News for Collegiate School Families and Friends Spring 2013

Ready to GoTen longtime teachers announce retirement in June and make plans for their new free time.

I n the life of any school, there comes a point where its fabric is altered, not by any compromise, but as old friends leave and new ones join us. Rarely, however, do we have the opportunity to

celebrate the careers of 10 retiring teachers at one time. Spanning the decades from the ’60s to the present, these seasoned experts have inspired students, mentored new teachers and contributed to the excellence of our school in significant ways.

Barbara AndersonDr. Anderson has taught Upper School history since 1978, but she has taught much more. Passionate about the environment, Dr. Anderson has sponsored the Earth Society club for many years. She has also taken classes on nature walks to see baby hawks, mistletoe in trees and wetlands she helped preserve, next to the football field. She’s led hikes in the mountains and spent summers in Germany where she was born. Q: How will you remain vigilant

about our environment’s health?A: I will now have time to attend meetings

of the environmental organizations that are active in Richmond and maybe, do volunteer work, although I don’t like chattering groups. I will continue to plant trees in abandoned tree wells and water them around my street.

Joan BarnesSince 1996, Mrs. Barnes has taught in the Upper School math department (AP Stats, AP Calculus, Multivariable Calculus and continued on page 11

Honors Linear Algebra), and she’s also been a sponsor for the Brunch and the academic team. Interestingly, her husband John also teaches math and sponsors the academic team at another school across town (MWGS) … must make for lively dinner conversation. Q: So, where will your new focus be?A: My husband and I have already, over

the past decade, planted over 40 apples trees on our land in North Carolina with 14 more ready to plant in the fall of 2013. We don’t buy stock from traditional nurseries, but graft ourselves or buy from heritage orchards that are dedicated to preserving old varieties not available at grocery stores. I am drawn to old southern varieties that have been named, grafted and revered by families and communities through the last two centuries. With names like Aunt Rachel, Dula’s Beauty, or Junaluska, these trees carry a bit of history of the time and lives of the ordinary Americans who had these trees growing in their home orchard.

Ann CullenMrs. Cullen started her Collegiate career in 1980 teaching 5th Grade girls math and also history to her advisory. Several years later she became a 5th Grade boys advisor, teaching her advisory reading and history and also math to both boys and girls. She helped design the 5th Grade humanities block curriculum, and in her spare time, she enjoys gardening.Q: How will you spend your first fall

out of school in 33 years?A: An early riser by nature, I look forward

to hearing the birds and seeing the dew on the lawn as I water Raymond’s bonsai and our many potted plants in the early morn rather than after 4, and becoming a “regular” rather than a “drop in” at the daily 8am Masses at St. Bridget Church. I see myself fulfilling a personal promise to share my heart and my time with others at The Thomas Palliative Care Unit at

Ten retirees were celebrated at the February faculty/staff meeting in Oates Theater.

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From the Head of School

I’ll begin with a left-brain flurry of numbers in order to make connections between data points that might not otherwise seem connected. The right brain, “what-does-it-all-mean” part will

come later ... Here goes: Ten faculty members will retire at the end of this school year representing a total of 325 years of experience at Collegiate, a school that is a young 97.5 years old. Over that near-century, Collegiate has planted its flag in four distinct regions of Metro Richmond. We were founded in the city, moved to the main campus in Henrico, then developed an athletic campus in Goochland and aquatics center in Chesterfield. Beyond this local presence, Collegiate is developing a global footprint welcoming students each year from 11 partner schools from around the world while sending students to 17 different countries on educational travel and service missions. With the exception of the move from Monument Avenue to North Mooreland Road, all of this growth has happened during the watch of our 10 prospective retirees.

Within this group—and, in fact, among all current employees—Burrell Stultz has served Collegiate the longest at 45 years. Burrell, along with all but one of her fellow retirees, joined the School when it was actually three schools enrolling 1,160 students in Lower, Boys’ and Girls’ schools. That stubborn “s” (Collegiate Schools) that sometimes shows up in real estate ads is a holdover from this era. The enrollment today is 1,602 and, thankfully, we are singular now.

More than half of our retirees spend their days on campus in space that is new or completely renovated in the past 15 years. All but one joined Collegiate before the Internet was commercialized in the mid-’90s. More than half came to Collegiate before the Internet was “invented” in 1982.

Statistics like these can help create an order-of-magnitude perspective on what these folks have witnessed during their careers at Collegiate, but numbers do not really convey the impact of their time here. Devoted, long-serving faculty are the connective tissue of Collegiate.

