Week of April 4, 2011

The Williams School works with each child to build and enduring
foundation for academic, moral and social success. A Williams School
student embodies integrity, confidence and a love of learning.

Honor before Honors

Dear Williams School Families,

I had the opportunity to go to the James Taylor concert earlier this week. It was, as you can imagine,
a wonderful event. He played with his son and they shared their own songs equally and did beautiful
duets. Both genuinely seemed to be enjoying the moment and each other's company. Certainly the
genetic pool worked it's magic with Ben Simon-Taylor. Ben is truly his mother's and father's son in
terms of his talent and self-written songs (some deeply meaningful and some just fun.)

I was struck by something Ben said during the concert as he was introducing one of his compositions.
"I have twin brothers who are starting to care about their looks, how they act, and how others think of
them." His twin brothers are in sixth grade--middle schoolers. Ben then said that he gave them one
piece of advice to try and deal with all the mixed emotions of the age period, "Cool is just an accident.
Make sure you love yourself and who you are before anything; even before you consider stumbling
into being cool."

Whether he knew it or not, those were profound words that I hope we share with our children and
students every day. I am not talking about promoting a shallow false sense of ego. That neither
really works nor really lasts for long. I think I've mentioned Carol Dweck's book Mindset in another
article for the Broadcast, but it is worth repeating. One of her main tenets is that we praise our
charges for hard work and selfless determination rather than for the outcome. Our hope that our kids
are both accepted for who they are and have an internal sense of "cool" that is dependent on realistic
expectations of who they are right now and who we wish them to be in the future; all with special
adults providing loving and thoughtful boundaries along the way.

My professional and parental take on how to effectively get to adulthood in one piece has no magic
formula. As a science teacher for thirteen years, I understand that there are always too many
variables. I pretty consistently come up short sometimes as a professional and sometimes as a
parent. Again, it's pretty much about being human, dusting yourself off and continuing to try and do
the right thing both for yourself and others.

The one life constant that I go back to is from our pets--in the Mahoney household--our dogs.
Although I love our cats, they tend to have a different attitude about love, but Denver and Willie
consistently demonstrate unconditional love for us no matter who we are or trying to be. We can
continue to learn much from that.

I hope you and your children are being "cool" and it's just an accidental offshoot of loving who you are
and appreciating others for who they are.

My Best Always (no foolin'),

Jay
 THIS WEEK

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Monday, April 4
TWS Soccer vs. Baylake Pines @ Bluebird Park 4:00pm
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Tuesday, April 5
Tennis Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Fergus Reed Reminder Financial Aid Applications are
TWS Lacrosse @ Norfolk Academy 4:00pm due
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm https://www.ismfast.com/V3/FastPage.p
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Wednesday, April 6 hp?id=31d92ec799f8f91fd94e9134c11ce
Weekly School Assembly 2:25pm MPR 7dd
Lacrosse Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Bluebird Field
Girls Soccer Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Bluebird Field
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Thursday, April 7
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm
School Musical Chrysler Museum Kaufman Theatre 6:30pm
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Friday, April 8
Chinese Language & Culture Club 3:15pm-3:45pm
Forensics Club 3:15pm-3:55pm

PLAN AHEAD
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Monday, April 11
Class Picture Day
TWS Tennis vs. Cape Henry @ Fergus Reed 4:00pm
Lacrosse Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Bluebird Field
TWS Soccer @ Norfolk Academy 4:30pm
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Tuesday, April 12
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4 Grade to Jamestown 9:00am-3:00pm
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6 Grade Roman Feast 12:35pm-1:05pm
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm
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Wednesday, April 13
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6 Grade to Camp Triple C
Weekly School Assembly 2:25pm MPR
TWS Lacrosse vs. Cape Henry @ Bluebird Field 4:00pm
Girls Soccer Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm
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Thursday, April 14
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6 Grade to Camp Triple C
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm
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Friday, April 15
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6 Grade to Camp Triple C
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7 /8 Grade to Holocaust Museum Richmond 7:30am-3:00pm
TWS Tennis vs. Norfolk Academy 4:00pm
Chinese Language & Culture Club 3:15pm-3:45pm
Forensics Club 3:15pm-3:55pm
Kids Night Out – MPR 6:00pm-10:00pm
Dress Down Day!

