PARENT PRESS
Prepared, Engaged, & Inspired with Character, Integrity, & Respect
An Newsletter for St. Paul’s Episcopal School Parents
November 2011
This issue of the Parent Press is dedicated in loving memory of Linda Farley Bowman, long time employee and dear friend of St. Paul’s Episcopal School. NOVEMBER
Dear St. Paul’s Families, In observance of Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, St. Paul’s Episcopal School will hold festivities to honor and thank the men and women in our St. Paul’s community who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a parade through campus and continue with a school wide assembly at E. E. Delaney Stadium. Our guest speaker will be Colonel Patrick H. Downing, US Army Retired. We invite all veterans in the St. Paul’s community to attend and be recognized for their unselfish service to our great country. There will be reserved seating for our veterans and parking at Delaney Stadium will be reserved for our visitors. We ask that you please arrive by 8:15. Choosing Veterans as their service focus area, both the 2nd Grade and 11th Grade Philanthropy Ambassadors are hosting this event in collaboration with the St. Paul’s Service Leadership Program. Other St. Paul’s grade levels will contribute to this service learning opportunity as all St. Paul’s students are excited about the chance to honor our nation’s veterans. We invite you and your families, especially the veterans in our direct and extended St. Paul’s family, to attend this important event and join us in celebrating with patriotic pride. Yours truly,
F. Martin Lester, Jr. Headmaster
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8th Grade EXPLORE Testing 10th Grade PLAN Testing Key Club Blood Drive 9th Grade EXPLORE Testing Sporting Clay Shoot for Parents/Alumni Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 Thanksgiving Food Drive Grades 5-8 Chapel Day Grades 3-4 Fall Play “The Curious Savage” Basketball Team Pictures Grade 7 - 12 11th Grade Community Service Day 2nd Grade Field Trip to the Exploreum Weekly Morning Prayer Service Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 School-Wide Veterans Day Assembly Youth Judicial Competition in Montgomery Chapel Day Grades 3-12 Catered Lunch Grades 9-12 NetClassroom Update Parent Council Meetings 6th Grade Community Service Day Lower School Admissions Open House Weekly Morning Prayer Service Admissions Tours Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 Sports Out-of-Uniform Day Grades 5-8 8th Grade Community Service Day Church Day Grades 3-4 Church Day Grades 5-12 Landing of the Mayflower Thanksgiving Holidays Chapel Day Grades 3-12 Grades 5-8 OLSAT Testing Optional Picitures with Santa Grades PreK-2 StringsConcert at 7 pm in the Theatre
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Winter Band Concert at 7:00 pm Weekly Morning Prayer Service 6th Grade to “A Christmas Carol” Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 Big Brother/Sister Christmas Party Out of Uniform Day Grades 5 - 12 Winter Choral Concert at 7:00 pm Chapel Day Grades 3-4 Church Day Grades 5-12 Angel Tree Gifts Drop-off Second Grade to Nutcracker Ballet Second Grade “Sip & See” for Parents COC Brown Bag Lunch 5th Grade “Colonial Christmas” 6th Grade “Cowboy Christmas” Weekly Morning Prayer Service No Tests/Projects for Upper School No Tests/Projects for Upper School Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 1st Grade Christmas Around the World Church Day Grades 3-4 Upper School Exam Review Day Upper School Social Studies Exams Upper School World Language Exams Upper School Math Exam Upper School English Exams Weekly Morning Prayer Service Pre-K Breakfast With Santa First Grade “Polar Express” Day Upper School Science Exams Upper School Multiple Exams Lady Saints Alumni Basketball Game Chapel Day Grades PreK-2 Makeup Exams End of Second Quarter Early Dismissal for Christmas Holidays
The St. Paul’s Parent Council “Houndstooth” October Meeting Notes: Next meeting November 17 Compiled by Kathy McMaken and Tracey Whatley
MIDDLE/UPPER SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL Peggy Harkness, Middle/Upper School Parent Council Chair, opened the meeting by introducing Victor Helmsing, Assistant Headmaster/Upper School Director. Mr. Helmsing announced the National Merit Commended Scholars and Semi-Finalists. Commended Scholars are Laura Erickson, Dylan Gibson, Mary Lindsey Hannahan, Josh Harrelson, Bren McMaken, Kristine Schroeder and Sarah Williams. The SemiFinalists who will compete to be Finalists are Funso Fagbongbe, Patrick Steadman and Cameron Williamson. National Merit will make the announcement in January. Mr. Helmsing went on to compare our number of commended scholars and semifinalists to those at Murphy, UMS, Bayside, McGill-Toolen