Dear Lower School Families,

It was another fun week in Lower School! A highlight was the 2nd Annual STEMposium, an all-school celebration of STEM. Lower School students saw impressive research projects from Upper School students (plus three from our very own 5th graders!), watched demonstrations of robots and drones, and got an up-close look at our Anatomage Table. It was also an early celebration of Earth Day as all students prepared wildflower "seed clusters," which will be distributed in areas around campus next Monday. Thank you to all of our faculty members who helped to make this event possible!

As we look ahead to next week, students are getting excited for our annual Celebration of the Arts Week. During this special week of school, the Lower School will showcase our students' fine art pieces throughout the building. While all bulletin boards will be filled with beautiful works from the hands of our young artists, musical performances will be scheduled all week in the Green Lobby (near the fish tank), which will be outfitted with music stands and a piano. After school hours, families are invited and encouraged to peruse the halls and enjoy the artistic talents of our children. Celebration of the Arts Week will conclude on Friday afternoon with our community ArtsFest, and we hope you will join us for the festivities! Please note the following details about ArtFest on Friday, including a few bolded updates.

• Students in grades PreK-12 will enjoy ArtsFest beginning at 12:45 p.m. Parents and families are invited to join in the fun and see students of all ages showcasing various works of art and performing musical and theatrical pieces. 
• For parents who wish to join their student at the event, you may park and come to the Great Room at 12:45 p.m. to pick up your child early. ​Please be sure to communicate with your child's teacher if you plan to do this! 
• If you are unable to attend, your child will travel with their teachers throughout ArtsFest and follow their regular 3 p.m. dismissal pattern. Please note, however, that all 3 p.m. dismissal that day will occur from the LS Lot (there will not be a PreK/carpool line). 
• Aftercare and Excel activities will take place as usual after school. Students will report to the Great Room at 3 p.m. to see Mrs. Lingle for after-school activities. 
• *UPDATE* — For those who choose to purchase lunch, SAGE Dining will be serving pizza. 
• *UPDATE* — There will be NO Aftercare and Excel activities ​o​n this day.

Regardless of your plans this day, please contact your child's teacher and Mrs. Galluch to let us know if you will be attending and picking up your child early. Keeping track of all of our students on this particular day is a challenge, and we appreciate your help in ensuring that we are informed of your plans. We look forward to all this week has to offer, and hope to see many parents as well.

Beyond our Celebration of the Arts Week, there are other many exciting things happening next week, including the EAPA Spring Fling (Spring Sports Night) on Tuesday, a PreK Field Trip to Arden Theatre and a 1st Grade Field Trip to Treehouse World, a Math Magic Assembly, LS Chapel, and more! See a few other friendly reminders below:

Earth Day Dress Down Day: Happy Earth Day! On Monday, April 22, students are encouraged to wear greens, browns, floral prints, or any comfortable attire that reflects the Earth.

Cradles to Crayons Collection: Donations are still being accepted for our All-School Cradles to Crayons Collection through Tuesday, April 23! After recently volunteering at Cradles to Crayons, our 3rd graders are leading the charge on this year's annual collection for local children in need. Please consider bringing in new or gently used items! Thank you for your support.

EA Parent Survey Results Webinar: Join Head of School Dr. T.J. Locke and Gary Bridge, EA's consulting partner, on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. for an overview of the results and valuable feedback that parents shared through the fall 2023 survey. Register here.

Aurora/Vesper (A/V) Day: The annual Lower School field day, Aurora/Vesper Day, is drawing near! This fun event will take place during the afternoon on Friday, May 24. On this day, the students will be out of uniform and should wear blue or white according to their assigned teams. Though not required, if you are interested in purchasing a new Aurora or Vesper t-shirt, you may do so through the FlynnO'Hara website (Aurora T-Shirt | Vesper T-Shirt). 

Spring Uniforms: Please use your discretion with the uniform change. Students are welcome to wear the warm weather uniform or continue to wear the winter uniform as the weather suggests. Please keep your child comfortable with the spring forecasts.

Have a great weekend,
Terry

_______

Stripe of the Month:

The Stripe of the Month for April is Courtesy.


Calendar Events:

April 22: Dress Down Day: Earth Day (Students are encouraged to wear greens, browns, floral prints, or any comfortable attire that reflects the Earth.)
April 22: Passover Begins
April 22-26: Celebration of the Arts Week
April 23: EAPA Spring Fling (Spring Sports Night), 4:30-6:30 p.m.
April 23: PreK Field Trip to Arden Theatre
April 23: Deadline for All-School Cradles to Crayons Collection
April 24: 1st Grade Field Trip to Treehouse World
April 24: EA Parent Survey Results Webinar, 6:30-7:30 p.m. register
April 25: Math Magic Assembly
April 26: LS Chapel, 8:10 a.m.
April 26: ArtsFest
May 2-3: 1st Grade Parent Swim Days
May 2: Episcopal Academy Golf Tournament, Radnor Valley Country Club
May 3: Order Deadline for EAPA Spring Flower Sale (pickup on May 9)
May 3-4: EA Alumni Weekend
May 6: LS Hymnal Chapel, 8:10 a.m. (All 1st graders and new students in grades 2-5 will receive an Episcopal Hymnal)
May 6: MS "Nuts and Bolts Night" for Rising 6th Graders, 6-8 p.m.
May 9: EAPA Spring Flower Sale Pickup, 2-4:30 p.m., Dixon Athletic Center Minnick Porch
May 9: LS Spring Concert, 7 p.m.
May 14: LS Chapel, 8:10 a.m.
May 14: FlynnO'Hara Trunk Show, 1-3 p.m.
May 16: EAPA Annual Spring Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
May 17: Excel’s LS Musical: Seussical, 6 p.m.
May 22: LS Yearbook Chapel
May 23: 4th Grade Freedom Museum Night, 6 p.m.
May 24: Dress Down Day: LS Aurora/Vesper (A/V) Day