News for Collegiate School Families and Friends
Fall 2012
New Ideas, Updates and Lessons Summer activities of faculty and staff make an impact on students’ experience.
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hile students are away during the summer, things do not come to a grinding halt on Collegiate’s campus. Summer gives faculty and staff time to plan for the coming year, innovate, study and travel. All of these pursuits impact the students as they return to a school that’s energized with new ideas and old ones that have been tweaked for renewed vigor. The following are just a few ways the Collegiate experience will be different for students this year...
Techno Teaching
While visiting the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia several years ago, several Collegiate teachers learned of the work of Diana Laufenberg, a social studies instructor. Ms. Laufenberg, a TED talker (“How to Learn? From Mistakes”) is an advocate for experiential projectbased learning and the lessons that come from making mistakes. This summer she came to Collegiate to talk to teachers K-12, and, from her visit, they’ve drawn inspiration for new approaches to learning. “The main take-away from Ms. Laufenberg’s faculty workshop was that learning is messy and it’s OK to make mistakes,” says Director of Technology Jamie Britto. Reflecting that theme, this year will bring more initiatives to integrate the teaching of technology into the classroom rather than segmenting it out. “In grades 3 to 6, we’re changing the way computer classes are taught,” says Mr. Britto. In the Lower School, with the use of laptop carts, lessons and projects in class will include computer components. In 5th and 6th
A student uses her phone to assist with class work. Phones are increasingly being used as another tool to facilitate the learning process.
Grades, students will learn about digital citizenship (internet safety and appropriate use) and how to use cloud tools like Google docs and sites. The 2nd Grade will hold an Invention Day where students will learn about process by working on solutions to problems. Customization is the driving concept for a host of ways our Academic Services specialists are looking at assisting students with different learning styles. Cell phones, tablets and other tools that can help manage note-taking and organization. “We are open to the device that works best for the student,” Mr. Britto says. Phones, in particular, are going to be playing an even bigger part in students’ lives. “In two years, 80 percent of what they do in life will be done on the phone which will become an essential personal information
manager—a place for calendars, contacts, emails, research and reading.”
Home Pool
The Collegiate School Aquatics Center opened last spring at Ukrop Sports Park, but our team has yet to take their inaugural plunge. That day is coming this fall, and having our own pool is going to make a big difference for our swim team. “For the first time in the 20-year history of the team, we will have a home pool of our own for meets and practice,” says Coach Mike Stott. “This will precipitate a seismic shift in practice scheduling and how we manage training. Rather than training at night and having parents and kids drive to practice after supper, Collegiate continued on page 8
From the Head of School
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am one parent orientation and one sweaty end-of-August-move-into-thedorm away from being an empty nester. As advertised, we seemed to get here in a blink. I have not started a school year since 1995 without at least one child trundling off with a load of supplies and that unique look of anticipation, excitement and nervousness on his face. Whether I was a better parent at the end of this phase than at the beginning is up for debate (and probably will be debated in my house now that I have raised the question.) I do know that, like every parent, I stumbled on a few lessons that made it easier. So, in recognition of the beginning of a new school year and in honor of my graduation to that smirking club of parents who goes out on Tuesday night and leaves for the weekend on a whim— never once giving a thought to homework that needs to be supervised or athletic contests to be witnessed—below are a few takeaways from the past 18 years since my older son started school: 1. Being a parent is difficult and involves some suffering. If that were not true, Barnes and Noble would not locate their section devoted to being a better parent near their religion books. But be careful not to make suffering a habit. Most of us know the “small stuff” when we see it. Choosing not to “sweat” that stuff is what’s important.
2. Separation anxiety was once a syndrome experienced by children but now has spread to parents. Separation both physically and electronically is good for parents and children. It will make kids more independent and get parents ready to be part of that empty nesters’ club someday. Remind yourself each morning: INDEPENDENCE is the goal. 3. The most perfect kid you or your child knows, struggles with something. So do his or her parents. I promise. 4. Raising a child in school sometimes looks and feels like a track meet when it is really more like recess. Kids don’t run in their lane from kindergarten to senior year. They meander around, sometimes joining the game of kickball, then checking in on their friends gossiping in a huddle, and then taking a rest on the bench. Showing up to recess while expecting a track meet can be really stressful. 5. However, to make the metaphor work in the other direction, any good track coach will tell his or her athletes to run through the finish line. What kids need from their parents will change over time but is never “nothing.” Not even when they are bigger than you or when Parents’ Night feels like an effort. If you have a child in school, being a full-time parent is not over. When your
attention strays or is taken hostage by some other concern, trouble follows. 6. Everyone will tell you that time “flies by” and that they “grow up in a flash” and that is true. Your only defense as a parent is to make the time dense with good memories. Those experiences will confirm for you that you did your best in the brief interval you were granted. 7. Like most things that are difficult, being a parent means you will learn the same lesson more than once. In fact, you will probably learn it until you finally get it. It’s humbling, but there is little you can do about it so give yourself a break. Finally, you need partners and you can find them at Collegiate. Raising good kids is the most important work in the world and collaborating with your child’s teachers and friends’ parents is both helpful and deeply satisfying. Lean on your partners. We have so much to look forward to in 2012–13. Have a great year!
Keith Evans Head of School
Cougars Intern at Businesses and Organizations Citywide Twelve members of the Collegiate class of ’13 participated in the Cochrane Summer Economics Institute this year. The CSEI, coordinated by Executive Director Cathy Melton, is a five-week work/study internship program that introduces rising seniors to economics, business, networking, and a variety of job/career choices through a combination of classroom work, community service and internship experiences. The following students interned at these locations: Archer Brinkley Sarah Clark Cameron Ferwerda Gabby Gelozin Olivia McLean Olivia Negus Connor Partlow Kyle Pate Ben Spalding Sarah Towler Eric Yan 2 | Paw Print
Sheltering Arms VCU School of Medicine Capital Region Airport Commission Southeastern Institute of Research Holocaust Museum VCU School of Medicine Owens & Minor CarMax McGuireWoods Maymont Foundation SunTrust Bank
The CSEI Class of ’12 gathered on their last day with honored guest Harwood Cochrane (front row, third from right) for whom the program is named.
