Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SMS Launches New River Program With a Splash
Tappahannock, VA (September 21, 2000) - More than 175 St. Margaret's students, faculty and administrators officially launched the school's signature River Program with an overnight trip to Jamestown on September 7 and 8 - and they made a splash!
St. Margaret's senior Kathleen McDermott holds a small fish she "landed" while canoeing on the James River, a highlight of River Day 2000 for girls at St. Margaret's School.
During River Day 2000, girls learned that they could do things they'd never done before, whether it was canoeing on the James River, sharing a campfire performance with the entire school, or trusting new friends to catch their fall on the low ropes course. They also spent half a day at the Jamestown Settlement living history park.
"This year's River Day is a terrific example of how St. Margaret's River Program helps girls build confidence, discover the rich interrelationships between science, history and culture, and learn water sports they can enjoy for a lifetime," said Headmistress Margaret R. Broad.
SMS always has focused many of its courses and activities on the river. The new program integrates such staples as River Day and classes in marine biology, ecology and environmental science with expanded curricular and co-curricular offerings. Working with her advisor, each girl selects courses, community service projects, student activities and recreational options to develop an individualized river program plan.
A student who's interested in a potential career as environmental scientist might take marine biology, go whitewater rafting with the Outing Club, spend most of her service hours in water-related work, and do a senior internship with an organization like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Virginia Institute for Marine Sciences.
Another girl, who likes sports but prefers humanities, might join the crew team, use the school's expanding fleet of sail and motorized boats in her leisure time, volunteer with the local history museum and use her independent study to explore the role of rivers in history.
"The great thing about our program is that it's flexible," said science teacher and program coordinator Andrea Robinson. "It helps prepare students to be what they want to be, whether that's a marine researcher, a businesswoman who kayaks or a mom who can help her kids with their biology homework."
Local residents are invited to participate in the River Program by sharing their knowledge of maritime history and culture at an SMS "Town Meeting," hosting a student intern in their water-related business, or donating boats and boating equipment they no longer use. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Robinson at (804) 443-3357.