Campuses and computers, programs and buildings, are the settings and tools. They are critically important, but it is teachers who know the heart of the School, who bind it all together and anchor our campus culture as change inevitably happens.

So when the bulldozers roll yet again or the athletic rival delivers a disappointing loss or the college admission process churns through the senior class, longevity pays off with the long view. They know that the drama du jour pales in importance to what will remain after the details are all forgotten: not the “what” of the moment but the timeless “who” of rock solid character and formative, lifelong relationships.

Long-serving faculty do something else that is essential for Collegiate. Recently, we invited nine young, new teachers for some informal conversation with the Board of Trustees about what attracted them to Collegiate and what they discovered here. What was so interesting

was that we could have substituted our 10 retiring faculty for these new faces and much of the conversation would have been the same.

Longevity at Collegiate also means passing on the DNA of the School—its values, norms and traditions—to new colleagues. Our veteran faculty visibly teach students all day but actually have an equal impact on their new colleagues. While some actively serve as designated mentors, all are closely observed role models. It is often noted that a teacher’s influence lives on in the lives of his or her students. At Collegiate, that influence also animates the work of teachers and coaches whose service will continue years into the future. So, The Ten will not leave behind a vacuum when they leave us. Instead, the space they have occupied so completely over many years will be filled by a new generation of faculty leaders who will carry the banner forward. This is as it should be and is a tribute in itself to careers worthy of our respect, admiration, and imitation. In most important ways, what they leave behind defies our inclination to measure or quantify. But we know what they have meant to Collegiate and will protect and build on the legacy they created. For that, we say, “Thank You.”

Keith EvansHead of School

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For commentary on the latest academic initiatives at Collegiate as well as trends in education and examples of innovative activities under way at schools nationwide, visit e.g. (for example), curated by Academic Dean David Colon (near right). Recent topics include the use of mindfulness in the classroom, Turkish art in the Lower School and online courses. Click Subscribe to receive posts in your inbox. http://www.collegiatervablog.org/

Our talented grounds staff has started a page on our website dedicated to sharing information about our campus landscape plans, seasonal sights, and various plants. It’s called “What’s Growing On?” (far right) If you click on the orange RSS feed button, you can receive a notification of a new post. http://www.collegiate-va.org

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Campus Conversation

RAMPS Volunteers Answer CallsSeniors Gabby Gelozin and Matthew Baum took a turn in the Call 12 Center on Feb. 25. They were answering phone calls from Richmonders interested in learning more about RAMPS, a student organization that builds ramps for homes of handicapped individuals. So far this year, 14 Collegiate students have built five ramps, donating 96 hours on-site.

“Gabby and Matthew did a fantastic job last night at Call 12,” said Susan Revere, executive director of RAMPS. “We took over 90 calls in the hour and a half the phones were on. So many individuals who qualify for our wheelchair ramp program do not have internet access, and many are confined to their homes. Via television is one of the best ways to introduce folks to our program.”

Mister Softee at RobinsDuring most athletic contest events (predominately those contests on Tuesdays and Fridays), Mister Softee of Virginia, which serves soft-served ice cream, milkshakes, packaged ice creams, snack foods and beverages, will again provide concession services to the Collegiate community. These are cash only services. Look for the Mister Softee truck when attending games/events. We hope you enjoy this amenity at Robins, and, as always, we welcome any feedback.

Mark Your CalendarsVarsity and JV teams will begin practicing on Monday, August 12 at 8 am. Cub teams

This beautiful marble sculpture was crafted by Kevin Kelley, Collegiate art teacher who passed away Dec. 9. Kevin’s wife Gail presented it to us at a special gathering on the patio in front of Memorial Hall as 7th and 8th Grade music and art students played the tubano drums, one of Mr. Kelley’s favorite activities. We miss his wit, talent, passion and kindness, but we are thankful for the many years he spent inspiring creativity in his students.

Brad Cooke, sponsor of the Outdoor Collegiate club, recently received a donation of 15 kayaks, paddles, helmets, spray skirts, and a kayak trailer, all for students’ use. “These boats, along with the canoes not pictured, will allow us to show students all that the James River has to offer,” says Mr. Cooke. “We will be using them both in the after-school program and for our expanding variety of weekend trips.” Many thanks to Tom Johnson, father of Addie and Hart, for this generous gift; the club is looking forward to getting out on the water.

In the Call 12 Center, Collegiate seniors answered calls from viewers interested in learning more about RAMPS.

will begin on Tuesday, August 27 immediately after school. Download the schedule calendar on the Athletics/News page on our website (collegiate-va.org).