A Note from the Parents’ Association President
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elcome to the 2012-2013 school year at Collegiate! Summer has been such a great chance for all of us to recharge, relax and seek new adventures. But as the shadows grow longer and the smell of fall is in the air, I find myself eagerly anticipating the next season and am excited and ready for the amazing opportunities to connect and grow in the coming year at Collegiate. Hopefully our children will be ready as well! Many things are happening on the horizon to entice us back to Mooreland Road; new buildings are under construction and new programs have been planned, as well as the Parents’ Associations’ tried and true Collegiate traditions. A great way to join in to the new school year is to get involved with the Parents’ Association. As this year’s PA president, I hope that you will find the programs and events to your liking and that you will choose to participate and/or volunteer this year. Volunteering at Collegiate, in small or big ways, is such a gift to the school community but also a gift to you as well. Participating in PA events around campus builds new friendships and creates the rich sense of community that is uniquely the Collegiate village. I hope you enjoy reading about the many upcoming school activities described in this Paw Print. Be sure to mark your calendar now for a
perennial family favorite, Cougar Pause, on September 27. Enjoy a wonderful outdoor evening of food, fun and entertainment and get to know your fellow Cougars. I would also like to highlight the Parent Education programming listed in this edition of the Paw Print. The PA has listened to what issues affect and concern our families and have put together some amazing programs to help give us tools to navigate the school years, whether it is stress in the home of a kindergartner or driving issues in the home of a teenager and many more subjects in between. Please take advantage of our community leaders’ insights into the development of our children and the current issues that influence their growth. I encourage you to regularly check the “Parents” section of the website, www.collegiate-va.org/parents for the most up to date information about programs and events being offered. Contained in this section are event details, committee lists and contact info, registration for holiday events, Village Green Fair, etc. New this year under the “Parents” section of the website is a “Parent Resource page” that will contain articles and links to our Parent Education Programming as well as information about our decade long dedication to substance abuse awareness programming and the health of our student
body. The “Parent Resource page” has informative articles on many topics to help parents and students in healthy decisionmaking and development. Be sure to check it out at www.collegiate-va.org/ parentresources. Another valuable source of information is the Parents’ Association green information pages in the Collegiate family directory, which will be available on Parents’ Night and in the Cougar Shop. Both the directory pages and the website list the many ways you can become involved in the activities of the Parents’ Association and hopefully you can find a place that speaks to your interests, time and talents. I wish you a smooth transition back to school, and if you have questions or if I can be of assistance in any way please do not hesitate to contact me. I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible group of parents, faculty, students and administration and am honored to be a link for you to a fulfilling and rewarding experience in whatever part of the Parents’ Association you are drawn to. See you soon around campus! Anne Weldon Griffin President, 2012–2013 Collegiate Parents’ Association awgriffin@comcast.net
Campus Conversation Dancers Going to Orange Bowl The Collegiate dance students have been invited to perform in the Orange Bowl Halftime Show in Miami, FL on January 1, 2013 for approximately 75,000 fans. Collegiate is the only school in the state that has been invited to perform along with other dance programs around the country. The group will spend three nights in Miami. Their trip also includes an educational all-day workshop with elite, world renowned choreographers and teachers. They will learn new choreography and techniques in a variety of disciplines. Tune in on New Year’s Day for a great football match-up and the chance to see our dancers shine!
Visit the Cougar Shop
Be sure to visit the Cougar Shop for all of your back-to-school supplies and apparel! Hours are 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Faculty Enrichment
Faculty members may apply for special summer grants to attend a conference, travel, design a course, etc. The following were undertaken this summer, and these
activities will make a difference for our students in many ways. Elizabeth Andrews and Jessica Catoggio (2nd Grade) attended the National Conference on Differentiated Instruction in Las Vegas Blair Chewning (4th Grade) developed center-based activities for 4th Graders using the iPad. Ann Woods Cutchins (2nd Grade) created SmartBoard notebook files that correspond to Everyday Math Grade 2 curriculum. Deborah Andersen (6th Grade) and Paul Lupini (MS science) developed a middle school geocaching program. continued on page 4 Fall 2012 | 3
Campus Conversation (cont.) Dana DuMont (LS art) attended Year of Creative Scotland 2012. Melanie Barker (US/MS librarian) formulated a plan to embed graphic novels into the current curriculum. Cindy Cargas (MS humanities) and Sally Chambers (MS counseling) revised the 5th Grade advisory curriculum. The newly minted curriculum includes activity and discussion units on Adjustment to Middle School, Learning Tools, Collegiate’s Values, Friendship, Community Service, and Internet Safety. The advisors look forward to implementing these units with their advisees! Karen Cribbs, Christy Foster, and Jennifer Keiper (MS math) revised the 5-7 math curriculum. Kate Cunningham, Rives Fleming, Megan Hunt and Laurie Shadowen (MS) created a grammar text/notebook for 5th Grade English faculty to use with all students.
Welcome, New Faculty/Staff Front Row: Emma Drucker (E. E. Ford Fellow in English), Shayna Cooke (US biology), Craig Ely (MS science), Stacy Adams (Assoc. Dir of Communications), Samantha Slater (US English), Laurie Goode (MS math), Sally Williams (US math). Back Row: Katie Bretz (US math), Lynne Tulou (4th Grade assistant), Carolyn Villanueva (2nd Grade), Marc Reynolds (US biology), Chris Lim (US physics), Toby Desch (US Student Life Intern), Phil Lawson (MS/US choral music), Collin McConaghy (Director of Summer Quest), Dan Bell (MS technology), Dani Pycroft (3rd Grade)
David Fuller (MS history) explored the feasibility of bringing the GeoHistorian project to Collegiate. Mary Arzt (US art) investigated art possibilities of an iPad. Jan Bacon (US math), Helen Markiewicz and Todd Hanneman (US Academic Services) created a multi-purpose Geometry website. Liz Bowling (US Spanish) traveled to Cuba on an education and culture tour. Alice Dixon (US science) developed a library of chemistry videos. Pascal Losambe (US science) developed a microbiology elective class. Xin-yi Fergusson, Mei Dong and Zhangyi Shi (LS, MS, US Chinese) worked on a coordinated Chinese curriculum. Kathy Wrenn (MS physical education) further enriched our Link It & Live It wellness program.
Welcome, Babur! Our exchange student for the ’12–’13 year, Babur Jahid, arrived a couple of weeks ago. He is from our partner school, the International School of Kabul in Afghanistan, and he will be in 10th Grade. He’s staying with the Colon family (Philip ’14, Drew ’15 and Eloise ’18, seen here with Babur upon his arrival in the U.S.) and is looking forward to playing soccer.
