a publication from Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Mes Amies № 06
2013 Fall ISSUE
Woodlands Academy students traveled to Vienna, Austria, this fall for the annual Sacred Heart exchange with Sacré Coeur Wien. Pictured (from left) » ALLIE SILGE ’16, CAROLINA RODRIGUEZ BORJAS ’16, LUCY WALKER ’16, KRISTEN CLAIR ’16, ELLERY TAYLOR ’16, LILIA SWIFT ’16, MIA HAGNELL ’16, EMMA WARD ’16, ELEANORE VAN MARWIJK KOOY ’16, MADDY MORRIS ’16, LUCY BARNHART ’16
Global Education, Exchange Programs Flourish
W
oodlands Academy
The Sacred Heart network is a huge
Currently, there are Sacred Heart
is on the move with
advantage since there are schools
schools with summer programs in
its expanding global
on six continents and 43 coun-
Chile, Australia, Taiwan and Mexico.
education and exchange programs.
tries. Woodlands has exchange
Students can go on one exchange
Global education is a key focus of
programs in five continents and 12
a year, but can do two if one is
the Strategic Plan, which states,
countries: Taiwan, Australia, Chile,
over the summer.
in part, that Woodlands Academy
Mexico, Spain, Austria, England,
will expand, enhance, and hone its
Ireland, Scotland, France, Japan
understanding of, commitment to,
and Canada, and the list continues
and development of global educa-
to expand.
tion for the 21st Century.
EXPLORING Vienna
The exchange programs are cost effective in that students pay just for their airfare and spending money. They stay in homes of other Sacred Heart families who host them.
To influence our world, we must understand it. – SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
Another goal of the Woodlands
ELEANORE VAN MARWIJK KOOY ’16 prepares to board the guided boat tour destination Durnstein.
program is to do international service which Perlick hopes to piggyback with other Sacred Heart schools.
Global Education Director Amy
“Every day I have emails from all
Perlick said, “The exchange pro-
over the world, thanks to our net-
Woodlands also is exploring the
gram is the cornerstone of our
work. It’s ideal. We all are part of
possibilities of faculty exchanges
global education program. We not
the same big family and can call on
within the U.S. and international
only want to send our students
the network for anything.”
networks.
Students usually go on exchange
Another new project is participa-
during their sophomore year, and
tion in the National Association
all exchanges, with one exception,
of Independent Schools Challenge
abroad to explore different languages and cultures, but vice versa, to expose our students to new friendships and cultures.”
on a beautiful, and seemingly unending,
are individual. The Sacré Coeur
20/20 through which U.S. schools
“Any time you can expand a young
Wien in Vienna exchange is the
partner with an international
person’s world, you are opening all
exception. Started in 2008, this
school to solve a global problem.
sorts of possibilities to her. I think
program consists of sending 10 to
Woodlands will partner with Wold-
with technology, there is so much
12 Woodlands students to Vienna in
ingham School in London, for the
information available to students,
fall, while 12 students from Vienna
2014-15 school year.
but they don’t always know what to
visit Woodlands in spring.
do with it. Once they travel outside their home country, they begin to think very creatively about the process for change and how they can use technology to make those changes.”
Global Exchange Director AMY PERLICK
Perlick is excited about her new
Woodlands is trying to cultivate
role and all of the possibilities.“I
more exchanges in the southern
can’t stop thinking about things I
hemisphere so students have more
want to do – insights I want stu-
opportunities for exchange during
dents to learn and knowledge I’d
our summer months.
like teachers to impart.”
street in Durnstein
FROM LEFT
» LUCY BARNHART ’16,
ALLIE SILGE '16, and MADDY MORRIS ’16 walk the grounds of Belvedere Palace. ELEANORE VAN MARWIJK KOOY gives a personal account of her visit to Vienna on our WA WORLD page. VISIT
» WOODLANDSACADEMY.ORG
Woodlands Welcomes New Partner for Students' Health
A
Embracing Technology
W
hile remaining true to the
potential, Woodlands embarked on a
principles that guided its
two-year rollout plan. Faculty and ad-
founding in 1858, Wood-
ministration had a full year to learn how
lands Academy of the Sacred Heart is
best to integrate the iPad into their cur-
committed to using the latest technol-
riculum and unique instructional style.
ogy available to prepare students for
“This year, the rollout is complete and
the 21st Century challenges they’ll face after high school.
