Goodbye 2023, Hello 2024

Dear Friends,

A very happy new year to you! We are back and ready to go.

Coming up next week is Community Service Day. The organizations we work with are making a real difference in our community. For example, A Wider Circle helps furnish homes, provides families with home essentials, and provides job seekers with professional clothing. Shepherd’s Table provides more meals than ever before, seeing a 58% increase in need for meals in 2023. And the work benefits us too. Studies show that volunteering can increase life satisfaction and helps to build perspective of the wider world.

We are also preparing for exams which begin the Tuesday after the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday. There are two exam periods each day and an extra period for those who need extended time. All classes have exams, so students are expected to attend all three days of exams. Friday is a make-up day for students who are sick for an exam. If you do not need to make up an exam, you do not need to attend school on Friday, Jan. 19. The third quarter begins on Monday, Jan. 22.

In Advisory yesterday, students filled in their personal exam schedule and reflected on what work they would need to do to prepare for them. Advisors reviewed study tips to help with preparation. You can see these tips on the second page of the exam schedule link.

I do want to thank the so many of you who made a donation to The Nora School in December! It was a joyous shower of gifts. Our Annual Giving Campaign continues through June. You will receive a tax receipt for the year that you gave in. Thank you so much for your generosity! So far we have raised $95,000, just $5,000 short of our goal. Perhaps we can even exceed our goal!

Finally, Covid continues to require our attention. We recommend all students and staff receive the annual booster. Students with any cold or flu symptoms should test for Covid at least a couple of times while symptoms last. Sometimes the first test is coming out negative and a test a day or two later is positive. Please notify the school if you test positive for Covid. We will inform you of isolation and masking requirements through the following ten days. We have masks and Covid tests here for anyone that needs them. Please remember to wash your hands frequently. Thank you for your attention to these important matters.

Peace,

Mara