Website Sign-in Information Signing into the Parent Community on our website (www.collegiate-va.org/today) will enable you to: • Update your personal PROFILE • Access the Collegiate DIRECTORY • • Access information such as Lower School CLASS LISTS • Customize your CALENDAR •
How to Sign In (on any page, in sidebar on left)
Your user name will be your first name, last name, as in JaneSmith. You must click on Log In Help to receive a temporary password. If you are an alumni of Collegiate AND a student’s parent, your user name is your first name, last name and class year, as in JaneSmith82. You must click on Log In Help to receive a temporary password. Need help? Contact Dianne Carter in the Communications Office at (dcarter@collegiate-va.org). 4 | Paw Print
New Kids on the Block
Please welcome the following new students to Collegiate! (names and previous schools below)
1st Grade Presley Garst Miles Prusek
Bettie Weaver Elementary School Tuckahoe Elementary School
3rd Grade Philip Clarke Grace Stefanovich Lotti Stefanovich Hugh WIlliams
St. Michael’s Episcopal School William Fox Elementary School William Fox Elementary School Kimball Walker School (Concord, NH)
4th Grade Gabriel Metzger William Pommersheim Isabella Zeballos
Battlefield Park Elementary School St. Christopher’s School Colonial Trail Elementary School
Babur Jahid
Sophia Abdelgadir Ruby Carver Elementary School Elizabeth Baltusnik Providence Day School (Charlotte, NC) Sydney Bernard Shady Grove Elementary School Paige Bowling Flat Rock Elementary School Gracie Clarke St. Michael’s School Grace Kinder St. Michael’s School Sophia Goldin Arthur Meyer Jewish Academy (Lake Worth, FL) Reneé Jervey Maybeury Elementary School Sherya Sharma Elizabeth Scott Elementary School Bralyn VanRoekel Three Chopt Elementary School Emma Williams Kimball Walker School (Concord, NH) Griffin Alvis St. Bridget School Peyton Garst Bettie Weaver Elementary School Deven Pandya Millwood School
6th Grade The Academy of Academic Excellence All Saints Episcopal (Fort Worth, TX) St. Andrew’s School
7th Grade Savanna Ellis Richmond Christian School Harper Zaun St. Bridget School Ben Goldin Arthur Meyer Jewish Academy (Lake Worth, FL) Joseph White Tuckahoe Middle School Garrett Wilson St. Bridget School Ben Tavenner Tuckahoe Middle School
8th Grade Kate Kinder Blayney Klein Emma Klein Patrick Kirchmier Price Withers
Sydney Adams Midlothian Middle School Dorcus Afolayan Richmond Waldorf School Annie Bird St. Bridget School Addie Burke St. Bridget School Eleanor Giordano Steward School Morgan Gutenberger St. Bridget School Katie Lee Pocahontas Middle School Draden Gaffney Tomahawk Creek Middle School Sawyer Gaffney Tomahawk Creek Middle School Ben Greer St. Michael’s School Jed Londrey St. Michael’s School Ryan McGloin Short Pump Middle School EJ Patterson Millwood School
10th Grade
5th Grade
Natasha Makarova Anya Sood Elijah Gee
9th Grade
St. Michael’s School St. Mary’s School St. Mary’s School Steward School American School in Japan
AFS Student from Kabul, Afghanistan
New Administrators and Staff Please welcome these new staff members:
Stacy Hawkins Adams – Associate Director of Communications BS in Mass Communications, Jackson State University. After graduating summa cum laude, Stacy served as a general assignment reporter for Florida Today in Melbourne, FL. She later joined the staff of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where she covered social issues and nonprofit agencies, and penned a weekly inspirational column. During her 13 years at the TimesDispatch, Stacy provided live broadcasts from the newsroom in partnership with WTVR CBS 6. Stacy served as a freelance writer for two years after leaving full-time journalism, and in 2008 obtained certification in nonprofit marketing from the University of Richmond’s Institute on Philanthropy. She has most recently served as public affairs manager for Prevent Child Abuse Virginia and as a marketing and writing consultant for Reach Out and Read Virginia, and the Partnership for Families Northside. Stacy continues to pen a freelance parenting column for the Times-Dispatch, is a nationally published novelist, and is pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Richmond.
Collin McConaghy – Director of Summer Quest BS in Business Administration, University of Richmond. At the University of Richmond, Collin was a three-time All CAA football selection, a member of the 2009 CAA All-Academic team, and a member of the 2008 National Championship Team. After graduation, Collin interned at UR and became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Collin has worked as the Associate Director of Sports at the Tuckahoe YMCA and coached football at Godwin High School. Collin is currently working on his MAT through Liberty University. In addition to serving as the Director of Summer Quest, Collin will be coaching three sports. Fall 2012 | 5
Summer Trips Students and faculty traveled to various destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia on trips coordinated by Collegiate’s Director of International Education Clare Sisisky. China
Ghana
Turkey
This was Collegiate’s first year of a unique exchange opportunity with our partner school in Changzhou, China. Chinese language students Philip Colón, Nathan Maizels, Olivia Negus and Drew Fulton were chosen to represent Collegiate during this new program supported in part by our Confucius Classroom award from the Asia Society and HanBan. Biology teacher Dr. Kelly Tracy accompanied the students and participated in our first teacher exchange program with the science department of Changzhou Senior High School. The students and Dr. Tracy spent two weeks in China practicing language, learning about Chinese life, studying and teaching within the school, along with visiting some local cultural sights in this economically thriving area of Eastern China. Highlights included a specially designed Chinese language curriculum for our students that involved practicing in the community. Dr. Tracy worked with teachers in biology and also gave a speech on the use of technology in her classroom.
Five Collegiate students (Ali Moore, Sarah Richardson, Gray Little, Mary Crowgey, and Molly McFadden) were accompanied by Collegiate teacher and coach Karen Albright on a intensive service trip to Ghana run through the educational service-learning organization GLA. The students taught lessons in a rural school in the village of Anloga, helped to build bricks for school construction, and visited numerous non-profits to learn more about development projects in the region. Evenings were filled with group reflections or guest speakers offering insights into local culture, history, and language.
From June 10-24, seven educators from Collegiate immersed themselves in a most vivid and extensive exposure to Turkey. Sallie Tinney and Holly Smith from the Lower School, Cindy Cargas and Charlie Williams from the Middle School, Brad Cooke and Pete Follansbee from the Upper School and Associate School Head Lindy Williams traversed central and western Turkey. The trip was a collaborative trip of the Global Education Benchmark Group, an organization of independent schools with leading and innovative global education programs. Teachers from Hotchkiss, Hathaway Brown, and Lawrenceville participated in the Collegiate run program that focused on bringing a greater understanding of historical and contemporary Turkey into the classroom and curriculum. “Our tour guide, Murat Tiryaki, met us at Istanbul’s airport and for the next two weeks, he peppered us with in-depth information about the history, culture, politics, religion, art, geology, botany, cuisine and current events of his home country,” says Holly Smith. “We began and ended our journey in Istanbul, but also explored Turkey’s capitol city, Anakara, the stunningly unique Cappadocia region, the Western Aegean coast and the historic sites up that coastline to the Dardanelles. Each of us came back infused with ideas and enthusiasm for bringing what we learned on the trip into the classroom.”
France The group landed in Paris for a three-day exploration of the city before heading south to stay at a language immersion camp in Provence. Each day students participated in creative language lessons, and then ventured into the French outdoors for afternoon activities including rock climbing and water sports. Evenings included simple group dinners in the fresh outdoor air. The group visited cities in Southern France including Aix-en-Provence and Nice. Student participants were Catharine Dent, Anne Marie Dickinson, Will Dixon, Vivien Fergusson, Kyra Gregory, Eleanor McGee, Parker Moore, Austin Parks, Daniel Sery, Allie Straus, Kristie Turkal, along with teachers Val Siff and Maria Benson. 6 | Paw Print
Spain A group of 11 Collegiate students and three faculty—David Colón, Monique Voss and Esperanza Soria-Nieto—visited Spain for two weeks this summer. The first part of the trip was a visit to our partner school Colegio Internacional Alminar in Dos Hermanas, right outside of Sevilla. Our students stayed with host families and participated in many cultural activities. One of the highlights of the trip was an impromptu visit with the mayor of Dos Hermanas. The second part of the trip included a trip to Granada with a dinner overlooking the Alhambra. The last part of the program was a week in Cadiz right on the Atlantic coast. Here, our students attended intensive language classes. During their stay in Cadiz, they were fortunate to witness Spain’s victory in the Eurocup finals over Italy and participate in the celebrations. On the trip were Austin Makepeace, Chris Van Winkle, Cooper Molchert, Sullivan Lawrence, Trey Schmol, Thomas Hungerford, Tyler Byrd, Mason Brown, Anna Hoover, Mallory Knighton and Connor Jones.