Collegiate is a Relay Foods Pickup LocationRelay Foods (RelayFoods.com), Richmond’s online food marketplace for local, organic, gourmet and everyday groceries, will once again be offering a Collegiate pickup location. Relay offers a simple way for our busy families to save time while reinforcing the curriculum’s emphasis on healthy eating. Place your order at www.relayfoods.com and pick up groceries per the info below.

Start Date: Wednesday, March 20

Weekly Pick-up: Place your order by midnight on Tuesday and pick it up Wednesday afternoon after 4:00 p.m. in the Business Office parking lot

Contact: If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mark Henderson, SVP of Operations at Relay Foods: mark@relayfoods.com. Please also stop by Relay’s table at the Village Green Fair on April 19 and 20 to learn more from one of their representatives.

Special Offer: All Collegiate families who would like to try Relay can use the coupon code COLLEGIATE10 to receive $10 off their

first Relay shopping experience.

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Go For Gold Fair Packet Your 2013 Village Green Fair packet—on paper or online at www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/packet—has everything you and your family need to create an award-winning weekend. By now, your family should have received one either by mail or backpack. If you didn’t get yours, please email Beth Fallon (fallonva@aol.com) or Maureen Stepanian (emcstep@yahoo.com).

Don’t miss a single moment of the 2013 VGFNEW on the platform this year: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A (1529 N. Parham Road)! Join us on Wednesday, April 3, from 5-8:00 p.m. Just mention “Collegiate-VGF” and 20% of your sales will be donated back to our GOLD medal school.

NEW Ticket Punch Cards for VGF Games and Inflatables! This year each punch card will be worth 20 tickets. Order by April 12 and SAVE 20%!www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/tickets

Order your “Go for Gold at Village Green” T-Shirt VGF T-shirts can be worn fair week, April 15–19. So be a gold star parent & Be Prepared. Order by April 5th. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/tshirts.

Garden Shoppe and Plant Pre-orders Spring is just around the corner so be sure to join us on Tuesday, March 26 from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the Lower School Gardens for an informative lecture on springtime planting. Have a Gold Medal Garden and pre-order plants by March 29. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/gardenshoppe

Get ready to Go for Gold at Village Green

on April 19 & 20!VGF Co-Chairs, Beth Fallon & Maureen Stepanian and this year’s Committee Chairs are confident that you and your family will have a gold medal day! VGF is one of the largest fundraisers made possible by you, the parents. Thank you for organizing, volunteering, baking, shopping, but MOST importantly, being with us on Fair Day. With your support, VGF will be a record breaking, fun-filled weekend.

Fair Weekend starts with Friday Frolic –Shops on the Green, on April 19 from 10:00-4:00. Bring your friends and shop the book, toy, and clothes sale, Garden Shoppe, Silent Auction, and, some of the finest vendors on the East Coast and beyond. Meet for lunch under the tent with A NEW highlight this year, boxed lunches from Richmond’s Favorite, Sally Bell’s Kitchen. This is a great way to kick off Fair weekend!

Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will definitely go in the record books for a fun filled day! Start the morning by participating in the Fun Run and then race over to the field for games, inflatables, and yummy fair food. Don’t forget to register for the always exciting and competitive Dodgeball tourney and Lip Sync contest. For lunch, plan on meeting under the tent for many options. NEW this year: Chick-fil-A, and grilled hamburgers/hot dogs, and Papa John’s Pizza. One thing is for sure, you won’t go home hungry.

Listed below are a few of the many highlights which can be found at Collegiate’s 2013 Village Green Fair:

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Listed below are a few of the many highlights which can be found at Collegiate’s 2013 Village Green Fair:Honor your Gold Medal Cougar Tell your favorite student, friend, teacher or coach you think they are winners with a VGF honor sign. Signs should be pre-ordered by April 5th. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/honorsigns

Shop ’til you Drop Join us in West Gym and Estes for a Gold Medal shopping experience. Don’t miss the book, toy & clothes bargains at the Cougar Market. Then do all of your spring shopping at Shops on the Green. Explore the array of unique & original vendors selling jewelry, clothing, gift items and more. Pre-Order lunch from Award Winning Sally Bell’s Kitchen – it will be waiting for you under the tent. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/fridayfrolic

Take a little bit of VGF home with you … Order Franco’s Frozen Food Fill your freezer with Penne Alla Vodka, Chicken Parmigiano or your Franco’s favorite. Order by April 5th so you don’t miss out. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/francos

