Tues 12/6 Fri 12/9

Mon 12/12

Tues 12/13

Wed 12/14

Thurs 12/15

Fri 12/16

POPA COFFEE/WORKDAY 8:45 a.m.

Propsective Parent Class Doorway to Lifelong Learning 9:00 a.m. Post Oak News distributed

Propsective Parent Class At Home with Montessori 7:00 p.m. Propsective Parent Class Montessori 101 7:00 p.m. Sportsmanship Strategies with Mark Tucker—brown bag lunch 11:45 a.m. ASEP I ends Early dismissal for all students 11:30 a.m. Infant Community dismissal 11:45 a.m. Primary dismissal 11:50 a.m. Lower EL dismissal Noon Upper EL and MS dismissal Post Oak News distributed Winter Break begins(!) - classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2006.

The Post Oak School · 4600 Bissonnet · Bellaire, TX 77401 Tel: 713-661-6688 Fax: 713-661-4959 www.postoakschool.org Accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI); founded 1963

I M P O R T A N T DATES

D E C E M B E R 5 — 9

Post Oak School News DECEMBER 2, 2005

2005 2006

D E C E M B E R 1 2 — 1 6

T H I S A N D T H A T

Under bright sunshine and a brisk wind, Post Oak students came out in full force to participate in the ceremo-nial groundbreaking of the Playground Renovation Project. Head of School, John Long, welcomed the students and guests to the official event and then turned over emcee duties to Admis-sion Director, Kay Burkhalter who started the ceremony with everyone singing “Family Tree”. Kay then thanked Board member and POS par-ent Bucky Allshouse for his key role in the on-going fundraising for this pro-

ject. She also thanked all of the gener-ous donors who have come forth to make this project a reality. Kay in-vited a student of each classroom along with John and Bucky to wear their offi-cial POS hardhats, grab a shovel and help officially kick-off this important event. Construction forecasts estimate up to 60 days for completion. What a great way to start the new year! We’ll keep you updated on the progress.

xxxxxxx Shuy visits the POS Infant Community The Post Oak Infant Commu-nities had a very special guest last week. Shuy is one of two turtles owned by stu-dent, Asher Weathers. The children had an opportunity to get to know their little visitor and watch him move around the playground.

DIGGING IN! THE PLAYGROUND RENOVATION

OFFICIALLY BEGINS!

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 2

About POST OAK NEWS

• The Post Oak News is published weekly while school is in session.

• It is distributed each Friday to the oldest child in your family.

• It is also available at the school’s web site: www.postoakschool.org

• The deadline for material to be considered for inclusion each week is 5 pm on the Tuesday preceding the day of publication.

• Please direct all material in electronic form to Christina Kopanidis-Cantu, Director of Development: christinacantu@postoakschool.org

• Please call Christina if you have any questions: 713-661-6688 ext. 124.

Name: Gary Ellison Board Member term: Third year POS Board Committee(s): Facilities Committee Finance Committee Children/grade at POS: None Type of work you do: I am a Senior Vice President of Planning and Develop-ment at the Texas Medical Center (TMC). Reporting to me are the Facili-ties Operations and Maintenance organi-zations as well as the Project Controls group. I’m am working up to my 5th

year at TMC and prior to that I was with Compaq Computer Corporation for a little over twelve years in their Corporate Real Estate groups and well as their Environmental, Health, Safety and Security group. My undergrad is in engineering and my graduate degree is organizational management. I am also a Certified Safety Professional. I enjoy serving on the Board because it allows me to volunteer my Facilities Management experience in a manner that gives back to a worthy organiza-tion. I also learn from other board members, in a collaborative manner, strategic analytical skills and/or tools that I can utilize in my professional career. Other activities/organizations: My wife and I really enjoy traveling and are currently planning a trip to

From the Board of Trustees In this weekly section, we present information from the POS Board of Trustees. This includes feature articles and an introduction to all the POS Board members. This week we are pleased to present Gary Ellison.

Tuscany in early May. We are also active in our church choir and related community activities. Any additional information: I am very impressed with the strong sense of ownership and pride that is evident at POS. This sense of pride appears to be across all major stake-holders including the parents, the teachers, the students, and the board. Strategically there are constant im-provement processes in place or being implemented that address finances, teacher retention, performance meas-ures and a number of other key metrics. As a grandfather of seven, POS has also educated me on the benefits and vision of Montessori schools. I want to en-sure all of my grandchildren attend Montessori schools.

Congratulations to our Bearkats and Coach Mark Tucker for another great season! (left to right: Michael Harvey, Amy Aquino, Ian Fedke, Jim Sallans, Coach Tucker, Aaron Wernick, Jeffrey Davis, Sam Moser. Front row: Tina Hetherington, and Kaylin Martinez)

“We do not want complacent pupils but eager ones; we seek to sow life in the child rather than theories, to help him in his growth, mental and emotional as well as physical, and for that we must offer grand and lofty ideas to the human mind, which we find ever ready to receive them, demanding more and more.” - Maria Montessori

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 3

SPOTLIGHT on POST OAK GRADS By Kay Burkhalter, Admission Director

SPOTLIGHT on POST OAK GRADS

Bill Sallans Bill Sallans graduated from Post Oak in 2000. He went on to attend Episcopal High School and after graduating, en-rolled at The Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Cali-fornia. The Brooks Institute has fol-

lowed the philosophy of "learn by do-ing". Students gain the artistic, techni-cal, and business expertise needed to succeed in visual communications. Brooks is a world leader in profes-sional photographic and motion pic-ture education with an outstanding faculty. Programs are designed for anyone who aspires to a career in pho-t o g r a p h y o r f i l m m a k i n g . Bill recently visited Post Oak and joined us in our Running Club, better known as the Speedy Turtles. Bill ran track for E.H.S. for four years and felt right at home. Coach Tucker has this to say about Bill “I had a chance to visit with him and he told me he has adjusted to life in California. He did say that he misses good Mexican food!” He enjoys photography, and the fol-lowing pictures are from one of his digital imaging classes. Bill is now en-rolled in Photo 2003 Advanced Pho-tography and we hope to see more of his work.

