A Monthly News Update From the St. Margaret's Campus

Vol. 3, No. 7 Tappahannock, Virginia, February 2001

CAPTAIN'S CORNER

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

Margaret R. Broad Home again! On my first day back, almost exactly a month ago today, I spoke to the school community about the voyages of discovery that each of us undertakes throughout our lives. On that first morning, as I looked across the full pews of familiar faces, listened to the voices of students and faculty joined in song and prayer, and started to share some of my sabbatical stories, I was struck by the depth of dedication present there in our school chapel.

Later in the month, in that same setting, we stood together to recite the words of our honor code, "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, or steal, and, in addition, I will accept responsibility for those in our community who do so." Living with, by, and within an honor code is a privilege and a challenge. The privilege is the trust we each enjoy. The challenge is assuming responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the community we create together. When the honor code is broken, we are challenged to look deeply at our community and its members.

The honor code, as we live it at St. Margaret's School, is part of the moral foundation our students need in order to live responsible lives beyond our river shore. Learning its value is one of the important lessons on each student's personal voyage of discovery. Some students learn simply by observing what goes on around them, but others face difficult decisions regarding their own actions or those of their classmates. All of us together are challenged to appreciate that our community's strength depends on our commitment to this shared moral code.

This month, we have asked several of our students to leave St. Margaret's School, to continue their own voyages of discovery elsewhere. For a small, close community, which prides itself on knowing and valuing each individual, these decisions provoke our deepest reflection. Yet my many years at St. Margaret's have allowed me to follow the courses of other girls who have left our school before they were ready to go, and I have learned two things. Our school is stronger for the tough decisions we are willing to make, but the students we ask to leave are also stronger for the challenges they must confront.

Each year, I receive letters from girls who share their stories of challenges faced and met, of growth and discovery, and finally, of appreciation for our willingness to help them confront their own lives with genuine honesty. By holding fast to our mission and values, St. Margaret's has served them - and all our students - well.

As we grow in age, may we grow in grace.

Margaret R. Broad, Headmistress

COMPASS POINTS

Return on Investment - Your SMS Investment Yields Returns
Here's what you can expect when you enroll at SMS.

Arts Are Integral - Arts Are Integral to SMS Education
SMS students enjoy multiple opportunities for creative expression.

Minimester Focus 2001 - Minimester Broadens Student Horizons
Non-traditional classes brighten winter's end.

Parent-to-parent - Parent-to-Parent: Can We Talk?
Talk with teens takes times, makes a difference.

Minimester Speaker's Bureau - You're Invited to SMS Lecture Series
Lecture series is open to parents and friends.


THE CURRENT

Many seniors use Minimester to explore careers through independent study projects of their own design. This year's senior ISPs include:

Lucy Bean - advertising, PM Graphics, New Orleans

Ariel Chen - product development, Traverich International, Taipei

Allie Chester - childcare, IRS Child Care Center, Washington

Rina Chiu - teaching, Theme School, Taiwan

Carol Combs - medicine, private practice, Statesboro, GA

Dwann Cutler - production, Black Entertainment Television, Washington

Heather Gilbert - special education, Allan Cott School, Birmingham, AL

Britt Faulkner - environmental education, Maymont, Richmond

Ayako Kikuchi - social work, Hana-no-en Nursing Home, Japan

Kathleen McDermott - web design, Jbrennemen Marketing Consulting, Woodbridge, VA

Ann Melchionna - broadcasting, WDBJ Radio, Roanoke

Sarah Muller - public relations, Philadelphia Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Philadelphia

Sara Newman - psychology, private practices, Charlottesville and Richmond

Cathy Ryan - marketing, American Management Systems, Fairfax, VA

Claire Stephenson - marine biology, Marine Science Museum of Virginia, Virginia Beach

Leila Weissinger - teaching, Sharkey Issaquena Academy, Rolling Fork, MS

Nikki Zuralow - web design, Jbrennemen Marketing Consulting, Woodbridge, VA



THE FORECAST

Important Dates:

 March
  • 7 - Arts & Drama Night
  • 9 - Minimester ends
  • 9 - Spring break begins after 2 p.m.
  • 25 - Boarders return by 7 p.m.

    • SMS Press Room