Bake that Gold Medal Treat All parents are asked to contribute to the VGF Bake Sale. Drop off is Friday, April 19 from 7:45–8:15 a.m. in carpool. Please check your packet or the VGF website for details on what you are asked to donate. www.collegiate-va.org/vgf/bakesale

Win YOUR own Medal at VGF • Fun Run – Racers get a Swag Bag and more• Dodgeball – 3rd-12th Grade Boys and Girls Welcome• Lip Sync – Perform your best without singing a note

Fabulous Gold Medal Fair Food

Our Parents’ Association volunteers make all the difference! Thank you to the volunteers who made our Fall Special Events such a success. Cougar Pause, Concessions, Book Fairs, Tea Towel sales, and ’Tis the Season … would not have been possible without you. We look forward to working with you during our Spring Concessions, Book Fairs, Cougar Classic and the Village Green Fair!

“Thyme In The Garden”Get Inspired For Spring!

A Gardening Program for the Novice or Expert

“Thyme in the Garden”

is FREE!!

Tuesday, March 26 • 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.The Lower School Garden at Collegiate School • Rain Location: Estes Hall

How to Pick, Plant and Maintain a Tree! Abbie Wharton, Sue Thompson & Terry Tosh of Garden Graces, LLC

How to Create a Beautiful Container Garden for Each Season of the Year

Allison Moyer & Robyn Hartley – Collegiate’s Gardeners

Go For the Gold2013 Due Dates

• GardenShoppe March 29 Pre-Orders

• Chik-fil-A April 3 Parham Road Spirit Night 5-8pm

• T-ShirtOrders April 5

• HonorSigns April 5

• Franco’sOrders April 5

• RegisterforFunRun April 12 & Lip Sync

• BakeSaleDonation April 12 Form Due

• FridayLunchUnder April 12 Tent Order

• Pre-OrderFairTickets April 12

• RegisterforDodgeBall April 17

Links atwww.collegiate-va.org/vgf/

From the Upper School

An actual conversation between Max and me from last Tuesday:

“What is the sun made of?” “The sun is made of fire.” “Wow!! Did you learn that on

the internet?” “No. I learned it in school when I was

a boy.” “But you could have learned it on the

internet?” “Yes. But I learned it in school.” “But not on your phone?” “No. Not on my phone.”Max is 4. He also happens to be my

son, and if you believe the old adage that everything you ever needed to know you learned in Kindergarten, then maybe we shouldn’t pay attention to Max’s questions as he is still more than a year out from elementary school classes. However, this internet thing seems to have staying some staying power, so I recently enrolled with two of my colleagues, Kelly Tracy and Jamie Britto, in a Blended Learning Seminar taught as a consortium course for independent school teachers and administrators.

Twenty-three schools have enrolled teams to take part in the class. We are looking at the essential question of how—if at all—independent schools should be leveraging on-line learning into the traditional school model. We are doing this by working remotely through a web-based platform for homework and conversation, and then gathering twice in person as a group in Atlanta for a day-long meeting and sharing of ideas. The course lasts five months. At the end, each school is supposed to be able to produce a strategic statement for how on-line learning could be blended into their school community over the next five years.

What I have quickly learned about this topic is that there are true believers, skeptics, and skeptical believers somewhere in between, and there are sound arguments and thoughtful persuasions on all sides of the issue. It can be very confusing.

Clearly, technology makes it possible for us to recall content almost anywhere in the world at any time, but does this make it education? Clearly, some kids are accessing information and interacting through social media in ways that we can scarcely understand. But does this make it sound pedagogy in the classroom?

And if technology is so vital, why are some of the most senior executives at Google and other Silicon Valley tech companies happily sending their kids to tech-free Waldorf Schools? And the truth is, for all the predictions, prognosticators, futurists and philosophers celebrating or decrying the rise of on-line learning and an interconnected world, nobody knows what things are going to look like in five years time. Nobody. And that, ultimately, is the rub.

So what do we do? I guess if I asked Max, he would tell me to look it up on my phone, or maybe I could say I’m taking the course precisely to answer this question. But really, I don’t know either. But I do know one thing. Collegiate has thrived for nearly a century because of the values and skills that endure in life—compassion, character, critical thinking, clarity of thought and expression, and the willingness to take risks and try something new—and regardless of how material is ultimately presented by our teachers to our students, I know we will never lose sight of these things that have always served as the foundation of our school’s mission.

So, whether we are flying around like the Jetsons or pushing pencils on paper, one thing I know is we will never ask less of students as people, as citizens or as passionate, life-long learners.

