SMS Program Earns National Recognition

Contact: Jenni Brockman Phone: 804-443-3357 Fax: 804-443-6781 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tappahannock (January 10, 2005) - St. Margaret’s Co-Curriculum, a character and life skills education program, has earned national recognition as a model for other schools.   Photo left:   Dean of Faculty George McDowell and Director of Residence Natasha Kollaros made a presentation about the St. Margaret’s School Co-Curriculum that was featured in a recent issue of Education Week The attention came first as a featured presentation at The Association of Boarding Schools’ annual conference in December, and most recently, in a column in the January 5 edition of Education Week. The publication, with a circulation of more than 217,000, is the national newspaper of record for primary and secondary education. “Some boarding schools are becoming more deliberate in directing what students learn outside the classroom,” wrote reporter Mary Ann Zehr, using the St. Margaret’s Co-Curriculum as her primary example. Now in its second year, the SMS program “Is based directly on the goals we have set for our graduates,” said Dean of Faculty George McDowell. “We worked backwards from those qualities—things like intellectual honesty, flexibility and self-motivation—to design an integrated series of age-appropriate learning opportunities.” Each trimester focuses on a different aspect of normal teenage development: identity, healthy lifestyles and decision-making. Teachers or invited speakers present content at all-school Town Meetings and at boarding students’ residential meetings. Then students further explore the topics through individual assignments and smaller, grade-level discussion groups. Wellness is this year’s co-curricular theme. After an introductory lesson on life balance and change, students developed personal wellness plans that they now monitor at regular intervals. The emphasis also has included requiring all students to participate in physical activity at least two afternoons per week, and putting more fruits and vegetables on the cafeteria menu. Together with Director of Residential Life Natasha Kollaros, McDowell made the conference presentation on which the Education Week article was based. Head of School Margaret R. Broad, Assistant Head for School Life Cathy Sgroi, Clinical Advisor Mary Williams and Nurse Blair Blanks work with McDowell and Kollaros to develop and teach the Co-Curriculum. Check out the article in Education Week