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A Monthly News Update From the St. Margaret's Campus
Vol. 6, No. 2 Tappahannock, Virginia, September 2003
CAPTAIN'S CORNER
Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,
Ready, set, go! Now, as we approach the end of our second full week, we have completed our traditional orientation and community building activities, and we have finished most of the firsts: First sports games; some won, some lost. First mixer at Christchurch. First Thursday Wal-Mart run before study hall. First residential meeting to discuss roommate contracts. First community service trip to the Catholic Church fair. First Blue/Grey events (Blue is off to a fast start). First procession behind a piper. First chapel, announcements, advisor lunches, peer leader lunches, classes, Teacher Available periods, and homework assignments. Finally, the first Wednesday morning sleep-in, when students doze while teachers meet.
Building a community is about building partnerships by working together in pursuit of a shared mission. This year, we are off to a great start because of the depth of these partnerships. With 93% faculty retention, we knew we would begin with a strong commitment from our teachers and a consistency of vision supporting each student and each program. On Opening Day, our teachers were joined by Parent Council members and student leaders who greeted each new family and accompanied them through registration. Listening in on the conversations as they moved through the process, you could hear many useful tips on such topics as how best to arrange the dorm room and what to expect on the first day of class. Students and families deserved the perfect, sunny day we enjoyed together. And it didn't rain until our faculty trio had completed an hour of music accompanying dinner on the river lawn, and it was time for boarding parents to go home!
Then we paused, as we do at this point each year, to evaluate what we've done so far. Matching action with reflection is an essential leadership skill. Listen to what some of our student leaders thought:
"I think that the leadership retreat was definitely a success... as we began our time back at school. We now know exactly where we need to be and we had fun spending time together as a leadership group, or at least I know that I did."
"Sunday orientation was also a big hit for both new and returning students. Everyone had a good time and... everyone learned something new, which is always a good thing. I... think this year will be remarkable because we had a great start!"
My thanks to each of you for your partnership in our mission. If you also have reflections on our opening activities, please share them. We'll look forward to incorporating your perspectives in our planning.
Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School
COMPASS POINTS
In the Beginning -
Ready, Set, Go!
School year gets off to a great start.....
Family Affair -
Fall Family Weekend 2003
Plan now to attend fall weekend.........
A Matter of Honor -
Support the Honor Code, Support Your Daughter
Integrity is essential at St. Margaret's......
The Right Choice -
Parents Say: "We Made the Right Choice"
Parents share reasons for choosing SMS.....
THE CURRENT
Strong support for professional development means that SMS faculty are always bringing new ideas into the classroom. Here's how some teachers spent the summer:
History teacher Meredith Henne attended a workshop on Civil War government and homefront life at Richmond's Museum of the Confederacy. Natalie LaPrade took an education course at the University of Virginia's Richmond Center. St. Petersburg, Russia, was the destination for Fine Arts Chair Catherine Neuhardt-Minor as an invited participant in the Summer Literary Seminars.
Programs on Lewis and Clark and on Mark Twain had Shannon Spears and Louise Velletri steaming up the Mississippi on board the Delta Queen. Susan Stephenson discovered "Algebra Through Technology" at a course in Oakland, CA. English teacher Tobey Taliaferro took a course on "Writing to Think" at Bard College. Clinical Advisor Mary Williams hosted and participated in the school's residential life retreat, at which the new co-curriculum was developed. Other attendees included Blair Blanks, Margaret Broad, Natasha Kollaros, Keith Krusz, George McDowell, Sue Saunders, and Cathy Sgroi.
Teachers are heading back to school this fall, too. Mollie Conklin is pursuing a master's degree at the University of Richmond, and Natasha Kollaros is working on an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University.
THE FORECAST
Important Dates:
September
26-28 - Biology field trip to Chincoteague
October
3-4 - Fall Family Weekend; first trimester interim reports out
4 - Students may leave for long weekend after last event
6 - Boarding students return by 7 p.m.
11 - SATs
14 - PSATs; "First Steps" event
Please Join Us For...
Day Student Visit Day
Friday, October 24, 2003
Local girls are invited to attend classes, take a tour, and meet current day students.
Fall Visit Day - Saturday, November 15, 2003
Prospective boarding and day students and their parents are invited to attend a panel
discussion, take a tour, and have lunch. Afternoon interviews available by appointment.
Contact the Admission Office for your invitation at (804) 443-3357 or admit@sms.org
Fifth Annual Rappahannock River
5K Run/Walk & Crafts Festival
Sprint, stroll, shop!
Friday, October 3: Festival from 10 am -6 pm
Saturday, October 4: Run at 8 am
Sponsored by the St. Margaret's School Alumnae Association
A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR CURRENT
& PROSPECTIVE SMS DAY FAMILIES
FIRST STEPS: LEARNING LIFE LESSONS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2003
Come learn how day students and their families benefit from the boarding school experience. Contact the Admission Office for your invitation at (804) 443-3357 or admit@sms.org.
Support SMS... ...Answer the call
Your Annual Fund gift keeps St. Margaret's in the forefront of small, strong girls' schools.
Parent phonathon...........October 14
Alumnae phonathon........October 23
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