That, you can look that up on your phone.

Ben ReinUpper School Head

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Spring Upper School Parent Events3/20/13Navigating the Second Half of Upper School: What happens in the last two years of Upper School? (for 10th Grade Parents)

3/21/13Graduation and College Prep Details: Learn What to Expect in the Final Days at Collegiate and Beyond

4/4/13 – 4/6/13Upper School Spring Play: The Crucible

4/10/13Upper & Middle School Spring Jazz Concert

4/16/13Bagels with Ben

4/17/13Middle & Upper School Spring Instrumental Concert

4/24/13Middle & Upper School Spring Choral Concert

5/11/1312th Grade Parent Social: Hourigan Home

5/20/13-5/21/13Upper School Book Fair

6/4/13Upper School Pops Concert

This info may change. Check the Calendar on our website for most current details on date and time.

20 Different locations where Freshman Service Week students volunteered—schools, community and retirement centers, organizations that serve those with special needs, an animal shelter and at the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

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Featured in Mindful MagazineUpper School counselor Alex Peavey is

featured in an advertisement for Mindful.org’s current magazine. Peavey says the magazine contacted him after hearing about the mindfulness work he has been doing with Collegiate students, faculty, parents and athletes.

Others are finding out about Peavey’s work, too. “Businesses, other area schools, VCU and UR, juvenile correction facilities, and even a top college basketball team have all been in touch with me about what we are doing related to mindfulness and how I can help them get it to be a part of their program,” he says.

“We are giving our students the opportunity to learn about their brains, their emotions, and the ability to experience the range of emotions we all go through in life without being negatively impacted by them in the long run,” Peavey says. “After teaching mindfulness to our freshmen for the past six years and to any interested faculty, it has now spread K-12.” He has also given a talk to Lower School parents and conducted a Parent Academy workshop on “mindful living” for Upper School parents.

CondolencesLester C. Shaw, father of Mary Christopher and grandfather of Adam Christopher ’15, died August 24, 2012.

Jean Betts Wiltshire ’38, grandmother Mary Wiltshire Beckstoffer ’99 and great-grandmother of Lucy Beckstoffer ’25, died Nov. 22, 2012.

Alice E. Locker, mother of Letty Wood, and grandmother Bayley Wood ’13, died Nov. 22, 2012.

Faye Patterson Overton Webb, mother of Mark Webb, and grandmother of Sadie Webb ’25, died Nov. 24, 2012.

Patricia Gaddy Pons, mother of Neill Bellamy, and grandmother of Eliza ’15, Lucy ’17, and Liam Bellamy ’20, died Nov. 26, 2012.

Lillian R. Shaw, father of Mary Christopher and grandfather Adam Christopher ’15, died Nov. 30, 2012.

Dimitri Georgiadis, step-father of Lower School teacher Nicola Byford, and grandfather of Thomas ’24 and George Byford ’25, died on Dec. 3, 2012.

M. Lucille Duncan Blackard, mother of Lower School teacher Patsy Hallett, died Dec. 11, 2012.

Raymond Wilson Tolleson, father Ray Tolleson ’83 and grandfather of Charlie Tolleson ’16, died on Jan. 6, 2013.

Arter F. Hughes, father of Jody Hughes ‘81 and grandfather of Leilani Porter ’16, died Jan. 11, 2013.

Henry C. Harris, father of Myra Abdelgadir and grandfather of Sophia Abdelgadir ’20, died Jan. 19, 2013.

Walter Lee Bradley Sr., father of Lee Bradley and grandfather of Parker Bradley ’22, died Jan. 22, 2013.

Lillian Mease Hess, mother of Alan Hess and grandmother of Olivia Hess ’17, died Jan. 29, 2013.

Virginia Anderson Call, mother of Kathy Call Grainer ’80 and grandmother of Allison ’16, Brad ’18, and Christopher Grainer ’20, died Feb. 2, 2013.

William Joseph Connelly, father of Leslie Strickler and grandfather of Olivia Strickler ’14, died on Feb. 12, 2012.

William Allen Gates, father of Emilie Evans, father-in-law of Keith Evans, and grandfather of Ronnie ’08 and Hank Evans ’12, died Feb. 21, 2013.

Edwin Darius Dupree III, father of Cathy Martin, and grandfather of Win ’16, Anna Catherine ’18, and Nancy Martin ’20, died Feb. 22, 2013.

