Community News
Dear Friends,
There’s a lot of news this week and some fun photos of the 9th and 12th grade retreats, so I hope you enjoy scrolling all the way through.
We have been focusing our understanding of the word “kindness” as we develop the theme of community. This is a great word to launch our Community Service Program: A day filled with an exchange of kindness…We are so kindly received by the organizations we serve, those who benefit from our service are generous about sharing their thanks with us, and we in turn are reaching out with kind hand to support our community.
Community Service is an annual 32 hour requirement at The Nora School. We serve these hours together once a month on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from October-May. Attendance is expected. Teachers lead our groups to and from the organizations we serve. This year they include:
Shepherd’s Table
Bread for the City
Food and Friends
Martha’s Table
So What Else
The Library of Congress Transcription Program
9th,10th and 11th graders all have been assigned to one of these groups. Please bring money for metro, wear close toed shoes, and clothes that are appropriate for working with food.
Seniors do not attend school on Community Service Days. They choose their own locations and add 32 hours of service as a graduation requirement. The form for seniors to turn in with completed hours is on our website: www.noraschool.org/families#schoolforms
Also on Wednesday is the first episode of our Parent Education Series. This is part of a year long program organized by our Admissions Team to provide expert advice to parents of teens. Parents of Nora students and outside members of our community are welcome to attend. This month’s focus is for parents to understand better what teens need to be a successful college student: academically, socially, and emotionally. You can join with an RSVP at this link: noraschool.org
Saturday is our Homecoming Party. Students may dress up or come in clothes that are comfortable for them. There will be live set of music by the Nora Band, snacks and lawn games.
Last, but never least, soccer season continues!
Finally, Nora School celebrates Indigenous People’s Day which is held on the Federal Holiday of Columbus Day. There are no classes that day, but we do encourage finding ways to honor the historic and contemporary presence, resilience, and contributions of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
Happy Weekend.
Peace,
Mara
A Mindful Moment
Kindness Meditation: We practiced using our breath to ground and guide us through a consideration of Loving Kindness for ourselves and then went through again holding a loved one in mind.
May you be free from suffering
May you be compassionate
May you be joyful
May you experience equanimity
