The Good News March | 2011
In This Issue: 1
From the Headmaster
2
Board of Trustees Lenten Prayer
3
From Fr. Tom
4, 5 Campus Clips 6
7
Development Update Literary Week From the Headmaster (cont’d) CESPA News Art at the Park -2011
From the Headmaster...
ON TRUST
Note: The following is an excerpt from Mr. Morvant’s talk on Episcopal School Sunday at Christ Church on Sunday, January 30.
E
arly in the school year, shortly after I had assumed the position of Headmaster, I had a brief conversation in car line one day with a young kindergarten student, named Conner, who proved to be a wonderful conversationalist. Toward the end of our discussion, Conner asked me if I knew his older brother Hal, a third grader. I had not yet met Hal, and Conner suggested I might want to meet him. Oh, and by the way, he told me, “Hal hates you.” I was taken aback, of course, and didn’t have enough time to even ask Conner why Hal would hate me, but I knew that I now had my first important project. So I made a point of finding Hal, got to know him a bit, exchanged high fives and fist bumps when I would encounter him on campus, and I was fairly confident that Hal now liked me. About two months later, I was bold enough to speak with Conner again, and of course, I had to ask the question: Does Hal like me now? I was quite relieved when Conner allowed that, yes, Hal likes you now. Connor’s next words, however, stunned me, and will probably stay with me for the rest of my time at CES. Sure, Mr. Morvant, Hal likes you now. “But he doesn’t trust you.”
I
Mark Your Calendars! AATP 2011 will host a “Fais Do Do” April 15 th & 16 th, 2011. See page 7 for more information.
f I have learned anything during my long career in education it is this: Always listen to the children. Hal’s reluctance to trust inspired me to think about the importance that trust plays in our lives. Certainly, our most meaningful personal relationships are fully grounded in trust. And in a school, of course, trust is paramount. In fact, the whole system of education in this country is based fundamentally on trust. Just consider that every school day, 180 days a year, parents leave their children, their most precious possession, in the hands of a group of adults, many of whom are unknown to the parents. The expectation is that the school will provide a safe environment in which the children will learn the skills needed to succeed in life. At a school like CES, the added expectation is that we will teach Christian values. Our operating principles, which call on us to act justly, instill peace, and imitate Christ, are not just suggestions: they are mandates. So our parents trust us to do those things daily, and it is only because our teachers have earned that trust, that the desks at Christ School are filled today, and that we dare to expand our program to the upper grades.
W
e are certainly not a perfect institution, and I am quiet often asked to help resolve issues that arise between students and teachers, sometimes between parents and teachers. In almost every case, the difficulty was created because somewhere along the line, TRUST had broken down. And after listening to both sides and trying to develop a strategy to address whatever issue had been raised, the plan for resolution invariably ends with my saying these words: “Trust us.” We care about you, and we care even more deeply about your child. You must trust us to act, in every case, in his or her best interest. It really is all about trust.
cont’d on pg. 6
from the Board of Trustees... What is it that we do?
A
lmost weekly, I have parents ask about the Board of Trustees and what the Board is responsible for at CES. One parent asked if we were in charge of athletics. Another parent asked if the Board decides which language classes were to be offered in the high school. Still another asked if we were responsible for raising money for the expansion and other enhancements on campus. With these questions and many others in mind, I wanted to clarify the Board’s role at our school.
F
irst, all board members volunteer their time. There is a nomination process and the Vestry of Christ Church has ultimate approval. Because CES is an outreach of Christ Church both legally and functionally, our school leadership works closely with the Vestry to ensure the school’s mission is protected. In addition to the relationship our board has with the Vestry, we are also aligned with the Independent School Association of the Southwest (ISAS) which has stringent requirements for our Board in order for our school to maintain its accreditations. We are the only ISAS school on the Northshore, a distinction of which we can all be proud.
T
he Board of Trustees governs the school and has independent decision making authority according to the school’s Bylaws, although it works in tandem with the Vestry of Christ Church. The primary responsibility of the board is to promote the longterm welfare of CES and ensure its ability to carry out its mission. We establish the school’s overall strategic goals in support of the mission. We periodically review the school’s major policies.
