Blue & Gold Sept. 1995 by The Steward School

The Steward

School

Fall Retreats Begin Long Range Planning

CONNECTION

Constituencies' Input Guides School's Direction in the Future Inside these pages of The Blue and Gold Connection you may get an idea of how we spent our summer here at Steward. Along with the regular list of maintenance chores, a growing student body has kept us quite busy hiring, planning, scheduling and organizing. Numerous changes are on tap for the upcoming school year. Details on the new schedule, new personnel, new courses, additional activities and campus changes are in this issue. It is my hope that information will not only be helpful, but also have you looking forward to the exciting school year ahead. Besides responding to growth, these changes reflect our continued commitment to adA d ress the needs of a diverse and talented student body. They are in large part the result 路 . of a year- long dialogue in the school community that began with parent meetings last fall. Within a new activity or course, you may find your own suggestion and idea. Over the year, we have listened, observed, studied and responded. With each step we have kept the focus on our students and our mission. In successful organizations this process never stops. As we look beyond '95-'96 to the type of Steward we want three or five years from now, it is important that we continue this dialogue among the School's teachers, students, parents, alumni, friends, outside educators and community leaders. This fall, the School will begin a formal long range planning process by hosting a seri es of morning retreats on Saturday, September 23 and Saturday, October 7. Both will take place on the Steward campus and run from 8:30 to 1 :00. These retreats will be an open forum for all constituencies to express their views and share vision for Steward. Although some of you wi ll be specifically asked to participate, all are invited. Don Fudge of Independent School Management who conducted our recent marketing study will facilitate this dialogue. From this feedback, priorities and strategies will be determined, then a steering committee of the Board will convert it to a formal three to five year plan. The goal is to emerge from this process with a detailed plan for plant and programs that will serve as a "road map" for Steward 's future. Although it would be easier for the administration and Board simply write a plan based on their own vision , it is this process that will give the long , . range plan validity. Participation is the foundation of community consensus, and consensus is the key to successful implementation.

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am often asked about the School 's next big construction project, whether it will be an auditorium or classrooms or library or cafeteria. Here is the opportunity to express your views. See you in a few days ...

~A ~~. Stephen M. Stackhouse

In this issue Sept 1995 New Trustees Appointed to the Board ..... ... ~ .................. 2 . Growing Enrollment Starts i路 Summer Game of "Musical Classrooms" ........................ 2 ~

Where Did They Go? .......... 2 Eight Period Day Creates Options .................... ......... . 3 Steward Park ....................... 4 Parents ' Association Efforts. 5 New Courses and Program Expansions .......................... 5 New Teachers and Administrators Bring Experience ...... 6 Annual Giving Success ........ 8 Greeting from the New Middle School Head ........... 9 The School Store Welcomes the New School year ......... 10 Matching Learning and Teaching Styles .. ................ 10 i

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I he Blue and Gold Connection Is published : momhly for The Stew."d ;

Schoof community.

Sieve Stackhouse j-/eadmasler

Liz Shupe Editor

BOARD OF TRUSTE[S

AROUND CAMPUS

New Trustees Appointed to the Board

Growing Enrollment Starts Summer Game of "Musical Classrooms"

A total of six new Truslees will be joining the Board beginning this September. Among them are some new and familiar faces to the School community. The Trustee Class of 1995 includes Mavis Brown, Mike Drzal, George Garner and Alan McCollough. These Truslees wi ll serve three year terms. Ed and Claudia Lawton will also be joining the Board as Co-Presidents of the Parents' Association for the '95-'96 school year. We welcome their experlise,leadership and experience as Steward grows in the exciting years ahead.

The good news from the admission office has kept everyone around the School busy this summer. Director of Admission, Scott Moncure, states lhat we are fluctuating between 15 and 30 students ahead of last year 's enrollment figures. Most of our growth is in the Lower School where over 15 additional students have us creating new sections in Kindergarten and 3rd grade and hiring an additional leacher lo spli t lime between the 4th and 5th grades .