Pete Follansbee at Ephesus
Summer Faculty and Staff Endeavors Business Manager Jennifer Quindoza and Head of Security Jason Stone worked together on a project and were awarded a private grant from our insurance company. This grant will be used to partially fund the revision and installation of Emergency Information Posters and Emergency Evacuation maps throughout both campuses. This project will include “Glow-in-the-dark” evacuation maps in areas with no natural lighting, such as the theater.
Lower School science teacher Ellen Clore attended the American Horticulture Society’s National Children and Youth Gardening Symposium. The annual event was held in Washington, DC this July and was attended by about 270 people from around the U.S. During the three day event, she presented a workshop entitled “Curriculum Connections.” In her presentation, Mrs. Clore described how she and the classroom teachers incorporate our Lower School Garden into their math, social studies, language arts and science curriculum. Attendees in the group of about 30 teachers, public garden education coordinators, and school garden volunteers were also very interested in how to maintain the garden during the summer months. We are lucky at Collegiate to have many wonderful parent volunteers—a big THANK YOU to the 60 families who watered this summer!
I spent eight days in Cuba this summer thanks to an Alumni Grant. I traveled with 4 other Americans on a Cuba Education Tour where we learned about Cuba’s history, art, education system and environmental programs. We toured Old Havana, visited a program for children and another for a neighborhood’s elderly population, met local artists, toured an urban organic farm and took a day trip to an eco-community outside of the capital. I learned a great deal about Cuban life and culture, whether it be Castro’s literacy program of 1961, the growing of coffee,
Upper School Spanish teacher Liz Bowling visits with local musicians while in Havana.
cultivating and making cigars, or eating fried plantains, rice and black beans with almost every meal, all while practicing my Spanish. It was the trip of a lifetime and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to travel there. —Liz Bowling Upper School Spanish
Upper School Spanish teacher Kathy Vlieger spent a month in Galicia, Spain, where she took 60 hours of courses for Spanish teachers/professors at the University of Santiago de Compostela, and walked part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
I went to a five-day Taft Workshop on 21st Century Collection Development in July. We talked about different issues in building library collections (including a lot of discussion about digital format vs. print), and visited a number of libraries, from college level to elementary, to talk about their policies and their spaces. The official description of the class says that it focuses on “the role of curriculum, budgets, ebooks, learning styles, brain research, and changes in students’ patterns of information-seeking behaviors” on collection development in school libraries. – Carolyn Montagne Upper School library
With the generous funding from The Class of 1974 Endowment for International Studies Dana DuMont traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to attend the 2012 Fringe, International and Art Festivals. It’s official. I’m a Culture Vulture. (At least that’s what my pass to the four touring shows put on by the National Galleries said.) For six days I took in as much of Edinburgh as possible. This meant choosing from the seemingly endless offerings dance, theatre and street performances, gallery exhibits, museum shows and collections, and a variety of architectural and historic landmarks. A few visual arts highlights during my tour were Dovecot Weaving Studios, The National Museum of Scotland, The Queens Gallery, Fruitmarket and City Centre Galleries, and shows at the National Galleries which included Van Gogh to Kandinsky | Symbolist Landscape in Europe 1880-1910 and Picasso and Modern British Art . Now, as the images and ideas from this thoroughly saturating arts adventure resonate with me, I have the pleasure of mulling them over and threading them into future lesson plans! —Dana DuMont Lower School art
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New Ideas (cont.) will be transporting swimmers to the Collegiate School Aquatics Center and back immediately after school. This will enable us to do our in-water swim training as well as dry land all in one practice and in one place rather than having strength and conditioning on different days away from the pool. I also believe that it will enhance team bonding.” While the boys and girls swim teams, all 7th-12th Graders, have totaled to 66 swimmers in the past, Coach Stott says the after-school practices should attract at least 20 percent more students. Their first winter season practice in the new pool takes place on Nov. 12, but the teams will have some pre-season practices emphasizing stroke technique and conditioning starting in October. “I am hopeful that having a home facility will also entice members of the faculty and student body to take in swim meets occasionally to get a sense of how exciting the sport can be,” Coach Stott says. “Our girls will be looking to defend their State title (boys were third in 2012). Our home
meet on Jan. 5 against Maggie Walker, Gonzaga and Stone Ridge should give spectators a chance to see Olympian Katie Ledecky (Stone Ridge) in action. Our swimmers, parents and coaches are excited about our new home. It will mean a whole new way of operating, a clear departure from our experience of the last 20 years.”
Global Guests
Last year, our first International Emerging Leaders Conference brought 45 students from all over the world to our campus. The conference was a big success thanks to the planning of Director of International Education Clare Sisisky and participation of students and 45 host families. Planning is nearly complete for this year’s conference (Sept. 29-Oct. 8) which will again focus on the environment and the global economy and feature visits to local corporations (MeadWestvaco, Dominion Resources and our main sponsor Health Diagnostic Laboratory), but the international students will spend more
time with their host families and on campus interacting with our students. Our students will meet them as they spend time at the Lower School Cultural Fair, in Middle School advisories and Upper School assembly and classes. New this year will be a keynote speaker, prominent political philosopher and Harvard Professor Michael Sandel, who has written and taught extensively on bioethics, globalization and justice. He will speak to conference participants and to Collegiate’s Upper School families on Oct. 4 at the Virginia Historical Society.
Updates and Re-do’s
New roofing and floor tiles may seem extraneous to learning but they are part of a broader imperative: a functioning physical plant that provides the best possible learning environment. See the photos at right, on page 9, for visuals of some of these projects.
Faculty and Staff Receive Recognition At the opening school meeting on Aug. 22, a number of employees were honored for their longevity and their outstanding contributions. Congratulations to all! Employees who have been working at Collegiate for 10 years received special chairs: Julie Bennett, Liz Bowling, Laura Fields, Suzanne Fleming, Heather Garnett, Mary Gayoso,
Marella Gregory, Phil Hunnicutt, Carol Lewis, Deb McKercher, Ruth Webb, Mary Williams and Rachel Wright. Honored with plaques indicating that they have worked at Collegiate for 30 years were: Wilbur Athey, Grayland Crisp, Arthur Jones, Missy Herod, Susan Overton and Neil Weiser.
Special awards were given to recognize faculty/staff for their contributions Class of ’77 Anne Jones Staff Award: Bryan Voltz, Physical Plant Ann Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching: Susan Fourness-Ewell, Upper School Science Department Chair
Retired biology teacher Ann Griffin was on hand to honor the first recipient of the Ann Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching, her longtime colleague Susan Fourness-Ewell, Upper School chemistry teacher.
Brent Award: Pete Follansbee, Upper School English Martha Elizabeth Schwarz Award: Ann Staples, 3rd Grade Craigie Endowment for Teaching Excellence Award: Charlie Williams, Suzanne Fleming, Cindy Cargas, Ann Cullen, Kate Cunningham, Rives Fleming, Laurie Shadowen, 5th Grade Advisors Oates Endowment for Creative and Innovative Teaching Award: Mike Boyd, Keith Saine, Jon Shelley, Hershey Center
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Keith Saine, Mike Boyd and Jon Shelley were recognized with the Oates Endowment for Creative and Innovative Teaching Award for their excellent work in and around the Hershey Center for the Arts.
