An A-Z Look Back at the 2018-19 School Year

A

Two dozen Upper School students tooka trip to Austin, Texas to participate inthe Independent Schools Associationof the Southwest (ISAS) Arts Festival,the nation’s premier annual regional artsfestival among independent schools.

B

Boogie Fever was all the rage at the StMat the Disco gala, a fantastic evening that had guests on the dance floor all night long! For more details, visit page 40.

C

The Gibbs Family CID continued to be thehub of design thinking projects, includingone project for 5th and 8th graders todesign a lampshade. The students pitchedtheir original designs to Nina Borrouso,owner of the Metairie home decor storeFurnish, and local artist Tina Marie. Thewinning designs are being sold at Furnish.

D

Dogpatch, USA was the setting of theperforming arts department’s springmusical, Li’l Abner. Read the synopsis andsee the cast list at bit.ly/StM-Abner-2019.

E

This spring, Ms. Stacy Richards’s Upper School Environmental Science class taught Ms. Pam Brierre’s second grade science class all about the importance of healthy eating and helped the second graders plant and grow their own lettuce. The project was selected as the 2019Health and Nutrition Specialty Prizewinner of the fifth annual Carton 2 GardenContest. More details at http://bit.ly/StMgardening.

F

Ford Jones Dieth ’89 has been named Assistant Head of School at St. Martin’sEpiscopal School, beginning in the 2019-20 school year. Dieth will serve in this new capacity concurrently with performing his duties as the head of Lower School.

G

On May 31, two seniors were the first George Cottage students to graduate from StM, becoming the inaugural members of the 15-Year Club. See more on page 51. In addition, six members of the Class of 2033 comprise the first group of children who started as infants who“graduated” from George Cottage. Readmore at bit.ly/StM-GCMilestone.

H

Sophomore Adriana Paz was celebrated at the New Orleans Hispanic FoundationScholars Reception on April 1. Read more at bit.ly/StM-Paz-2019.

I

St. Martin’s Head of School Dr. Merry Sorrells has been named the president of the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) board of directors.

J

Incoming Student Council President Jacob Thomas narrates the Passage of the Light Ceremony, finalizing the transition of leadership from the senior class to the junior class. Seniors used their lit candles to pass the light to the juniors’ candles.

K

Saints as young as three years old spreadkindness and positivity through gooddeeds in celebration of Random Acts ofKindness Day in February.

L

Throughout the spring, StM studentsearned Louisiana Music EducatorsAssociation honors. Clara Conatserwas selected to play in the District 6Senior High School Honor Band. Zachary Gary and George Mueller both received superior ratings in the District VI VocalDivision’s annual Solo and Small EnsembleAssessment. And Clara Conatser, Camila Figueroa, Andrew Gary, Zachary Gary, and George Mueller participated in the District VI Senior High Honor Choir.

M

The StM community went #AllInforStM to Make an Impact and support the Annual Fund this year. Parent participation was at an all-time high this year at 84%. An investment in the Annual Fund enhances students’ educational experience, enabling St. Martin’s to honor its commitment to Faith, Scholarship, and Service.

N

More than 100 new students and their families were welcomed into the StM community for the 2019-20 school year at the New Family Welcome Picnic in May.

O

Once a Saint, Always a Saint! Former StM Lower School art teacher Carolyn Busenlener led a printmaking workshop with fourth grade students in March.

P

Pancakes, syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, music, conga lines, and dancing all combined for a silly and fun Pancakes& Pajamas Day this May. George Cottage Trees and Lower School students enjoyed celebrating 100% Parent Participation in the Annual Fund with this fun- (and sugar-) filled party!

Q

Are you following StM on social media? If not, here’s a quick plug to do so. Turn to page 4 to see where to follow St. Martin’s online.

R

The St. Martin’s community welcomed students from Lycée Beaumont inRendon, France this spring. Twenty-six students and three teachers traveled to Louisiana to experience a cultural exchange with St. Martin’s students.

S

St. Martin’s is embarking on a strategic planning process that will begin in the fall. The school will engage with a variety of stakeholders, including students, parents, alumni, and supporters, inviting them to contribute their reflections as it designs the strategic roadmap moving forward.

T

Throughout the 2018-19 school year, St. Martin’s has taken a thoughtful approach to safety and security, demonstrating the school’s continued commitment to this important topic. Read more at http://bit.ly/StM-safety.

U

St. Martin’s named Peter Adair ’98 as its Head of Upper School, nearly one year after he was tapped to serve as interim. Additionally, Mary Bond and Tiffany DuSaules, Associate Head of Upper School Student Affairs and Associate Head of Upper School Academic Affairs, respectively, will continue to serve in these roles.

V

Second grade students embarked on a six-week-long project to learn more about the Louisiana SPCA and to find ways they could volunteer and support the organization. The students chose to gather materials and build cat and dog toys. Students then took a field trip to deliver the toys and tour the facility.

W

Families showed just how much they love StM’s wonderful teachers during the SCO’s Teacher Appreciation Day in May.

X

X-tra Special time with Mom was a toppriority when George Cottage hostedits annual Muffins with Mom. (Give us abreak, X is a hard letter to fill!)

Y

St. Martin’s was one of 45 schoolsfrom 13 parishes to send Middle Schoolstudent delegates to the Louisiana YouthLegislature in April.

Z

Middle School Latin students, guided by Latin teacher Mr. Keith Schwarz, took a field trip to the Audubon Zoo. While there, they scoured the zoo in search of Latin-derived words and used the OnlineEtymology Dictionary to confirm the Latin origins of their linguistic discoveries.