T
he Trustees monitor the financial health of the school and review and approve the annual budget, audit and multi-year financial plan. We establish all investment policies and monitor all investment decision making. We oversee the endowment and approve endowment policies and uses. All board members actively participate in development programs, and establish fundraising and gift acceptance policies. We oversee and monitor any indebtedness in accordance with the Bylaws and report to the Vestry any major financial decisions prior to engaging in them. The Vestry must approve and is a signatory with respect to any indebtedness. The Board is also responsible for employing, evaluating, and reviewing the performance of our Headmaster.
S T
o to answer the questions mentioned above, the Board is not “in charge of athletics.” The athletic program operates as a school activity under the direction of the Headmaster. The Board does not decide which languages are taught – curriculum is set by the Headmaster and Faculty; they are the professional educators. he Board does play a major role in fundraising. Tuition does not cover all the things we need for our school. Gifts from our CES family and friends allow us to grow and become the kind of 21st century learning center we all want CES to be. But the Board cannot do this job alone. It takes the financial support and generosity of as many CES families and friends as possible. By supporting the Annual Fund, the campus expansion effort, Art at the Park and other CESPA activities, we are able to reach many necessary milestones.
W
e are fortunate to have John Morvant as our Headmaster, and without any reservations, the Board delegates all administrative functions to him. He in turn is responsible for the employment of all faculty, administration and staff as well as the implementation of all policy and daily operations of the school, and we allow our talented and experienced Headmaster to do his job-- without interference.
A
nd finally, we begin each Board meeting with the school prayer. This is the same prayer the children say each morning, and it serves as a constant reminder that God is at the helm of our school, and that the work we all do is His work.
A Daily Lenten Prayer
Lord, it is Lent. Lent is for quiet. May Your stillness settle into the deepest parts of who we are. Lent is for introspection. May we look honestly on our own lives and seek continuously for ways to let Your light and life shine through us to the world around us. Lent is for returning. May we remember that no matter where we go, we are never lost from you, only more and more found. Lent is for healing. May we honestly bring our hurting and broken part to You and to each other. The Good News, Spring, 2011
Chandra Gordon Chair, Board of Trustees
May we ask for Your help as we need it and offer it to others in their need. Lent is for giving. May we offer from the abundance you have given us, sharing the fruit of our life and labor with our neighbors. Lent heralds the coming of Easter. May we make full use of our “desert” days and walk joyfully into the dawn of Resurrection when those days are done. May God keep us in perfect peace and remind us that in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength. Amen. ~ Fr. Tom
2
from Fr. Tom .... Remembering “Whose” We Are...a holy spring of Lent.
F
T
H
L
his story came to mind as I was talking with a group of fifty and sixty-somethings at New Year’s about how difficult it is to keep our bearings these days. Our lives are hurried, noisy and often anxious. One person was describing her father’s loss of memory from Alzheimer’s, but she had also been thinking about how many of us “younger” folks have the same problem, if not literally, then metaphorically: we are so busy and stressed that we forget who we are or where we are, where we have come from , and who we belong to. This happens spiritually as well. Which brings me to Lent.
or many years, my favorite children’s story has been a book by Australian author Mem Fox. It’s a wonderful tale about a boy named Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge. Wilfrid Gordon lived next door to a nursing home where he had a special friend who also had four names – Nancy Allison Delacourt Cooper. When Wilfrid Gordon heard that Miss Nancy had lost her memory, he wanted to help her. First, he learned what a memory was and then went looking for some of his own memories to share with Miss Nancy since she had lost her own. e gathered together seashells he had found “long ago” - last summer, actually – a puppet on strings which always made people laugh; the medal his grandfather had given him; a football which was a precious as gold; plus one fresh, warm egg he took from under the hen out in the chicken coop. Then he called on Miss Nancy and presented her with each “memory”, one by one. And as she reached into Wilfrid’s basket and picked up all these objects, lo and behold, she began to remember who she was, where she had come from and to whom she belonged.
ent provides us with the challenge and the opportunity to focus on – in an especially intensive way – the stories, signs, and symbols that call us back to God. The liturgies of Lent, the prayers, and the biblical stories we read during this season all emphasize what we are called to remember from Ash Wednesday on: it is not that our repentance enables us to find God, but rather God is always looking for us, waiting for us, longing for deeper communion with us. Despite our forgetting, God never forgets His profound love for us, His children. Our repentance is a response to that love. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, all of us elect to go our own ways. In the frenzy, confusion and greed of our lives, we forget that God waits and loves. We need the reminder of God’s saving love through the prayers, the study, the stories and the tangible signs of this church season – ashes, bread, wine, palms, fire, water, the Bible – because we need God’s help in enlivening the memory of who we are and whose we are.