B
The skillful use of technology, and the ability to learn how to adapt to new technologies, is an important component of Woodlands’ strategic vision for technology. Kyle Schmitt, coordinator of education technology and integration, oversees the process.
A. TARA GILL ’15 and NATALIE ROBBINS ’15 are among the many students who now use
For example, each student is now required to have an iPad. While many schools are implementing iPad programs, Schmitt believes Woodlands stands out for its forethought and preparation. Envisioning the iPad’s
Citizenship Summer internship that Jennifer first encountered GoodWeave. There began
the latest technology to find the best resources to complete classroom assignments.
her great passion for
B. Coordinator of Education Technology and Integration KYLE SCHMITT C. Educator ELLIOT COFFEY, a new addition to the Math Department, lectures with the aid of his iPad and Smart Board technology.
celebrating the Centenary
Another big issue is understanding the relationship between
W
social media and well being. Research shows us that excessive oodlands Academy continues to invest in its
time spent on social media negatively impacts one’s sense of
students’ entire well-being with the addition
well-being. Teens imagine that others are having a better time,
of a school psychologist who will help sup-
or have more friends. The social comparison that goes on may
partnerships with community agencies.
may interfere with more direct peer interactions or with having
year’s teaching preparation,” Schmitt
This enhancement is part of a national trend to shift more
"It is better to begin a great work than to finish a small one."
Recent studies indicate that students who use iPads in the classroom score
Janet Erskine Stewart, RSCJ (1857-1914)
better on literacy tests and increase their flexibility of thinking. With the explosion of apps, students can become
resources to student support services. At Woodlands, Chris-
across the world will be celebrating the Centenary of English native Janet
ing app, which gives students access
Erskine Stuart, RSCJ. Mother Stuart was a renowned educator who is
to all instructional materials any time,
remembered both for her spirituality and her contributions to the education of
any place. Haiku also allows students
young women in Sacred Heart schools across the world.
to communicate with their teacher and classmates about their studies – mean-
A gifted child, Stuart was the youngest of the 13 children in the Anglican Rectory at Cottesmore, England. A quest to discover her ultimate purpose took her through teenage years of religious skepticism to becoming a Catholic at age 21. Her father, a Church of England minister, then forced her to leave home,
Schmitt says these changes are creat-
and she continued her search for her true path in life which she found by
ing a “blended classroom” environment
entering the Society of the Sacred Heart at Roehampton, England, in 1882.
in which traditional classroom instruction is blended with online instruction. While Principal Madonna Lee Edmunds enthusiastically embraces these changes, she says one thing remains constant: “Personal interaction between
Mother Stuart translated Saint Madeleine Sophie’s person-centered spirituality rooted in the love of the heart of Jesus into her own early 20th Century idiom.
opportunities to children in weaving communities. Dann-Fenwick now works for GoodWeave and does monitoring and evaluation work, collecting data to substantiate both the real and human impact of GoodWeave and compliance with industry best practices. “Woodlands has a
healthy boundaries around social media usage.
focus on social justice that influences the way you look at the world. I was surrounded by
explained that the Welfare Committee is now the Student
people who helped me want to make a lasting
Support Team and that her role has changed.
need a lot more sleep than they’re getting for their stage of
difference,” she said.
The team is comprised of Schmidt, Principal Madonna Lee Edmunds, School Nurse Marsha Marko, and Dr. Meg Kincaid, a works part time at Woodlands.
assignments using the Haiku Learn-
India, and Nepal as well as offer educational
psychology. We realize now more than ever that adolescents
more collaborative in their thinking.
During 2013-2014, schools of the Sacred Heart in the United States and
labor in the carpet industry of Afghanistan,
Sleep deprivation is another issue of significance in teen
clinical and school psychologist, who consulted with and now
For example, they can now turn in
time for self exploration. We need to help teens establish
this organization whose mission is to end child
tine Schmidt, former dean, now director of student services,
more organized, more creative and
to the classroom.
with many Web-based tools,” he says.
