Dear parents, students, and employees,
This year’s late Thanksgiving leaves only a three-week window between our T1 break and our winter holiday break. As they say: so much to do and so little time!
Please do take some time to consult the Cary Academy web site regarding the busy calendar for the next few weeks. We hope that everybody will find an opportunity to come together and enjoy at least one of the many wonderful activities planned. Our Holiday Shoppe this weekend should kick off the season nicely.
Special Invitation for December 15
I’d also like to take this chance to extend an invitation to join us for a presentation by Harvard University professor Tony Wagner at 5:30 PM on December 15th in the Berger Hall Theater.
The presentation is for employees, parents, students, local educational leaders and invited heads of schools and board members from a selection of area independent schools. In a talk based on his latest book, Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change The World, Wagner will address questions vital to the future of our country.
Wagner serves as an Expert In Residence at Harvard University’s new Innovation Lab. His previous work experience includes 12 years as a high school teacher, K-8 principal, university professor in teacher education, and founding executive director of Educators for Social Responsibility.
Gift Guidelines
This is also the time of year that many would like to express appreciation to members of the Cary Academy faculty and staff. A thank you note is treasured most. If an individual or group wishes to recognize an employee by providing a gift, please be aware of the following guidelines:
- Gifts should not be cash or checks; however gift cards to businesses are acceptable.
- Individual gifts to employees should not exceed $25 in value.
- Group gifts may not be solicited for classroom teachers.
- Group gifts to extracurricular leaders, athletic coaches and other employees leading activities outside of the classroom may be solicited using the following guidelines:
- One request and one follow-up request is permitted.
- The names of donors should be kept confidential.
- Group gift requests should not exceed $10 per student and the total value of a group gift to an employee should not exceed $150. If more than $150 per gift recipient is collected, the surplus must be used for a year-end celebration or donated to the program.
2015-2016 Draft Calendar
Below are some of the key dates for next academic year. The finalized calendar will be posted on the web site in early January. Questions or comments can be addressed to Kim Fogleman in the Head’s Office.
- August 12, 2015 — First Day of School
- September 7 — Labor Day Holiday (no school)
- October 7 — Conferences (after school)
- October 8 — Conferences (no school)
- October 9 — No school
- November 13 — Last day of T1/Half Day (start of break for students)
- November 30 — Start of T2
- December 18 — Last day of school before holiday break
- January 4, 2016 — First day back from holiday break
- January 18 — No school
- February 26 — Last day of T2/Half Day (start of break for students)
- March 14 — Start of T3
- March 25 — No School
- March 28 — 10 AM Start
- May 20 — End of US T3
- Sunday, May 22 — Commencement
- May 23 — Start of US Discovery Term
- May 30 — No School
- June 2 — Last Day of School, grades 6-7 / Half Day MS
- June 3 — Last Day of School, grades 8-11 / Half Day
Please note that commencement next year will be on the weekend due to the date of the NCISSA state athletic tournaments, which run through Friday and Saturday, May 20-21.
Best wishes.
Michael Ehrhardt, Ed.D.
Head of School