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November 24, 2016
by: Ted hamm

A Thanksgiving Reflection

A friend of mine recently reminded me of the history of the Thanksgiving holiday. In thinking about the original Thanksgiving meal I am quick to forget that the origins of the this day becoming a national holiday go back to the Civil War. I have put the original proclamation below for you to read. Putting these words in the context of the time they were written, one of the most divisive times in our national history, reminds us of the intent of the day. We are to take a day, put our differences aside, to simply gather peacefully. I hope today is a day for all of us to gather peacefully and consider those things we have to be thankful for.

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

 


October 10, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Good Music: This is How we Fundraise

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Dear Parents, Students, and Friends,

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May 22, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

IDEAS Students Shape Tradition

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Many of you have noticed that we changed the name of Morp this year to May Ball. As with any decision in our school, this was not a decision made without student voice and research.

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April 3, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

A Parent Maker Night Primer

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends:

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March 8, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Presentations of Learning: Trimester 2

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Each trimester we take a day and a half have our students reflect on their learning. I feel it is important to share a few thoughts about this. I wrote in depth about this last trimester in a blog[directors-blog/presentations-of-learning-thoughts-as-a-parent-and-advisor/] sharing my perspective as an advisor at IDEAS and a parent at ESAA.

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February 26, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Implementing the College Work Readiness Assessment at IDEAS

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends:

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February 22, 2016
by: Susan Griffiths

Charter Contract Renewal: ESAA School Goals

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Dear Parents, Staff, and Friends:

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February 21, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Charter Contract Renewal: The Mosaic School's Goals

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends:

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February 21, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Charter Contract Renewal: IDEAS Academy Goals

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends,

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February 17, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Charter Contract Renewal Update

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends:

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February 6, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Charter Contract Renewal

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Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Friends,

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January 31, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Charter Contract Renewal

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Dear Families and Supporters,

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January 3, 2016
by: Ted Hamm

Raising Funds for our Students

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Creating opportunities for our students that enrich the school day and expand learning beyond a traditional model has always been core to our schools. We believe that in order to create high quality learning for our students we need to get them outside of the traditional classroom, bring professionals into the classroom, and provide opportunities for students beyond our own schools. To help us accomplish this, we have created the Étude Sessions as a way to raise funds for our school while enriching our own community by bringing high quality music to our community. This week is will be a big week for the Étude Sessions and our ability to fund these opportunities for our students.

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