up this week to collect change for the Guilds' School Penny Drive on Saturday, April 28 at the corner of Francis and Ash (5 Mile).  Shifts are from 8:30-11:30am or 11:30am-2:30pm.  Last year SGS students gathered more than $6,000 at this intersection for the Penny Drive!  Plus, Community Day participants will get free milkshakes.  Sign up at the table near the US front doors and fill out a waiver form on PowerSchool.  And remember, Saint George's own Penny Drive for the Guilds' School ends Friday, April 27.

The 7th grade class spent Friday, April 13 planting 300 sedges and willows along the banks of Latah Creek just north of the town of Waverly in southern Spokane County.  See Several Photos of their work to restore the riparian zone along the swollen creek...

The 8th grade class created a Storm Garden in front of the Middle School to help recycle water runoff on Friday, April 13.  See a Time Lapse Video of the process and a video of Digging in the Mud taken by Stella Brown, plus a Photo Gallery of images from the full-day project.  Next they will add plants and signage...

Alan November, an expert in digital education technology, will speak in Founders Theater at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 19.  Save the date for an informative look at what everyone should know about successful parenting in the digital age.  November's presentation will be interactive, so bring a phone, tablet or laptop to the talk.  Learn more and RSVP on the SGS website...

Saint George's helped kick off the Spokane Guilds' School annual Penny Drive at the US-MS Assembly Monday morning.  Nathan, a 1st grader who benefited from the Guilds' School's therapists when he was smaller spoke about his treatment and showed his dance moves!  Please bring in change (and bills) to put in the jugs at each division through April 27 to help more local kids like Nathan...

The After School Care kids scooped up hundreds of brightly colored eggs - some made of chocolate and others filled with jelly beans - at the annual Egg Hunt around the Lower School on March 29.  See a Photo Gallery of their adventure!

Spring Break is next week -- Monday, April 2 through Friday, April 6.   There will be no classes K-12 (and no Parent News email) next week.  Enjoy the start of spring!

The All-School Talent Show is coming Friday, April 13 at 6pm in Founders Theater.  Use the Sign Up Sheet on the website to get with the program.  LS and MS students need a parent signature, and there will be mandatory auditions on April 10 and 11...