WINTER 2010 • VOLUME 1 Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Greensboro, NC IN THIS ISSUE: 5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455 Permit No. 636 In The News 1-3 Sports Update 4-5 Return To India 6-9 paw GDS Faculty Innovates 10-13 PRINTS Around Campus 14 40th Anniversary Bash 15
THE INAUGURAL WINTER NEWSLETTER OF GREENSBORO DAY SCHOOL
I N T H E Change Service Requested. news If you have received this newsletter on behalf of an alumnus/a, please forward and send us his/her address. Bark for Life, a 1 mile canine walk in Country Park for cancer research, was the second most popular activity. A tag team of Printed on paper containing 10% recycled content. 405 ways Cindy Morris and Tommy Webb led this most obedient group to make a difference... of adults and dogs. The Upper School Environment Club, under the leadership The GDS community rallied behind our of Sustainability Coordinator Gareth Griffith, tackled cleaning second annual Bengal Paws for Service Woodmere Park. They filled 15 large trash bags of garbage from day on November 14. For the second the park and stream banks – they even recovered an old TV, time, the event was put into the capable shopping cart and soggy pillow. and dedicated hands of coordinator Leigh Sudbrink. Her leadership generated an Runners from age 5 to… well we’ll just say adult… signed up overwhelming response of 405 volunteers for the Free to Breathe 5K Run for lung cancer research. Many of PAWS who participated in 21 different service our runners received medals in their age brackets. Stacy Calfo led opportunities around Greensboro. Leigh Sudbrink this group of 37 strong. Lower School assistant For Service The most popular activity was making cards of support and Quilting for Project Linus is a passion teacher Sandi Scragg with encouragement for the troops and tray liners for the sick and for Valeria Paterson, who led the group juniors Katelyn Powers elderly. Leader, Kara Ruffin, with the help of Jan Findley, making blankets and quilts for traumatized and Aubrey Hood.
001 managed a crowd of 53 people spread out in three rooms. and sick children. The cards were tucked neatly into the care packages being 002 assembled in the Middle School. The cheerful tray liners were given to Beacon Place at Hospice. 003 Care packages for the troops drew 23 volunteers and plenty of donated goods. The plan was to send care packages to GDS alumnus, Alex Sigmon ’99 serving in Iraq, to US student Nathan Vercaemert’s cousin Christopher in Afghanistan, and to LS teacher Susan Kunar’s relative in Afghanistan. Diane Swords, project leader, felt optimistic that 30 packages would be completed by the end of the day. Our volunteers didn’t just break
this goal… they shattered it by completing 150
006 005 004 care packages. Six reservists were on hand to express their deep appreciation for our generosity and overwhelming support of the troops who endure great hardship being separated from their families in service to our country. I N T H E news I N T H E news m U S I C N O T E S She had 16 workers including five LS students. They made seven Alyssa Altheimer ’ 15 was accepted into the N.C. quilts and five fleece blankets. Middle School Central District Honors Band. The Costa Rican students lead audition for the band included scales, sight-reading, Two efforts helped our school-wide goal to collect 40,000 cans and a prepared solo. environment conference of food this year: Jenny Mansfield led GDS families in her experience neighborhood to collect cans for Urban Ministry. About 20 Jesus Fueyo ‘11 and Katie Rowlett ’ 12 were accepted into The Upper School Environment Club led a conference in the Western Region All-State Orchestra based upon auditions Middle School Learning Resource volunteers turned out to help collect cans in Lake Brandt Estates, January designed to help other student leaders around the state at South Davidson High School in Lexington. Specialist Angela Ballou was chosen Brandt Trace Farms and Turner Grove. Around 250 food items design and run effective Green Cup Challenges at their schools. as the newest recipient of the Brooks were donated. Girl Scout Troop 316 led by GDS moms, Ann Sapp Chase Graham ’ 11 was accepted into the N.C. Central District Sabbatical. She will spend her summer and Lynne Stonecipher, delivered 175 flyers in their neighborhood All-Region Jazz Band. Sophomores Jacqueline Gravely and Emily The schools who participated in the conference were sabbatical in Costa Rica, a peaceful to solicit cans for Urban Ministry. Their efforts yielded 575 cans. Wilder were selected to sing in the NC High School Canterbury, Bishop McGuinness, Ravenscroft, Cary Academy, and eco-friendly country and a All-State Chorus. and Charlotte Country Day. Each school sent student leaders global leader in protecting its Patty McIvor served a second time as project leader for Foster and a faculty representative. natural resources. Friends