Lower School News
Iris Dement at Kentucky Country Day School Theater
Kentucky Country Day School is proud to welcome renowned singer-songwriter Iris Dement to our new theater on November 12, 2010. Tickets go on sale August 20. For more information, call the theater information line at 502-814-4365.
Lower School Back to School Information
The forms listed below contain information specific to students in the Lower School (JK through fourth grade). Forms and information relevant to students in all divisions can be found on the Back to School home page.
Start of School Schedule
- Lower School New Parent Orientation: Thursday, August 19, 9:30–10:30 am in the Commons.
- Lower School Opening Day Picnic and Classroom Visitation: Wednesday, August 25 (details below).
- First Day of School: Thursday, August 26
Early dismissal for JK and K students
JK and kindergarten students will be dismissed at 11:45 am on August 26-27. They will have lunch at school. Email afterschool@kcd.org if you would like your child to attend Bearcat Den following the early dismissal.
Classroom Supplies
KCD provides school supplies for all students enrolled by June 1, 2010. These supplies will be waiting in classrooms on the day of the Back to School picnic.
All students must supply a backpack large enough to hold a folder — no wheels, please.
Students enrolled after June 1, 2010, will need to purchase their own supplies. Please call the Lower School Office (814-4324) for a list of needed supplies.
Summer Reading Lists
Suggested and required reading lists for students are posted below.
- JK-K Suggested Reading List
- First Grade Reading List
- Second Grade Reading List
- Third Grade Reading List
- Fourth Grade Reading List
Gym Clothes
Parents who wish to do so may order KCD gym clothing online through the KCD Alumni Association, but this is not a requirement of the PE department. The link to the Gym Clothing Store is available at the top of every page of the KCD website. Clothing purchased through the Alumni Association meets all the PE requirements described below. This document explains the ordering procedure. Please review this document before placing your order.
Please note that the PE department no longer requires students to put their names on their gym shirts. Please see below to review the updated PE clothing requirements.
- PE Clothing Guidelines for JK and K: JK and K students do not change clothes for PE; however, they must have sneakers.
- PE Clothing Guidelines for grades 1–4: This document explains the gym clothing requirements for grades 1–4.
Important Lower School Resources
- After School Programs & Intramural Athletics: Information on KCD's after school and intramural programs for next year will be available soon.
- Carpool Procedures: This document explains carpool dropoff and pickup procedures for the Lower School.
- Lower School Dress Code: This document explains the Lower School dress code.
- Medical Policies & Procedures: This document explains the procedures and forms needed for the opening of school.
- Lower School Student-Parent Handbook: Policies and procedures in the Lower School.
Back to School Picnic
Meet the Teacher and Lower School Family Picnic Day will be on Wednesday, August 25. Please bring a picnic lunch and your whole family to meet other KCD families. The school will provide drinks.
- JK/K Play Date: August 25, 10:30-11:00 am
- Meet Your Teacher (JK–4): August 25, 11:00 am–12:00 noon
- Family Picnic (JK–4): August 25, 11:30 am–1:00 pm
Faculty honored at year-end luncheon
At the conclusion of each school year, some KCD faculty members are presented with endowed chair and other awards during the year-end luncheon. These awards are based on nominations from the KCD faculty and recognize a commitment to the art of teaching and dedication to KCD students. This year's award recipients were:
- Michelle Pascal: The Alumni Assoc. Endowed Chair for Distinguished Teaching
- Lydia Brownlow: The Nancy Bowling Endowed Chair in English, History & the Humanities
- Mark Endicott: The Edward E. Ford Foundation Endowed Chair in US Science
- Michael Goldberg: The Board of Trustees Endowed Chair in Mathematics and Computer Science
- Sarah Shartzer: The Board of Trustees Endowed Chair in Mathematics and Computer Science
- Maggie Towne: Eric Davis Memorial Faculty Award
In addition, two faculty members were recognized for service to KCD:
- Diane Brey: thirty-five years
- Sandy Mead: thirty years
Great aerial shot of campus
Thanks to Tom Hayes for this terrific shot of campus and the new theater building. This photo really puts the new construction into perspective and shows how this new facility is transforming our campus!
New water catchment systems for KCD sister schools
We are please to report that KCD is once again this year able to fund the construction of two new rainwater harvesting systems at schools in our Sister City of Tamale, Ghana. Last week, $8,800 USD were transferred to Sister Cities of Tamale who, under the supervision of Mr. Kaleem Jehanfo (past president of Sister Cities of Tamale and visitor to KCD in May 2009), has already begun construction of the two systems. This year, one system will go to KCD sister school TISSEC for the boys' dormitory, and the other will go to Vitting Secondary School, a nearby boarding high school in great need of supplementary water supply.
When the KCD student delegation traveled to Tamale in February of this year, the water supply for the city of Tamale was severed, and the two systems installed last year (one at TISSEC's girls' dormitory and one at Dahin Sheli), were the reason that girl students and women on the faculty did not have to miss class or endure long walks in search of water for their campuses.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this ongoing annual project, particularly the Sing for Water program on Grandparents' Day. We once again plan to attempt to fund an additional system through KCD community philanthropic efforts in the 2010-2011 school year under the direction of Ghana Water Project Director Brina Stephens.
Thank you!
On behalf of Brad Lyman and the KCD faculty and staff, we would like to extend a heartfelft thank you to parent association chair Heather Alford and all the wonderful volunteers of the KCD Parent Association.
The PA is an integral part of the our community, and KCD would simply not be the great place it is without all the imagination, creativity, and hard work of Ms. Alford and the other PA volunteers this year. Thank you!
Alumnus endows library fund
Thanks to the generosity of Aquinas Preparatory alumnus Lowry Watkins Jr. ’64, the Robertson Library is now the beneficiary of the Lowry and Marshall Watkins Library Fund. The fund will allow the library to purchase new books for students in all three divisions. Books purchased through the fund will be identified by a special bookplate.
Mr. Watkins attended a reception in the library this week and shared cookies and lemonade with Ms. Purdie’s kindergarten class. Thanks to Mr. Watkins for his contribution to our library!
Bearcat Den available for half day on June 2
June 2 is the last day of school at KCD and is a half day for all lower school students. Provided that fifteen students preregister, Bearcat Den will be offering care following dismissal.
To register, please email Eli Keel at afterschool@kcd.org. The registration deadline is Tuesday, June 25, at 3:00 pm.
Late registrations will be charged a late registration fee of $15. Children without registrations will not be allowed to attend.
Fees
- Bearcat Den Members: Additional $10
- Non-members: $25
Please note that by preregistering for this day, you are accepting responsibility for payment, regardless of your child’s attendance.
Children will need a non-microwaveable lunch and drink. Please have your child wear comfortable clothing and gym shoes. Planned activities include craft, games, and outside/gym playtime.
We look forward to seeing your child at Bearcat Den. Please contact Eli Keel at (502) 814-4350 or afterschool@kcd.org if you have an questions.
Bearcat Chorus presents Welcome to the Jungle
On Monday, lower schoolers in Jeannine Ary’s Bearcat Chorus performed their version of Welcome to the Jungle for an audience of parents and other family members. The performance was a musical adaptation of Aesop’s famous fable of the Lion and the Mouse.
Lower schoolers dig Exploremore 2010!
The Parent Association would like to extend some sincere “peace and love” to Cindy McCarthy and Steffi Sparks, co-chairs of this year’s Lower School Exploremore.
Cindy and Steffi and their committee created a truly groovy 60’s theme for this year’s event. This event simply would not be possible without the dozens of parents who taught classes and volunteered to help out during the day.
