I love this photo of the Upper School community in front of the Hello Friends sign. It was a beautiful fall day and everybody was happy to be on the deck. We had just had Bagel Tuesday, the Clerks Committee had just finished their meeting...all was good with our world.
The rest of these pictures are from Annie's 2nd period dance class. Her students had designed pieces in response to their visit to the Picasso exhibit at the Nasher Museum, which touched on the idea of putting images together so that they are viewed from multiple perspectives. Students were encouraged to "dare to be different." I was able to visit Annie's class, and I thoroughly enjoyed being an audience for these creative pieces.
I wanted to share news about Bryce's Primary Source papers in his junior US History classes. The first term paper in this class is intended to give students experience in the location, background research, and interpretation of one primary source document, from the period 1492-1900. Any type of document can be used: trial transcripts, legislation, newspaper article, journal, painting or other work of art. The intention of this paper is to "expose the student to the detective work which is both a requirement and a source of vast excitement for historians." What pleasantly surprised Bryce this year were the creative and innovative choices that many of his students made for their primary sources. He has enjoyed reading papers on the following topics (just to name a few): Battle Hymn of the Republic, an 1851 speech to the NC Medical Association on the origin of disease, the first American protest against slavery (1688-Mennonites), Olmsted's plan for Central Park, diary of a teenage girl on the Oregon Trail, and a diary entry on the massive 1835 fire in New York City. Fascinating!
VOLUNTEER WITH LEGAL AID of NC
We have a volunteer opportunity that is open to any interested parents and our junior and senior students. The Legal Aid of North Carolina will train interested volunteers to help people in need do their taxes. The training is online and will take place in either November or December. The volunteer work will be done one night/week at Legal Aid in downtown Durham between January and April. Spanish speakers would be especially helpful. If interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact me at chuff@cfsnc.org.
FALL SYMPOSIUM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16
The theme of our Fall Symposium this year is the Middle East. I am looking for parent volunteers who might be able to offer a workshop session between 10:00-12:15. Topics might include teaching Arabic or Hebrew, Religions of the Middle East (or choose one), Dancing, the education of girls, art projects, cooking...or a topic that you would like to suggest. If you know of someone who might be able to offer a workshop, please pass their names on to me. I am working with a student committee to plan this day. We are very excited about the topic and the many possibilities it offers.
HALLOWEEN
We will celebrate Halloween in good fashion on Friday. Each advisee group will enter a pumpkin in our pumpkin-carving contest. Prizes will be awarded for Scariest, Funniest, Best Staff Look Alike, and Best in Show. We will also have student and staff costume contests. Prizes will be awarded for individual costumes and for group performances. Halloween is a big day at the Upper School. Students don't understand why we have classes on this day...but we do!
Three weeks are left in the Fall Term. We are registering for Winter and Spring Term classes. Life seems to be flying by. Let's all stop, take a deep breath, and just enjoy the beautiful fall colors. As I write this blog, my window is open, the sun is shining, and the dogwood that is just outside my office is full of bright red berries. Dazzling and magnificent!
No comments:
Post a Comment