of NC and led her team of 18 to assemble “thank you” Angela Ballou The day was structured as a professional conference and was booklets containing notes from foster children. The booklets According to Ballou, “This Costa Rican student designed and student led. The schedule included will be used to promote their programs, thank their donors experience will greatly enhance my base of knowledge and sessions on building student leadership, and creating effective and volunteers and raise awareness to the needs of children appreciation for several areas of content in Middle School courses. video PSAs, and roundtables discussing building momentum experiencing foster care in our area. seagrove potters I support teachers of all subject areas and work with students on before and during the Challenge, how to maintain sustainability ways to learn effectively, thus assisting them in having a positive after the Challenge, and leveraging the Challenge to foster other Thirty canvases were painted featured as artists-in-residence school experience. It is my goal to come back from visiting a sustainability initiatives. with words and pictures of live volcano and show 8th graders, who research all aspects of inspiration for Family Service Two Seagrove potters, Meredith and Mark Heywood, were this volcanoes, pictures of the huge ash columns and describe the hot The Green Cup Challenge is a four week challenge sponsored of Greensboro by the group year’s Middle School Artists-in-Residence. They spent three rocks coming down its steep slopes. I want to develop lessons by the Green Schools Alliance that joins independent schools coordinated by new parent, days in January in our Middle School showcasing their artistic on Costa Rica’s ecology for 7th graders who study life science. across the country in a competition to see who can reduce Magz King. The paintings talents, as well as assisting every one of our Middle School Discussing the language, dress, food, daily activities, topography, electricity consumption most. Last year was the first time will hang in the battered students with making a mug. The mugs were sold to raise over economy, and government of Costa Rica with 6th graders will Greensboro Day School participated in the Challenge and we women’s shelter, Clara House, $500 for Greg Mortensen’s Pennies for Peace program. embellish their study of Latin America.” won our division by reducing our electricity consumption by and other areas throughout Parents Magz King and Meredith Scott over 20%. the Family Service building Many of our students have read Greg Mortenson’s book “Three painted canvases. Ballou also wants to start a pen pal program through the located across from the Depot. Cups of Tea - One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One Middle School’s Friends Across Borders Program, and she Results for this year’s competition have not been released. School at a Time.” Mortenson is promoting peace by building wants to bring back some of Costa Rica’s sustainable practices Check the GDS Web site for final details. Fourth grade teacher, Gillian Goodman introduced a project to schools and educating impoverished children in Afghanistan to share with her colleagues. support the Guilford Education Alliance, Teacher Supply Warehouse. and Pakistan. The book also explains that much of the money Her group of 11 helped clean and organize the warehouse which has been donated by school children who have raised money by Established in 1996 by Dr. Jean Brooks, the Brooks Sabbatical offers low cost teaching supplies to teachers in Guilford County. collecting pennies - “pennies for peace”. encourages writing, research and unique cultural experiences 2008-2009 Annual Report for our faculty. The Sabbatical covers the cost of the recipient’s Buddy Walker and the varsity –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Corrections proposed trip. Past winners have included Bob Satterfield, Lynn baseball team helped William Noecker, Kathy Davis, Carl Fenske, Judy Arnette, Marilyn Jones, Hudson with his Eagle Scout The following were omissions in the 2008-2009 Kim Burroughs, Nancy Teague, Kay Zimmerman, Beverly project to improve the baseball Annual Report published this fall. Greensboro to be or not to be... Edwards, Trish Morris, Ruthie Tutterow, and Beth Dunbar. field including erecting a Day School regrets these errors and appreciates Their Sabbatical’s have taken them to Africa, Italy, Greece, flag pole, creating mulch GDS held its annual Shakespeare Recitation Contest the generous support of our donors to the Ireland, France, Hawaii, Maine, and more. beds, repairing the fence and on January 26. Upper School students were vying for a spot Annual Fund First campaign. replacing and adding in the county-wide contest, sponsored by the local chapter Current Parents wind screens. First grade teacher Lee Roane volunteered of the English-Speaking Union. at the Teacher Supply Warehouse. Susan