P
articularly as adults, we become accustomed to wearing various masks, masks that give us new and attractive identities in the world but are also our favorite way of forgetting that we are creatures and not God. When confronted by this truth – when exposed for who we are not - we may grow fearful, and fear is how we give the devil his apparent omnipotence. It is precisely here that Lent begins to hit home within us.
S
o, the purpose of Lent is to re-center ourselves in God and remember our creaturehood in an honest, healthy way. When we take in the truth that each of us is already created in God’s image, worthy to stand before God without lying or grasping, then that shapes how we worship, how we treat others, what risks in faith we are willing to take, whether we live thankfully with the gifts we’ve been given. May your Lent be a time of remembering whose you are! Fr. Tom Blackmon
3
The Good News, Spring, 2011
Campus Clips.....
Sixth grade could be found around the fire at this year’s camping trip in Fountainbleau State Park. The students learned about environmental issues, and renewable and perpetual resources. In addition, they participated in nature hikes, star gazing, predator/prey games, journal writing, beach exploring, and nature art.
The second grade class traveled to Artmasters to learn all about the printing process. They were able to see how their design became the official Post Office t-shirt.
CES Lacrosse has had an exciting year. What is there not to love about running around and wielding sticks?!! While only in our second year, we are home to two strong squads playing local teams. They will also participate in two major tournaments this spring. Breakfast with Santa at the ECC was filled with tons of family fun this year. Many CES families attended, joining in the festivities. Have you ever created your own worms? Well, here at CES, the Science Lady visted our campus to share with the students not only her favorite books for Literary Week, but also all the interesting ways to use science, like how to make worms, snow, and oobleck!
MeeMaw cockroach, from Pat Roig’s and Joanne Mehrten’s new book, MeeMaw Swallows Mardi Gras, came for Literary Week to tell her tale to the students. They were enthralled with her story , and laughter filled the room with every presentation.
The Good News, Spring, 2011
4
On January 28th, Christ Episcopal School held their annual Science Fair. Pictured here are this year’s fifteen CES winners. These students will move on to compete at Regionals in Hammond on March 18th. Congratulations to all these hardworking students!
It’s Not too Late to Give to Annual Giving!
The fourth grade class gathered together for their annual Biography Day. Daniel Boone, Annie Oakley, Albert Einstien, Hellen Keller, and Pocahontas were just a few influential figures of history that could be found in the classrooms, sharing the stories of their lives.
Gifts are gratefully accepted through June, 30, 2011 ... Does your company have a matching gift program? You can multiply your gift to CES! Every gift makes a difference! Pre-K classes walked through scenic downtown Covington to Sorelli’s Brick Oven, where they got to make their very own pizzas! All of Pre-K looked like professionals as they rolled out their dough and placed their toppings.
CES has already collected over $7,000 dollars for Greg Mortenson’s Pennies for Peace program. We are making a difference, keep up the good work!
After her rounds to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, Molly the Pony has come to CES to yet again inspire the students with her amazing story of survival. Everyone wanted a chance to meet her!
Andrew Boyd, head of Times Picayune and nola.com. Photoraphy and Videography, lead a hands on worshop with 9th and 10th graders. Each group worked hard to create an innovative idea for a commercial promoting literacy.
5
The Good News, Spring, 2011
cont’d from pg. 1
T
oday’s gospel is St. Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ proclamations, which we now know as the Beatitudes, are at once profound and utterly simple. The account of the scene that day suggests increasingly large crowds of people following Jesus around Galilee, reaching out to him, listening to him preach. I am sure that for many, this was the moment when suddenly the attraction and excitement surrounding Jesus turned into a deep sense of trust. And when trust came to define the relationships, those mere followers of Jesus became his disciples. He told them: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Children of God.” I have to believe, that for the many who listened to Jesus speak that day, they finally heard the message they had been waiting a very long time to hear. He’s talking about us. There will be a place for us in his Kingdom.