Campus Construction and Renovation This summer spaces all over campus received the attention of contractors and our own in-house talent.
Steel installation at the Academic Commons has been steady throughout the month of August. Our new library is taking form!
Additional Projects, Not Pictured
The aisles in Oates Theater were resurfaced this summer, and new LED strip lighting was added to help delineate the aisles when the lights are dimmed. Other interior improvements include new carpet, wall treatments, and tile in the north/south hallway—giving the area with a much brighter/friendlier appearance.
Middle/Upper Schools: Working towards next summer’s switch (the Middle School will move to the Upper School building and vice versa), these improvements were made: New classroom lighting/ occupancy sensors, hallway lighting, increased electrical capacity, window film on south facing windows, window shade systems, enhanced wireless access throughout each building
The temporary home for our communications staff, adjacent to Jacobs Gym, has been situated and landscaped in a manner that helps it blend into the campus. Communications will move to SAC after Academic Commons is complete.
Seal Center: Refinished dance studio floor. Lockers were replaced in both boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. The larger lockers will store larger equipment much better than our older system. Upper/Middle School Nurse’s Office: Reworked the interior to make the space more functional and accommodating
Robyn Hartley, Arthur Johnson, Matt Lee and Allison Moyer of the Collegiate grounds crew installed the plants around the Communications Cottage.
SAC: New roof (no more leaks)
A vinyl ceiling and new lighting were added at the front of Jacobs Gym. These finishes will help keep our front porch clean from birds nests (and droppings) and present a more attractive front door for one of our campus’s signature buildings.
New Casework: It was a busy summer in the Middle and Upper Schools! New energy-efficient lighting and blinds were installed in all classrooms, and select rooms received new short-throw projectors, casework, whiteboards and sound boards. More changes will take place next summer!
The brick pavement at the drop-off areas outside Watt Library and Luck Hall was repaired this summer as part of an ongoing effort by the Physical Plant to make the campus “barrier free.” Fall 2012 | 9
From the Upper School
A
s I returned from a family vacation this past July rested, rejuvenated and ready to turn my thoughts to the opportunities and excitement of the year to come, I picked up the July 23 issue of Newsweek and was greeted with a slap from one of the cover story headlines: Generation Screwed. Wow. That catches the eye. Newsweek writer Joel Kotkin labeled young Americans under 35—Millennials, Generation Y, or, to put it in perspective, our current crop of Upper School students —as a generation growing up with little promise of success. Shockingly harsh phrasing to be sure, but there is some sobering substance to his outlandish title. Citing the impact of the Great Recession on the young—plummeting net worth, stubbornly high unemployment and underemployment rates, a boomer workforce putting off retirement, spiraling debt (both personal and pubic), steady decreases in earned income, increasing personal stress and anxiety levels, and a loss of youthful optimism (only 16% of college graduates surveyed felt they would “do better” than the previous generation) —he makes the case for a generation in crisis, inheriting problems not of their creation, with huge obstacles to clear and little reason to hope. Shoot, he didn’t even include such media favorites as outsourcing, global competition, climate change, energy dependency, China,
and the education gap in his article and he managed to take the wind out of my sails a bit. Well, this was certainly not the affirmation I was looking for as I turned my thoughts forward to the year at school, but it did get me thinking. Why don’t I feel this way as I look at our kids? How and why are we continuing to buck this trend at Collegiate? At the Upper School level it’s folly to divorce your educational program and initiatives from the “real” world, but evidence—both statistical from our college alumni surveys and anecdotal from our alum and family tales—suggests Collegiate graduates are doing quite well. Is it luck? Richmond? Good hair? Maybe some of these things play a part, but mostly I think it’s a combination of two enduring Collegiate qualities that always have and always will set our graduates apart. On the one hand, ours is a community and culture that emphasizes looking ahead and thinking about where the world is going, not reacting to where it has been. Our nimble and innovative use of technology and B.Y.O.D. (bring your own device) learning models allow students and teachers to access technology in a way that best serves their needs, our construction projects build for the teaching and learning spaces of tomorrow, our meaningful and substantial global experiences organically expose kids to new ways of looking at the world, and our forward
looking growth in curricular offerings from an inspired and engaged faculty that is second to none. All of these things foster a confident, pioneering mindset that serves our students well as they enter a fast changing, competitive marketplace. But, I think there is more. Our students are good people— respectful, honest and thoughtful young men and women of strong intellect and stronger moral character, who do well in the world for who they are as much as what they know. There are many measurables and metrics out there today that are spouted in the media about what kids “need” to succeed. As mentioned above, this is worth paying attention to, but never at the expense of committing to the development of the person first. We have produced generations of successful leaders, innovators, husbands, wives and friends at Collegiate, because we have always been and will always be a community that celebrates and promotes the enduring values of academic excellence and fundamental human goodness. Qualities that will weather any economic storm the world can muster.
Ben Rein Upper School Head
Upper School Fall Parent Education Programs Navigating the First Half of Upper School Wednesday, Sept. 19 7:30-9:00 p.m. • SAC 1 Parents of 9th Graders All 9th Grade parents are invited to join Upper School Counselor Andrea Miller, Student Life Director Kristin Harris, and a panel of students for an informative evening about what to expect in the first years of Upper School. Come learn more about health and wellness programming, academic, athletic and service requirements, international travel opportunities, extracurricular activities and much more. Questions? Contact Renee Innes (innesrr@comcast.net) 10 | Paw Print
Bagels with Ben – Fall Edition Thursdays, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 8:00 a.m. • SAC 1 Catch up with Upper School Head Ben Rein. He presents a flexible subject agenda in a roundtable type discussion. A great way to feel the pulse of the Upper School and to exchange thoughts about enhancing US Collegiate experience.
Cut … Paste … Plagiarize: How Do We Help Educate in the Electronic Age? Wednesday, Oct. 17 7:30-9:00 p.m. • SAC 1 Parents of 9th through 12th Graders welcome.
Do you often feel that your child knows more than you do about technology? What are the hidden dangers of the Internet today? How can technology enhance your students’ education? If you want to know the answers to these questions and much more, come hear engaging speaker and technology specialist, John Hendron, bring us up to speed on the ever changing world of technology and its impact on our students. (John Hendron is the Director of the Virginia Society of Technology in Education, Vice Chair of the Greater Richmond Area Educational Technology Council, and Supervisor of Instructional Technology for Goochland County Public Schools) Questions? Contact Laura Bland (lbland@bbprintnet.com)
Upper School Fall Dates 9/9/12 New Families Ice Cream Social
9/13/12 Upper School Parents Night
9/19/12
9th Grade Parent Education: Navigating the First Half of Upper School
9/27/12
Bagels with Ben
10/14/12
11th Grade Parent Social, home of the Harrigan Family
10/17/12
Upper School Parent Education: Technology Discussion with John Hendron
Please welcome these new teachers:
Katie Bretz - Upper School Mathematics
BS in Commerce, University of Virginia; MEd in Mathematics Education, University of West Georgia. After working at an advertising agency for several years, Katie decided to leave the business world and teach high school mathematics in Atlanta, GA. She taught Geometry and Algebra II for five years and coached track, cross country and swimming before moving to Richmond to be closer to her family. She met her husband Ben and began teaching at Deep Run High School. Katie spent six years at Deep Run teaching Calculus and Geometry, and tutoring students for the SAT. Katie will be coaching varsity cross-country.