1,196Points scored so far by junior guard AnnieHawthorne who set a new record with her 14th point in the varsity girls’ basketball team’s game against Flint Hill on Feb. 26. Annie’s now ahead of Dominique Meeks ’09, who scored 1,191. And she’s got another season to go! Congratulations, Annie.

8 | Paw Print

Spring Middle School Parent Events

4/4/135th Grade Time Out: Laser Tag at SkateNation

4/4/136th Grade Time Out: Fun at the Collegiate Aquatics Center

4/4/137th Grade Time Out: Laser Tag at SkateNation

4/10/13Parenting for a High School Social Life

4/10/13Upper & Middle School Spring Jazz Concert

4/17/13Cub Sports Overview

4/17/13Middle & Upper School Spring Instrumental Concert

4/24/13Middle & Upper School Spring Choral Concert

Technology Integration in Middle Schoolparticipate in an early beta test of a new program which, in a competitive team format, encourages the guys to live a healthy lifestyle. The author of the app is Chris Garson, a Collegiate alum. The boys are learning something about beta versions and entrepreneurship as well as nutrition.

At the end of the hall, you visit Lindsey Melvin’s 7th Grade American history classroom. There is a cart of Chromebooks by the window and her students are using them to research a variety of real-world topics from the early 20th century. This class is piloting an inquiry-based instructional method, in which students have more choice of what they research and present and in which collaboration, research, and problem solving are everyday principles of learning. Mrs. Melvin explains that this approach to history would not be possible unless her students had dedicated, everyday access to the Chromebooks.

Returning to the front of the Middle School, you realize that not once did you see technology used just for its own sake. It was always integrated into the activity or class, and it was a key component in the learning. The students were working with an array of different devices, but a common thread in most of them was their mobility, thanks to the greatly upgraded wireless infrastructure at Collegiate. It also occurs to you that most students are not carrying their own devices around, so the distraction factor between classes has been minimal.

Fletcher CollinsAssistant Head of Middle School Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology

Imagine a quick tech-focused tour through the Middle School classrooms. You would probably not see all of these happening at the same time on any given day, but most periods during the

day you would see similar kinds of activities; technology helps with many kinds of learning endeavors but not all.

You start on the 5th and 6th Grade hall where you see 5th Graders excitedly taking iPads out of the new iPad cart. The girls go into Laurie Goode’s classroom, and you notice they are going to the King of Math app. Interestingly, it is not just a “drill and kill” game; it adds some problem solving to the mix.

Further down the hall, you squeeze into Mindy Romanosky’s classroom where 6th Grade boys are engrossed in Mac laptops. A boy explains, “There are five of us writing this script in a Google Doc at the same time, and each of us uses a different color, and look—we all can see each other’s work even if we are at home and Mrs. Romanosky says we are ‘collaborating.’”

The Middle School computer lab is just ahead so you notice a class in there using the Mac desktops and headsets. Daniela Guzman is speaking Spanish into her headset. Apparently, the students are all listening to her on their headsets at first, but then different students are saying different phrases. There is a flowchart-like diagram on Señora Guzman’s screen, and she explains that the circles show the students in her class and the arrows show who is communicating with whom in a dialogue. All of their oral proficiency work is saved digitally in the DiLL program.

In Room 9, Kathy Wrenn is working with her health and nutrition class of 7th Grade boys. The class is using iPads to

This info may change. Check the Calendar on our website for most current details on date and time.

12

Middle School students, accompanied by Maria Benson and Monica Johnston, traveled to

France during Spring Break

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Tony Cosby, a gifted orator who has been portraying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for 25 years, visited Middle School assembly on March 5. Mr. Cosby recites King’s speeches, informing schoolchildren and others about King’s background and journey as a civil rights leader, and encouraging audiences to reflect on King’s commitment to social justice and equality.

The part of Aladdin was played by two students in the 8th Grade play, “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.,” presented in February.

The Green Team of faculty and staff members were victorious at the Cougar Classic in February, and all athletes weathered the game without injury. Thanks to the Parents’ Association for organizing such a fun night for students to enjoy.

Diversity Leadership ConferenceKate Cunningham and Sally Chambers took 13 students to the East Ed Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference on Jan. 29 at the Sandy Spring Friends School in Sandy Springs, MD. We learned about creating more respectful and inclusive schools. During the following week these student leaders and other Mosaic students led discussions in Middle School advisories about popularity and inclusion. We are so proud of them!

3 Senior athletes have been named Scholar Athlete of the Week by Lexus of Richmond, WRVA-WRNL/FOX TV. Reilly Klein (football), Eric Yan (swimming) and Kyle Pate (wrestling) will be considered for the $10,000 Lexus scholarship at the end of the school year, announced at a banquet in honor of the nominees.