and Rob Midgett Senior Jimbo Brumley, This year’s first place winner was senior SaraBeth Watkins, who arranged to have the Salvation Army truck at the Dillard Circle to recreated an emotional performance of Hamlet’s soliloquy in 4 tapped as merit finalists In Honor Of… Tommy Webb receive donations for the new Select store. Act 2, scene 2. Fellow senior Carmen Lawrence earned second Four seniors were awarded National Merit Scholarship Finalist Heather and Danny Wright ’89 place for her moving performance of Hamlet’s dying words to status. These four students – Tommy Flannery, Steven Love, Some volunteers helped at the Lower School book fair and others Horatio at the end of Act 5. Third place went to another senior, Gracie Tewkesbury and Alex Gittin – scored in the top one In Memory Of... took on gardening jobs for Autism Society of NC, Greensboro Lauren Freedman, for her performance of Hamlet’s angry percent of all current seniors who took the PSAT last year; Russell A. Britt ’97 Children’s Museum, Hospice, Natural Science Center, the Lower speech to his mother in Act 3, scene 4. and those high scores, coupled with their exceptional grade- John and Lynn Noecker School Butterfly and Perennial Garden, and Sanctuary House. point-averages, have made them eligible for college scholarships Additional photos are on the back cover. awarded through the National Merit Scholarship Program.
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was also the PACIS male swimmer of the year. He won his With a strong nucleus returning, following a season with a individual events and set a new conference record in the 12-16 regular season record, the team looks forward to the 200 IM. king pins down title 2010-2011 season. Khadejah Wilkerson ’12, Ronata Rogers ’13, and Kelly Carty ’10 were named to the all-conference team. Senior Tommy King finished an The boys were 4th in states this year, improving from 7th – John Carty and Kristen Tuma, coaches undefeated senior season, winning a state place last year. The girls placed 13th. All-state swimmers championship at 189 lbs and leading the were Jonathan Rogers, Greg Peoples, William Morris, Eric Bengals to an overall 7th place finish at Rosenbower, Alex Rosenbower, Jake Burns, and Jordan Rogers. the wrestling state tourney. The other Many swimmers were also ranked in the top 18 of the state: all-state wrestler for GDS was Jonathan Erin Garinger ’14, Emily Wilder ’12, Megan Wright ’11, Wells ’10, who reached the state finals, Caroline Brassfield ’13, Kathryn Brassfield ’11, Kaitlin Webster finishing 2nd at Heavyweight. Seniors ’12, Clark Ackerman ’12, Nathan Vercaemert ’11, Scott Wells (215 lbs.) and Blaine Browning State champion and Billy Allen. – Chrissy Olson ’85, head coach (171 lbs.) both placed 4th in the wrestler Tommy state tournament. King ’10
Finishing with a record 13-15, the team struggled a bit at the beginning of the season, going only 6-11 to finish out 2009. plenty of pep When 2010 came, the Bengals won seven straight matches, including the team title when they hosted the GDS Duals in their spirit in January. – David Forbes, head coach The GDS cheerleading program had another terrific season Varsity Girls’ Basketball in 2009-2010. Continuing the trend of competition-style routines and increasingly difficult stunt sequences, the varsity –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– squad performed its most challenging Homecoming routine yet in addition to wowing fans with sky-high basket tosses boys’ basketball recap and pumping up the crowd with fan favorites such as “We’ve Got Spirit” and “Go, Bengals, Go!”. This year’s squad also Bengal Swimmers Led by six dedicated seniors, this season’s boys’ varsity basketball made GDS history with the addition of the school’s first male team finished a terrific season with 25-8 record, earning them a cheerleader, David Burick ’12, who quickly became a crowd 5th place seed in the NCISAA tournament. The Bengals lost to favorite with his dynamic tumbling passes. Though the squad –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– conference champions Forsyth Country Day in the quarter-finals. had no seniors this year, it was not lacking in leadership with Three players were chosen as all-conference – Christian Pulliam several returning sophomores and a host of talented freshmen ’10, Jordan Robertson ’11 and Brandon Dorsett ’10. and juniors. girls’ hoops – Freddy Johnson, head coach – Laura Drewicz Ewing, head coach Varsity Wrestling scores co-championship
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The girls’ varsity basketball team finished the regular season with 7 consecutive wins, a co-conference championship, and an bountiful swim team invitation to the NCISAA state tournament. The three senior captains’, Kayla Peay, Lilly Cohen, and Kelly Carty, dedication, selflessness, leadership, and commitment to the team set the makes its mark stage for an exciting season.
