Week of May 17, 2010

Annie's Site Specific Dance class went to Duke Gardens and then to the American Tobacco campus last week to perform their site specific dances. The idea for this field trip came from senior Sarah, Annie's TA.
While they were dancing in Duke Gardens, our dancers were surprised by a beautiful bride who arrived to have her pictures taken. The dancers had fun dancing around their surprise guest.

Some beautiful poses at the Gardens and then at the Tobacco campus.

Elise's HIV Ethics class presented their final projects last week. Below, you can see Aidan's smoking gun. I wish I had done a better job of capturing this amazing and thought-provoking project.

Emma and Fareeda are playing a game created by Julia. Players move through the board by answering questions about HIV and AIDS correctly.

Here is a shot of a group of HIV projects.

Parents, please watch for an email from me that will give you directions for viewing and ordering prom pictures online. I was hoping to include some prom pictures on my blog, but can't seem to get my computer and my camera to communicate.

THIS WEEK AT THE UPPER SCHOOL

Monday and Tuesday, periods 1-6 will meet (1-3 on Monday and 4-6 on Tuesday). These classes will actually be double classes, giving teachers time to give final exams if they choose. Some final exams have already taken place. Students are expected to be in class, whether or not they have an exam. During lunch on Monday, we will share more student films. During lunch on Tuesday, we will have a cookout and the band will play.

MINI-SESSIONS

On Wednesday and Thursday, students will be taking part in morning and afternoon mini-sessions. Each mini-session will last 2.5 hours (9:00-11:30 and 12:30-3:00) each day. Some of the mini-session topics include Mysteries and Scandals, Ancient Cultures and Civilizations, Poetry, Soccer, Public Speaking, Theatre, Hitchcok, Writing Workshop, Comics and Cartoons, and Cooking. Students have already signed up for mini-sessions and are expected to participate in this new endeavor.

FRIDAY STAFF WORKDAY

Friday is a staff workday to allow staff members to complete their end-of-term reports, which are due at 3:00 Friday afternoon. We will then move into our End-of-Year Program, which officially begins on Monday, although each individual trip/on-campus experience has its own itinerary. More to come about this exciting time of year...

Lots of pictures, little time

Senior surprises. Celebration of the Arts. Prom. State soccer tournament. ALL IN THE SAME WEEK!! I have pictures to share from our senior surprise and the arts celebration. My purpose for this brief blog, however, is SAFETY. We spoke with our students this morning about the importance of safety this weekend. We reminded them that, even though the prom will be off campus, all school rules will apply. No alcohol or drugs of any kind. We want them to drive carefully and take their time. No reason to hurry. Once they have arrived at the prom (9:00 or later), they must stay inside until they are ready to leave. When they leave, they will be escorted to the parking garage, if necessary. Parents dropping off and/or picking up prom kids may drive right up to 208 Rigsbee Ave. to Rigsbee Hall in downtown Durham.

Parents, at 12:00 after students have left, we (the staff) turn into pumpkins and go home. I just want to remind you that we always encourage parents to communicate with other parents if your children are headed to another party or spending the night with a friend. Prom is always an exciting event. We look forward to lively dancing, beautiful outfits and hair styles, lots of pictures, and FUN!
The culprits.

Entrance to the maze tunnel and inside the maze tunnel.

I was welcomed by these 2 people on Wednesday morning.

Dylan's area (colorful) and Elise's office (elephant).

Willy's office

Chris and Mariah

Elana and Madeline selling their wares. Music ensemble

Jessye

Danusha

I'm off to swing dance lessons...and then a soccer game!

Week of May 3, 2010

I have included photos from the US archives to get you in the mood for a few activities planned for this week. By next Sunday, I should be able to add some great shots from this year.

SOCCER TOURNAMENT

As you may know, Friday's game was cancelled following a tragic accident involving students from High Point Christian Academy. Understandably, their soccer team decided not to play their game on Saturday. Our soccer team will play in the semi-finals on Monday at 3:00 at Caldwell Academy. I hope you will join me in holding High Point Christian Academy friends and families in the light as they move through this terribly difficult time.

