Welcome to a newly-revised
Walker E-News. It now reflects the new logo that we unveiled this year and will be used on all school materials and publications. This year we celebrate 50 years as a school and I look forward to the special October assembly for students, along with other events to commemorate this occasion. I hope to see everyone at Homecoming on Nov. 2. Please click
here for my recent article.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Community service projects underway
INTERACT, our community service club, is working through Hands-on-Atlanta to complete various projects. One organization our students are working with is FOCUS (Families of Children Under Stress). INTERACT is also teaming with our chapter of the International Thespian Society and The Yellow Boat cast and crew to participate in AIDS Walk Atlanta in memory of Benjamin Saar, the son of playwright David Saar, who wrote The Yellow Boat. We encourage any other members of the Walker community who want to participate to join us for AIDS Walk Atlanta.
Other clubs offer opportunities for students to get involved. The global awareness club will be serving at Must Ministries on Sat., Sept. 22nd. The environmental club is working to green up the Walker campus, including better recycling bins, plastic bottle recycling and implementing a school-wide recycling program. If you would like to learn more about community service projects, please contact Peter Sullivan for more information.
Mark your calendars: Walker-only shopping at Toys "R" Us
On Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. the WSA will be hosting an exclusive Walker-only shopping night at the Toys "R" Us in Kennesaw. Invite your family members out to an enjoyable evening of holiday shopping without all the holiday crowds. (read more)
AROUND CAMPUS
Charity concert
On Nov. 10 Walker will be hosting a charity concert for the Walker community featuring Extra Credit. The band, made up entirely of Walker Upper School teachers, will play a medley of rock hits and original music, as well as release their debut CD. Proceeds will be donated to the Save the Music Foundation, which supports struggling school music programs across the U.S. The event is from 7-9 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Family Auditorium. Tickets cost $5.
WSA activities
This is a very busy time for the Walker School Association (WSA) as we work to raise funds for the teachers’ wish list of items for our children. WSA activities range from thanking Walker’s faculty and staff members, to fun events for the children to time just for adults. We have a wonderful group of volunteers for the WSA board led by our president, Russ Hedden. Click here for a quick summary of what is happening and the fun ahead this year.
Softball teams raise cancer awareness
The Middle School and Upper School teams joined forces on Sept. 12 in the battle against breast cancer. Both teams invited faculty members Kitty Drew, Pam Keenliside and Patty Mozley to be honorary coaches. (read more)
Multi-Cultural Affairs Newsletter
A new publication is available from our Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs. The newsletter will be updated bimonthly and may be accessed here.
Walker alumni: Join us as we celebrate 50 years of excellence!
On Nov. 2 all Walker alumni are invited to join us for a special Homecoming celebration as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. The alumni tent will open at 7 p.m. for food and fellowship. Look for a special letter in the mail detailing events of the evening, including how to register for VIP parking. Click here for the latest alumni news and events.
PRESCHOOL
From the Library
The Preschool library is full of fun and educational materials and events. Our latest celebration involved a teddy bear picnic to reward the Preschool students for their summer reading efforts. Thanks so much to the parents who donated over $1,800 in books to the library during this year's book endowment and to all those who signed up to be library volunteers. Jennifer Johnson is this year's volunteer coordinator. Thanks to the generous donations, the Preschool computer lab is equipped with new mice and new keyboards. Students are using a new curriculum from SRA/McGraw Hill that can be accessed online for additional use at home. For more information contact Karlyn Zimmerman.
LOWER SCHOOL
Lower School Lowdown
Stay informed of the latest happenings in the Lower School. Click here for the August issue of the Lower School Lowdown.
Community Readers Week
October 1-5 is Community Readers Week, a new Lower School outreach initiative dedicated to supporting positive programs and efforts that help promote the enjoyment and importance of reading among our youth and adult population. Guest readers from throughout the region will bring to the Lower School during this week their favorite book, newspaper, or magazine and have a discussion with the students; do a "show and read"; or conduct a discussion about the importance of reading in their daily life as a professional. This initiative is an expression of our effort as a school to build more partnerships and strengthen our school-community relations with professionals and the organizations throughout the region. Click here to see other upcoming events in the Lower School.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Retreat, a hit!