The 2009-2010 swim team was the largest in GDS swimming After beginning the season with tough losses followed by history, with 60 swimmers led by two senior captains, William improvement and impressive wins, a repeating cycle was finally Morris and Jordan Rogers. broken when the players came together and became a team in mid-January. A victory at home over Westchester Country The boys’ team was undefeated this year, winning the PACIS Day School set the stage for their winning streak. As the team championship for the 12th year in a row. The girls swam to 3rd survived excruciating practices ending with bruises, ice, and place in what proved to be a highly contested conference meet. band-aids as well as their favorite free throw drill, their success Varsity Boys’ Basketball Varsity Cheerleading continued with impressive wins over Forsyth Country Day All-conference swimmers were Eric Rosenbower ’14, Greg School and Wesleyan Academy to claim a share of the Peoples ’12, William Morris ’10, Alex Rosenbower ’12, Jake PACIS championship. Burns ’12, Billy Allen ’11, and Jonathan Rogers ’13. Rogers
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Reflections
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cami Flanagan ’11
My time in India is something I will never be able to forget. The two weeks I spent in that strange, mysterious country changed my way of thinking on a lot of subjects. Not only did I get to experience something that most kids my age would never dream of, I got to meet so many people I couldn’t imagine not knowing. This opportunity changed my life and I am so glad I got the opportunity to partake in it. On our last day in India, during the closing ceremony, a few Cami Flanagan addresses the delegation. students in the conference were asked to make speeches about Return to their experiences in New Delhi. I had the privilege of being Pakistanis and Indians partaking in the conference. As the days able to speak to the people who made this opportunity possible progressed, the friendships between the Pakistanis and the Indians Photo Above: and let them know how thankful I was for everything that they grew, until finally the issue could no longer be ignored. During one Delegates at the 2009 did for us. I will never forget hearing the other students from CDLS conference. of our panels, a Pakistani student stood up and spoke about how Malaysia, Ukraine, Pakistan and even the other schools from he came to India with prejudice towards his hosts. He continued the U.S speak about their experiences and about the people by stating that as the week continued, he began to realize that all they met. As we all stood up there, we not only spoke about the the political differences between the Pakistanis and the Indians did important political issues that we had learned about, but more not have to apply towards our generation. He finished his speech than anything we spoke about the amazing friendships we were by stating that experiences like CDLS allow for our generation to India able to make with people so different from us. Friendship was –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– to the twelfth century), Dilli Haat (an open-air marketplace), and learn about other countries and stop prejudice all over the world. the number one thing I got out of my trip to India. By Jeff Regester, US physics teacher Raj Ghat (the national memorial to Gandhi). This moment really touched me because it showed me that current –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– events going on in the world do not have to also be issues of the My views of the world completely changed, and I can confidently Service projects were also integral to the conference. The delegates future. My generation has the opportunity to learn and change Every autumn, The Modern School in New Delhi, India hosts say that I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Before we left for planted several trees on the Modern School campus. They also things that are occurring every day. a conference of student leaders from around the globe, focusing our conference, Mr. Regester, Megan, Sydney, Fletcher and myself visited the Blind Relief Association and the Cheshire House, on global social issues of the day. The 2009 Community learned about the conflicts between Pakistan and India. Sitting in interacting with residents with severe physical and/or mental While I was in India, I became very close to many people from Development and Leadership Summit was held November 7 the airport terminal, we discussed handicaps and participating in the shop where some of the countries that I would have never imagined. Becoming friends to 15, and GDS was one of 14 schools (from 11 countries) the importance of having both residents make crafts for sale. As an educator, I was delighted with new people allowed me to become more understanding of participating. It was the second year GDS has participated. to see how quickly the students bonded, despite the potential other cultures. I had not realized how different it was to learn about The theme this year was “National Wealth for International barriers of culture, politics and language. The friendships between culture, than to actually partake in one. I learned so many things Well-being,” i.e. on the relationship between economic the Pakistani and Indian students (and teachers) were especially on this trip that I would not have been able to learn no matter if development, the alleviation of