Mavis Brown is a professor of educalion at the University of Richmond. Her specialty is in the area of reading.

These new sections have the Lower School using three more rooms in Dixon Hall. Consequently, a number of leachers are changing room assignments. With classroom and storage space at a premium, an additional trailer and . Room 15 (previously tutoring space) wi ll be used for classes. _ Room 15 will also be the Lower School computer lab . . The library wil l be used for a study hall and some tutoring _ will be in facully offices.

Mike Drzal is an attorney and shareholder in th e firm of LeClair, Ryan, Joynes, Epps and Framme, P.c. Mike is a graduate of Providence College and the Georgetown University Law Center. His son Ch ris is in Grade 10. George Garner is a principa l w ilh EDS Management Consulting Services. George is a Certified Public Accountant and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the Co llege of William and Mary. He is the father of Kate, a third grader, and George Jr., Kindergarlner.

Where Did They Go? ew teacher classroom assignments and classroom changes lo dale are listed below:

Alan McCollough is Senior Vice-President for the Corporate Merchandising Department of Circuit City Stores, Inc. He is a graduate of Missouri Valley College and Soulhern Illinois University. Alan's daughter, Jessi, is an alum nae of Steward from the Class of '94.

In Dixon Hall: Mrs. Strickland (Kindergarten) - Room 3 Mrs. Ricketts (Grade 2) - Room 7 Mrs. Grossman (Grade 4) - Room 11 Mrs. Hajek (Grades 4/5) - Room 12 Mrs. Cross (Grade 3) - Room 6 Mr. Ingraham (Engl ish 7) - Room 14 Mr. Jones (History 7/9) - Room 14

Edward and Claudia lawton, parents of Andy in Grade 4, will share leadership duties of the Parents' Association. The president(s) of the Parents' Association serves a two yea r term on the Board. Both are graduates of the Universily of Virginia. Ed is a Senior Vice-Presidenl and Director of Sales and Trading at Davenport and Company of Virginia, Inc. Claudia is a Professional Engineer and has worked with an area architectural firm.

In Middle School Building: Mr. Cox (English 10/11) - Room 21 Mr. Coulombe (History 6) - Room 22 Mrs. Maclin (English 6/ 7) - Room 23

In other Board business, the Executive Committee of the Board has nominated the fo llowing slate of officers for lhe new academic year:

In Classroom Cottages (Trailers): Mrs. Holland (Spanish) - Room 39 Mrs. Brumberg (History 11) - Room 39 Mrs. Collier (French) - Room 41

Bob Larus-Chairman and President Vice-President and Treasurer Janet Meyers-Secretary Stephen M. Stackhouse-Executive Vice-President and Headmaster

c.c. Salterfield-

In Taylor Hall: Mr. Serr (Geometry/Physics/ChemCom) Rms. 32 & 34

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Mrs. Holland (Spa nish) Mrs. Brumberg (History 11) ~

Arts/Middle Building

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Mrs. Collier (French) Mrs. Gutterman (French)

New teachers and changes: Mr. Cox (English 10/11) .. Rm. 21 Mr. Coulombe (H istory 6)Rm. 22 M rs. Maclin (English 6/7) Rm. 23

Dixon Hall

Taylor Hall

New teachers and changes: Mrs. Strickland (K) ........ .... Rm. 3 Mrs . Ricketts (2) ................ Rm . 7 Mrs. G rossman (4) .... .... .. Rm. 11 Mrs. Hajek (4/5) .... .... ..... Rm. 12 Mrs. Cross (3) ... ....... ......... Rm. 6 Mr. Ingraham (Eng. 7) ..... Rm. 14 Mr. Jones (History 7/9) .... Rm. 14

New teachers and changes: Mr. Serr (Geometry/ Physics! ChemCom) .... ... ... Rms. 32 & 34

Parking

Assembly/ Advisory: Period 3: Period 4: Period 5: Lunch: Period 6: Period 7: Period 8:

Eight Period Day Creates Options

The school day will begin 15 minutes ea rli er at 8:00 a.m. rather than 8 :1 5. This wil l enable us to schedule an eight period day and accommodate new electives and activities in the Midd Ie and Upper Schools. There will not be a special Friday schedule as last year. Upper School activities li ke Model United Nations, SODA, photography, yearbook, etc., will be incorporated in the normal school day. The day wi ll begin immediately with classes. Assembly, advisory and break lime w ill fo llow second period. Lunch w ill follow fifth period.