and other area schools. For the last several years, St. Paul’s has produced more finalists than any other school in the area. All ten high scorers this year would have been semifinalists any previous year, according to Mr. Helmsing. Headmaster Marty Lester told us a poignant and moving story about Ben Friedlander, a former St. Paul’s student whose family includes physicians and lawyers. However, Ben recently told Marty that his intention to be in Education is due to his experience at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Marty told us this with great appreciation for the dedication and the skill and knowledge of our teachers and staff. Marty then told us about the self-study our Middle School Director Dr. Scott McDonald did for the School in preparation for our SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) reaccreditation. It is 100 pages in length and talks about the four Pillars/our Progression Model, which includes the Seven Standards. Some efforts are being made to improve the greening of the campus. There was discussion about the fact St. Paul’s has to pay for recycling. The City of Mobile does not have a city-wide program. However, this is a priority to St. Paul’s and Leslie Lerner is making it a part of the service opportunities, as well. Marty let us know that the St. Petersburg (FL) headmaster is the team leader in the reaccreditation visit that will start November 6-8. There will be five people on the team. Some of us may be asked to be a part of the visit and meet with them.They will read our self-assessment, and see if we correctly assess: how to evaluate, how to measure behaviors, how to self-assess, and how we initiate teacher development. Katie Kirby of Grounds Committee was thanked for fixing up entrances and we were told the young Alums were happy with the look at Homecoming. Curriculum Specialist Will Hester said he decided ten years ago to go into education because of his experience at St. Paul’s, particularly teacher Victor Helmsing. He said he is currently work-
ing with Dr. Santoli to expand the benchmarks she developed when she was here, that is, what every child should know and do at every grade. He talked about our integrated curriculum and how it is expanding. What you study in history you may write about in English. Rosetta Stone is our language tutorial. We want to eliminate gaps in foreign language. Additional Announcements • Natasha Kendall talked about the class basket ideas for Saints’ NIght Out and wondered if everyone wanted to go with one idea like all do Easter baskets. November 17 is deadline for submitting ideas. Fresh ideas wanted! • Academic Booster doughnut day for headmaster list is November 4. LOWER SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL Michele Morgan, Lower School Parent Council Chair, opened the meeting by introducing Cindy McFadden, who gave the Invocation. Lower School Director Anne Davis gave an update on the Lower School. The Lower School was extremely busy this month. She thanked the Parent Council and parents for the great and very safe Homecoming Carnival. Field Trips are coming up and we need to make sure that parents are aware. There will be a letter with information regarding Halloween Observance for the Lower School. We need to make sure that we tell parents to check “Grade Level Mail” for latest information regarding the Lower School. Report Cards are coming soon online, more information later in this meeting. The Lower School Book Fair was wonderful. Admissions Assistant Elizabeth Gregory reported that Open House for prospective parents will be on Thursday, November 17 starting at 6:00 PM. Friday, November 18, 2011 there will be parent tours for the school. This is for prospective families, but current families can also come. The tours will be given by Julie Taylor. The tours start at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. They will all start at the Lower School. Saints’ Night Out Representative Jill Ringold reported that we need to come up with a themed basket for each Grade Level by November. Room Moms will be asked to do phone calls this year for SNO. A suggestion for a “FILL THE BASKET DAY” was given. This could be some type of competition to have an Ice Cream Party or another reward. All of the baskets will be Easter baskets since it will be near Easter. If you have new Ideas please pass them on. Book Fair Chairman Ashley Jackson reported that the Book Fair was successful - a BIG thanks to all volunteers. All of the profit will be taken as cash this year-to benefit the libraries. Mrs. McDonald was able to get a large supply of books. Overall, the teachers got about eleven books each for the classroom libraries. Family Night went very well. It was very well organized.
