Head of School's Message: August 26

Are you ready for school? Chandler’s faculty and staff have spent the past week working together and preparing for the students’ return on Wednesday. We are ready. The joy of the beginning of the year is a different joy than the end of the year. The end of the year is all about fulfillment, completion and goodbyes; the start of the year is all about welcomes, beginnings, clean slates and fresh starts. It’s exciting and wonderful, but it can also be anxiety-inducing and a little nerve-wracking. Please don’t worry. All will be well. We will take good care of your children throughout the year. 

For parents of students in grades 3-8, I want to remind you about the change to the Seco Street pick-up procedures. A lane at the intersection of Lincoln and Seco has been eliminated. To prevent a back-up on Lincoln, Chandler cars must keep moving. Students will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m., but we are asking cars not to arrive at Chandler’s Seco Street entrance before 3:15 p.m. 

For those parents of students in K-2 and their siblings, pick-up and drop-off procedures are unchanged. We understand that parents of our youngest students will want to park in the neighborhood and walk their children through the gates for the first few days of school. Starting September 9, unless you have a meeting on campus, we want to discourage you from parking on Prospect or Armada at drop-off and pick-up. 

Chandler’s parent education speaker series gets underway at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10 when Dr. Tina Payne Bryson from the Center for Connection talks to the Chandler community in the Ahmanson about ways we can help students of all ages manage the causes and the effects of the stress and anxiety they encounter in their lives. One of our school goals this year is to attend to the social and emotional learning of each student. Dr. Payne Bryson’s talk will be a good way to engage parents in this important topic. A flyer will be sent from school next week with more details, but please mark your calendars. Childcare will be available.

Last year’s parent education series concluded with a presentation by clinical psychologist, Dr. Wendy Mogel based on her latest book, Voice Lessons for Parents. Her talk concluded with the recommendation that a shift in our vocal tones can lead to calmer children who listen more attentively and communicate with more warmth, respect and sincerity. She writes, “Children will take you on an incredible journey if they trust you, if you take the time, and if you’re willing to follow.” 

Let’s enjoy the incredible journey together during the 2019-2020 school year. Welcome back to school.

 

Most sincerely,

John Finch

Head of School