F
urthermore, I believe that as a school which calls upon all to imitate Christ, we must be a place where the pure of heart, the merciful, the peacemakers, and the meek, are honored and are at home. We must be a place where a sense of trust defines all that we do. And the lesson I learned from my little friend Hal, is
that trust must be earned, that we cannot assume it will always be there. And we must understand that, from time to time, that bond of trust will be broken, and we must work together to renew the relationship, to re-form the trust.
I
am pleased to report, that as of this writing at least, the word on the street is that Hal now trusts me. There will be many things that I’ll remember from my first year as Headmaster at Christ School, but perhaps none will be as memorable or as important to me as the lesson taught me by an unsuspecting third grader, whose child-like honestly helped me to understand the importance of trust in our school. John Morvant, Headmaster
Literary Week February 14-18
T
his year’s week-long celebration of all things literary took on a new twist at Christ Episcopal School as students were asked not only to read, but to read with a purpose…to read for PEACE. Literary Week began early this year with the first-ever CES Pennies for Pages Read-a-Thon. Students gathered penny pledges during a three-week period for every page they read. In total, 140,000 pages were read, raising an amazing $5,014 dollars. Stack those pages one on the other and you’d climb more than 60 feet…as tall as a 5-story building. Now that’s reading for peace!! All of the money will be donated to the Pennies for Peace organization.
T
he end of the Read-a-Thon marked the beginning of Literary Week and students were treated to a diverse agenda of speakers, authors, artists and performers, many hailing from our own Christ Episcopal School family. Our goal was to expose students to a diverse group of professionals whose talents are manifested in a wide range of writing and artistic genres. Among those sharing their talent and passion Alex Beard, AnneLiese Fox, Sheila Stroup, Diana Rowland, Allison Pelligrin, Kim Hill, Katherine Borgatti, Rochelle Frazier, Metsy Hingle, Pat Roig, Andrew Boyd, Molly the Pony, Joanne Mehrtens, Jennifer Williams, Cornell Landry, Frank Levy, and Tim Rice.
I
t was an amazing week of student interactions as well. Big buddies from the CBC read to their little buddies at the ECC. Fifth and sixth graders paraded through the halls of the lower schools, proudly displaying the book floats they had created. Those same middle schoolers had been busy all week producing wonderful stories and illustrations about their first and second grade buddies. And, almost every student created a special bookmark for peace that we hope to send to troops in Afghanistan or to the students at CARITAS.
W
hat would Literary Week be without the books? The book exchange was bigger than ever and students not only got to trade in old books for “new” ones, they also got the chance to win prizes. The annual night out at Barnes and Noble, proved a big success once again with a few new twists. Parents and students were treated to a performance by the CES choir, and local authors Mary Beth Touzet and Renee Hemel were on hand to sign their book, Fleurdelicious. A portion of the sales made that night was donated to CES.
E
ach day was a literary adventure…set against a backdrop of enthusiasm and wonder by students who made us proud to be a part of this amazing school! Sue Loustalot, Literary Week Chair 2011
The Good News, Spring, 2011
6
Art at the Park - 2011
CESPA News...
I
hope everyone is beginning to thaw. It was a long cold winter and I know everyone is enjoying the warm spring. This year’s Literary Week was over the top! The year’s theme was Reading for Peace. We had a preview of what was to come with a visit from Author Alex Beard. The students loved the hands-on demonstration the he gave. And that was just the beginning. To learn more see page 6. Many thanks to the entire committee who worked so hard to make it great for all students. A special thanks to Sue Loustalot, this year’s Chair, who planned and worked very hard for many months on this special event.
T
N
T
I
he “Kick Off” party for the 25th Art at the Park was fabulous!!! The evening was hosted by Simplee Gourmet with Chef John Besh present to sign his cookbook and welcome guests. Raffle tickets and Opening Night Party Ticket sales were the spotlight of the evening!! Hopefully everyone has the “Fais Do Do” on April 15th and 16th marked on their calendars. he festivities begin on April 15th with the traditional Fun Run and Box Parade. Friday night, the Opening Night Party will introduce “Paint in the Park”. Featured artists Alexander Stolin, Robert Warrens, Dennis Sipiorski, and Anne Morvant will be painting for your enjoyment/ silent bidding. Noted NOLA photographer David Halliday will be displaying and offering to the highest bidder a one of a kind custom photography session. A silent auction offering trips, tickets, jewelry and many more fabulous items will be held. The CES Student Art Show will showcase the fabulous creativity of our children. The music for the evening will be none other than Don Vappie, and the cuisine will be prepared by Chef John Besh Restaurant Group/Jared Tees, with Zoes providing our delicious desserts. The Children’s Art Auction will display handcrafted adorned PIROGUES made by our talented children!!!!