The St. Paul’s Parent Council “Houndstooth” October Meeting Notes: Next meeting November 17 Compiled by Kathy McMaken and Tracey Whatley
Additional Announcements • Interact Club is selling Pink Breast Cancer Awareness bracelets • Homecoming Carnival was great. Thank you to all volunteers!! Suggestions were: tablecloths, different DJ • Conferences for PreK-4th grades will be on Wednesday ,October 26 • Report cards - no paper, we are trying go all green. The report card can be found on NetClassroom under Quick Links on the school website. An email with the username and password will be sent out again before Friday, so that all parents will be able to get the report cards. • Check Smoke Detectors information was sent home, we need to make sure that the parents get them back to the school. The children could win kids meals for the school. • Halloween parade – We need to make sure that the parents know about the parade and the time. It should start at 10:30 but it starts earlier sometimes. Make sure that if parents can come help dress for the parade that they know in advance. Make sure parents know they cannot walk with their child during the parade. There usually are parking problems, so let parents know. Check on whether your teacher’s door will be unlocked during the parade.
• Christmas Philanthropy- decide what your grade levels are doing. Discuss with the teachers what they want to do. • Teacher Christmas gifts are not included in Activity Fee. Michele showed some stockings as an idea for holding gift cards. Choice of gift cards or individual gifts needs to be decided by grade level. Let parents know participation is optional. There was a suggestion of sending card envelopes home for the child to decorate and bring back whether they give a gift or not. • Upcoming Birthdays are listed in Meeting Notes Michele gave out during meeting. • Upcoming Class Events/Field trips are listed in the Meeting Notes. • Please remind parents that younger siblings are not to accompany parents on field trips. • Also, ask them to continue sending Bruno’s receipts, Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s soup labels and now Greer’s receipts. • Please turn in any receipts with reimbursement requests to your Grade Level Rep- within 30 days!
SAINTS’ NIGHT OUT 2012 The Art of Giving.. It’s an acquired skill that is perfected after
years of loving your children, loving your school and committing to do what is best for them both. Once a year, we gather as parents to celebrate St. Paul’s at Saints’ Night Out, the School’s largest event fundraiser. We laugh, visit, eat, drink, shop and buy, but most importantly, we GIVE. Last year’s auction raised over $67,000 to benefit our school! We look forward to another extraordinary auction Friday, March 16, 2012 at Space 301. Here are just a few of the fabulous new events and auction items that will be a part of Saints’ Night Out 2012:
First Annual Running with the Saints 5K Fun Run
Mark your calendars! On Sunday, March 11, 2012, this 5K run will kick off a week of exciting activities for St. Paul’s families, friends and faculty in celebration of Saints’ Night Out 2012! Register early and meet us on Delaney Field for a 4 pm start. Early Registration Fee: $20. Day of Registration Fee: $25. For more information, Contact Cammie Singleton at mattandcammie@att.net.
Online Auction for Teacher Adventures Another highly anticipated addition to the auction lineup this year is an online component of our auction for bidding on Teacher Adventures! These unique adventures offer PRICELESS and
personal experiences for your children with many of our beloved faculty and staff. You will be able to bid online for these
one-of-a-kind items generously being crafted and donated by our teachers. Imagine manicures and pedicures for your daughter with her favorite teacher, a unique art experience to create a personalized canvas for your child’s room, or how about a special lunch outing for your child and a few of his closest friends? These online auction items are sure to be fun and special experiences the children will be talking about for years to come! One example, the St. Paul’s PreK teachers have decided to deliver milk and cookies and read a bed time story at the homes of the lucky winners of their adventures. The online portion of the auction will be open for bidding Monday, March 12 - Thursday, March 15. For more information, contact Janelle Fowler at janellefowler@comcast.net.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012!
AROUND CAMPUS SPOOKY SAINTS!
SPORTING NEWS
Lady Saints Take State!
Second graders Lilly Cumbie, Rachel Bell, Mackenzie Park, Matthew Thompson, and Jake Keesee enjoy the Lower School Halloween Parade.
