For information about Eric

2009-08-30

Eric Tomlins

All the Strength of Living All that happened doesn't matter it is in the next breath all the strength of living all the solid rock, and wheat and muttering trail of water  the touch of wind, touch of tears, all the strength of living is in this breath ~Eric Tomlins

August 30, 2009

Dear members of the Randolph Community,

I want to let you know that longtime Randolph School teacher and leader, Eric Tomlins, died this morning at home. If you don't already know, Eric had been living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) for the past three and a half years.

Eric grew up at the school that his mom had helped found, and returned to teach and lead here for the last 34 years. He was truly responsible for making Randolph School what it is today. I'm so deeply sad to share this news with you. And I'm profoundly grateful for Eric's life and love for Randolph School. All the children, families, and teachers who have known him and been forever changed because of him will miss him so much.

We will let you know when a memorial gathering is scheduled. In the meantime, cards or notes can be sent to Cath and Owen Tomlins at their home or in care of the school: Randolph School 2467 Route 9D Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

All my best to all of you,

Alisa Algava

School Starts Septemer 9

2009-09-09

Welcome Back!

Meet our New Director

Meet Our Director

Alisa Algava

I recently joined the Randolph community as the Director of the school and as a member of the Administrative Committee.  I have been connected to Randolph School since 1977 in a variety of roles – student, college intern, teacher, co-administrator, and board member.  I also have taught and learned in public and charter schools, most recently in Brooklyn, New York.  A graduate of Brown University, I just completed my Masters degree at Bank Street College of Education, a graduate school with a long commitment to progressive education.  In addition to being certified as a “School Building Leader” in New York State, my experiences in Bank Street’s Leadership for Educational Change program have inspired and motivated me to create, guide, and nurture collaborative communities of learning where everyone can contribute their strengths and work on their challenges. 

The Board of Trustees, administrative team, and faculty have decided that what Randolph School needs right now is one person in a dedicated role to direct our efforts.  A community like Randolph needs help every day to coordinate, problem-solve, and move us forward.  My first priority in this new role is to focus on the big picture and to support teachers in their work with kids, families, and each other. I’m excited to return to Randolph School at a moment in history when, although times seem hard everywhere we look, there is so much potential and hope within us all.  I am thrilled to be part of a respectful learning community where everyone from age 3 to 73 is truly seen and understood for who we are.  I want to ensure that Randolph School is a place where we can ask questions, take risks, try our best, listen to each other, reflect on our experiences, and know without a doubt that we are, in fact, all in it together. Please feel free to contact me at any time with feedback or questions of any kind.  I’m a life-long learner (thanks to Randolph) and I need everyone’s help so I can continue learning and so we can keep making Randolph School better and better for our children.

Parent Group Sponsors a Welcome Back BBQ

2009-09-01

Tues., September 1 from 4 - 7PM

Parent Group News

2005-08-13

Parent Group News

The Waitstaff at the Auction Run by the Parent Group

Older News

For the 2007-2008 year, our presence at the Harvest Festival at Stony Kill Farm in early October, was a great success and a great experience. We are already looking forward to being there next year! Our bake sale and face-painting fundraiser took in over $500!  As we approach the holidays, the Parent Group will host it’s annual Holiday Craft Day at the school where kids and parents alike get into the spirit of the season by mixing, mingling and crafting wonderful holiday gifts for giving.  After that there is talk of possibly hosting a series of Parenting Nights where we can get together to view and discuss a video based on Alfie Kohn’s book Unconditional Parenting which was read by several parents. There is also the possibility of a hosting Community Lighting through the sale of specially made Randolph Luminaries to benefit the school’s scholarship program and to round out the year, we are looking at a good old fashioned giant lawn sale in the Spring.  Keep your eye on the Friday Note for details.
 
During the 2006-2007 school year, the Parent Group raised over $17,000 at several events. Some of these included Beacon Sloop Club's Annual Pumpkin Festival, a highly successful auction of goods and services, and a beautiful Craft Fair.  We also sold local Alps Chocolates, Art Cards, and of course, continued the sale of our very successful "Randolph Cooks!", printed & bound cookbook featuring the delicious delights of the Randolph Community.

• We were happy and honored to use some of those funds raised to send our crazy about math, star gazing, fruit snatching Upstairs Teacher, Bradford King for a much deserved two week vacation to Alaska, after 20 years of service to the Randolph School. The Parent Group also hosted a BBQ Celebration for Brad on campus where friends past and present came to remember and revisit.

• Funds raised in 06-07 were also distributed in equal parts to each of the main groups, Downstairs, Upstairs and Upper School for the purpose of purchasing needed items not included in the budget. A few years ago, the Parent Group purchased a wireless weather station, which is used on a daily basis and has become part of the Upstairs curriculum. Much of our contributions also come in the form of time and talents.

• In spring of 2005, we were pleased to have been able to fund Diane Boujikian's trip to Reggio Emilia, in Italy. Diane has been a teacher in the Downstairs for over 20 years. Her trip was part of a tour of the school system there, organized for teachers from the United States. She was excited about the things she saw and learned there and hosted an informational slide show for the Randolph community upon her return. Information about the Reggio Emilia style of early education.

• Beyond fundraising, the Parent Group strives to offer fun and educational events for parents as well as our children. In the past, we have held talks on early childhood development and education, had speakers on homeopath treatment, had wreath-making and Ukrainian egg painting workshops, sponsored craft and sports days for kids on days when there was no school and have held cooking workshops. There are no limits to what we can do.

Race to Nowhere

2010-10-04

 

We invite you to join us for a documentary film screening we are co-sponsoring...Race to Nowhere will be shown Monday, October 4 at 7 pm at Poughkeepsie Day School (in the Gilkeson building). 

 

Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture has ignited nationwide conversation among parents, students, educators and policy makers as a close-up look at the pressures faced by school children, families and teachers in the 21st century. Among the questions it raises:

 

• How can we best prepare our youth to become healthy, bright and contributing citizens?
• How do we define achievement?
• How can we make choices that support the healthy development of young people?
• How can we end the race to nowhere? 
  

At a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) conference in February 2010 Race to Nowhere  was called "a must-see documentary" by Patrick Bassett, president of NAIS. The George Lucas Education Foundation and Edutopia refer to the film as "another inconvenient truth."

 

The evening will begin with refreshments (6:30-7pm), followed by the screening (7-8:30pm) and a panel discussion featuring educators, parents and students. Please note that the film is rated PG-13 and, accordingly, please use parental discretion.Childcare is available if you let me know in advance (at a reduced cost for our families or possibly for free). Tickets are $10 online through Race to Nowhere or $15 at the door, so order your tickets early by clicking here.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me.  And spread the word to anyone who might be interested!

 

Be well,

Alisa

 

Teacher Work Day

2012-02-21

No school for kids

Presidents' Day

2012-02-17

No School Friday the 17 or Monday the 20 for Presidents' Day

Philosophy of Education - Parent Study Group

2012-02-27

7:30-9:30pm. Learn more here!