The change wi ll also provide greate r flexibility in individual and group schedul ing. In Middle School it will allow for the return of a modified double period English, the continuation of fo reign language exploratory and a new option for study hall time. Most science lab periods can be schedu led in conjunction with classtime . There will be more options for tutoring sessions. This is a step toward a " block" type schedu le which typically has periods of variable lengths. Additionally, the extra classtime al lows us to include a few more Monday holidays in the school calendar.

ew Bell Schedule: Period 1: Period 2:

9:32 - 9:50 9:54 - 10:36 10:40 - 11 :22 11 :26 - 12:08 12:08 - 12:42 12:46-1:28 1:32-2:14 2:18 - 3:00

8:00 - 8:42 8:46 - 9:28

Steward Park Improvements and new playground equipment installed over the summer wi II give the Lower School play area a new look this year. Lower School Head Ed Rossmoore dubbed Lhe renovated playground as "Steward Park." The co nstru ction of Steward Park represents the completion of a project that began two years ago with the "Pardee Challenge," a fundraising effort among grandparents. Other donors to the project includ ed the Bell Bryan Day Nursery Foundation and the Class of 1995. Last year's seniors designed the park based upon the input of Lower

Newly.dubbed Sleward Park fealures a geodome, lreehouse, and swing sets will! slides

School students. Through economics class, the students reviewed bids on the projects and made recommendations to the Board's Building and Grounds CommiLtee. Ultimately, the seniors added a tree house to the original design and contributed the fu nds for its construction. Besides the tree house, new features will include an additional basketball hoop, a "geodome," a new swing set and a play complex with slides and climbing bars. Existing equipment was also modified to ensure safety standards are met.

Parents Save With Used Book Sale

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With help from the Business Office, the Parents' Association coordinated and ran the School's first used textbook sale on June 14 and 15. Organizing began with the collection of book in the final days of the school year. Over 100 books were sold at the sale. Leftovers were donated to the School or will be avai lable at the regula rly scheduled Textbook Issuance Days in late August. As you make your purchases for the upcoming school year, keep the used book sale in mind and plan to participate in the year ahead. A used book market will help our parents save money and avoid monstrous book bills when school begins. A special thanks to Ann Maszaros who coordinated this effort.

e The Class of 1995 donalcd the treehouse to the new playground complex.

will be allocated for departmental use, most will be used to outfit a new Lower School computer mini-lab. This set-up will allow classes to do computer work outside of their regularly scheduled resource time in the primary lab. Beginning in September there will be a mini-lab in each academic bUilding along with the primary lab in Dixon Hall. The library is also getting a makeover. Freshly painted shelves and new tables and chairs will make the library more visually appealing. Additionally, the library has increased its collections by over 400 volumes. Since late spring, second grade teacher Robin Ricketts and a number of parents shopped at community library and publisher clearance sales to improve the quality and the quantity of our collection. The recent additions will benefit students at all grade levels. The books were selected based on teacher recommendations and their application to our curriculum.

Computer leacher Mitra Palmer trains fa cult y members Robin Ricketts and Ian Coddmgton on our new computers.

Thank you Parents' Association! Your supporl makes a difference!

_Parents' Association _Efforts Result in Library Improvements and New Lower School Computer Lab

New Courses and Program Expansions Enrich the Curriculum A number of new courses and programs will be offered during the new school year. The additions include both remedial and advanced classes. This variety helps Steward address the diverse ability range of its student body. In the Middle and Upper Schools schedule choices allow students to pace themselves.