University’s Active
students have been well-served by last
and tools we use is certainly one of our
age multiple devices, and be familiar
It was through Tufts
not be accurate. Time spent managing their on-line persona
ing such interaction is no longer limited
and careers, students will need to man-
Jennifer Dann-Fenwick ’08
port students’ social and emotional development and further
“The variety of technological devices strengths. In the ‘real world’ of college
We’re looking to further connect with very positive community resources – CROYA, Erika’s Lighthouse, Lake Forest Community Wellness Task Force, Willow House and LEAD.
C
says.
Personal interaction between student and teacher is still the key.
Profiles in COURAGE and Confidence
What does a school psychologist do?
What groups are we looking to partner with?
Beth directs the MFA Program at Ole Miss,
We’re looking to further connect with very positive
where she was named
community resources – CROYA, Erika’s Lighthouse,
the 2011 Outstanding Liberal Arts Teacher of
and LEAD. We’re asking how we can further help our girls Psychologists support the school community by provid-
connect for their own personal development, as well as for the
ing direct and indirect services: consultation, assess-
opportunity to volunteer and help others if they’re so inclined.
other health professionals.
A
Q
Beth Ann Fennelly ’89
Lake Forest Community Wellness Task Force, Willow House
ment, crisis intervention, and counseling and are a liaison with
Q
learning, growth, equilibrium, and overall well-being.
A
Mes Amies sat down with Kincaid.
Q A
neurodevelopment. Healthy sleep patterns are essential for
Whare some hot topics in teen psychology nationwide?
Q A
the Year. A poet of stunning distinction, she has authored three volumes of poetry, all published by W.W. Norton. Fennelly has won the Nation-
How do you view your role?
al Endowment for the Arts Award for poetry as well as a $50,000 grant from United States
I’m here to help with the psychological development of
Artists. She also writes nonfiction, including
the girls through a variety of means - working with the
essays on the craft of poetry. A Fulbright grant
How do we help adolescents become more resilient?
Student Support Team, collaborating with families, faculty,
in 2009 took her to Brazil to study the work
Teens need support in learning about themselves, their
and outside agencies, providing counseling services, and be-
of Pulitzer Prize winner and poet Elizabeth
Elected in 1911, she was the first Superior General of the Society to use modern
strengths, and when to seek help. It’s vital that they learn
ing involved in instructional opportunities that occur through-
Bishop. Fennelly and her husband, L.A. Times
transportation to respond to the challenge of establishing “Cor Unum” in a
healthy coping skills for managing stress, and for dealing with
out the school year. I love to share my fascination with the
everyday emotions as well as anxiety, depression, and peer
field of psychology.
Book award winner Tom Franklin, recently co-
global organization. She died in Roehampton in 1914.
wrote the novel, The Tilted World, which takes
conflict.
the couple on a book tour this fall.
student and teacher is still the key.”
PHOTO BY
WAWorld
SUSAN S AINT JA MES ’63 the WA sc speaks to hool com munity a own exp bout her eriences as a stud woman o ent and f the Sac red Heart .
THE CLASS OF 2014 be gan the scho with an enth ol year usiastic cele bration of se niority.
udly ’14 pro ALSHE W IN M ng the CMENA nd duri OTTE M w Zeala CHARL e N f o . the flag remony carries l flag ce a u n n a s school'
» ANDY ANDERSON
WOODLAN DS ALUMN AE reunite in the Lund a Room at th e Student Union on M arquette’s Campus.
FROM LEFT
» PAT COLBERT,
EMMA
S MEG GRAMIN RUDNIK, AND ent ev ng networki connect at WA ed cr Sa nt of the held at Covena C. Heart, NY
ALUMNA E FROM THE CLA their 50 SS OF 19 th Reun 63 celeb ion at O rating nwentsia Club.
Check out our Reunion 2013 photo gallery! » WOODLANDSACADEMY.ORG
VISIT
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
the Woodlands Academy Global Exchange Program
384
Average number of time zones our exchange students cross to visit WA
5
6
Number of continents from which Woodlands welcomes exchange students every year.
Average number of miles WA students travel to reach their study abroad destinations.