Shayna Cooke - Upper School Science
BS in Marine Biology, University of South Carolina; MAT in Secondary Science Education, University of South Carolina. Shayna taught Biology in an inner city school in Chattanooga, TN before moving to The Baylor School where she taught middle school science. Shayna worked with the school’s Walkabout outdoor program and was the Director of the Roundsquare program, an international exchange program between independent schools; Shayna led trips with students around the world. She traveled to Tanzania, Africa where she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, worked as a research assistant on Lake Baikal in Siberia, and was a journalist assistant for the Naples Daily News where she traveled to Macchu Pichu, Peru. After Baylor, Shayna and her husband Brad moved to Steamboat Springs, CO where she taught in the Education and Science departments at Colorado Mountain College. She and Brad also opened a Jewelry and Accessories boutique. Upon the arrival of their son, Cyrus, Brad and Shayna moved back to Richmond to be closer to family. Shayna will be coaching varsity swimming.
Toby Desch – Upper School Student Life Intern
10/21/12
10th Grade Parent Social, home of the Cornell Family
10/21/12
9th Grade Parent Social, home of the Donahue Family
10/25/12
New Upper School Faculty
Bagels with Ben
What’s Really Going On? US Student Survey Results with Renee Soulis Thursday, Nov. 29 7:30-9:00 p.m. • SAC 1 Parents of 9th through 12th Graders welcome. Renee Soulis of Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) will present and interpret the results of the 2012-2013 Upper School Health and Wellness survey. Questions? Contact Laura Bland (lbland@bbprintnet.com)
BIS with a focus on elementary education, Virginia Commonwealth University. Toby, a Collegiate alum, began his college career at Hampden-Sydney but transferred to VCU after deciding he wanted to focus on education. While at VCU, Toby completed many hours of service in different Richmond City Public Schools and tutored students at St. Andrew’s School. Upon graduation in December, Toby became a kindergarten and 1st grade aide at St. Andrew’s and helped supervise the breakfast and lunch programs. Also, he has been an assistant JV football coach and the head Cub wrestling coach at Collegiate for four years. This past year Toby became the head JV golf coach. Toby currently serves on Collegiate’s Alumni Board and he has volunteered his time by taking current Collegiate students on service trips to other schools such as Oakgrove/Bellemeade and St. Andrew’s.
Emma Drucker – E. E. Ford Teaching Fellow in English
BA in English and Environmental Studies, Middlebury College. Before starting at Middlebury, Emma took a semester off to teach English and geography at a school in the Indian Himalayas. While at college, she helped coordinate and run the peer writing tutor program and met regularly with freshman to help streamline their writing process and revise their essays. She also guided trips for the Middlebury Mountain Club, leading teams of students through the Adirondack and Green Mountains. Somewhat afflicted with wanderlust, Emma has studied, traveled, or taught in many countries across the globe, from Mongolia to Micronesia. Emma is eager to explore Richmond as well. She will teach English and coach cross-country.
Phil Lawson – Interim Choral Teacher
BM in Music Education, James Madison University; MDiv, Baptist Theological Seminary. Phil taught from 1999 - 2006 at Clover Hill High School and was most recently Minister of Music at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. He is a JMU alum and a founding member of the nationally acclaimed a capella group Exit 245. continued on back cover Fall 2012 | 11
In the Middle School
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ith summer break just underway, some 30 Collegiate faculty found themselves back at school attending some or all of the four seminars offered by Diana Laufenberg, a master history teacher from the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. Held over two days in mid-June, the engaging workshops provided excellent insights into teaching, learning, thinking, curriculum development, and the role of technology in education. The first session focused on how to use technology to support a student-centered Socratic method to teaching history. This was followed by a dynamic session on project-based learning. Through the use of ‘driving questions,’ students and teachers conceive of and address problems that require creative solutions and demand high expectations of collaboration, communication, and critical thinking of all the participants. The third session was on embracing failure, the topic of Diana’s 2010 TED talk, where she posits that education has embraced a “culture of one right answer leading to the erosion of analytical and critical thinking abilities of American students.” To effectively prepare our students, we must create an environment where ambiguity, flexible thinking, experi-
mentation, and innovation are prized. The final workshop focused on meshing the online world with the world of the classroom. With the degree to which students are connected comes a unique opportunity to leverage the worthwhile aspects with the goals of the classroom. All of the sessions were thoughtprovoking and filled with practical ideas of how to enhance current practices or initiate change. Further, the central themes that emerged were very much in line with those that we espouse. We seek to prepare dynamic, creative thinkers who are ready to take on the challenges ahead. Knowledge, while important, is not the end goal. Rather, it is the application of knowledge, the thinking, that is the hallmark of effective education today. Emboldened by our time spent with Diana, we look forward to the pursuit of what one observer of her TED talk characterized as the need for teachers to “mentor in the direction of excellence rather than competence.” It is an exciting challenge that will ultimately serve our students in the best ways possible.
Charlie Blair Middle School Head
Middle School Fall Dates 9/9/12
New Families Ice Cream Social
9/10/12
8th Grade Parents: Community Service Coffee
9/14/12
6th Grade Fall Timeout
9/16/12
5th Grade Parent Social, home of the Lucy family
9/20/12
Middle School Parents Night
10/11/12
5th Grade Parent Education: Middle School Leadership Panel
10/12/12
5th Grade Time Out
10/14/12
6th Grade Parent Social, home of the Armstrong family
10/14/12
OUR TASTIEST TRADITION The Stuffed Cougar and The Stuffed Cougar, Too are our Collegiate family’s favorite cookbooks. They are collections of recipes for delicious and festive foods for family meals, parties, and gifts. Many of us were raised on them and know them by heart! The cookbooks make a perfect gift for newto-Collegiate families, alumni brides and grooms, and recent college grads setting up their first kitchens.
Cookbooks are $14.95 and the proceeds go to the Parents’ Association which helps fund Collegiate programs. To order, visit http://www.collegiate-va.org/cookbook. The cookbooks are also available at The Cougar Shop on campus. 12 | Paw Print
7th Grade Parent Social, home of the Sisk family
10/21/12
8th Grade Parent Social, home of the Speight family
11/1/12
7th Grade Time Out
11/8/12
5th–7th Grade Parent Education: Drug Education 101: You Should Know As Much As They Do
11/9/12
8th Grade Time Out
11/14/12 8th Grade Parents & Students: Lifestyle Risk Reduction
Middle School Fall Parent Education Programs 8th Grade Community Service Coffee Monday, Sept. 10 8:00-9:00 a.m. • SAC 1 Preparation for 8th Grade Community Service for all interested 8th Grade parents and volunteer parent drivers. Questions? Contact Jennifer Moelchert (jmoelchert@hotmail.com) or Teresa Eastep (tgewvu89@gmail.com)
New Middle School Faculty Please welcome these new teachers:
Daniel Bell – Middle School Technology / Sports Video BFA in Writing for Film & Television, The University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA. Daniel graduated as Valedictorian of the College of Media & Communication and was awarded the Rod Serling Writing Award. After graduating, Daniel worked in media and design for a non-profit organization and then became the media arts teacher for the Chelsea School in Silver Spring, MD. At Chelsea, Daniel coached track, founded and facilitated several student clubs, and was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award. Daniel simultaneously obtained his MAT in Special Education from Trinity University in Washington, DC. He then moved to Maui, HI to teach technology and special education at the Kihei Charter School, where he also coached track, led student clubs, and learned to surf and scuba dive. After moving to Richmond, Daniel worked in special education at Short Pump Middle School.