The tremendous success of the annual auction and other Parents' Association fund-raisers will be having a big impact on the student body this September. Big changes are in store for the library and computer labs as a result of the generosity and support of our parents. In May the Parents' Association donated $40,000. These funds have enable us to renovate the library and implement the second phase of our computer program. Over the past two years, the Parents' Associations funds have help us develop a state of the art computer education program that uniquely complements Steward's curriculum. _ _ -

This broader curriculum bears an added cost in personnel. Especially in the Upper School, class splits have been made for educational reasons rather than student numbers. These additions are in part to keep promises made in the marketing study follow-up. They also have positioned us for continued growth.

As mentioned, we will return to modified double English (one period for Reading, one period for Writing) for the Middle School. The foreign language exploratory will continue, and this is the final transition year. Grades 6 and 7 will be taking Latin / Vocabulary several days a week. In the language of their choice, 8th graders will have the option to begin the fo rm al first year of study or divide level one into two years.

Over lhis summer the entire faculty has received computer training. Week long courses were offered at the beginner and intermediate level. The course included train ing in basic word processing, spreadsheet and database programs, as well as a walk through of the CD-ROM resources in the library and of the Internet. In terms of hardware, we recently purchased an additional13 computers and 8 printers. While a few of these

In its final form by '96-'97, the Middle School foreign language program will look like this:

tion in a coordinated program with faculty and students._ At the Lower School, Odyssey of the Mind and The Bi&A Idea (Individually Designed Educational Adventures) are_ new enrichment activities.

Grade 6- Vocabulary/ Latin Exploratory Grade 7- Spanish and French Exploratory (semester each)

Business FYI:

Grade 8- Level I in language of choice or Level IA followed by Level IB in Grade 9

Two changes in accounting procedures will begin with the '95-'96 school year. First, tutoring fees will now be reflected in your monthly bill from the School. The rates and fees will remain the same; however, tutors will no longer bill parents directly.

This year Physics, Chemistry in the Community and Algebra I - Parts 1 & 2 will return to the schedule . Calculus will continue as an independent study. New courses taught will include English College Prep and Math College Prep, which will focus on SAT preparation, Honors Geometry, Computer II. Some activities like Model UN will be a formal course.

Secondly, tag-on activity charges for individual student activities have been estimated and bundled into two payments payable at the beginning of each semester. This is in response to parents concerns regarding "nickel and dime" charges and is in line with what other schools do.

Other new programs which you will hear more about in the future include a student exchange with the Riverston School in London, the Steward Model United Nations Conference (for Richmond area MUNs, April 26-27) and the Honors Symposium for selected students in Grades 9-11 . The 7th graders will focus on responsible decision-making in Health class through the Quest program . The Guidance Office is focusing on teamwork and connict resolu-

New Teachers and Administrators Bring Experience to Staff

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With the addition of three new Lower School sections and the expansion of the curriculum in the Middle and Upper School, we have added nine new employees joining the School family. Here is a brief rundown on them.

Roger Coulombe (Middle School Head) Roger comes to us from Harrells Christian Academy (NO where he served as the Headmaster, a K-12 school similar in size to Steward . Prior to that appointment, he spent eight years at Charlotte Country Day School as Head of the Upper School. Other administrative experiences include a tenure as Associate Headmaster at Lake Forest Academy (Ill and Dean at both the Nichols School (Ny) and Chadwick School (CA). As a teacher and faculty leader, Roger taught middle school students for four years and served as a history department chair, a dorm parent, a student advisor and a basketball coach. He is a graduate of Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and holds a Masters in Guidance and Counseling fro~ Roosevelt University in Chicago. He also served as a member of the Peace Corps teaching English in Thailand .

Kate Strickland (Kindergarten) Chris AI/en is our new AFS foreign exchange sludenl from Auslralia.

Kate has been a substitute at Steward for many years and is the mother of Allison (Grade 5) and Amy (Grade 4). Kate is a graduate of Vanderbilt University's Peabody Col-

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lege and has a Masters from VCU in Counselor Education. Her experience includes two years as a Kindergarten teacher in Beirut, Lebanon.

