With their exploration into the colonial times this semester, students in Mrs.Gallo’s class focused on economics for their presentation this past Thursday. Choosing a trade, students looked the part as they took on various colonial era jobs.

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EPDS is located in historic Gloucester, Massachusetts where our harbor has been home to generations of fishermen and their vessels since the early 17th century. For the students of EPDS, the art of fishing came alive today right here in Mr.Recine’s classroom. From learning how to properly bait fish using “safe” hooks, to reading bank charts to locate schools of fish, students had the opportunity to see history and interact with it thanks to Gloucester’s, Schooner Adventure Traveling Dory Program. Intended to preserve Gloucester’s fishing history, as well as what is hoped to be a shared love for the ocean, students marveled as presenters sang songs, shared historical photos and artifacts, some students even climbed aboard a dory to reel in a “fish.” The presentation served as an introduction to the walking tour of downtown Gloucester’s historical landmarks that students will take in the spring.

Last Friday, the kids of the EPDS Ski Club took to the slopes to learn, to fall, to laugh, and most of all enjoy the winter season. Traveling to Bradford Ski Area every Friday, the Ski program gives students the opportunity to learn and be challenged outside the classroom. Over the next 6 weeks our high hopes are for the kids as they learn to Ski and Snowboard, with a great possibility of putting my own attempts to shame. However,  as I discovered from my first Skiing adventure, perhaps the greatest lesson to be learned from Skiing and Snowboarding is that one will never improve without falling down from time to time.

Extended Day Session III (1/3 – 2/16)

Eastern Point Day School is happy to announce the third session of our Extended Day Program! The new session will run Monday-Thursday for 7 weeks starting Tuesday, January ^3rd and will end just in time for February vacation on Thursday, February 16th.   We have arranged hands on activities, fun adventures, and creative learning experiences for all students in grades Pre-K through 8^th.

Just like the last session these activities include an after school recess immediately following dismissal and individualized homework assistance. The program is open to the public so feel free to invite your friends. For students who are interested in attending a single class here and there without registering for the full 7 weeks, the cost per after school session will be $20. Sibling discounts are available.

Mondays: “The Monthly Cruise “– Students will continue to work on the school newspaper, by bringing world news, opinion, sports, and local happenings to Eastern Point.  With collaboration between Miss. Crystal, students will produce a monthly paper  which showcases their creative minds in pictures, articles, and much more.

Schedule :3:00-3:15 After School Recess

3:15-3:30 Snack Time

3:30-4:30 Paper Discussion and Writing

4:30-5:00 Individualized Homework Assistance

Cost : $100 for 5 weeks (Mondays 1/9, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13)

Tuesdays: Cinema Club – In the hopes of beating those winter blues, students are invited to stay in, chill out, and watch some all time classic movies. Exploring all different types of filming techniques and styles students will have the opportunity to not only watch movies, but see behind the scenes of creativity.

Schedule: 3:00-3:15 After School Recess

3:15-3:30 Snack Time

3:30-4:30 Movie Time

4:30-5:00 Individualized Homework Assistance

Cost: $125 for 6 weeks (Tuesdays, 1/03, 1/10, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14)

Wednesdays: Kids Cook – Whether it is for the fun had during the cooking process or simply the delicious outcome, the culinary craze is back by popular demand. Students are invited to join us as we cook away cabin fever. (Please note that this activity will take place immediately following after school recess in order to coincide with snack time and to not spoil dinner.)

Schedule: 3:00-3:15 After School Recess

3:15-3:30 Food Preparation

3:30-4:30 Cooking

4:30-5:00 Individualized Homework Assistance

Cost: $150 for 7 weeks (Wednesdays, 1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15)

Thursdays: Anything Goes – Students are invited to join me as we find adventures, participate in community projects, and explore local happenings. From visits to Cape Ann’s Animal Shelter and Sawyer Free Library, to kite flying on Gloucester’s local beaches, fun is to be had all around when anything goes.

