A View from Under the Beech Tree
	May 17, 2012 Dear IDS Parents, I wish you could have seen our All School Meeting yesterday morning!  It was "Crazy Hat Day," our final spirit day for the year and crazy hats were the theme. Bo Dwyer led our meeting and he shared his reflections about the value of trying something new - he tried a new sport - soccer - at IDS and he encouraged all our children to consider what they might try that is new for them. In addition to the excitement of "Crazy Hat Day," we welcomed WFSB's "Cool Schools" cameraman and reporter to IDS yesterday.  They joined in discussions and activities surrounding service learning, design thinking, Lego Build to Express and Kindergarten Garden science project.  We can look forward to seeing IDS profiled in four brief video clips next Friday morning on WFSB, Channel 3.  They will post the videos on their website as well, so we will be able to access them easily. Between the message of trying new things and the excitement of sharing the magic at IDS with a wider audience, teachers and students are charged up at school. Thanks to students, teachers, parents, administrative and support teams who all worked together to make last Friday such a splendid Grand Friends Day. It was a wonderful morning of classroom time, delicious homemade treats, great performances, and wonderful conversations! Last night was the annual trustee meeting in the Galluzzo Theatre.  This always offers a great opportunity to learn more about what the trustees have been working on this year.  We also had the chance to publicly thank our auction team for the terrific "Twist & Shout" auction. You can still RSVP for our 50th Anniversary Gala at school this Saturday, May 19th.  It looks like we will have more than 125 members of the IDS Family with us, so join the party! The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. and offers us a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and connect with members of our school's community over time, including many of our founding families.  I hope to see you there.  Click here to register. As always, please feel free to be in touch by phone or email – whatever works best for you. Warmly,  John Barrengos, Ed. D. Head of School   Articles to Catalyze Conversation The Bully Project Stop Panicking about Bullies Can Being Bored Make You More Successful? Why French Parents Are Superior Why A Teen Who Talks Back May Have A Bright Future Is Failure the Secret to Success? Group Intelligence Underscores the Power of Collaboration