From the Headmaster

As we approach Thanksgiving, I feel especially grateful for each and every member of our Walker community. We recently held Veterans Day events here at Walker and our campus was alive with men and women who have served, or who are currently serving, in our armed forces. Their sacrifices mean a great deal to all of us here at Walker. To learn more about the week, please read the recent article on the events here.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Alumni: Please send us your news

Calling our alumni authors, musicians and filmmakers: Have you written a book? Published a CD? If you've produced works of literature, music or film, we want to be sure we have a copy of your work in The Walker School's collection. Please email Billie Walker, Alumni Ambassador, and let us know about your publication.

Walker seniors exhibit artwork at Atlanta gallery

Walker seniors Rose Lane Berry, Margaret Rose Knox, and Audrey Worley all have works featured in their first gallery show at the Youth Art Connection Gallery located on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta. The show, The Emerging Salon: a Pin-Up Show for Young Artists, features works by 11^th and 12^th grade students from across the metro area and runs through December. For more information on the gallery and the show, visit https://www.walkeralumni.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youthartconnection.org%2fexhibits.php&srcid=2190&srctid=1&erid=56317.

AROUND CAMPUS

Order your Christmas tree today!

The Walker School Booster Club is taking orders for fresh, beautiful Frasier Fir trees along with wreaths, garland, and mailbox swags. New this year, the Upper School cheerleaders are making holiday bows in red or maroon. Pick up day is Saturday, Dec. 6 between 8 a.m. and noon in the Middle School carpool circle. To ensure the freshest trees, we pre-order from the farm, and trees are cut no more than two days before delivery.

Please complete the order form and return it with your check payable to The Walker School. All order forms should be received by Dec. 2, 2008. You may also drop off the form and check with any Walker administrative assistant. Profits from the sale support the athletic programs at The Walker School. If you have any questions or would like to help with the sale, please contact Howard Walker or Nancy Fischer.

The entire Walker community gathers to honor veterans

No two days are ever alike at The Walker School and that was never more apparent than the week of Veterans Day. Each division of the school gathered together in a week-long series of events to honor the current and former members of the armed forces. The Upper School and the Lower School held assemblies where service men and women were honored including alumni and faculty veterans. Everyone in the Walker community came together to assemble 871 convoy kits during the WOW activity on Nov. 13. Seen above are the faculty, alumni and friends of Walker who have served or are currently serving in our armed forces. The Alumni Association hosted a brunch for these individuals as a part of the week-long celebration.

Blood Drive

Walker will once again be teaming up with the American Red Cross for the annual Walker School Blood Drive on Dec. 8 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Family Auditorium. You may sign up for a time slot by contacting Peter Sullivan at 770-427-2689 ext. 2542.

WSA

The WSA had a successful magazine sale this year. In addition, the Fall Festival was fun for our families. Many more events, including the Auction, are on the horizon. Click here to read about all of the exciting past and future events planned by the WSA.

PRESCHOOL

A focus on fire safety

October was fire safety month and the Preschool students learned from Marietta City firemen from fire station No. 56 on Allgood Road the importance of preparing for a fire. The students got a tour of the fire truck and learned about establishing a safe meeting place for their family in case of a fire. We appreciate the firemen for speaking with our students and keeping our families safe.

Preschoolers cast ballots

On Nov. 4, Election Day, our Preschoolers had the opportunity to cast their own ballots! Their candidates were Clifford the Big Red Dog and The Cat in the Hat. This was a fun way to get our youngest students informed about the importance of voting. While Clifford was the winner, both candidates received many votes. Marissa Ayers, a kindergarten student in Mrs. Thomas' class, is seen voting to the left.

LOWER SCHOOL

Fifth-graders continue to support Escuela Santa Mattilde

The class of 2008 has quite a legacy. When they were in fifth grade the members of this class raised over $13,000 and built a school, Escuela Santa Mattilde, in Nicaragua. Last year in the spirit of that legacy, Karen Pittinger, a fifth grade parent at the time, organized a book drive (with Barnes and Noble) and our fifth-graders along with donations from other grades sent six large boxes of much needed books written in Spanish to the school. The children have enjoyed reading these books as seen in the photo to the right.

Barnes and Noble Book Fair to support Cobb Christmas

Between Nov. 23 and Nov. 28 come out and support Cobb Christmas by purchasing items at any Barnes and Noble. Be sure to use book fair identification number 416917 when purchasing your items. In addition, on Nov. 24 the Lower School will hold special events from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble located at 50 Barrett Parkway. You may enjoy the Lower School chorus' performance at 5 p.m. and then at 6 p.m. story time with Dr. Edwin Gordon. Also at 6 p.m. Coach Mike Brady will read and his football players will help students shop for the holidays. At 7 p.m. Roberto Llopart will read to the students. Don't miss this opportunity to shop and support Cobb Christmas.