Remember the Spartan Sale coming up on Family Fun Night, Friday, October 27

Stephanie Cross (Grade 3) Stephanie joins us from the Jewish Community Day School where she taught Grade 2 and physical education last year. Prior to that appointment, she taught Grades 3 and 4 at Friends Academy in Locust Valley (Long Island), NY.

If it has been in your attic since the days of Ancient Greece, pitch it towards us. Call Mia Norton at 784-5523) to arrange for drop-off or pick-up of large items.

Stephanie has also served as a teacher, coach and dorm supervisor at the Hoosac School (NY), St. George's School for Girls (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Hotchkiss School (CT). She is a graduate of Hamilton College where she was an Academic All-America n in soccer. Teaching is a family affair. Stephanie's husband is a teacher at St. Christopher's.

Theatre Camp in Meadville, PA and the Martin Luther King Creative Arts Camp in Erie, PA.

Bonny Hajek (Grade 4/ 5)

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Paul Ingraham (English Grade 7)

Bonny is familiarto the Steward community as a senior instructor with Challenge Discovery Outdoors Adventures. She was a classroom

Pau l joins us from North Country High School in Newport, VT where he was a teacher of World History, Psychology and SOciology. Family brings Paul to the Richmond area. Despite this most recent assign-

teacher in Illinois for over five years; however, her work with young people also includes experience as a preschool owner, a camp assistant director, a storyteller, a referee, a piano instructor and a fitness specialist. Bonny is a graduate of Elmhurst

ment, Paul has primarily taught Middle School Engl ish over the past twenty years in the Northeast. His experience included ed iting student literary magazines and coaching soccer, hoc key, baseball and debate. At the Peck School (NJ), Paul was English department chair. Paul is a graduate of Hawthorne College (NH) and has a Masters in Secondary English Education from Northeastern University. He will help sponsor Model United Nations with

College and has a Masters in Elementary Guidance and Counseling from Northern Illinois University. She is married and has three daughters -1 5 year old twins and a 9 year old. She has authored and presented several articles on raising twins.

Paula Verkon (Theatre)

_ _ _ _

Paula recently graduated from Case Western Rese rve University with a Masters in Fine Arts. Her undergraduate degree is from Gannon University. 19'1lved in college and community t~tre, Paula's experience is diverse. Along with a complete acLing resume, she has been a stage manager, an assistant technical director and a light designer. She has taught acting as well as the technical theatre to students of all ages at Case Western Reserve, STAR Summer

Norva Meyer.

Ed Cox (English-Grade 10/11 ) Ed is returning to teaching after careers in business and school administration. Over the years, Ed has taught English composition and American literature at Cradock High, Charlotte Latin, Virginia Episcopal, Webb School in Knoxville

fmmi Gutterman

and Christchurch. Ed will be able to contribute to Steward in other ways given his extensive administrative experience. He served as Upper School Head and Director of College Counseling at Charlotte Latin, Assistant Head at Webb and Christchurch and Director of Ad mission at St. Cathe rine 's and Randolph-Macon College. Ed is a graduate of Randolph-Macon and has done graduate work at the Universities of Virginia and Tennessee. He will serve as the primary coordinator for the Riverston exchange.

Emmi Gutterman (French)

Kate 51 rickland and Stephanie Cross

Emmi will be team teaching Frenc~ classes with Lee Collier. Emmi has a B.A. in French from Ohio State University and a Masters in Teaching from VCU. She has also done graduate work at Middleburg College and L'Eco le In ternational de Cannes. Emmi joins us from Godwin High School where she recently completed her student teaching.

Annual Giving Success Reflects

Todd Serr (Science Physics, ChemCom & Math - Geometry)

Spirit of

Todd joins us from Nottoway High School where he taught physics, algebra, earth science, geometry and technology. Prior to that he taught at Fredericksburg Christian School and Owosso High School in his home state of Michigan. He is a graduate of Michigan State University where he holds two Bachelor degrees in Seconda ry Education and Engineering. Todd, who is a former cross country coach, will supervise a fall running club for interested students.

