The Wyndcroft School WyndChimes Summer 2014 #Forever14 Has a Sweet Graduation This year’s graduating class proclaimed themselves #Forever14. A fitting title for a group of 14 students graduating in 2014. At their Graduation, held on Friday, June 6, they were addressed by David Allain, President of the Board of Trustees. Here is a portion of his words to the class: Members of the Wyndcroft Class of 2014, let me first suggest that you are a filled candy. It’s not really important what filled candy comes to your mind, but you have been filled—or I could say it another way. You are blessed. First and most importantly you have had lots of loving, supporting family and friends, including all your teachers here at Wyndcroft. You have had amazing opportunities here to learn various academic subjects. More importantly, I hope and believe you have learned skills and attitudes: the idea of Non Sibi, working hard, managing your time, and work- ing and getting along with others. I am sure you can think of a million other lessons you have learned about others and yourself here at Wyndcroft. So you have been filled. You have been blessed. Students Achievements Recognized Each year, Wyndcroft recognizes the achievements of its students at three award The Wyndcroft ceremonies: Awards Day, Honors Day, and Graduation. School Mission At Awards Day each year, one Fifth Grader is given the Statement Jean B. Sawyer Award. This student, in the eyes of the The Wyndcroft School is a faculty, best embodies the traits of this esteemed retired Wyndcroft teacher. This year’s recipient is Eleanor Rice coeducational elementary (pictured at left). day school for children in grades Early Childhood The Wyndcroft School honored its graduating class of 2014 at its annual Honors Day celebration. The eighth through Eight. The mission grade students were recognized for their achievements in of the school is to offer a the classroom, on the playing field, and on stage. Award rigorous academic program recipients included the following: empowering the child to The June McKee Award for Excellence in Art – Madeline Mitchell establish a firm foundation The Carlisle Snively Award for Excellence in English – Herbert Turner for a happy and successful The Writing Prize – Alexandra Walter future with confidence to succeed in an ever-evolving The History Award – Herbert Turner world. The Technology Award – Alexandra Walter The curriculum is traditional The Angeline V. Oberholtzer Drama and Music Award – Carly Lange and designed to develop Summa Cum Laude in Lingua Latina – Herbert Turner the whole child. It The Edith G. Ebert Award for Excellence in Mathematics – Herbert Turner emphasizes fundamental Le Prix Francais – Herbert Turner skill instruction, character Award for Excellence in Athletics – Cassidy Sheppard & Luke Allain development, and the The Science Award – Herbert Turner pursuit of excellence in English, history, The Daughters of the American Revolution Medal – Zachary Daub mathematics, science, WPTO Award for Scholastic Growth and Effort – Shaariq Khan foreign languages and the The Class of 2014 was further recognized at their Graduation Ceremony. Besides arts. the graduation certificates, two awards were given. In a small class setting the Highest Academic Rank – Herbert Turner school endeavors to provide The Wyndcroft Cup – Madeline Mitchell (pictured below in middle) a safe, nurturing environment fostering creativity, a love of learning, personal integrity, determination and respect for others. 2 Remembering Maureen Kielty Schmidt Board of Trustees Director of Admission, 1998-2012 David B. Allain, President The Wyndcroft community was shocked and Jonathan Lange, Vice President saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Maureen K. Schmidt, our long-time Admission Anna Norton, Treasurer Director, on April 17, 2014. Maureen died at the age of 66, at the Temple Lung Center, Lissa Longacre, Secretary from complications of a lung disease. Roberta Body Maureen served as Admission Director for the Marianne Durnall school from 1998 till her retirement in 2012. In this role, Maureen was the introduction to Jeffery E. Gorrin Wyndcroft for all our families in those years. Keith P. Hallman All agree that Maureen’s warmth, and genuine interest in the student, were huge factors in a family’s decision to choose Wyndcroft for a son or daugh- Deborah Kachmar ter. Her care for families throughout the admission process was legendary. Marianne Lieberman There was no question she could not answer, and she willingly gave her Carolyn Mlynarczyk time, in person or on the phone, to help parents with their decision. Maureen never tried to sell Wyndcroft. Instead she honestly tried to help Edward J. Murray parents decide what was best for their child. Erik Paulson Students and parents turned to Maureen again in seventh grade as the Carmine Schiavone prospect of choosing a secondary school came on the horizon. Maureen Alice M. Sharp ‘58 had good collegial contacts with all the area independent high schools and she had a gift for knowing which particular schools would