STAFF EVLUATIONS

Beginning Monday morning, our students will be evaluating all of their teachers anonymously online. We are using a Googledoc program that allows for personal comments as well as responses to 40 multiple choice questions. We look forward to receiving honest feedback from our students.

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

I do hope to see many families at our annual Celebration of the arts on Thursday from 6-8pm. We will begin with a POTLUCK dinner. Please bring a main dish or a salad to share. The US will provide drinks, paper products, and desserts. Even if you can stay for only a short time, we hope you will make the time to appreciate the arts with us AND welcome our new 4th year MS riser families.

SITE SPECIFIC DANCE HEADS OFF CAMPUS

Annie's Site Specific Dance class will head off campus on Friday morning to dance at Duke Gardens. If you have a moment on Friday morning, come over to Duke Gardens and look for our dancers. They will be moving from place to place. I believe that they will be at the gardens until around 10:00 and then they will head to Brightleaf Square for more dancing. This off-campus experience is a project of senior Sarah Merritt who has been Annie's TA.

PROM

This year's Prom will be held at Rigsbee Hall in downtown Durham (across the street from the Post Office) from 9-12. We will park in the parking garage at the end of the street. Tickets are $20/each and must be purchased before the end of school on Friday. When students arrive at the Prom, they must stay in the Hall until they are ready to leave. Once they leave, they will not be allowed back into the Hall. We will have staff members supervising outside as well as in the Hall. Safety is on all of our minds as we think about the excitement of this occasion.

Student Written/Student Directed Plays

The Upper School is very proud to present the world premiere of six original one act plays, written and directed by students Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm in the Center. This production really personifies our mission statement, "empowering students to think critically, creatively, and independently..." I think I had a smile on my face the entire time that I watched the first dress rehearsal. Everything was being done by students. (with a frantic Susan running behind!) Lighting, sound, set design and construction, puppet design and construction--all student creations.
Above, you can see our playwrights, Miles, Marley, Samantha, Kelsey, Julia, and Sarah. They have been working on this exciting project since the start of the current academic year. Their plays were developed and revised in a workshop class with Susan that spanned two terms. During the spring term, 25 actors, 6 directors, 6 stage managers, 4 artists, a lighting and sound crew of 4, and 8 students in Dylan's tech theatre class have worked hard to prepare for this production, which is appropriate for 4th year MS and older. We hope you can make it!

Soccer Tournament Friday

Friday is supposed to be a beautiful day. Got plans for 3:30 in the afternoon? I think that might be a good time to go to a CFS US SOCCER GAME! Our girls soccer team will play in the first round of the conference tournament against High Point Christian Academy Friday at home. Their overall record is 8-3-3 (5-2-2 in the conference). We are so proud of our 26 soccer players. Special appreciation for their coaches--Jim Mathewson and Tonya "Fletcher" Fletcher. Let's get a big crowd to cheer for the team. I hope to see you there.
Here, you can see our 2 seniors, Sarah Nydick Cheshire and Kelsey Shaffer with junior Becca Bland.

Week of April 26--Last week in April!!

Last weekend, Willy, Jim Henderson, and I had the honor of traveling to Chicago for a CFS alum gathering. We had a great time seeing the beautiful city, the Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, and the Nature Museum. The Hendersons were able to see Austin perform in "JB." Most fun of all, of course, was our alum reception. Below, you can see CFS grads, Ian Kibbe, Sam Huff, Dave Henderson, Austin Campion, Casey Clougherty, Emily Ensminger, and (kneeling) Ellis Anderson. We are pleased to report that this group of alums are happy in Chicago. Dave and Emily are in school in a sustainable urban gardening certification program. Ellis is finishing his college experience at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ian is working in documentary films, starting his own production company, and singing in a band. Casey is back in school, studying guitar performance. Austin is acting and performing improv. While we were in town, he was chosen to play Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. After majoring in Biology and Spanish at Guilford, Sam is volunteering at the Nature Museum in hopes of landing a museum or aquarium job. He also volunteers as an interpreter with Food Not War. Meanwhile, he supports himself by running (not walking!) dogs and performing with Dave.
Sam and Dave entertained us with their upbeat music.

