�Fall/Winter��� ’05-’06 �������������������������������������� �� �� �� �� WHITFIELD HOMECOMING TRADITION IGNITES SCHOOL SPIRIT IN 2005 Students, Parents, Faculty, Alumni and Friends Celebrate in Style Beth (Bradbury) ’90, Dean and Parshall Pollnow watch the Alumni Soccer Game. Bobby Caplin ’06 and Brad Schmidt ’06 dress up for spirit week. Cheerleaders entertain the crowd at the lip syncs. THE 10TH ANNUAL WHITFIELD SCHOOL played by Whitfield students. Once the samba HOMECOMING BONFIRE AND PEP RALLY band completed their performance, the grade- was held on Friday, September 30. Students, level lip syncs took center stage. The Masters parents, faculty, alumni and friends gathered of Ceremonies, Mallory Karigan ’06 and Matt at Whitfield for a picnic dinner followed by Kincaid ’07, encouraged cheering from the an evening of entertainment. This year, crowd as each class showcased its talents while there was also an alumni tent where Whitfield entertaining those in attendance. graduates of all ages gathered. The evening came to an end Bonfire celebrates the with the lighting of the highly completion of Spirit Week and anticipated Whitfield Bonfire. Anthony Schifano ’09 and Sophie Varvares ’12, Chris Martin ’06 play percussion Chelsea Smasal ’12 and prepares the community for a in the samba squad. Danielle Braunstein ’12 variety of weekend sporting The Homecoming festivities dress up for character day. events. Classes compete for continued on Saturday with spirit points, which are awarded sporting events in varsity to the classes based on several field hockey, volleyball, soccer activities and events. For the and cross country, creating second year in a row, classes a fury of school spirit. Many were awarded points for their alumni visited Whitfield and spirit and respect during participated in the third Annual assemblies, and students could Alumni Soccer Game and earn points by attending spirit Barbecue. The alumni game games, sporting events specified brought former students and and announced by the Student their families back to campus to Council at Morning Assembly. catch up with friends, coaches Furthermore, each class and faculty. decorated a section of Woods Hall, and judges distributed Homecoming weekend points based on the effort the came to a close with the class put into decorating their upper school dance in section. Finally, class lip syncs were performed Schmitter Gallery on Saturday evening. This on Friday night, and a panel of judges distributed year’s western theme boasted red checked points based on performance. tablecloths, cowboy hats filled with candy, western-themed balloons and In addition to these activities, students were also posters, bales of hay, and sheriff’s badges for encouraged to dress up each day in order to show all who attended. The seniors show their school spirit at Morning Assembly. their spirit and to receive points for their class. This year’s dress-up days included: Monday - Class Choice Day; Tuesday - Character Day, Wednesday - Wacky Tacky Day; Thursday - Time Travel Day; and Friday - Green and White Day. Each day at Morning INSIDE INSIGHTS: Assembly, the head advisors and the two Student Council representatives for each grade level chose in the words of ........................ p. 2 inspired ................................... p. 12 one person to represent the class in the best dressed contest. There were different judges each in recognition .....................pp. 3-4 in support ......................... pp. 12-13 day, and the class that won the best dressed contest in the study of .....................pp. 5-8 in step with ............................ p. 14 received one spirit point for that day. innovative ................................. p. 9 in touch ............................pp. 15-19 On Friday evening, Bonfire began with a performance by the Whitfield trash can band, in the life .........................pp. 10-11 followed by a procession of traveling samba music � � ������������ Dear Parents, Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the third edition of the Whitfield community newsletter, diversity of activities and events that are going Insights. Last fall we launched this publication with the hope of connecting on here at Whitfield. For example, our students and re-connecting members of the Whitfield School community with each are learning about the law in Mike McGlew’s and other and the school. Sara Vaugier’s classrooms; the landscaping on our beautiful campus is winning awards around During the 2004-2005 school year, the Board of Trustees and a special town; parents have come together to form the committee of alumni, parents, teachers, trustees and administrators met Bridges Parents’ Group and are sponsoring an to revisit the school’s mission statement. Those of you who have been evening at the Black Rep in January; students