Commitment The '94-'95 Annual Fund set newe school records for dollars raised and participation. The participation lev-e els of the Steward community are substantially higher than the national averages provided by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) . As of June 30, $78,957 was paid against $85,695 in pledges, and the average gift was $293. This past year, the voluntary support of the school community helped to pay for a additional teacher in a crowded classroom, student activity trips, library books and resource materials, fine arts equipment and supplies, computer equipment and software, playground equipment and renovations, student financial aid, a new sports team, an athletic trainer, a SAT preparation course, campus signage, teacher compute e training and a new school bus. The Annual Fund and generosity of the Parents' Association have a significant impact on Steward . It empowers us to act on our commitment to excellence and makes a tangible difference in the daily lives of our students.

Carolyn McCormack (Part-time Math Algebra II) Paula Verkon

Carolyn will continue working in the Resource Department, but will also teach two classes of Algebra II. Prior to living in Richmond, she taught geometry and algebra in Georgia, and for the past several years, she has been a tutor and summer school teacher at Steward. She is a graduate of the University of Richmond and has done graduate work at vcu. Todd Serr

- Greeting from the New - Middle School Head Dear Middle School Parents:

As the 1995-96 school year rapidly approaches, I wanled to address a few words to all of you, to tell you of my impressions after my first few weeks here at Steward, to convey some thoughts on Middle School life, and perhaps to shed some light on my hopes for the coming year and thereafter.

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and over vacations. Such occasions provide nol only family time together, but help to give focus for discussion and exchange of ideas. Driving to and from school can also be a good time for one-on-one dialogue. And, most importantly, commuting is a time for lislening. Listening shows that the parent respects what their son or daughter has to say, and helps them to develop a positive self image.

From the very start, I have been fortunale to meet several students and parents who have come by the School for one reason or another, and who have stopped at my office to introduce themselves and to say hello. I have also mel with nearly all Middle School faculty in individual conferences to get their views, and to learn more about their hopes in the coming months and years. One thing has become patently clear: everyone here is very committed to serving the School and the students, and to helping Steward become one of the very best independent schools in the area. The faculty have been unanimous in their praise of Middle School students, and they have genuine enthusiasm for all the possibilities that will present themselves in the coming months.

Along with setting limits and providing structure, parents must also learn to let go. Middle School students can and should be trusted; they need to learn gradually to make their own decisions in the safe and secure atmosphere of a family or a supportive school. They won't always make the right decisions, but making mistakes is part of learning to grow up. The security of a supportive family and school wi ll help lhem when some of those mistakes and disappointments are difficult to face.

Our hope, both immediate and long-term, for the Middle School, is to provide an environment where Steward plays a major role in the lives of our students. We want it to be an experience in which students look forward to coming to school, to seeing frie nds, to working with cari ng adults in making decisions about school life, and to enjoying casual conversation on any subject with anyone here at school.

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Roger Coulombe, new Head of the Middle School.

Of greatest importance, we as adu lts-both parents and school personnel-need to be there w hen a young person needs us. The Middle School student needs to know that someone close to them cares, ~nd is willing to help. My intention this year is to be as open and as accessible as possible.

Also, our sincerest hope is that parents and school personnel can complement one anolher's efforts and become allies in educati ng the young people in our care. Middle School students need attention. They need lime to sit at the dinner table and talk with their parents about the everyday activities of life. They need parents and school people who are able to maintain a sense of humor. They need structure and limits: curfews, homework time, and quiet times for reflection. They need guidance concerning friends, relationships, and peer pressure.