ow, Art at the Park is just around the corner. This year, AATP is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary with a Fais Do Do. It is sure to be a wonderful event for students and parents this year. We are looking forward to seeing many alumni that will be returning for the anniversary year. The big day is April 16th with lots of food, fun and activities for the whole family to enjoy! A great big thanks to Susan Morgan and Cindi Raymond to all of their hard work and dedication to AATP! n May , we will be planning for Teacher Appreciation week. CESPA will be working very hard on different activities to honor our teachers to show them how much we truly appreciate all that they do. CESPA will also be hosting the last event of the year with a wine and cheese party. Mark your calendar for May 5th! This is a nice evening that caps Teacher Appreciation week and allows parents and staff to visit one last time before the school year ends.
M
any thanks to all of you who volunteer your time, make donations and who are so committed to making CES such a special place for our children. Without you many of these things would be impossible.
O
n April 16th , the party will continue with food, fun, and music as well as art and crafts for all ages... so from the Talent Show to Bingo ... it’s a cajun “ Fais Do Do!!” Don’t miss it!
Warmest Regards, Jill Heebe, CESPA President
Don’t Forget the $5000 Raffle Tickets on Sale Soon! At all School Offices, Simplee Gourmet, and Braswell Drugs.
LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER! Susan Morgan A ATP Chair 2011
Drawing at Opening Night Party. Winner does not need to be present to win.
Cindi Raymond A ATP Chair 1986 AATP Co-chair 2011
Thanks to all of our generous sponsors for AATP 2011. Opening Night party invitations have been mailed and party tickets are available for purchase until April 13th. 7
The Good News, Spring, 2011
80 Christwood Boulevard Covington, LA 70433
(985) 892-9156 Early Childhood Center (ECC) (985) 871-9902 Christwood Boulevard Campus (CBC) www.christepiscopalschool.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
2010-2011 Board of Trustees Anne Bailey Jeff Bell, Vestry Representative Erin Berrigan, CESPA Representative Rev’d Tom Blackmon, Rector Erika Briggs Bill Colomb John Dubreuil Bert Duvic
Jill Giberga, Secretary Chandra Gordon, Chair Matthew Holzhalb Colin McComiskey Jim Miles John Morvant, Headmaster Barbee Ponder, Vice-Chair Billy Preau, Treasurer Lain St. Paul
Admission to Christ Episcopal School is open to all qualified students regardless of race, creed or ethnic background.
Yes, I’m a CES Alum! Here’s what I’m doing now:
Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Email: CES Graduation Year: High School & Graduation Year: College & Graduation Year: What I’m Doing Now:
We really want to hear from you!!! Please cut this out and send it to Christ Episcopal School, 80 Christwood Blvd., Covington, LA 70433, attn: Alison Greffenius. Information may also be emailed to alumni@christepiscopalschool.org. or submitted online at www. christepiscopalschool.org/alumni. Or like check out CES on Facebook.
Upcoming Events: March 17 March 26-27 March 18 March 22 March 23 March 30 & 31 March 31 April 1 April 8 April 21 April 15-16 April 22-1 May 2 - 6 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 12 May 13 May 15-19 May 18 May 19 May 20
5th Grade Campout 7th Grade Backpacking Trip PK Carnivale de Colores Class Photos ECC Class Photos CBC Middle School Play - Mulan LPO Brass Quintet No School -Episcopal Conference K Butterfly Ball Birdhouse Breakfast AATP Easter Break Teacher Appreciation Week 5th Canoe Trip/ Cinco de Mayo for K CESPA Wine and Cheese PK Mother’s Lunch Eucharist/Awards/Oratories 7th Grade Graduation 7th Grade North Carolina Trip K Circus/ECC Last Day 8th Grade Tea/Senior’s Night Last Day CBC