poverty, and international heartening, and bode well for future relations between these two we studied them in class or not. Many things can be taught, but relations. The GDS delegation consisted of juniors Megan Wright countries that have fought four wars since the Partition of 1947. understanding them takes a whole different experience. and Cami Flanagan, and sophomores Sydney Cone and Fletcher As the end of the conference neared, the students began frantically Keeley. I was delighted to serve as chaperone. exchanging email and Facebook contacts. The same went on India for me was more than just about politics. I learned about the world. I learned that even though people Each day started before sunrise, with either yoga exercises or rural amongst the adult chaperones. around the world are very different, Indian games. The game Kabaddi was especially popular, probably The second-to-last evening of the conference was the Cultural we are all very alike. Our different because it was the roughest. Minor injuries were common. The Exposition. Each delegation set up a display highlighting their traditions merged together as one, and “meat” of the conference was a series of panel discussions and food, culture, history and tourist attractions. Small gifts were we all realized that we all have the same workshops led by eminent Indian and international politicians, exchanged in every direction. Each delegation also contributed goal; the goal to make a difference in scholars, and journalists. A sample of topics: “The Future of some sort of performance. Fletcher and Cami performed a lively the world. At the end of the of the trip, Poverty”, “Running Tomorrow’s Money” and “Caring and Sharing dance to Carolina beach music, although I must admit I enjoyed we were no longer 15 different schools in a Globalised World”. These very serious discussions were it just as much when they practiced in the Newark International from 10 different countries, we were one interspersed with creative workshops such as Indian dance and Airport as we awaited to board our flight to Delhi. group working together. painting and tourist visits in and near Delhi. The highlight of these trips was of course the Taj Mahal, but also included the Agra The GDS International Program is planning to send a delegation Fort (a Mughal fortress, near the Taj), the Akshardham Temple (a to the next Community Development & Leadership Summit. Sophomores Sydney Cone modern temple complex), Humayun’s Tomb (a precursor to the Current freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to apply. and Fletcher Keeley, and Taj Mahal), Qutub Minar (the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating Applications will be solicited late in the spring semester. juniors Cami Flanagan and Megan Wright. 6 7 SPOTLIG ht SPOTLIG ht
As we were driving to Agra we drove past a slum on the side Fletcher Keeley ’12 of the road, there was a field piled ankle deep with garbage; Sydney Cone ’12 you couldn’t see the end due to the dense smog hovering over The trip to India was one of the most eye-opening experiences it. Scattered throughout the field were children and adults I really had no idea what to expect when I got on the plane I have ever had. It made me appreciate our country so much squatting. They were searching through piles and piles of to go to India. I wondered if it would look like Slumdog more and learn the differences in so many cultures. When I garbage trying to find something to eat. Millionaire or like New York City. While driving through got to the hostel and went into the big dorm room we were all Delhi, I saw all the different monuments, the poverty, the staying in, there were the delegates from Malaysia there, and We were sitting in Shavam’s car on the way to Modern School people, the cars, the animals, the rickshaws, and everything that the delegates from the Philippines. Both were speaking their after a very nice lunch, when a woman holding her child walked made India, India. The first full day we were out and about, own languages. Needless to say, I was scared. After about five up and literally started banging on the window, her child’s face there was something immensely different from any city I’d minutes of this, one of the Malaysian kids name Luqman gave pressed up against the window, she was begging for money. been to: the air. There was a ton of construction taking place me a piece of candy and I gave him some gum. Conversation They stood there for about two minutes, literally a foot from in Delhi for the Commonwealth games in November and all started from there. me with only a thin layer of glass in between us, just repeatedly the factories made the air a lot more difficult to breathe, but asking for money, her child was doing the same. It was all I it was still manageable. The next thing I noticed about Delhi In a short time I had made friends from India, Pakistan, could do not to break down right there. Sydney Cone partakes in the Indian custom of mehndi tattooing. was the extreme poverty. There were people living under trees Malaysia, Philippines, China, and many more nations. I would in tents, people washing from a hose, and countless children wake up each morning and see at least three different religions The last thing was a few words spoken by a kid from Pakistan, artists, elephant and camel rides, incredible food, and traditional begging. The day we went to the Taj Mahal, I’ve never been all doing their morning prayers. This