Head of School's Message: September 5

One of the kindergarten classrooms lost cool air on Thursday afternoon. The students moved into the Lower School library on Friday. The cooling system in the lower school science lab blew a fuse that was repaired quickly. We made sure students in all grades stayed hydrated, but the excitement of returning to school led to two cases of overheating at recess dealt with by a cold drink and an ice pack to the back of the neck.

 

To beat the heat, Middle School back-to-school night moved from the courtyard into the air-conditioned comfort of the gym on Thursday evening. Air conditioning funded by Chandler Family Associates was installed this summer. Recesses and P.E. classes took place in the cool of the gym last week. I never thought I would ever write ‘the cool of the gym’ at the beginning of September. Chandler’s P.E. teachers have never looked happier. Thank you, CFA!

 

Our problems with the heat are nothing compared to the suffering of people in Houston. Former Chandler 7^th Grade Math Teacher Chaz Cleare works in the Spring Branch School District in Houston. Many Chandler teachers remain close friends with her and have remained in contact. In an e-mail on Thursday Chaz wrote:

 

"It is indescribable the amount of devastation that has occurred. I have never seen anything like this in my lifetime. I have many friends and loved ones who have lost their homes and cars, but thankfully my family and I are ok.  During times like these, you quickly figure out the things that are most important to you. 

 

Sadly, many of the families and students that attend my school have been flooded out of their homes. I also have several colleagues that have lost their homes completely. It will be months and months before things return to "normal" around here. As of now, we have been out of school for a week, and we are unsure when we will be able to return to our classes."

 

We contacted Chaz’s school principal, Ellen Green, to see in what ways Chandler could help with the recovery effort.

 

Ellen wrote, “It is wonderful and heartwarming to know another school so far away would want to help us out.

 

I am currently going through survey results from our families to see what our needs may be. There is also a Facebook group that addresses the needs of our families. It is Hurricane Moms That Need Help – Memorial. If you want to join the group use the zipcode 77024 when they ask for verification.

We are still assessing our needs, but I will be back in touch with you as soon as I have a better handle on what is needed. Luckily, our school appears to be in good shape. It’s the families and staff members who have lost homes that are of greatest concern.

 

Donations in our school’s name can also be sent to the Spring Branch Education Foundation. The link is here."

 

I will keep you posted as I hear more from Principal Ellen Green.

 

This week I will join Chandler’s eighth-grade faculty and students on their annual backpacking trip to the Sierras. Seventh grade students will be canoeing down the Colorado River with their teachers. Students on both trips are divided up into small groups led by naturalists from the Boojum Institute. Each group is accompanied by a Chandler faculty or staff member.

 

Chandler’s outdoor education program is one of the school’s value-added activities that develops self-reliance and commitment to community in our students, qualities that we have seen in Houstonians as a community struggles to get back on its feet.

 

I will be back in the office on Monday, September 11.