be good fits for Bruce Snyder each family. Again, her integrity shone through this process and inspired confidence in both the students and parents at this stressful time. Her sincere wish to find the best match for each student in the process was School Administration impressive and much appreciated by Wyndcroft parents. Gail L. Wolter, Head of School As a colleague, Maureen was much loved by the faculty and staff of Wyndcroft. She was so warm, funny, kind and dependable that everyone Lisa Dunn, Assistant Head of School felt they had a special relationship with her. In her work in strengthening Wyndcroft’s enrollment, and in her happy presence in our daily lives, she Julie Romain, Director of Admission was the wind beneath all our wings. With her passing, the school has lost a Tina Farnsworth, Director of Finance very dear friend. Susan M. Rutherford, Director of Development Maureen Schmidt will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered at Wyndcroft. Amanda Arkans, Communication Coordinator This fall, the Admissions Office will be renamed the Maureen K. Schmidt Admissions Office, in honor of our dear friend. We are pleased to make this gesture in remembrance of someone so important to our school. 3 Foreign Language Studies Benefit Students and Alumni One of the cornerstones of a Wyndcroft education is our dedication to the teaching of foreign language at every grade level. Beginning with our youngest learners, Early Childhood (3 years old), students study the French language. In Fifth Grade, upon entering Upper School, students add Latin to their studies as well. The commitment to foreign language learning builds a strong foundation for future success. Studies show that language study helps children develop cognitive skills and enhances problem- solving and critical thinking. In addition: Children who have studied a foreign language in elementary school achieve expected gains and have even higher scores on standardized tests in reading, language arts, and mathematics than those who have not. Children who have studied a foreign language show greater cognitive development in such areas as mental flexibility, creativity, divergent thinking, and higher-order thinking skills. Studying a foreign language helps students increase their sensitivity to and understanding of the language, values, customs, and traditions of others. This in turn fosters a sense of humanity, friendship, and diversity awareness. Being proficient in a foreign language provides students with a much greater skill set upon graduation from high school, and therefore greater opportunities both professionally and personally. Being culturally literate as well as linguistically proficient are skills multinational corporations, governmental agencies, and international organizations such as the EU, the UN, and NATO all say are critical to the future. Becoming highly proficient in a foreign language requires a great deal of time, practice, and exposure to the language. The earlier a student starts, the greater the level of proficiency he/she will ultimately achieve. Each year, Wyndcroft’s fourth and fifth grade students take part in the national French FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary Schools) Test which tests their language skill on many different levels. Once again this year, Wyndcroft’s students scored among the highest in the country with 18 fourth and fifth grade students in the top 16% nationally. Seventh and eighth grade students take part in Le Gran Concours, The National French Contest with 12 of Wyndcroft’s students finishing in the top 17%. Le Gran Concours is also taken by high school students around the country. Many Wyndcroft Alumni choose to continue their study of the French language when they move on to secondary school and continue to take this rigorous test. This year at Agnes Irwin, Wyndcroft Alumna Gabrielle D’Arcangelo ‘13, completed Le Gran Concours and ranked #3 overall in the country. Upper School students in grades six through eight participate in the National Latin Exam. Throughout the country, over 154,000, students took the exam. Out of those, only 447 received a perfect score. One of those was from Wyndcroft, sixth grader, Timothy Launders. Additionally, 15 other Wyndcroft students received honors in the Latin Exam. Timothy is pictured at right. High school students who studied a foreign language in their elementary and middle school years enhance their college prospects and opens paths for a wider range of college-level study. They also find it easier to develop proficiency in other languages. This is evidenced in Alumni like Abi Rose-Craver ’10 who received National Spanish Exam Honors at The Perkiomen School this year. A number of Wyndcroft Alumni currently attending The Hill School have chosen to study Greek. The following have received recognition on the National Greek Exam this year: Logan Stinson ’10, Tyler Tornetta ’12, Berenger Wegman ’11, Gillian Wenhold ’10, Olivia Zitkus ’13, and Sophia Zitkus ’12. Many students choose to continue their study of French and Latin into high school.