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Grades K-4 $1.00
Grades 5-8 $2.00
Thank you for supporting the 8th grade class!
 COMING EVENTS
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Monday, April 18
Dress Down Day
Lacrosse Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Bluebird Field
TWS Soccer @ Norfolk Christian 4:00pm
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Tuesday, April 19
PAC Meeting 3:30pm Humanities
Tennis Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Fergus Reed
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm
TWS Soccer vs. Cape Henry 4:00pm Bluebird Field
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Wednesday, April 20
Weekly School Assembly 8:20am - 9:00am
Lacrosse Practice 3:30pm-5:00pm Bluebird Field
TWS Soccer vs. Norfolk Collegiate 4:00pm Bluebird Field
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Thursday, April 21
School –Wide Dress Up Day
Historic Garden Week Norfolk Tour Day
GOTR 3:15pm-4:30pm
TWS Lacrosse @ Norfolk Academy 4:00pm
TWS Tennis @ Cape Henry 4:00pm
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Friday, April 22
Good Friday – No School
Camp Williams Available

Congratulations to Joseph Jackson Williams School alum (2010). JoJo is a

freshman at Maury High School and he will be inducted into the Spanish National
Honor Society on March 31st.

Congratulations to Sean Manos Williams School alum (2008). Sean is a junior at

Norfolk Collegiate and he will be inducted into the National Honor Society.

Into the Woods Costume Announcement

Students should dress as their favorite fairy tale character, unless they
have a specific character to play. The costumes should not be anything
elaborate and should be a fun project for parents and
students.
There’s Still Time to Sign Up!
Benjack’s Fall Farm Party – October 22, 2011
Come join the Benjacks at their farm in Franklin
for a Pig Pick’n on Saturday, October 22, 2011.
Enjoy food from Q-Daddy’s and music from our
own Promethean band from 12:00 – 4:00! Feel
free to bring a tent and spend the night. Kids will
have a ball running around with opportunities to
pet sheep and chickens. See cows grazing and
even go fishing if you bring a pole. There are
trails in the woods to walk through and even a zip
line. Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch where we hope to provide a pumpkin for every family. If the
weather doesn’t cooperate, we will have it the following weekend on October 29 th. BYOB. The cost is $150
per family and you can sign up by contacting Jennifer Cahoon at jcahoon@thewilliamsschool.org or Chris
Cooper at ccooper@thewilliamsschool.org. We’d love to have you join us!
Camp Williams

$40.00 per day, Please make all checks payable to Joyce Soria
We will have early drop off from 7:30-8:30am for $5.00, extra. Reservations
required!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Led By Joyce Soria and Ann Daly
8:30am-5:30pm*
No School – Good Friday
Leaving school at 9:15am and returning to school by 1:00pm.
Visit to Norfolk Botanical Garden with a guided tour through the gardens.
Educational program – Creepers and Croakers, on the magic of metamorphosis.
Lunch at TWS…Make your own Taco Salad
Afternoon crafts and games at TWS

