Volume XXXIX Number 6 March 2009 Giving Back to the Community Come Together and Learn Through the Annual Fund By Sydney Cleland, Paideia Parent and Elementary Teacher About Some Big Donations By Kim O’Roark and Debra Siegel, Auction Co-Chairs My husband Craig and I are folks who value knowing our neighbors, being involved, carrying casseroles, serving on his isn’t the Beatles invasion, but it’s committees and helping people meet each other. When we almost as exciting. Join John, George, looked at independent schools for our children, we looked Ringo and Paul (Bianchi and every- for a like-minded community. We knew Paideia as an excel- one else in spirit) as we celebrate Tthe groovy ‘60s at the auction at the lent academic environment; what made (and makes) it spe- Thalia N. cial was (and is) the strength of its community. Carlos Hellenic Center on April 18 starting at Parent involvement begins with the application process 5:30 p.m. Imagine your paddles rising to support and now continues even past a child’s graduation. Parents financial aid and bid on some of the most amazing donations we have write tuition checks, but more importantly, invest their ever assembled, including: “sweat equity” from taking out trash and teaching affinities • He reminds you of your Glory Days when you were Growin’ Up, run- to driving buses and moving around music stands. Sweating ning around with Rosalita down by The River. He makes you feel like together is a bonding process that builds community. The you were Born to Run on the Backstreets of your very own Jungleland. generosity of parents at this school is phenomenal. Other days, he’ll make you Blinded By the Light, while you walk down As a teacher here, I’ve known that parent generosity: help- Thunder Road in search of the Darkness on the Edge of Town. Perhaps ing hands in the classroom, sweet indulgences (feeding my it’s your Hometown, or maybe just a Brilliant Disguise. In any event, chocolate addiction), and loving tributes. This year, when take your friends to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band’s concert our class parents asked how the class could express ap- at Philips Arena on Saturday, April 25. You’ll enjoy a luxury suite for preciation at the holidays, I suggested a gift to the school’s 16 and four parking passes. Food is not included, but all you’ll need is Annual Fund. your Hungry Heart. This Night is For You. The Annual Fund is vital to Paideia. Among other things, • Tired of day after day inside of I-285? Want to get out and explore it helps underwrite the continued education and develop- other locales? We’re not talking about Savannah or Charleston, or ment of the faculty I’m proud to call my colleagues. To Florida. Nope. It’s time to really get away. Imagine sitting by an ex- teach, one must continue to learn. Paideia retains teachers pansive free form pool overlooking the 12 Apostles Mountain Range, (a huge factor in the school’s success and the community’s the beach and the Atlantic Ocean – the other side of the Atlantic health) in part by funding nourishing professional experi- Ocean – in SOUTH AFRICA. You and your family and friends will ences for teachers. I was very proud my class parents chose enjoy spending time inside this luxurious villa that includes a lounge, to give to the Annual Fund; they saw beyond my efforts to kitchen, dining room, television room, library, study with sliding the mission of the school and its lasting contributions to all doors that lead to a patio and the pool. This villa has five bedrooms the students. each with its own bathroom. For a change of scenery, your group can Our daughter, Lucy, will graduate from Paideia in May. stroll to the restaurants and bars in Camp Bay located in Cape Town, She has been challenged and nurtured by more than a score South Africa. You and your group can stay for seven days and dis- of rich intellectuals who love their work. She’s grown up in cover South Africa while relaxing in one of the most luxurious villas. a community of supportive friends and families. Our son, • Picture this. Your son or daughter is 40. Their kids (your sweet grand- Henry, has another four years to learn with Paideia’s finest. children) ask, “Why do you adore grandma and grandpa so much?” Our family has given; we’ve sweated, we’ve written checks. They start to recount their best experiences in life. They get to number But we’ve gotten more than we’ve given. 1. “Your grandparents gave me the opportunity to pick up the tee after Many organizations ask us for a contribution, but, frankly, the kickoff of an amazing Atlanta Falcons game in 2009!” they say not one touches our family to the extent that Paideia does. with a huge smile and tears in their eyes. You can make this happen. We’re especially aware of that this year. We’re making a gift Four tickets to a 2009 home Falcons game, sideline passes and, of with gratitude for what this community has given us and course, your eternally grateful son or daughter gets to collect the kick- with hope for what it will give others, now and in the future. ing tee after kickoff. COMMUNITY The Winter of Paideia’s Discontent (With Apologies to John Steinbeck) In January, Magnus Edlund’s high climb up the handicapped stairwell be- family are safe and snug at home! Not only school short term class made snow. The cause of the coating of ice. Also Martha have you increased the misery of us, you students carefully monitored the weather and Elisa’s and David and Becca’s class destroyed our hope of ever getting a snow reports seeking the right conditions to cannot get up the fire escape without dan- day this year. We sincerely hope you recon- produce the frozen white precipitation. ger of injury. All the other schools are out sider your decision. Had they waited until March 1, they would with their students peacefully at home, Sincerely, have had plenty of snow, and they would sipping hot chocolate. As the snow melts Lina and Elisa’s class have been at school all day to enjoy it. On away, so do our hearts. We are not asking March 2, Paul Hayward after careful delib- you as a student, but as snow deprived A man of sensibility, Paul H. responded. eration, decided weather conditions did not children, we beg you to have mercy on our rise to the level of canceling school, a de- childhood souls. To the disappointed students of Lina & cision to which students in Lina Wessels Sincerely, Elisa’s class: and Elisa Herra’s 6th grade class took The snow deprived I like snow. I like hot chocolate. When I great umbrage. Their wise and wonderful Children of Lina and Elisa saw the snow falling yesterday, I thought teachers decided to channel students’ emo- that maybe we could enjoy both. If the tional outpourings into a lesson on letter Dear Paul Hayward, snow had fallen longer or piled up higher, writing, two of which were hand delivered We are very disappointed by the deci- we probably would have been at home to Paul. sion you have made. We are wondering today. But it ended early and was not Meanwhile, the Atlanta Journal-Consti- what is up. How can you make poor chil- very deep. While you may not agree with tution printed an essay by Paideia’s head- dren go to school on one of the only days my decision, I would like to explain it to master, Paul Bianchi, on the difficulties of the year when there is snow and do it you. I went out last night and checked the of making the right decision about calling while everyone other school in the state roads around school. They were wet but school off on a snowy day. Paul B. re- of Georgia is out on a snow day? We as a cars were traveling without trouble. Very ceived several notes of understanding from school are not exaggerating! Look at the early this morning I went out and checked fellow school officials including Michael news! There is ice on the road and by mak- again. The same roads were mostly dry. Heilman, the principal of Century High ing us come to school you have put us in Cars were still traveling easily. I decided School in Bismarck, N.D., who wrote: “It danger. There is a great percentage of peo- that if cars could safely come to school, we has to be blizzard conditions with near ple who died in car crashes and by driving should be open as we usually are on Mon- zero visibility before we call off school.” on the road after a snow storm you have days. I hope you had some time during increased that risk. Also, Atlanta as surely school to play in the snow. I hope you had Dear Our Beloved Mr. Hayward, you know, only gets one or two snow sto- some fun being at school today. We are thoroughly disappointed in the ries a year. I am sure that you remember Sincerely yours, decision you have proclaimed. Our poor, the times of joy when you yourself were Paul Hayward precious, sixty-two year old teacher has a child. How would you feel if you had to Editor’s note: Paul Hayward is happy to report devastatingly fallen twice attempting to be stuck in school when your friends and that the students in Lina and Elisa’s class did get to play in the snow and have hot chocolate.