Schedule: 3:00-3:15 After School Recess

3:15-3:30 Snack Time

3:30-4:30 Adventure Time

4:30-5:00 Individualized Homework Assistance

Cost:  $150 for 7 weeks (Thursdays, 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16)

For more information email Crystal.Ouimette11@gmail.com or call (978) 283-1700

“St.Lucy’s Day” — Sweden

It is believed that many years ago, Christians in Sweden were forced to hide in deep caves to avoid religious persecution. It was down deep in these caves that they could find shelter, but they had no food and water to survive. In the late hours of night, a young girl named Luciadagen would come and bring them food and drink. Using the evening stars for guidance, Luciadagen also had the aid of her laurel crown which she adorned with candles to see through the dark of night.

Today, the Swedish custom of celebration is for the oldest daughter to wake before dawn on St. Lucy’s Day, dressed in a white gown for purity, and a red sash which represents martyrdom. On her head she will wear a wreath of greenery with lit candles. Accompanied by “star boys,” her younger brothers will share in the celebration also wearing a gown, and a coned shaped blue hat which has been decorated with stars.  “St. Lucy” will then go around her house and wake the family to serve them St.Lucy’s Day specialties, such as saffron buns, ginger cookies, and hot chocolate.

In class today we learned about how children in Sweden celebrate this holiday. We made “laurel head wreaths” and “Star boy hats.” Students also had the opportunity to decorate ginger bread men, and we all sampled ginger cookies and hot chocolate.

  Friday evenings at Trinity Congregational Church offer Gloucester’s hungry a chance to enjoy a warm and healthy meal. However, for our students here at Eastern Point Day School it is not only a way to actively give back to the community, but to progressively improve the lives within it. Joining in amongst other volunteer groups funding Friday Night Harvest Meals, students from  3-8 will help provide, prepare and serve 5 meals throughout the 2011-2012 school year. We are asking EPDS families to help my contributing food for the funding of these meals. Our first date is set for November 18th, however further instructions on how you can support this effort will be coming towards the end of this month. We would love your contribution and appreciate even more the effort put forth by families in making this a success.

The Dates for the Meals This Year:

November 18, January 6, March 2, May 11

For questions on food donations or other ways you can help please contact either; Barbara Baumer, bbbaumer@mac.com, -Lucy Gillard, lgillard@us.ibm.com, or -Tami Cronin, mrsckinder@comcast.net

Families and Friends,

Beyond the docks and shipyards which house boats of dreams and everything in-between, rests Gloucester’s Action Shelter. With a philosophy which has been deeply rooted in dedication, the shelter provides safety and gives stable ground for people working to get back on their feet. However, attempting to supply every person who walks into the shelter with basic necessities is often difficult with limited funding. Recognizing this struggle, EPDS has decided to show the same dedication that the Action Shelter has given throughout the years. The Holiday Gift Project aims to fill in these voids by collecting and donating basic supplies to those in need.  At the moment snow and Santa seem far off, however the hectic nature of the holidays will be here in no time. By starting this project early we can accomplish our goals while also instilling in our minds the role of social responsibility.

Here are three ways for you and your family to participate:

Gift of Understanding- Give your child a feeling of empowerment by building social responsibility. Talk to your child about the project and how what they do can have a powerful impact on someone’s life. For talking points to kids on homelessness, here’s a great doc. from Bright Horizons early learning centers:

http://www.brighthorizonsfoundation.org/Resources/Documents/Children%20for%20Children.pdf

Gift of Basic Hygiene – Select 1-2 tags for basic necessity items from board in lobby (Please return your items unwrapped by Monday, Nov.7, our kids will wrap them as part of the schools social responsibility program)

Gift of Choice – We often overlook the luxury we have in choosing what we eat. Providing a gift card is a treat for someone with little control over his or her daily life. Monetary contributions and gift cards can be dropped off in the box located in the lobby.

Thanks !

If you have any questions, please contact Lucy Gillard at lgillard@us.ibm.com or call 339-203-0392