Grace Rebarchak and her fellow St. Paul’s seniors had a simple goal for this season: “We wanted to end on a good note,” she said. Mission accomplished! St. Paul’s defeated Madison County 25-21, 25-20, 25-22 to win a second straight AHSAA Class 5A state championship. Rebarchak led the way with 17 kills, 13 blocks and 6 digs, winning the tournament MVP award. St. Paul’s won its second straight 5A volleyball title and fifth in the last six seasons.
Second Round State Playoffs After defeating Woodlawn High School in Birmingham 33–14 in the first round of the AHSAA state football playoffs, St. Paul’s will travel to Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama for the second round on Friday, November 11. Tickets will be available in St. Paul’s main office beginning Wednesday, November 9 and at the gate for $7.00 each – kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.
Cross-Country Teams Compete at State St. Paul’s Varsity Cross-Country teams will be competing Saturday morning at the Indian Mounds Running Park in Oakville, Alabama in the state championships. Our teams will be seeking to improve on last season’s respective state runner-up finishes in the 5A divisional competition. The girls will run at 10:50 AM and the boys’ race begins at 11:30.
Alumni Boys Basketball Game December 10 SPS Alumni, Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff: Join us on December 10 for the first annual St. Paul’s basketball alumni game! The game will be played immediately following the 3:00 game versus Bayside Academy. The alumni game should begin around 4:45. We invite all former players to attend and to play. If you don’t wish to play, please come and enjoy seeing former teammates! RSVP to Jimmy Messer at 461-2164 or jmesser@stpaulsmobile.net.
AROUND CAMPUS
Robotics Team Wins Regional Awards
Fall Play “The Curious Savage” November 10 – 13
The Curious Savage (a comedy in three acts) by John Patrick will be presented November 10, 12, and 13 in the Moorer Theatre. Showtimes are 7:00 on the 10th and 12th, and 2:00 p.m. on the 13th. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased from cast members or Sally Greer. The play is directed by Mr. Chip Goff, Upper School Theater Performance Instructor. Cast members are Kaitlyn Hamilton, Henry Jordan, Allie Frederick, Wade Naritoku, Sarah Grace Kirkendall, Seth Polansky, Ben Siegel, Hope Lemley, Varshini Venkatesan, Gracie Lester, and Danielle Williamson. See St. Paul’s website for a synopsis of the play!
Saints are Superior at Choral Competition St. Paul’s Halo Corporation participated in the two-day Jubilee BEST (Boosting Engineering and Science Technology) competition Oct 28-29, 2011 at the Mitchell Center at USA in Mobile. With 44 teams competing from south Alabama as well as nearby states, it is the largest robotics competition in the world according to hub director Robin Fenton. This year’s theme focused on bugs in biochemical engineering. Specific Awards received by St. Paul’s included: •Ingalls Shipbuilding Teamwork Award •2nd Place Exhibit and Interview Award •3rd Place BEST (overall) Award •7th Place Robot Performance The team now advances to Regional Competition at Auburn University December 2-3, 2011. Congratulations to team members and sponsor Dr. Lyn Franklin: Seniors Clint Innocenti – Team Captain, Patrick Schulte; Sophomores Abigail Blankenship, Joseph Graham, Jonathan Landry, Denis Dong, Klaudia Larson; Freshmen Drew Batten, Alexander Blankenship, Daniel Horst, Matthew D’Alonzo; 8th Graders Charlie Weeks, Gabe Coleman. Owen Martin, and 7th Graders Skandan Ananthasekar, Zachary Nelson, and Christopher Horst.
Congratulations to the following students who competed in the Alabama Vocal Association’s Fall Solo & Ensemble Competition: Holly Friedlander, Whitney Myers, Grace Williams, Cam Williamson, and Laurel Williamson. They all received Superior ratings at State level competition.
Third Grade Litter Patrol
St. Paul’s 3rd grade Brownie Troop #8314, under the leadership of Michelle Autio and Lori Martin, will provide weekly litter patrol for St. Paul’s Episcopal School campus. They are truly making a difference at St. Paul’s! Troop members are Alexis Drum, Angel Ronquillo, Arielle Reese, Calista Cleveland, Caroline Jackson, Caroline Mosley, Clara Leder Stokes, Danielle Mullenix, Devan Harrington, Ellie Baker, Emily Yance, Gracie Rockwell, Hadley Farnell, Jordan Sirmans, Julia Palmer Waechter, Kate Strickland, Lily Joyce, Lindsey Autio, Madeline Nicholls, Mary Mac Estes, Mary Martin True, McKenzie George, Mackenzie Nicholls, Sarah Byrd, Sarah Strickland, Sutton Frezell, Virginia Ogden, and Weezie Martin.