Craig Ely – Middle School Science
Middle School Leadership Panel Thursday, Oct. 11 8:15-9:15 a.m. • SAC 1 Parents of 5th Grade welcome Our own Middle School Leaders will offer practical insights into what you can expect in the Middle School and answer any questions you may have. Learn more about what our children are learning and experiencing each day. Questions? Contact Sarah Doerfler (sjdoerfler@verizon.net) or Sarah Gentry (gentrymd1@verizon.net)
Study Skills for 7th Grade: Juggling Cub Sports and Preparing for Six and Twelve Week Tests Mid-fall date – TBD Ruth Webb, MS Academic Services Chair and Fletcher Collins, Assistant Head MS Curriculum, Instruction and Technology will share organization and study strategies for juggling Cub sports and six and twelve week tests. Watch for date and time announcements in the Monday Message. Questions? Contact Mary Frances Geho (mfg5524@aol.com)
BS in Biology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; MS in Secondary Education, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. While attending UTC, Craig worked in at the Chattanooga Nature Center as a wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Craig was the assistant director for the Chattanooga Zoo. Upon receiving his master’s degree in education, Craig taught high school biology, food science, anatomy & physiology, as well as, physical science for four years. He has spent the last five years teaching middle school science in Hopewell, VA.
Laurie Goode – Middle School Math BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with Honors, minors in PK-6 Mathematics and Social Studies, Virginia Tech; MA in Curriculum and Instruction, College of William and Mary. After receiving her master’s degree, Laurie taught math for three years at Tabb Middle School in York County. While at Tabb, Laurie coached softball, co-sponsored Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and led after-school remediation sessions for the Algebra Readiness Initiative. She served on divisionlevel curriculum writing committees and state-level standard setting committees for statewide assessments. Laurie was nominated for the York County Apple Award in 2011, an award recognizing employees’ individual acts of outstanding service or achievement. In addition to teaching, Laurie will be coaching cub basketball and softball.
Drug Education 101: You Should Know As Much As They Do Thursday, Nov. 8 8:00-8:50 a.m. • SAC 1 Parents of 5th through 7th Graders welcome Brenda Conlan, from Lifestyle Risk Reduction will lead a workshop for 5th through 7th Grade parents on communicating the risks of alcohol and drugs to our children.
Lifestyle Risk Reduction Workshop: Conversations About Making Healthy Choices Wednesday, Nov. 14 7:00-8:45 p.m. • Oates Theatre 8th Grade Parents AND 8th Grade Students Can’t miss Brenda Conlan from Lifestyle Risk Reduction (LRR)! Brenda will lead a required workshop for 8th Grade students and their parents on communicating the risks of alcohol and other drugs. Questions? Contact Sally Chambers at schambers@collegiate-va.org.
Fall 2012 | 13
In the Lower School
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e talk about the importance of giving students roots as well as wings. That is something we are intentional about at Collegiate. Our students learn new habits of mind that prepare them for a changing world. Project-based learning provides an opportunity for children to investigate a question that intrigues them. They set out with strong skills and content knowledge to solve a problem through trial and error. Learning to make decisions and true ownership of the project makes it more meaningful for the student. The process is as important as the product. Students often work in small groups and learn the valuable skill of collaboration early on. Our faculty is collaborating as well. We are adding an engineering teacher who is already planning with science and math faculty, technology teachers and librarians to see what will emerge for our students. Again, this journey is what keeps
us thinking and learning as adults. All of these opportunities provide the wings that take us in many new directions. Yet, we never forget the enduring habits of heart which provide those roots that run deep. Our five Collegiate values underpin all that we do and are a part of each classroom community. Teachers find ways to teach these values through class meetings, literature and the day-to-day life in the Lower School. One example is our connection with Freedom House which includes Stone Soup Day and weekly lunch preparations. This allows our students an opportunity to put these values to work in a very real way. Roots and wings … this is our goal for each child this year.
Lower School Fall Dates 9/9/12 New Families Ice Cream Social
9/12/12 Lower School Parents Night
9/19/12 Kindergarten Parent Workshop I
9/27/12 Cougar Pause
10/2/12
Kindergarten Parent Workshop II
11/15/12
Jill Hunter Lower School Head
Mindful Living Program
New Lower School Faculty Please welcome these new teachers: Danielle Pycroft – 3rd Grade BA in Psychology; University of Richmond; MA in Curriculum Instruction, University of Richmond. Having grown up in Harare, Zimbabwe, Dani’s interest and passion for field hockey allowed her to explore the sport on the international circuit, representing her country at the U16, U18, U21 and national team level across the world. She attended UR and worked as a math and reading interventionist position at REES while she completed her graduate work.
Lynne Tulou – 4th Grade Assistant BS in English, Speech, and Drama, minor in Journalism, Longwood College. Lynne’s career began at George Wythe High School where she taught English and public speaking and coached the forensics team. She also taught English at Highland Springs High School and choreographed that school’s musicals. After teaching middle school English in Milwaukee, WI, Lynne returned to Virginia, later embarking on 16 years at Trinity Episcopal School teaching English, drama, public speaking, and Old Testament. Lynne was Trinity’s lay chaplain for eight years. She also served as English department chair and coordinated the school’s community service program. Since 2006, Lynne has been substitute teaching in Collegiate’s Lower School, including two long-term positions in 1st and 4th grades.
Carolyn Villanueva – 2nd Grade BA in Art History, Gettysburg College; MEd in Multi-Cultural, Multi-Lingual Education, Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, CA. Before becoming a teacher, Carolyn worked in college admissions at Allegheny College, Bucknell University and Scripps College. Later, she taught in California, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. She has over 10 years of teaching experience spanning pre-school, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Grades where she taught world geography and English for seven years. 14 | Paw Print
A new traffic pattern and drop-off naming system at the Lower School should help make our traffic routine a bit simpler.
Lower School Fall Parent Education Programs Kindergarten Parent Workshop I Wednesday, Sept. 19 8:15-9:15 a.m. • Burke Hall Dr. Jill Hunter, Head of the Lower School, and Marella Gregory, Lower School Counselor, will provide kindergarten parents with insight on what to expect from their kindergartner in their first year at Collegiate.
Kindergarten Parent Workshop II Tuesday, Oct. 2 7-8 p.m. • Burke Hall Frances Coleman, Lower School Math Learning Specialist, and Katie Taylor, Lower School Reading Learning Specialist, will provide kindergarten parents with information on the Reading and Math programs at Collegiate, specifically regarding kindergarten.
Mindful Living – NEW! Thursday, Nov. 15, 8:15-9:15 a.m. • Luck Hall, Room #100 Sure to be a transforming hour! Alex Peavey, US Counselor, Teacher and Boys Varsity Basketball and Lacrosse Coach, will discuss how to approach parenting in a more mindful way. Alex writes “approaching life more mindfully helps us to face and respond to the various challenges that arise each day, and this enables us to be fully present and more productive when serving those around us in both our professional and personal lives.” Please join us for this special opportunity to learn how being more mindful can improve your effectiveness and enjoyment in parenting and other areas of life! Check out Collegiate’s Mindful Living webpage (http://bit.ly/ apeaveymindful).