in itself was eye opening, he was a really great guy and it was a very big deal that the cultural dances. I left everyday feeling unworthy of the kindness so surrounded by people trying to sell me merchandise and to see so many other religions being practiced in such a small Pakistani students were there due to the conflict between India we were shown. children holding out their hands for money. The social system environment was very interesting. Out of this entire trip there and Pakistan at the time. He stood up in front of everyone in India is set up that you can either be very rich or very poor; are three experiences I had which I am never going to forget. and said “these bad relations last only on the government level The many different facets of the Indian culture were all equally I didn’t really see a lot of middle class. but not on the hearts and souls of the people.” Everyone stood as vibrant and exciting as the people who contributed to it. and clapped while the principle of Modern School responded Brilliant colors cover everything you see from the decorative The reason why we went to India was to attend an international “Thank you for that, you have validated the entire conference flowers, to the women’s saris, and traditional costumes. We had conference called the Community Development and Leadership with those few short words.” Again, everyone cheered. the opportunity of watching a variety of different traditional Summit. There were kids from schools in Mexico, USA, Indian dances and songs, which were incredible and energetic. Pakistan, Ukraine, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Right at that moment I truly felt like we could make a change The whole country just felt so alive. The culture is rich and and China. When interacting with the other kids, all the and could bring peace, now when I see a bombing or a terrorist established, especially compared to what we know as Americans. stereotypes about these other countries were completely attack on the news, I automatically jump and make sure it’s not It was amazing to see a temple or monument that was hundreds forgotten. We were already treated like old friends when we where any of my new friends live. This is what this conference of years older than our country. met everyone. I’ve never been to such a welcoming place where gave me, some memories, some thoughts, and a multitude the host kids were so friendly and willing to help. The actual of amazing new friends, whom I will not soon forget. This What I found to be the most educational part of my time in conference consisted of panelists speaking to us about world conference introduced our generation into the wonders and Delhi was the interactions among the students. There were issues and all of the kids discussing it. I loved the interactive beauty of soft diplomacy, and started the ball rolling towards 16 schools from 10 countries. We all obviously had different sessions where we got to hear other countries views on topics world peace. economic and political opinions brought out at the panel like global warming, poverty, and war. Also, we would go discussions, but it was in between sessions that our uniqueness on outings throughout the trip to the Taj Mahal and Delhi was exposed. At the meals, on the bus rides, waiting forever monuments. The kids that went to Modern School would take –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– to congregate over a hundred students, this is where we really us to marketplaces and negotiate with the sellers in Delhi while learned about each other. We were all of different religions we stood back and watched. and backgrounds, attended different schools, played many Megan Wright ’11 sports and instruments, but in the end we were all teenagers. At no point in this trip did I feel unsafe, scared, or uncomfortable. Despite our unique upbringings we all hung out with our The days were long and went from 5:30 in the morning to “Guests are God.” These are the words we were greeted with friends, disagreed with our parents, and listened to the same late at night, but we were always doing something. Overall, upon our landing in Delhi, and we were continually reminded awful music. Many times I woke up on a bus ride to about five this experience was truly incredible. I highly recommend that of them throughout our stay. Every international school was different nationalities singing and dancing to Katie Perry or students partake in this trip because it’s a great way to see India. given a resident companion to help us through our day to day “Down” by Jay Sean. India is going to be a very important country in the next years activities, they were the most willing and kind people I have and it’s important to find out what else is going on in the world ever met. We rarely even stepped foot out of our flat without The Community Development and Leadership Summit has than sticking to your comfort zone. Kanika, the Greensboro Day School girls’ companion, at our made an everlasting impression on my life. In 20 years will side. The hospitality of the Indian people was possibly the most I remember what the Prime Minister of Education told me? lasting impression of the trip for me. We ate a few meals away Probably not, but I will never forget the sights and experiences from Modern school, both at various homes and other schools. from my time in Delhi. Each was an elaborate affair, complete with mehndi tattoo One way to get to work in India...
