HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Dear Lower School Community,

Thanksgiving provides a much-needed opportunity for us to share our gratitude for all that makes our lives happy and full. Such a consideration is essential this year, perhaps more than any other in recent memory. Hopefully, we will pause and step away from the chaos and uncertainty of these days to enjoy the gift of one another - even if only from a distance, over a Zoom, or simply in our hearts and minds.

As Dean of the Lower School, I am most thankful for this community and its strength, closeness, and dedication. I am thankful for parents and families who give of their time and talent for the enhancement of our school and students. I am thankful for our teachers and staff who go above and beyond to foster our students' growth intellectually, socially, and emotionally. I am thankful for our students who share their stories, their learning, and their lives with us - it is a privilege that we do not take for granted. Finally, I am thankful to count each of you among those who make the journey worthwhile! You and your family are in my thoughts this week and always.

Thank you for being such a vital part of this community - Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace,
Kathy

SEM GOES SHOPPING CONTINUES

Sem Goes Shopping is a wonderful annual holiday tradition at the Lower School. Even though this challenging year has brought some new and unprecedented situations, we would still like to offer a way for the children to get into the holiday spirit and shop for their loved ones. This year the holiday shop will be entirely virtual with all items purchased on-line and delivered to your home. Please consider purchasing some quality gifts from the site listed below. To access the shop, please open Holiday Shop Fun and enter the password Wyoming20. The Holiday Gift Shop will be open from Monday November 23 until Sunday December 6. Please see the Parent Letter and Frequently Asked Questions page to answer any questions.

Happy Shopping!

The Lower School Parents Association

CHILDREN & YOUTH HOLIDAY GIFT COLLECTION

Thank you for your overwhelming generosity to date with our Holiday Gift Collection. This year has been especially difficult for so many area families. They will appreciate the fact that their children, ages 6 months through 17 will receive a holiday gift in 2020.

Our gift collection continues on Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1 from
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the main office. (570-718-6600)

We wish you a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving.

NOTE FROM THE BSN ONLINE STORE

Dear SEM parents,
Please see the note below from the BSN rep regarding the SEM online gear store:

We know there were many items backordered from the online shop. We are finalizing quite a few and will be shipping them next week directly to the customers.

Our decorators are currently working through covid restrictions and there are delays at all levels (manufacturing, production, distribution and decoration).

We are also working through shipping challenges once the orders actually ship. We've had orders that normally take 1 day, that are now taking 3-5 days.

We understand they are taking longer than normal and we apologize that they are, but we are doing everything we can to get the orders out the door as quickly as we can. We don't want the orders on the shelves either….we want them out the door. Doing our best under the circumstances. It's been a crazy few months (or longer) and I'm very ready for normal to come back!!

Please contact me directly if you have any questions.

Paul Burg
SEM PE
pburg@wyomingseminary.org

LOWER SCHOOL VIRTUAL INFORMATION

As was announced on Friday, November 13, we will enter a period of virtual learning on Monday, November 30. We are scheduled to return to in-person instruction on Monday, January 18. Please note the following:

Current Virtual Students
Students who chose virtual as their learning platform at the beginning of the year will not see any change to their experience.

Toddler and Preschool
While Toddler and Preschool will not have formal programming, Ms. McCann and
Mrs. Kilyanek are planning ways to keep the students engaged and connected.

Pre-Kindergarten - 4th Grade
Teachers will be sending home schedules by the end of this week. Also, they will be sending supplies and materials home with the students for use during the virtual learning period. Information on how to access the learning platforms will be provided as well. Primary students will still have their specials classes at their normal time each week.

Middle School
We will be maintaining our current middle school schedule. Students should already be familiar with accessing their various Google classrooms. We will be distributing winter schedules to middle school students this week so that they are aware of their new term courses.

Virtual Learning Handbook Link

Thanks so much for your partnership and cooperation - please be in touch with any questions.