Math Game Night Thursday, Nov. 29 7-8 p.m. • Burke Hall Frances Coleman and Katie Taylor will lead this fun program on math games that you can play at home with your children.
Condolences Please keep these Collegiate families in your thoughts. If we have missed anyone, send an email to Lynn Melnick at lyngirlmel@aol.com so that we can include the information in the next issue. Kent F. Ipsen, father of Lisa French and grandfather of Anna ’13 and Jordan French ’16, died on Feb. 19, 2012. Robert Nelson Fishburn, father of Blair Burford and grandfather of Will ’20 and Katie Burford ’22, died March 24, 2012. James Tredway Spratley, father of Tred Spratley and grandfather of Cindy Spratley ’15, died March 25, 2012. Helen Jonopulos Gates, mother of Emilie Evans and grandmother of Hank Evans ’12, died March 28, 2012. Susan Ficklen Harrison Fitz-Hugh, mother of Slaughter Fitz-Hugh, III ’82 and grandmother of Slaughter Fitz-Hugh, IV ’12, died on April 1, 2012. Richard Henry Ferguson, Sr., father of Mary Kendall White and Robert Ferguson and grandfather of David ’16, Harris ’16, and Carson White ’17, and William ’20 and Jeb Ferguson ’22, died April 12, 2012. Janet McGeachy Fisher Coleman, mother of Custis Coleman, Jr. ’80 and grandmother of Custis Coleman III ’14, died April 14, 2012. Mary Chandler Pace, mother of Mark Pace and grandmother of Ellie ’14 and Frances Pace ’15, died on April 24, 2012. David Latimer Raine, Sr., father of David Raine, Jr., and grandfather of Zoe ’12 and Josh Raine ’13, died April 20, 2012. Concetta Maria Lunetta, mother of Paolo Randazzo and grandmother of Marco Randazzo ’15, died April 19, 2012. Marie Rose Cornely, mother of Ann Berger and grandmother of Colin ’15, Aidan ’17, and Regan Berger ’21, died May 6, 2012. Dr. J. Gary Maynard, Jr., father of Sara Maynard Sommers ’80 and John Gary Maynard ’86 and grandfather of Sally ’12 and Sam Sommers ’15, Jake ’17 and Avery Maynard ’20, died May 8, 2012. Dr. Manuel Diaz Mendez, father of Cindy Rayner and grandfather of Meghan Rayner ’15, died May 12, 2012. Margaret Leahy Willard, mother of Howard Willard and grandmother of Grant ’16 and Charlie Willard ’19, died May 12, 2012. John A. Aboud, father of Bill Aboud and grandfather of Anya Aboud ’12, grandfather of Matt Aboud and great-grandfather to Robby ’23 and Patrick Aboud ’25, died June 7th, 2012. Betty Jo Philpott Martin, mother of Mary Middleton and grandmother of Jack Middleton ’12, died June 14, 2012. Charles Marvin Johnson, father of Scott Johnson and grandfather of Sarah Johnson ’15, died June 21, 2012 Robert H. Patterson, Jr., father Meg Patterson Mansfield ’83 and grandfather of Molly ’13 and India Mansfield ’23, died July 12, 2012 Benjamin Rice Lacy IV, father of Callie Lacy Brackett ’95 and grandfather of Jones ’22 and Ben Brackett ’24, died on July 16, 2012 Elsie Pitts Donnahoe, grandmother of Alan Vaughan ’91 and greatgrandmother of Porter ’23 and Lawson Vaughan ’25, died July 28, 2012. Fall 2012 | 15
103 North Mooreland Road • Richmond, Virginia 23229 (804) 740-7077 Fax (804) 741-9797 www.collegiate-va.org
103 North Mooreland Road Richmond, Virginia 23229 www.collegiate-va.org
Keith A. Evans, Head of School Lindy M. Williams, Associate Head of School Phyllis Palmiero, Vice President-Finance Amanda Little Surgner ’83, Vice President-Advancement Ben Rein, Head of Upper School Charles L. Blair, Jr., Head of Middle School Dr. Jill Hunter, Head of Lower School David Colón, Academic Dean Charles L. McFall and Karen Doxey, Co-Directors of Athletics PAW PRINT is published multiple times throughout the year. Elizabeth Cogar Batty ’77, editor phone : 741-9781 e-mail : ecogar@collegiate-va.org Beth Flippo Hutchins ’88 and Marguerite Bostic, Parents’ Association Correspondents PAW PRINT may be read online at www.collegiate-va.org Collegiate School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin in the administration of its educational, admission, scholarship or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the school.
New Upper School Faculty (cont.) Chris Lim – Upper School Physics
BA in Biochemistry and Biophysics, Amherst College. At Amherst, Chris completed a senior honors thesis in biochemistry and graduated magna cum laude. Chris was also involved in numerous organizations including the Glee Club, the Peer Advocates of Sexual Respect, diversity admissions initiatives, and served as a teaching assistant in the department of chemistry. As a teaching intern at Northfield Mount Hermon Summer Session, Chris co-taught a course in high school physics. This summer before coming to Collegiate, Chris led hiking, kayaking, and rafting trips in Yellowstone and Teton National Parks with Overland Adventures.
Marc Reynolds – Upper School Science
BS in Biology, Saint Joseph’s University; MS in Biology, Saint Joseph’s University. At SJU, Marc was a three-year captain and four-year defensive MVP for the lacrosse team while leading SJU’s environmental club (GREEN COW). After graduating from SJU in 2005, Marc went on to teach traditional wilderness skills at a camp in Essex, CT before starting his teaching career at Nature’s Classroom, an outdoor environmental education program in New England and in Vermont as a snowboard instructor. Marc then continued his education at SJU in 2006 studying endangered amphibians in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey while acting as a naturalist at a state forest and interning for the Fish and Wildlife Department until 2008. In 2009, Marc joined the faculty at the Salisbury School in
Salisbury, CT where he taught biology and environmental science. In addition, he coached lacrosse, headed the Wilderness Club, and spearheaded the Community Supported Agriculture initiative at Salisbury. Marc comes to Collegiate having spent five weeks teaching at Wolf Tree programs, a wilderness skills mentoring program in Montague, MA. Marc will be an assistant coach for boys’ varsity lacrosse.
Sally Williams – Upper School Math
BS in Business Administration, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Sally also has completed some graduate work in mathematics education at both Mercer University and Georgia State University. She is a native of Atlanta and taught middle school mathematics for four years at Crabapple Middle School, followed by seven years in the Upper School mathematics department at Pace Academy before moving to New Hampshire in the fall of 2005. At Pace, Sally served as adviser to the yearbook and, for three years, fulfilled the role of the school’s Dean of Honor and Discipline. Throughout the last seven years at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, Sally has taught all levels of mathematics, most recently geometry and AP Calculus. In this all-boarding environment, she advised both boys and girls in their living environments and served as assistant coach to both the JV and varsity volleyball teams. She will coach cub volleyball.