The Country School: The Hoot

TCS BIDS FOND FAREWELL TO NURSE PENNER
November 2004
Good morning TCS!
As we get ready to give thanks over the Thanksgiving holiday, for all we have in our lives, we realize it is not just the "stuff" - like a new toy, or an iPod or a Gamecube - our material possessions, for which we are most thankful, but rather it is the people in our lives - our families, our friends, our teachers, our students who bring us the most joy.

Here at TCS we have many opportunities to be with others, make friends, and share good times as well as help each other through tough times. Today I need to single out one person who has done both. Mrs. Penner has made us laugh and smile and feel better when we needed it most. As I said a few weeks ago, Mrs. Penner would be stepping away from her daily duties at TCS to spend more time with her family. So Nurse Penner, for all you have done for us, we say thank you.

Remember at the beginning of the year, the Candle Lighting Ceremony when I talked about the arrows and the Iroquois Nation, the Native Americans, who even though they were each individuals, came together to form a community. They were each their own person, but they stuck together for a common purpose. The Country School is like that - PreK, Kinders, 1^st through 8^th Graders, teachers, staff, parents - are a community of learners. We are also a community of caring.

The most important thing in such a community is the relationships we develop. As students find friendships with each other. As teachers and students we forge connections. As faculty and staff, and parents we join together in a common endeavor to allow each of us to be who we are now, and help prepare us for who we will be in the future. It is all these relationships that enrich our lives and our TCS Experience, allowing us each to grow no matter our age.

At times of transition, as when a member of our community leaves, whether 8^th Graders who have graduated in years past, a family or faculty member moving on, it is a time to acknowledge the importance of connections. Feelings of sadness or tears at a goodbye are a tribute to the relationship formed. They remind us of our human ability and need to connect to and care for each other.

How appropriate that a nurse - a professional whose job it is to care for the health and well being of others - has reminded us of that human need for connection. That lesson will not be lost, Mrs. Penner, but carried by all who remain here at TCS.

So to Mrs. Penner, we say thank you and also thank you to your family - your husband, your seven children and your 15 grandchildren - for sharing you with us as for as long as they have. Thank you Nurse Penner. Those whose lives you have touched at The Country School will always remember you with fondness, appreciation, and a smile.

Editor's Note: As the school community readied itself for the Thanksgiving holiday, we bid farewell to Irene Penner, TCS's School Nurse. The above remarks were shared with the entire student body, faculty, staff and administration as Mr. Powers, then Interim Head of School, helped us celebrate Nurse Penner Day.

LINDA RYALL APPOINTED TCS SCHOOL NURSE

The Country School welcomes Linda Ryall, R.N., as TCS School Nurse replacing recently-retired Irene Penner. Mrs. Ryall, a nursing professional with 20 years of experience and three children of her own, is no stranger to many in the TCS community, as she has ably served as Mrs. Penner's substitute over the past few years. Mrs. Ryall has "hit the ground running" and has been busy getting to know both your children's names as well as their needs.

Welcome Nurse Ryall!

HARLAN BROTHERS PRESENTS RESEARCH
ON A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANT OF NATURE

TCS Director of Technology, Harlan Brothers, recently returned from the 3rd Annual Citizen Science Conference, held this year at the University of Las Vegas. Mr. Brothers was invited to give a presentation based on his latest research paper, "Improving the Convergence of Newton's Series Approximation for e," published in The College Mathematics Journal.

The conference is sponsored by the Society for Amateur Scientists. SAS was founded by Shawn Carlson, a MacArthur Fellow who envisioned a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to helping people enrich their lives by taking part in scientific adventures of all kinds. The society is currently focused on introducing schoolchildren to the wonders of science through its LABRats Program.

Mr. Brothers' presentation was entitled "Rubbing Shoulders With Newton: A New Look at a Fundamental Constant of Nature."

You may view the presentation, using Internet Explorer, here:
Rubbing Shoulders With Newton (Internet Explorer)

You may view or download the presentation in PDF format here:
Rubbing Shoulders With Newton PDF (right-click to save)