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Fall 2011 | 7Fall 2011 | 9

In the Lower School

In mid-January, I went into a 1st Grade class that was studying the Arctic and Tundra regions (I did have to make sure I knew the difference!) where I was to help on a very interesting

project. I worked with three boys who were deciding how best to share their knowledge of igloos, wolverines (all I knew was Michigan!) and polar bears. They had done their research and were experts on their subjects. The boys decided to do a TV interview show as their presentation vehicle. We first crafted questions that would allow the “expert” to share his knowledge. Then we practiced, using an eraser as a microphone. They were very engaged as they talked about how it should sound, how they should introduce it, and finally what they should wear. What I loved is how really engaged they were. I never had to redirect their focus.

The following week I returned to the class, and we were ready to shoot! Here is what they had added: a wonderful snowy backdrop with polar animals and mountains, big furry coats and hats, and someone had brought a real microphone. We did one practice, and then I pulled out

the Flip camera. Each was done in one take and they were super. These interviews were shared with their classmates so they could learn from these three experts, and they are now on the class website for all to see.

This is what project based learning (PBL) is all about. Students have ownership of their learning and select how they want to research and then share it. Talk about remembering what you have learned. It is not the old model of teacher delivers content and then child goes home and builds something out of sugar cubes with parent help! In PBL, the process is so vital. Students learn about their subject as they create.

Interesting how children play to their own strengths. The snowy owl that another child constructed, looked almost real to me. And don’t even get me started on a golf course in Scotland constructed by four kindergarten children!!

Jill Hunter Lower School Head

Spring Lower School Parent Events3/28/13Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day

4/12/131st Grade Play

4/25/134th Grade Science Festival

4/30/13Parent Education: Your Rising 2nd Grader

5/1/13Parent Education: Your Rising 1st Grader

5/2/133rd Grade Colonial Day

5/5/13Lower School Strings Recital

5/9/13Parent Education: Simplifying Summer

5/13/13Parent Education: Your Rising 3rd Grader

5/14/13Parent Education: Your Rising 4th Grader

5/16/13Lower School Spring Choral Concert

5/23/13Field Day

This info may change. Check the Calendar on our website for most current details on date and time.

109 4th Graders presented on March 7 the annual American Mosaic, a musical illumination of historical periods and people, for Lower School students and family guests.

In the Lower School

Spring 2013 | 11

MCV and The Massey Cancer Center at Stony Point, and to use my teacher skills through my involvement with The Micah Initiative at Blackwell Elementary. It will be fun to attend functions at the Lower School without needing a substitute, to sit for my granddaughters “any night” rather than just on weekends, and to attend my 50th High School Reunion in North Carolina. No matter what I am doing, most likely a fond memory from my 33 years at Collegiate will cross my lips!

Patsy HallettPatsy Hallett has taught music to the very youngest Cougars since 1987. Along with coordinating all music for the kindergarten chapel at Christmas and the 1st Grade plays, she has taught the memorable Lower School song “I Am a Promise” to generations of students. Somehow she makes capturing the attention of 5-7-year-olds look easy. In addition, she and fellow music teacher Beth Tracy started the 4th Grade choral group, Cantorion, which performs at many special events from Grandparents & Special Friends Day to Homecoming. Q: Will music still be part of your life?A: I can’t imagine any part of my life

without music. It may give me new connections with volunteer work, allow me to try new avenues for teaching, or just give me some soothing sounds for relaxing as I finally get around to organizing all those papers and pictures I’ve saved! I have been very blessed to be able to combine two great loves—music and educating children. I’m looking forward to seeing where these passions and interests take me.

Lewis LawsonSince 1972, Lewis Lawson, aka Bubba, has been the most creatively dressed man on campus. Known for his colorful and often holiday-appropriate attire, Mr. Lawson is known for his vocab words and enthusiastic support of the Interact Club, especially their Ton of Coins scholarship fund. Q: Will Bubba do us the honor of

returning to a Pep Rally, resplendent in his green and gold?

A: Oh, yes, what an honor—in my deepest green and shiniest gold! Most certainly!

Charlie McFallIt’s a little known fact among current students that Coach Charlie McFall was first hired in 1970 to be a math teacher. His coaching prowess led him to head up boys’ teams from basketball to baseball to football where he notably coached Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson ’07. He’s been Co-Athletic Director since 1987. Q: You’ve scheduled thousands of

games for our sports programs … how will you schedule your time after you leave here?