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Yet most independent schools have faculty members who are Estelle sees other benefits for students who use new media themselves classroom researchers; who are forward-thinking and tools for learning. “Wiki pages are not only a great way for innovative in their curricula. The North Carolina Association students to display their work electronically, but they also can GDS FACULTY of Independent Schools has created a new state-wide conference serve as electronic portfolios, which can be used on college called NCAIS Innovate. This applications.”As a current conference is designed to graduate student, she sees first- give teachers who are internal hand how much has changed innovators in the classroom in the world of academia a forum to share their ideas “I’ve seen how engaged since her undergraduate years. innovates with colleagues from other More communication and students are when Sarah Hanawald uses a variety of tools to support independent schools in the coursework takes place online. research-based methods of improving student literacy. state. Another of the goals of communicating on sites such Students who are adept at ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– the conference is to help school as Facebook; so why not give advanced online research and By Sarah Hanawald leaders discover how they can communication will be better ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– nurture the energy and idealism them a forum that combines prepared to succeed than possessed by the innovators their classmates without such Most Fortune 500 companies staff entire something they enjoy with within their own schools rather experiences who may still rely departments devoted to research and than having to send out for something that they on Google and Wikipedia as development. These R&D departments are new ideas. primary research tools. charged with designing business models that are learning? will help a company adapt and thrive in Four members of the – Estelle Bowden Cheryl Love teaches 8th grade changing times. In the education community, Greensboro Day School math and has always been the R&D departments are typically the province of faculty, including myself, kind of teacher who provides lab schools associated with major universities were selected to present at the multiple opportunities for and their schools of education. These schools North Carolina Association students to get help with any are typically tuition-supported, but receive of Independent Schools math questions they may have. additional financial support from the associated Innovation Conference (called She accepts phone calls at university. Lab schools operate with a philosophy NCAIS Innovate) in March. home, e-mail chat invitations similar to that of teaching hospitals, with a We were the only teachers and spends countless hours with focus on putting research into practice. Teachers selected from the Triad region students during lunches, breaks, are employees of the university and have to present at the conference. and after school. Appropriately, responsibilities to teach not only their students, Selected to present were: her session at NCAIS Innovate but also the undergraduate and graduate students Estelle Bowden, Cheryl Love, was titled How to be a 24/7 in the school of education. Classrooms are open Laura Drewicz Ewing, and math teacher and still have a to visitors, new methods of instructing students myself, Sarah Hanawald. happy family at home. are researched, and the results of that research are shared via peer-reviewed publications. Some of Estelle Bowden, who teaches During the past year, all the the better known lab schools are The School at Estelle Bowden asks her students to create wikis and blogs to make Spanish in both the Middle Spanish assignments exciting. 8th grade teachers have been Columbia University and University of Chicago and Upper School divisions, teaching with an exciting Laboratory Schools (the school attended by the shared her creative uses of classroom tool, interactive Obama girls before they moved to Washington). communication technology white boards (IWB). Cheryl to encourage students to think and write in Spanish. Estelle has spent many hours learning to use the IWB to effectively What does this have to do with Greensboro Day says, “I’ve seen how engaged students are when communicating illustrate abstract math concepts in that students typically find School? Most independent schools, including on sites such as Facebook; so why not give them a forum that difficult. With the IWB, she can teach using multiple learning GDS, cannot create departments with the sole combines something they enjoy with something that they are styles more easily than she could using the “chalk and talk” responsibility to innovate, research, and report. learning?” She uses a variety of tools such as Twitter, wikis and method. Even more exciting is Cheryl’s effort to combine the Most teachers at large independent schools such blogs to make Spanish assignments exciting for students. It presentations on IWB, the accompanying SmartNotebook™ as GDS have the resources available to keep doesn’t hurt that Estelle has been an avid Facebook user herself software, Adobe™ publishing software and a wiki-based abreast of research developments in their fields. since 2005! Web site to create an online resource. Since the wiki is online,
