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Message From the Executive Director
May 1, 2019
Dear Exploris Community,
Spring is in the air with the beautiful sunshine and outdoor opportunities. What a perfect opportunity to learn outdoors too. Our students and staff are engaged deeply in their lessons and final expeditions of the year. Connections to Nature is such an important core value at Exploris and our teachers engage students in deep dive lessons and experiences to make those connections. The 5th grade team embarked on their overnight learning at Camp Hanes and engaged in hands-on science and team building. Our 5th grade team also learned about weather first hand from Wes Hohenstein, CBS 17 Chief Meteorologist, and were featured on the evening news.
The second graders have been actively making connections to nature while learning at The Walnut Creek Wetlands Center and are featured in an article in the Walter Magazine published today. Two of our students, Onyinye and Leena are also pictured on the magazine cover. Our 8th grade students returned from their Outward Bound adventures this week with incredible experiences and growth to share. The outdoor adventures and field experience continue this week when our 7th grade team, students, and parent volunteers packed up yesterday and took the train to DC to engage in learning explorations, visit the EPA, and other government organizations.
Strategic Plan
Thank you to all parents, staff, students, and Board members for participating in the strategic planning process this year. Your input through surveys, focus group, and a steering committee comprised of representatives from all stakeholder groups developed our new strategic plan. The 2019 -2024 strategic plan defines our vision, mission, and goals that will drive us into the future so that we continue to grow and thrive. The plan was approved by the Board at the meeting on 4/30 and is linked in the newsletter below for your reference.
Strategic Plan
Building Update
The developers are continuing to make progress on securing funding for the new building. The architects and designers have also continued the design work with our faculty building transition committee to define the learning spaces and furniture and fixtures needed for the future Our new strategic plan defines our anticipated timeline to begin construction this summer and move into our new building in the fall of 2021. The developers continue to assure us that construction is an 18-24 month timeline from when we break ground. The groundbreaking and construction cannot take place until all funding is secured. I look forward to sharing the groundbreaking date with everyone once all funding is in place and the date identified.
PTO
Thank you to the PTO and all parents for their continued support of Exploris. The PTO online auction kicked off and will conclude this Saturday. Gifts will be awarded at the spring family picnic planned for May 4th at Roberts Park at 12 pm. The PTO has also coordinated many events to help celebrate our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week which is scheduled from May 6-10, 2019. Thank you to the many families that supported our teachers at the education rally in Raleigh held today. Exploris had a great turnout.
Congratulations to our 2nd grader, Peyton Bingham for being selected as the K-2 award winner in the Ross L Andrews Nature Poetry Contest for his poem Frog Harmony featured below. Frog Harmony will put you in the spring spirit and put a smile on your face too.
Frog Harmony by Peyton Bingham
Splish Splash Mucky Goo
Green Tree Frogs hop down to you.
In the weeds and the reeds of a green lagoon
Southern Leopard Frogs and Spring Peepers too.
Kerplunk Plop Ribbit Croak
Crickets, Bugs and Lily pads float.
Pebbles and rocks at the woodland creek
Salamanders and crayfish creep.
Orange and spotted, yellow and blue
grey, white and black too.
A Mountain Chorus Frog sings to you.
Northern Cricket Frogs and Eastern Spadefoot Toads
Mud Pond Rock Stream
Tadpoles swim and water gleams.
Exploris Excels at Model UN
Exploris students participate in the Model UN delegation held at UNC recently. This year’s delegation had a lot of brave students and it was their first experience with Model UN; Cameron and Sydney were part of the Food & Agricultural Committee, Calvin was part of the World Health Organization, Mason and Asher were member of the Economic & Social Council, Yasmeen was a member of the High Commission of Refugees, Cal was part of the Human Right Council, and Addie was part of the Commission on the Status of Women. Our seasoned delegates included Josh on the Human Rights Council, Redick on the High Commission of Refugees, and Zakiah for the Commission on the Status of Women.
Sydney, Redick and Cal won awards for Best Position Paper, and four Exploris Alumni- Willow, Campbell, Vivian, and Kerrie chaired committees. It was a wonderful day for Exploris!
International Exchange Information Night- May 7th – 6pm
Students and families interested in learning more about our international exchange to Japan should attend the upcoming information session at the middle school for details about this educational and transformative international cultural exchange. Thank you to all the families that hosted German students recently. The German exchange program runs every two years and will not be offered during the 2019-2020 school year.
Enjoy reading all the interesting grade level highlights in the newsletter to find out more about the exciting learning taking place at Exploris. Remember to update your calendars with the upcoming important dates. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or one of the administrative support team members if you have any questions or need assistance.
All the best,
Ellie
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