Fourth grade class learns about composting

Walker is focusing on the environment and ways to recycle. You will see more about this in the upcoming fall issue of Walker magazine. Teachers, such as Debbie Stockdale and Kim Moustoukas, are incorporating the topic into the classroom. Their fourth-graders have been very busy learning about composting. Their unit culminated in the Lower School garden where they made miniature compost bins out of empty milk jugs. The students layered green waste (egg shells, fruits and vegetables), brown waste (shredded newspaper, dried leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and dirt) and water in their "bins." An occasional worm was discovered, too. Students will revisit their experiment in April and add their new soil back into the garden. If you'd like to learn more about how Walker's environmental program is expanding, click here.

Congressman Phil Gingrey speaks with Lower School students

On Oct. 22 Congressman Phil Gingrey spoke at a Lower School assembly on the election and the importance of voting. Congressman Gingrey, Dr. Edwin Gordon, Hannah Manning, Hank Manning and Ali Manning are seen to the right. Congressman Gingrey answered questions from students on his work and voting during his visit. (read more)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Adopt-a-soldier program

Before her husband's deployment to Iraq, math teacher Heather Whitehead offered to match troops from Dobbins 628th Civil Engineering Flight with Middle School advisories. The deploying members volunteered to email pictures and provide addresses to correspond with students. The advisories hosted the military members they adopted on Oct. 20. Students had the chance to get to know their deploying troops and to find out about their jobs and missions. The deploying members agreed to let students know once they are on station if there are any items that are needed either on base or in the local community. The advisories presented the troops with Walker wear and a Walker paw magnet that they hope to see in pictures. The troops began deploying on Nov. 1 and will all be in Iraq before the holidays to begin their eight month tours. Walker students are excited to send care packages to their military members and to offer support to their families. Seen above is Kim Ragan's seventh grade advisory with Maj. (sel) Andre Wright. Maj. (sel) Wright will be promoted to major on campus on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Mrs. Ragan's students will throw a promotion celebration in his honor.

Sixth graders use GPS units

During the first quarter of sixth grade, students study the 5 Themes of Geography. Two of those themes include location and humanenvironment interaction. On Oct. 23, the sixth grade traveled to Zoo Atlanta for a field trip that required them to use GPS units to locate animals based on their latitude and longitude coordinates. During the afternoon, they attended a workshop on the forests of Africa and Asia. During this classroom session, students learned about and debated the effects of human development on natural habitats. They also discovered that with wise choices, humans and animals can successfully share the same planet.

The sixth grade teachers would like to thank the 30 parent chaperones who attended the field trip and worked with small groups of students on their GPS activity. We would also like to thank the wishlist committee for approving our 2008-2009 request for a class set of GPS units.

UPPER SCHOOL

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Over the last few months, the Coca-Cola Family Auditorium was transformed by the Fine Arts Department into a spectacular, two-story set for the production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Walker seniors (seen at left) J.P. Cheek (Sweeney Todd) and Kristin Bray (Mrs. Lovett) led an ensemble cast. With ticket sales approaching 1,100 for all five nights combined (Nov. 5-9), the largest single audience attended Saturday's Alumni Night. Fifty-one alumni and their guests contributed to the more than 300 in attendance. All told, more than 80 Walker students, faculty and staff were involved in creating the production. Proceeds from the concession sales were donated to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta and audience members donated shaving kits that went to M.U.S.T. Ministries.

Upper School Parent Council

The Upper School Parent Council invites all parents of Upper School students to join in the monthly meetings and to get involved. The next meeting is Jan. 12 at 8 a.m. in the Leithead Boardroom. (read more)

Walker Barbershop Quartet sings vocal harmony in the tradition of the 1940's

Characterized by the style of a cappella, or unaccompanied vocal music in four-part harmony, one of Walker's newest acts is the Barbershop Quartet. Each of the four parts has its own role: Charlie McCurdy and Michael Crouch sing the melody; the tenor, Evan McLean harmonizes above the melody; the bass, Ryan Shirley sings the lowest harmonizing notes; and the baritone, Jeremy Neuman completes the chord. Yes, you did count correctly; our quartet has five talented members. You may see them perform under the direction of Samantha Walker at the Middle and Upper School choral concerts.

Walker's own Grayson Galloway rows for gold and wins

Grayson Galloway ('10) was a member of the winning Atlanta Junior Rowing Association team at the Head of the Hooch Regatta held Nov. 1 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Twenty-nine teams representing 48 states, two countries, and 5,000 rowers participated. Congratulations Grayson!

DEVELOPMENT

2008-2009 Annual Fund

With $100,000 raised so far, our Walker community is strong in supporting our Annual Fund. Anyone may donate anytime online. Alumni may donate online here. Annual Fund gifts help provide the educational resources and opportunities that make a Walker education so special. A gift at any level is greatly appreciated ... it's the fact that you give that makes the difference. We appreciate your continued support!