through this process know that writing a mission statement is difficult in Heidi Hays’ classroom are working to solve work. How does a dynamic school write a concise statement distinct from global warming issues; and many of our students other schools? How can a brief statement clearly capture the power and are leaders in and out of school by participating uniqueness of the Whitfield experience? in sports, volunteer activities and outdoor adventures. These examples only touch on the many incredible stories you will read throughout the next The committee’s process was healthy and ultimately productive, and I am 20 pages. pleased with the results. I feel we have a document that not only describes our school for those who don’t know Whitfield, but we have a statement At Whitfield School, we will keep our eyes on the future as we build and that will be directive as we continue to be the small learning community honor tradition. We will celebrate our current success and balance this that strives for innovation and keeps its focus student-centered. The celebration with the realistic belief that we have only just begun the journey thoughtful conversations I shared with members of our school community to becoming a leader among independent schools and the very finest were very instructive. From each corner of our constituency, I heard that school in the Midwest. we value our school size, the rigor of our curriculum and the high standards we have for personal integrity. Please enjoy this issue of Insights. I thank you for your support and for your continued involvement in the life of Whitfield School. This school year, the board’s major project is developing Whitfield’s next strategic plan. As we look ahead to formulating our strategy, we will use the mission to drive our decisions about how we will grow and change. As I think about what’s on the horizon for Whitfield School in the next three, All the best, five or ten years, I am first reminded of our areas of strength: our rigorous curriculum, exceptional faculty and a school environment that fosters community and collaboration. Whitfield School is indeed operating from a position of strength. Mark J. Anderson Whitfield School does have its challenges. Fundraising and development are continually on the front burner at Whitfield, as we work to meet our budgeted Annual Fund goal of $1.2 million. In addition, we need to WHITFIELD SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT: focus on building the school’s endowment. Currently at approximately Whitfield School is a small, college-preparatory learning community that $5 million, Whitfield School’s endowment does not match the caliber fosters excellent habits of mind, productive social skills, and personal integrity and quality of the work done by our teachers and students, and it does in an innovative, student-centered environment. not provide the financial relief to our operating budget that many of our competitors enjoy. Finally, as a school that explicitly chooses to highlight Our core values are: “innovative and student-centered” learning, we must never be satisfied • Success of every student in academics, arts, activities and athletics. with our programs, pedagogy and progress. • Ethical behavior of the members of our community. • Intellectual, ethnic, religious and social diversity. Our students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni are the heart and soul of • Individual and collaborative engagement and achievement. • Learning as a lifelong process. our school. As you read this issue of Insights, you will be amazed by the WHITFIELD SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY COUNCIL Douglas J. Muhleman, Chairman Beth B. Pollnow '90 Fred Arnold & JoAnn Harmon Ron & Charlene Lotz Steven C. Roberts Joan Bebee Chip & Muffy Matthews Suzie K. Andrews Eric D. Sigurdson Beth Bradbury ’63 Kerry Meckfessel Philip B. Cady, Jr. '70 Wayne L. Smith II Michael & Barbara Bush Rick Murphy Gerri Clifton Susie von Gontard Mary K. Freund Fielding Childress ’63 Muffy Pope ’74 John J. Gates HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS Jay ’73 & Dodie ’74 Engler Carl Rhodes Randy Green Samuel C. Davis, Jr. Cathy Frisse Scott ’98 & Kristin ’99 Rhodes Mary B. Howe Bruno B. Schmitter Jane Gleason ’70 Jim Schneithorst ’87 Sally B. Key '73 John Hauck ’72 Helen Sproull ’70 Mark H. Krieger EX-OFFICIO Scott B. McCuaig Mark J. Anderson, President Missy Hill Ken & Shawn Suelthaus Edward L. Monser Sally B. Key ’73 Bob & Connie Westerman Nancy Kurten Susie Wiegand CONTRIBUTORS to INSIGHTS: Mark J. Anderson, President • Laura J. Boeker, Alumni Relations/Communications Coordinator • Kelly Edwards, Public Relations/Event Coordinator Melissa Irvin, Publications Coordinator • Gene Krebs, Photographer • Becky Marsh, Director of Development & Communication • Ed White, Development