Monday, April 25, 2011

Led By Joyce Soria and Janice Ford
8:30am-5:30pm*
No School – Easter Monday
Leaving school at 9:00am and returning to school by 1:00pm.
Visit to the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, with a self guided tour through the
museum and wildlife areas, using activity sheet to complete while exploring.
Picnic lunch at the museum – make your own sandwich.
Afternoon of crafts and games at TWS with a trip to Raleigh Park.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Led By Joyce Soria and Ann Daly
8:30am-5:30pm*
No School – Parent Conference Day
Leaving school at 9:00am and returning to school by 1:00pm.
Visit to the Air and Space Museum, in Hampton, with a guided tour and a
demonstration on Space Freeze.
Lunch at TWS-A Cook Out
Afternoon of “flying“ crafts and games at TWS
-*Reservations are required, by calling 627-1383 x241. Minimum 8 students, Maximum 20, per day. The
minimum of 8 reservations must be received 4 school days prior the enrolled day. If the minimum enrollment
of 8 is not reached by the above deadline, the following sliding scale applies per child if 3- 7 children are
enrolled: 3 children - $90.00, 4 children - $70.00, 5 children - $58.00, 6 children - $50.00, 7 children - $45.00.
-All fees are included for any off campus field trips, crafts, lunch, and snack.
-By enrolling your child in Camp Williams, you are giving your permission for your child to attend the listed on
and off campus activities.
-Camp Williams staff may be reached on the Extended Day cell phone, 237-1875 at all times during the day.
-If you wish your child to have sun screen or insect repellant, please fill out the Medication Administration
Form and send the product and the form in with your child on the day or days of enrollment. Forms are
available from the front office, Extended Day or the website.
-Please let us know if you will not be able to drop your child off by departure time, as there is no available
care for your child at school.
 419 Colonial Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23507

Phone: (757) 627-1383 Fax: (757) 627-0869 E-mail: rgerrard@thewilliamsschool.org

2011-2012 Bus Rates

Round trip $1,430.00

Cost for each additional child per family $ 1,025.00
One way $1,235.00
Cost for each additional child per family $ 1,025.00

Please initial the payment option you elect for the balance:
_____ 1. Payment in full by September 1, 2011.

_____ 2. Payment on a semester basis with one half of the balance due on September 1,
and the remainder on November 1.

_____ 3. Monthly payments of 1/10 due on the first of each month from September 1
through June 1.

_____ 4. Payments will be included with my tuition payment, June-Feb.

Parents will be responsible for transporting their children to or from the designated pick up/drop off points. All routes are subject to
change and dependent on sufficient ridership.

 Norfolk  Round trip

 Virginia Beach/ Chesapeake  AM Only

 Portsmouth /Suffolk  PM Only

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________

I hereby make application for my child (ren) ___________________________________________________ to use the transportation
services of The Williams School for the 2011-2012 school year.

________________________________________________________________________ _____________________
Signature of person financially responsible Date

PLEASE RESPOND BY APRIL 15th

Our Community in Action

Alivia’s Journey
Alivia Faye Thompson, daughter of TWS alumna
Marsha Thomas Thompson, and niece of TWS
alumna Robin Thomas Cogswell, was born on
March 10, 2008 with a congenital short femur in
her left leg. Alivia’s first femoral lengthening is
scheduled for June 7, 2011 at Sanai Hospital in
Baltimore, Maryland. Her expected stay in
Baltimore will be three months.

All proceeds
from the
Spaghetti
Dinner will go directly to help with Alivia’s expenses. If you are unable to
participate but wish to be included, donations may be made payable to the Alivia
Faye Thompson Medical Fund. Donations may be made at any Towne Bank location
or given to Robin Cogswell at The Williams School or her home. Robin may be
reached at 757-483-4914.

We ask with great thanks in our hearts that you please join friends and family in
support of Alivia.
COME JOIN THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL TEAM and SUPPORT the Up Center Stair Climb on Sunday,
April 3, 2011
10-2pm at The Dominion Tower, Norfolk, VA.

Our TWS Family has created a team and would LOVE for you all to come participate. Our team will
climb together in the Non-Competitive 25 Stories section.
To sign up and climb with us, go to www.TheUpCenter.org. Hit Register Now and this will take you to
where you will select Team Members – Register for Your Team.
We are The Williams School team. Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for children. Children ages 8 and up
are allowed to participate.
Please email me if you have any questions, JCasey@thewilliamsschool.org.