One of the great traditions at Walker is the annual Middle School Retreat which kicks off each new school year. This year’s retreat, held on Aug. 17 at Laurel Park in Marietta, was a great success. The students and teachers played games, ate pizza, and just had fun. New students were introduced and welcomed into the Middle School community and the color team competitions were on! Thanks to the many parent volunteers, especially Alison Haslam, Beth Miller, Tanya Crouch and Julie Delbrook.
Wax Museum announcement
The 7th annual Wax Museum of Historical Characters will be held on Tues., Oct. 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. The class of 2014 will form a timeline, from Nefertiti to Paula Deen (including Bridgit Bardot, Barack Obama, and Neal Boortz). Maps and guides will be available in the lobby at 7 p.m. on the evening of the event. Please join us!
The Invisible Man
Actors in the Middle School drama club WARTS (for Walker Arts) performed Len Jenkins' one-act drama The Invisible Man on Sept. 17 and 18. The cast included eighth graders Max Vanderlip, Josh Zuckerman, Whitley Starnes, Cameron Prince, Garry Simpson, Alex Hawk, and Robbie Farrington, and seventh graders Madi Parks, Molly Uher, and Jake Lehman. The special effects for this show required an unusually large and dedicated backstage crew, including eighth graders Wren Thomas, Ashley Touchton, Casey Schreiner, and Molly Walker, with seventh graders Erik Nadel, Miranda Martin, Graham Day and Amy Collerton. Mr. Smoot directed the play. Congratulations to everyone on an exceptional performance!
UPPER SCHOOL
The Yellow Boat
The Upper School drama program will present The Yellow Boat on Oct. 11-14, 2007. The Yellow Boat is based on the true story of Benjamin Saar; an eight-year-old boy who was born with hemophilia and contracted HIV/AIDS during a blood transfusion. He succumbed to complications from AIDS. Anchorage Press describes the story as a glorious affirmation of a child's life, and the strength and courage of children. Shows are Thurs., Oct. 11 at 5 p.m., Fri. and Sat., Oct. 12-13 at 7 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door or in advance from drama teacher Katie Arjona.
National Honor Society induction
On Sept. 6 a group of 17 students was inducted into the Jennie Tate Anderson Chapter of the National Honor Society. The ceremony included speeches on the four requirements of an NHS member by teachers Katie Arjona, Scott Phillipps, Winona Robuck and Peter Sullivan. Katherine Harrison, the granddaughter of Jennie Tate Anderson, was also present at the ceremony. Katherine is see here (left) with Jean Bayer (center) and president of Walker's society, Jamie Bachman (right). Click here for a list of inductees.
History and Social Sciences Honor Society induction
On Sept. 11 the Walker History and Social Sciences Honor Society inducted new members. The society was founded in 2004 in order to acknowledge excellence in and passion for the study of history and social sciences, support leadership in scholarly studies, particularly in history and the social sciences, and promote the world of ideas for all students by encouraging the exchange of views on societal topics. (read more)
Challenge 20/20 Program sponsored by NAIS
The Walker School is participating in the Challenge 20/20 Program sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools. The project encourages students to investigate any of 20 major issues which present a challenge to humanity and develop strategies to confront these issues locally and globally. The comparative government class in the Upper School will take the lead for Walker in investigating the issue of global infectious diseases. The program encourages schools to exchange ideas with partner schools around the country and around the globe. Walker's partner schools include: Christ Church High School in Lahore, Pakistan, Girls Preparatory School of Chattanooga, and St. Alban's College of Pretoria, South Africa.
DEVELOPMENT
2007-2008 Annual Fund update
The Walker School has been presented with an exciting challenge. An Atlanta-area foundation has agreed to provide Walker with $350,000 if we can reach our goal of $625,000 this year. We are happy to announce that even though we just began the campaign earlier this month, 100% of our faculty and staff have given generously to this year's effort, and we have raised almost $65,000 toward this year's goal through the generous participation of parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and friends of the school! It is only through gifts to the Annual Fund that Walker is able to provide our students with the exceptional educational resources that can never be covered by tuition alone. Click here for more information on the Annual Fund or to donate online today!