My philosophy has always been encompassed in the letters MBWA-Management By Walking Around. In that way I hope that students will feel comfortable in talking with me, and that they will know that their years at Steward School will be some of the very besl of their lives. I look forward to a year in which open communication and mutual listening are hallmarks of our relationship, and that, from that procedure, our young people will be happy and productive beneficiaries. Sincerely,

In our common endeavor to make the Steward experience an exciting and fulfilling one, we want to involve stude nts in many activities beyond the classroom. Visits to museums and other schools, extended field trips, journeys to historic places and the like, are events that help students growth by broadening their horizon. We intend to implement such activities reasonably often this year, and we encourage parents to do the same on weekends

A./u,,, wl

Roger A. Coulombe

The School Store Welcomes the New School Year The School Store is stocked and waiting! . . . .~ ew Steward School items are :

arge Canvas Totes ....... On Sale for $7.50 (Reg. $10.00) Adult Sized Navy and White Pique Shirts ...... On Sale for $26.95

Rose Marie Howard shows 0(( the School Store's new Tote 8ags.

(Reg. $29.95) All other clothing, Tees, sweatshirts, on sale for 20% off

Matching Learning and Teaching Styles

Hard to Find School Supplies: Whi le celebrating the recent increase in enrol lment at Lhe Lower School, we are confronted with the practica le challenges of managing that growth. This coming fall we. will add new sections at some grade levels. There are number of logistical and educational considerations in making these new sections.

World Atlas ...................................... $5.25

Scientific Calculators with case ..... $12.00 200 sheet note paper ....................... $0.75 Poster Board 22x48 .......................... $0.40

Often the first issue of growth involves finding appropri ate classroom space within the confines of an existing building. Given cu rrent demands in the past few months we have looked at offices and storage areas in new and creative ways. You may notice that a few areas have undergone a conversion.

Art Supplies also. Food Items: Cheese Pizza .................................... $1.25 Deep Dish Pizza .............................. $1 .50

More importantly, the second issue involves making the right match of teacher and students w hen making room assign ments. Parents are naturally concerned with the placement of their child(renl and will often make request for a particular placement. Please be assured that we take on this task on with the greatest of care. A professional colleague wrote an excellent article on the many facets Lo consider in these decisions and the difficulty Lhat requests can cause.

Corn Dogs ....................................... $1.00 Cheese Burgers ................................ $1.50 .50

.40

.75

all drinks

chips

poptarts

all candy

crackers

Dunkaroos

popcorn

Rice Crispy treats

"We are approaching the time when requests begin trickle in for particu lar teachers or particular class assignments. Unfortunately, these requests are often based hearsay, incomplete information, or attitudes that may be shaped by individual perceptions that vary greatly from one person to another. The end result can be the mismatching of learning and teaching styles, as well as the

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Animal Crackers

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eation of groups of students who interact in a less than manner.

"Teachers and administrators work with great thought and diligence in setting up classes for the following school year. We look at a child's personality, academic strengths and weaknesses, and the degree of need for structure versus creativity. Then we try and make the best match possible between each child and the teachers in the upcoming grade. In addition, classes are balanced by number, gender, and behavioral patterns. Some children need to be se parated and others work really well together. These group dynamics and individual traits are generally not as discernible to a parent as they are to the school. " Frequently, we find that parenLs make teacher-requests based on their perception of the teacher's personality without taking into account that teachers react differently to children in a classroom than to parents in a more social situation. Probably an even more common basis that parents use for making a request is comments from other parents. The problem here, of course, is that the teacher . nd situation that are best for one child may not be best W or another."

adept teaching staff is made up of individuals with varied interests, skills and talents. At Steward, we feel that the faculty is an exceptionally capable, dedicated, and sensitive group of professionals. Collectively, their individual strengths create an outstanding academic and nurturing environment for all our children. We ask that parents afford school staff the opportunity to develop the classes as they best see fit. Often we can bring to bear our understanding of and experience working with an individual student. In every case, we do our best to ensure well-balanced classes and to provide the optimal learning situation for all our children. "Thanks 10 Zena Herod of Norfolk Collegiate School for use of her art icle.

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THESrEWARDScHOOL 11600 GAYTON ROAD路 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23233

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