Contact: Jenni Brockman Beginning February 23, St. Margaret's School will hold its third annual minimester program. The program, Explorations 2000, is the penultimate winter academic break affording both students and teachers a chance to switch gears and try something new as a means of enhancing and enriching the learning experience offered at the school. "The two-week program explores areas of learning that are not necessarily part of the regular curriculum," explains minimester co-coordinator, chemistry teacher and St. Margaret's alumna, Sara Brooks. "It presents a wonderful opportunity for both students to study new and different subjects and teachers to teach specialized materials of particular interest to them." Minimester, placed between the second and third school year trimesters, is recognized as an integral part of the school's well-rounded academic program. Minimester creates an 'exciting buzz" on campus each February. Faculty members return to the classroom exuberant and ready to teach subjects of interest to themselves, such as photography, jewelry making, public speaking, drama, art and cinema.
Approximately twenty-five one and one-half and three hour courses are offered. Students register for six hours of classes. In addition to structured courses, seniors are permitted to use the two-weeks to conduct an independent, off-campus study project. Last year, students studied a myriad of diverse subjects including advanced CPR, woodcarving and creating computer graphics. This year's offerings include, "The History of Rock and Roll: Rockabilly to Rap" (an in-depth look at the rock and roll art form); "Psychology 101", an introduction to psychology with particular emphasis placed on women; "Crystal Ball", an examination of lifestyles and choices; "Creative Cuisine", cooking on a limited budget while maintaining a healthy focus and "Medical Ethics in the 20th Century," a debate and discussion course on ethics and medicine. Visiting lecturers for Explorations 2000 include: former SMS English teacher, Ruth Childress, who will teach literature and Ann Catherine Cross who will teach jazz, modern dance and ballet. In addition, an aquatics class will be taught by a staff member of the Riverside Wellness & Fitness Center. Ruth Childress's course entitled, "The Lady's Not for Burning," will examine mother-daughter relationships through the study of two plays. Explorations 2000 will also feature four types of cooking classes. In
addition to Creative Cuisine, "Exploring International Cuisine", "Life After SMS" and "Wonder Woman" will explore various aspects of cooking from planning and purchasing ingredients to tasting and experimentation. In the evening's, St. Margaret's will host a Speaker's Bureau featuring a variety of lecturer's who will visit the campus and address the SMS student body. Anita Harrower will present "An Evening with Martha Washington" at the Essex County Museum. Richmond County lawyer and former state delegate, Tayloe Murphy, is also scheduled to speak. Students of SMS drama teacher, Janet Lewis, will perform a one act play entitled "Play Time". SMS International Program Director, Leslie Bohon, has organized an International Festival event. The mission of St. Margaret's is to prepare girls for college, and, more
importantly, for life. Minimester, now an integral part of the school program, develops the experience level of the individual student. The objective of the SMS program is to produce graduates who are accomplished, honorable and confident young women. Women who understand their complex global world and know how to lead effectively can achieve great accomplishments. At St. Margaret's, minimester is one means of building confidence and sending graduates into the world prepared to succeed.
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-3357 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Explorations Minimester Program Turns Three
St. Margaret's Minimester 2000 Co-Coordinators, Susan Stephenson (l.) and Sara Brooks, and Independent Study Project Director, Mollie Conklin (r.).