A: Very carefully!!!! I do hope to do some scheduling so I don’t wake up every morning wondering what I’m going to do today.

Burrell StultzA true passion for her subject matter has been the hallmark of Lower School science teacher Burrell Stultz’s career at Collegiate. Since 1968, Mrs. Stultz has explained concepts like photosynthesis to intrigued 3rd and 4th Graders. She’s run science fairs and hosted rocket scientists in her classroom. Q: You’ve shown many students the

wonders of science and nature …will you be doing any explorations of your own post-Collegiate?

A: Yes, I will still be involved with a number of different “explorations” in addition to spending time with my grandchildren—opportunities to extend love of travel, dance classes, subbing and working with some young schools and their science programs all comprise a pretty full menu. I will not be far from Collegiate as it will always be a part of our extended family for these 45 years.

Linda PagelLinda Pagel has watched three sets of K-12 students start and finish their years at Collegiate since she arrived in 1986. As a Kindergarten teacher and assistant, Mrs. Pagel has held the hands of hundreds of 5- and 6-year-olds as they’ve begun their academic lives, and her kindness and enthusiastic smile has surely made first days of school exciting. Q: How will you start off the next

phase of your own life?

A: Before Mike and I commit to community service, I plan to take about nine months to “play” by enjoying family at two summer weddings, taking a European river cruise, visiting grandkids a lot, and staying fit through hiking, biking, and swimming.

Mike PagelRolling office chairs down the hall to demonstrate velocity, or performing music at Feast of Juul—these examples speak of physics teacher Mike Pagel’s spirited, creative and multi-talented persona. Since 1986, he has taught Upper School physics. Q: Is there a scientific formula for

how he’ll spend his free time?A: If I had to give a scientific formula for

how I will spend my free time after retirement, it would be an equation with no obvious solution. I have always been part alchemist and part tinkerer. I love to start projects that I don’t know how to finish. It might be a major home remodeling project or a project designing and building a “better” hammered dulcimer from basic principles of physics. I have collected many ideas for projects that I would like to try—both in physical space and in cyberspace. I hope to also inspire my grandchildren to become creative alchemists and tinkerers as well.

Neil WeiserAn encyclopedic knowledge of American history, a penchant for politics and a love of fly fishing are Neil Weiser’s most well-known traits. Mr. Weiser has taught United States history classes in the Upper School since 1982, leaving legions of students with a solid foundation in how our country started and is governed. Q: Where are you headed on your

first fishing trip?A: My first big trip will be to Devil’s Lake,

in the Irish Hills of Michigan, in quest of the fearsome northern pike.

Ready to Go (cont.)

3 | Newsletter

103 North Mooreland Road • Richmond, Virginia 23229(804) 740-7077

Fax (804) 741-9797 www.collegiate-va.org

Keith A. Evans, Head of SchoolLindy M. Williams, Associate Head of SchoolPhyllis Palmiero, Vice President-FinanceAmanda Little Surgner ’83, Vice President-AdvancementBen Rein, Head of Upper SchoolCharles L. Blair, Jr., Head of Middle SchoolDr. Jill Hunter, Head of Lower SchoolDavid Colón, Academic DeanCharles L. McFall and Karen Doxey, Co-Directors of Athletics

PAW PRINT is published multiple times throughout the year.Elizabeth Cogar Batty ’77, editor phone : 741-9781 e-mail : ecogar@collegiate-va.orgBeth Flippo Hutchins ’88 and Marguerite Bostic, Parents’ Association CorrespondentsPAW PRINT may be read online at www.collegiate-va.org

Collegiate School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin in the administration of its educational, admission, scholarship or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the school.

103 North Mooreland RoadRichmond, Virginia 23229www.collegiate-va.org

The Sharp Academic Commons and its various components and the H2L2 Studio Arts addition to the Hershey Center for the Arts have been changing daily right before our eyes. For a sneak peek, come take a Hard Hat Tour … no reservation necessary. Just park in the Visitor Parking in front of the Cougar Shop and meet in front of Jacobs Gym. Tours are 30 min.

• Tuesday, March 19, 8:15 a.m. Hard Hat Tour of the Sharp Academic Commons and H2L2

• Wednesday, March 27, 2:30 p.m. Hard Hat Tour of the Sharp Academic Commons and H2L2

• Monday, April 15 H2L2 Opening Celebration and Art Walk for student, families & friends

• Sunday, Sept. 8 The Sharp Academic Commons Opening Celebration

Construction Continues, Opening Dates Set