The following Post Oak Alums have a passion for the arts!

Other images by Bill Sallans, The Brooks Institute of Photography, 2005.

The Dec. 05 issue of The Bellaire Buzz, ran this article about Nick Hetherington, POS Grad, 2002 Senior Nick Hetherington, 18, has found his niche at Episcopal High School with Masque, an advanced acting troupe. Participating in EHS’s recent rendition of Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors uncovered Nick’s buried tal-ent. “It was more different from anything I’ve ever done,” Hetherington said. “The chal-lenge was mastering the Shakespeare lan-guage.” Hetherington shifted gears from sports in his freshman year after joining that year’s production of Dracula. “I just fell in love with it. The adrenaline when you’re up onstage is amazing,” he said. The holiday show will feature soliloquies from select Shakespearean works. In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Nick is confident in his ancient dia-lect. “We focus on how well we understand what we’re saying, the use of iambic pen-tameter, and our performance. When you’re speaking the language and getting into the rhythm, you begin to comprehend what you’re saying. You get emotional and that’s the real challenge. It’s what you’re trying to do as an actor,” he said. Nick lives in Bellaire with his parents, David and CC, and two sisters, Cristina and Isabella.

Caroline Sharp Caroline Sharp gradu-ated from Post Oak in 1997. Many of you have read her alumni news before. Caroline left POS to attend Bellaire High School and most recently graduated from NYU. Her pas-sion is acting. If you visit our alumni section of the website you will be able to read her jour-ney in detail. I am writing to give you her latest news. Caroline moved to California in August to pursue a career in acting. She has landed several roles as an extra in popular TV weekly dramas. She can be seen weekly as an extra on ER. Look for the only redhead nurse. Other work has led to occasional episodes on Las Vegas, NCIS and The OC. Many of us here at Post Oak remember her in lead roles in our own student productions and are thrilled that she is living her dream.

Photo by Jessica Pages

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 4

The 05-06 Post Oak School Annual Fund A Crystal Clear Commitment to Post Oak

2005-2006 Annual Fund Drive Participation Totals

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Class Captains listed in bar area.

Annual Giving Month ends this week, but the drive continues until the end of the school year, May 2006. We have made outstanding progress! Overall parent participation is at 60%. We have reached 89% of our $150,000 goal! YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Please help us reach 100% participation.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their gift or pledge.

33% 66% 100%

Have you seen your classroom’s crystals?

As of 12/1/05

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 5

A Grand Day for Grandparents

Each year Post Oak School invites grand-parents, and other family and friends to learn more about AMI Montessori edu-cation and to observe their little loved ones at work in the classroom environ-ment. Monday and Tuesday, November 21st and 22nd marked our annual Grand-parents’ Day(s) event. We had over 150 visitors to the school, and lots of smiles as guests were escorted to the various classrooms. The faculty and staff of Post Oak School encourage family members to join us on

these days to gain a greater under-standing of Montessori education, es-pecially for those individuals who are only familiar with traditional school-ing. We thank all visitors for being a part of this special event. If you would like to learn more about Post Oak School or Montessori educa-tion, we invite you to call the school for more information (713-661-6688).

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 6

A Celebration of Thanks!

There were many Thanksgiving cele-brations that took place throughout the school complete with family, delicious food, costumes, center-pieces and an air of joyful thanks.

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 7

POST OAK NEWS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005 PAGE 8

NOTICE BOARD

Don’t forget to save those Camp-bell Soup can labels. Please de-posit them in the Campbell Soup container in the workroom.

It’s time again for another

POPA COFFEE/WORKDAY Join the fun at the December POPA Workday. Meet other POS parents and help the school with a variety of interesting tasks. Tuesday, December 6 at 8:45 a.m.

Dear interested parents: Please join Shawn Edwards, Judy Simon, and Jennifer Norton at 8:45a.m. in the Upper School After-care Room on Friday, December 9, 2005 to learn about this year's op-era: The Burning Rice Fields and the jobs that are available for volun-teers. We will need many volunteers to make the show a success - we need artistic help, help with costume de-signs, help with ticket sales, set de-signs, singing, piano playing, etc. You don't have to be an elementary parent to volunteer...all parents are welcome to assist in this effort. See you on Friday!

IMPORTANT REMINDER! Parents please remember to let the school know in writing if someone, other than you, will be picking up your child. Thank you for your cooperation on this im-portant matter.

A Word of Thanks: Marileah Niddrie and Amy Johnson would like to thank all their new friends from Post Oak School for the wonderful generosity and warmth you have shown to us. Post Oak School is an amazing community and we have been very fortunate to have spent the last several months with you. Thank you all for everything that you have done. A special thanks to Kay Burkhalter, Jeff Schneider, Barbara Hacker, Asenet Garcia, Millie Chavez, Norma Paulin and Diana Onofre for the terrific help you have given in keeping our family healthy, happy and together. We will miss you, Marileah and Amy (and dad, Tom, in absentia.)

Parent Night 2005 at Post Oak School...