Number of waltz steps a Woodlands Academy student takes during her introductory waltz lesson in Vienna, Austria.
Hours a Woodlands Academy student travels to study abroad at the Sacred Heart school in Melbourne, Australia..
6,454
23
12
Number of countries with which Woodlands has exchange programs through the international network of Sacred Heart schools.
PAID PERMIT NO. 93 LAKE FOREST, IL 60045
100
WA students who have studied at the Sacred Heart school in Vienna, Austria, since the exchange program with Sacré Coeur Wien
started in 2008
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VISIT » WOODLANDSACADEMY.ORG » FOR LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION
3
New countries (Ireland, Scotland, France) we’ve added exchanges with this year
School Selects Resilient Sacred Heart Woman as Theme of Year
A
s graduating women of
added. “Our conversations with our
been featured on The New York Times
courage, confidence and
students and among ourselves in the
best-selling list. She has been my idol
compassion is a four-year
adult community will seek the truth of
since I was 10 and embodies all of the
goal for Woodlands Academy, the
resilience by entering into the ques-
characteristics of a resilient and inde-
theme selected for emphasis this year –
tions themselves. Conversations with
pendent woman.
as well as a for a speaker series - is the
our parents and guardians also will
Resilient Sacred Heart Woman. “We believe that if a young woman has a clear sense of herself, she will make wise choices in her life and will understand what she must do if those choices are not wise,” Head of School
help us collaborate to ensure that our young women develop ‘a guiding light within, and a power to climb a difficult path, and pick a way through unknown country by that light.’” (Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ)
Selene Serkland ’16 When I think of a resilient woman, Anne Frank immediately
Gerald J. Grossman said. “The Sacred
We asked our new special-interest
don’t think of all the misery, but of the
Heart is very much about educating
group, Woodlands Academy Media,
beauty that still remains.” This ability
young women (and in some schools,
WAM for short, to interview their peers
to stay positive during even the darkest
young men) to be resilient.”
about resilient women they admire.
times is a mark of resiliency.
The words of Saint Madeleine Sophie
WAM* members Laura Bartusiak ‘15
Barat, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne,
interviewed her peers while Zara An-
and Mother Janet Erskine Stuart, and
derson ‘15 captured their photographs.
the continual discernment of the Reli-
Below please see a condensed version.
Malala Yousafzai em-
gious of the Sacred Heart, inform how
For more student input about resil-
bodies the resilience
we remain nimble to an ever-changing
ient women, and all of the latest news,
that Woodlands so
world yet faithful to our 153-year
check out WAWorld on our website.
213 years of Sacred Heart around the
Megan Howe ’15
wonderfully instills in all of its students and serves as a wonderful role model
globe.
Marisa Perino ’16
“Because this education to resilience
When I think of a
also is a process, we offer time to learn,
resilient woman, I
to reflect, and to probe this theme
think of Jodi Picoult,
together in ‘the Sacred Heart way,’ of
an internationally famous author who
both action and reflection,” Grossman
has written 20 books, and each one has
RESILIENT Sacred Heart Woman Speaker Series
24 JAN
comes to mind. She put it simply, “I
tradition as Woodlands and part of
The
10:30AM
20 FEB
10:30AM
11 April
10:30AM
Jan Dunn, RSCJ Life at the Sacred Heart: The Resilient Sacred Heart Woman
Connie Duckworth Hope, Resilience, and Rugs: Innovative Social Entrepreneurship and Afghan Women
Connie Solari Saint Madeleine Sophie: Resilience in Service to Love
» SAVE THE DATE
Christmas Concert Dec. 5: 7 p.m.
Winter Wonderwalk Dec. 10: 6 – 9 p.m. preview Dec. 11: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
for young Sacred Heart girls such as us.
Career Day
One can only hope to possess as much
Jan. 31 Keynote speaker: Jenny Sullivan Sanford ‘80 Author of memoir Staying True
courage and resilience.
WAM is comprised of students who are working with Marketing and IT to do writing, photography, video, social media and special campaign work.
Day of Reflection March 8 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Spirituality and the Resilient Woman Facilitator: Susan Maxwell, RSCJ