Jim Henderson, Willy, and Casey Clougherty.

The junior retreat was a huge success. This is one enthusiastic group of students! Their discussions focused on the following general topics: Men/Women's groups, Senior project/gift, Funtivities, Music and art, Senior Service, Stewardship. They also began planning next year's all-school retreat.

Before getting serious, the juniors started with a crazy game. Here, you can see Mie and Mariah participating while Annie and Lenore cheer them on.

One of the small group discussions.

Frances's Biology class can be seen releasing newly hatched butterflies. The painted lady on Sydey's finger ended up on her forehead.

Amelia's Music 101 class went to two different recording studios to learn about recording and try out some of the equipment. Here, you can see Ahkeem at the vibraphone and Anna Lee at the keyboard.

Here is Celeste at the keyboard. Music 101 is open to students with no musical experience. They are able to examine the fundamentals of music including rhythm, harmony, melody, form, and style. They write and record their own music.

FRESHMAN PARENT MEETING
Jamie, Elise, and Dylan have announced a parent information meeting about the Freshman Trip. This meeting will be on Monday, April 26th from 7:30 - 8:30 in the Upper School Meeting Hall. We look forward to seeing you then. In the meantime, permission forms and checks are coming in. Please remember to send these to school.

COMMUNITY READ DISCUSSION

Jon Lepofsky will lead a PSA-sponsored Community Read discussion on Tuesday, April 27 at 6:45pm in the Meeting Hall. Members of the CFS community have been reading Paul Cuadros's book, A Home on the Field. Whether you have completed or even started the book, this discussion promises to be highly engaging and will cover many important issues that relate to immigration.

SENIORS TO UNC

Jon and Jamie will take the senior class to UNC for the day on Wednesday. They will attend one of Eric Downing's classes and generally experience college life for the day.

STUDENT-WRITTEN, STUDENT-DIRECTED PLAYS

Our 6 student-written plays will be presented next weekend, April 30 and May 1, at 7:30pm in the Center. The public is also invited to attend the open dress rehearsal on Thursday.
Mature themes - appropriate for 4th-year Middle Schoolers and up.

As we near the month of May, the speed of life in the Upper School is picking up. The Prom is less than 2 weeks away. Final exams will begin the week after the Prom. I am so grateful for beautiful green leaves and brightly hued azaleas--They do help me to slow things down.

Week of April 12, 2010

The Upper School steps are empty and the school is quiet on this beautiful Sunday afternoon. The view from my office window has changed during our week away from school. The azalea blooms are looking oh, so brilliant, and somehow, the leaves on the trees have completely filled out. How does that happen so fast? Although it is quiet for this moment, I know it won't last. We will hit the ground running at 8:30 tomorrow morning...and sprint to the end of the term.
JUNIOR RETREAT
The junior class will depart after school on Tuesday for their Junior Retreat at the Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center in Reidsville. Many of our juniors have been busy planning the schedule with staff supervisors, Susan, Ken, Tim, and Bob. After dinner, students will gather in small group discussions on the following topics that they have identifuied to help define goals, aspirations, and projects for their senior year: Men’s group/women’s group, Senior projects, Things to do to be fun and inclusive, Senior service, Improve music and art – with students leading the way (bring music back on the patio), Students teaching classes, and Stewardship of the physical space. Leadership will be part of the whole group discussion, which will follow the small group talks. Anthony Clay (Director of Advancement), Elise, Annie, and I will join the juniors for dinner on Tuesday. We expect them to return to school by noon on Wednesday (having had little sleep the night before!).

ALL-SCHOOL MEETING FOR WORSHIP
On Wednesday morning, Lower, Middle, and Upper School students will join in the gym for our all-school meeting for worship. Early schools will join us in spirit as we light candles in their honor. We gather for silent worship as a whole school three times during the year. It's not easy to get everybody together in one spot, but it's always worth the effort once we settle into shared silence.

Looking ahead: Student Teach-In, Student-written/Student directed plays, Prom, and our End-of-Year program. I hope you'll keep in touch!