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Cheryl Love uses an Interactive White Board to effectively illustrate abstract math concepts. OneNote has helped to create an almost-paperless classroom for Laura Drewicz Ewing. students, parents, and even tutors can access her teaching innovation doesn’t always lead to immediate success; persistence capabilities of OneNote with the GDS network make being workshop, teachers learned to use a variety of tools to support materials at any time, from anywhere. Said one student “It {the and refinement matter just as much as the original idea. paperless much less cumbersome than before and even a little research-based methods of improving student literacy. wiki} helped me learn what we were doing (in class) even when bit fun for the students. Plus, I never have to worry about I was 4,000 miles away.” Another said “When you are sick, her Over the course of her first year as a tablet user, Laura moved keeping up with stacks of papers or losing a student’s paper I also presented an Ignite-style talk during the conference thorough explanations (posted on the wiki) really help keep you from novice to in-house OneNote evangelist. After transforming - it’s all in my tablet!” What do students think? One student dinner and awards ceremony. What’s an Ignite talk? It’s a on track.” All this while Cheryl is cooking homemade dinners her own classroom through the organizational and synching responded to this with, “At first I was afraid of OneNote with global movement with the motto: “Enlighten us, but make it for her boys and husband! capabilities of OneNote, Laura began sharing what she and all the tabs and pages, but now I can’t imagine my life as a quick.” An Ignite-style talk is one that lasts exactly five minutes her students had learned with colleagues. It’s not just the fact student without it!” long, and uses 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds. Upper School history teacher Laura Drewicz Ewing was one of that OneNote helps unorganized teachers and students alike to Typically, these talks are presented in a festive venue and cover the first faculty members at GDS to move from a regular laptop keep themselves organized that is important, but the fact that As GDS’ technology integration coach, I presented two very a wide variety of topics as speakers present about their personal to a tablet. Her first thought after receiving the tablet was “I felt the nature of interactions with students changes. Laura buys different sessions at NCAIS Innovate. The first session was passions. My Ignite-style talk was titled What Being A Duke Fan sure that it could help me integrate the personal connections class time that would ordinarily be spent printing, copying, or a 3-hour workshop, Technology Tools for Literacy. I presented Has Taught Me About Teaching. with students that I value with the infinite capabilities of a e-mailing for instruction and to use for working on the personal with a partner, Meredith Stewart, of Cary Academy, where the laptop. But how?” With determination, Laura set out to learn relationships she has with each student. mission is Discovery, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence. The Estelle, Cheryl, Laura and I are just a sampling of the innovators all she could about her tablet by working with colleagues over workshop focused on “everyday classroom use of technology.” we have on our faculty at GDS. Our willingness to try new lunch, practicing late into the evenings at home, and sharing In addition, OneNote has helped to create that almost-paperless So often, technology use is seen as a big deal, a special project, things prepares our students for the 21st Century. Perhaps they ideas with her students. Not all of her first tablet-based lessons classroom that Drewicz Ewing has always dreamed of while or something that is external to the real work of the classroom. will enter the classroom in a few years and become innovators were successful; but Laura found there was much to value in retaining the learning value of handwriting (with the tablet PC) The truth is that technology is most powerful when it is for the next generation. inviting students to see her personal learning. The process of and prompt, meaningful feedback. She says, “The synching operating unassumingly supporting curricular goals. In this
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Let’s Celebrate on on Saturday,
25-28, 2010 February April 24, 2010.
7th & 8th Grade Musical
Directed and Produced by Choreography by BETH DUNBAR ALAN TUTTEROW Technical Direction, Set Costumes by and Lighting Design by PAM ATTAYEK and DANA LOWELL CINDY KNOWLES Musical Direction by ROBERT MATTHEWS Celebrate our 40th all year long! Show your Bengal pride and place
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