SPS Shines in Trumbauer District Theatre Festival
On Saturday, November 5, Baker High School hosted the District Walter Trumbauer Theatre Festival, and St. Paul’s students performed exceptionally well. Students who earned superior medals advance to compete on the state level in Florence, Alabama on December 2 and 3. Congratulations to all of these students on their hard work and fantastic performances! Solo Pantomime: Alexander Krentel – Excellent, Seth Polansky -- Superior; Duet Pantomime: Bea Tisher and Daly Wettermark -- Superior; Duet Reader’s Theatre: Allie Frederick and Sarah Grace Kirkendall -- Superior; Solo Female Contemporary Dramatic: Bea Tisher – Excellent, Danielle Williamson -- Superior; Solo Female Contemporary Comedic: Daly Wettermark -- Superior; Duet Contemporary Comedic: Ali Gonzalez and Millie Jordan – Excellent, Hallie King and Katie Steadman -- Excellent; Solo Classical Dramatic: Caroline Hall -- Superior; Solo Musical Female Dramatic: Millie Jordan – Superior, Taylor Evans -- Superior; Duet Contemporary Dramatic: Ali Gonzalez and Jacob Grove -- Excellent; Costume Design: Annemarie Balfanz -- Excellent
Homecoming 2011
Congratulations to St. Paul’s Episcopal School Senior Grace Williams, who was crowned 2011 Homecoming Queen on Friday, October 14. Pictured is her court and their escorts: Standing: Siobhan Johnson, Taylor Graham, Virginia Cottrell, Anna Brabston, Laura Erickson, Mary Ball, Isabel Irvine, William Kneip, Grace Williams, Scott Holley, Hartley Little, Funso Fagbongbe, Lacey Dent, Bess Nichols, Ellie Givhan. Kneeling: Walter Little, Clay Carrington, Andrew Peeler, Alexander McCall, Tom Moore, Cam Williamson, Taylor Mullen, Sims Vickers, Thomas Clark.
Mrs. Helmsing’s Kindergarten class was thrilled to have their photo taken with “The Saint” mascot!
Fourth Graders Jake Ferrell, Bill Johnson, George Kemmerly, Harris Sankey, and Robert LeDoux show their Saints’ spirit at the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally.
Headmaster Marty Lester and Athletic Director Gerry Strang with the Class of 2001 Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations to inductees Katie Bilbrey, Brandon Busbee, Mark Donnell, Beau Fleming, Meredith Gallaspy, Adria Harris, Brent Johnson, Lydia Knizley, Blake Martin, Margaret Martin, Jennifer Moses, Jared Nelson, Jeff Rossini, Bailey Savage, Virginia Turner, and Cory Wiggins.
St. Paul’s Episcopal School Annual Fund Update Dear St. Paul’s Episcopal School Parents, I wanted to give you a quick update on the Annual Fund. We are just over 50% of our goal of $375,000! THANK YOU to all who have pledged or given thus far. However, we need everyone’s help and support to achieve that goal. By now you should have received a letter and pledge card in the mail – please make sure to turn it in as soon as possible, and before December 31 for a 2011 tax deduction. If you need another copy of the pledge form, please contact Rebecca Tait in the Development Office at rtait@stpaulsmobile.net or 380.0408 ext 27. Keep in mind that the dollars from the Annual Fund are used for many projects for students, faculty professional development, and necessary facility upgrades that are not covered by tuition alone. Our children are achieving new heights in all facets of academics, arts, spirituality, and athletics because of the extra support you give. Let’s continue to make sure our children are “Prepared, Engaged, & Inspired with Character, Integrity, & Respect.” As a member of the St. Paul’s family, I know you are up to the challenge and will help support this great school! Please do your part and make the most generous donation you can make. Thank you! Bill Goodloe Annual Fund Chairman