ACADEMY harding annual fund almanac
FORECASTING A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR
Best Days for Giving
TODAY. The hallmarks of good forecasting are reliable trends and sound information that can be relied upon in making predictions. At Harding, the recurring generosity of family, friends, and other patrons lets us know that 2009–2010 will bring another excellent school year. Contributions to the Annual Fund have become a way for us to assure rich learning experiences for our children. By supporting the operating budget of the school, your gift will contribute to the superlative educational academic, arts, and athletic programs you have come to expect at Harding. Give today, and know your gift will be making a difference for every child all year long.
Harding 2009–2010 Students and “Family”
A compass rose that displays north, south, east, and west is found in almost all navigation systems, including nautical charts.
Our school’s compass rose, a gift to Harding in 2000, is more than an icon for our campus; it also is a constant reminder of our role in setting young people off on the right course and helping them better navigate life by nurturing their spirits and inspiring their minds.
Recipe … for Success!
Our Community Code and House System are key ingredients that form Harding’s culture and inspire commitment among students, faculty, and staff alike.
The Community Code painting by Carey Wilson Haynes hangs in the front lobby at the school.
CO mmuniTY COD e
As a member of the Harding Academy community, I will:
• Be Kind
• Be Honest
• Be Respectful
H O use sYsTem
At Harding, each of us belongs to a House, represented by 11 different colors. This organizational structure brings together students from kindergarten through grade eight. It encourages interaction and leadership, as older students mentor younger ones in the House and as faculty and staff join in for House community service projects.
• Be Open
• Be Dependable
• Be a Learner
• Be My Best
These traits are fundamental in Harding’s mission of helping our children become “…self-disciplined, responsible, caring citizens.”
Medieval Feast Menu
Middle school students live a history lesson each May when they wear period costumes, study Middle English, and enjoy a Medieval Feast.
• chicken drumsticks
• meatballs
• cheese
• bread
• crackers
• mini quiches
• strawberries and grapes
• shortbread cookies
• ginger cookies
• white grape juice
• water
Resources at Harding include:
• 23 SmartBoards
• 133 Student laptops in 7 computer labs
• 20 new iMac 20inch desktops in our computer Lab
• 56 classroom desktop computers
• 8 MacMini computers in the library
• A laptop or desktop computer for every teacher
• 15 servers providing Macintosh and Windows file, print, and desktop management services; email forwarding/sending; print services; security system management; desktop anti-virus management; database hosting; library management database; facilities management calendar; Renaissance Place hosting—Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader, Star Math and Math Facts in a Flash; virtual computer hosting; network monitoring; work order management system; remote file access; terminal services; Windows update manager; printer monitoring; and data backup
• 5 buildings networked via a fiber optic backbone
• 6 Mps Internet connection with an onsite webfilter
Students learn various types of artistic methods from visiting artisans during the Spring Arts Festival. Last year the day culminated with a special presentation by Tennessee’s own Wood and String Puppet Theater, which used the captivating and comprehensive nature of art to engage the imagination, created experiences full of meaning, and provided tools to build positive solutions for life’s challenges.
Drama is popular entertainment at Harding
The Beat Always Goes On
Learning about music and developing vocal skills are part of the arts curriculum at Harding. Music is sung in kindergarten through fourth grade, with chorus beginning in fifth grade. Fourth graders learn to play the recorder, while students in higher grades participate in gradelevel bands, including rock, jazz, or specialized bands. More than 50 percent of middle school students play in one or more bands.
Our production of The Music Man attracted participation from 145 students and many contributions by parents who sewed costumes and helped build sets. The all-school musical showed how powerful a community can be. Main character Harold Hill, played by eighth grader Alex Floyd, opens his eyes and heart after falling in love with the town librarian Marion Paroo, played by eighth grader Kynlie Freeman, and learns to embrace his life.
THE MUSIC MAN
Re D u C e/Reuse/ ReCYC le. Green Week helps students understand the impact of their own trash production, its cost to their community, and methods to reduce it. Highlights from the week include:
Monday—Go Green and Plant a Tree, with a tree planting and dedication
Tuesday—“No Trash Day,” with a “no trash” menu offered in the cafeteria by Chef Paul that resulted in a 42% improvement (or 125 pounds less of trash)
Wednesday—Earth Day/Lights Out, using natural light where possible in classrooms and hallways
Thursday—Carpool, when students are encouraged to carpool, ride a bike, or walk to school. The result last year: 245 to 206 (about 40 cars), or a 16% improvement
Friday—Field Day, filled with “green-minded” relays and challenges
The Harding campus is an Arboretum, with 96 trees and a variety of species. Among the most beautiful, and unusual, are:
Gingko
White Oak
Kousa Dogwood
Little Leaf Linden
Fringe Tree (commonly called
Grancy Graybeard)
Chinese Pistacia
Our students Take Top Honors in Ti P
Year after year, Harding seventh graders earn scores that high school students aspire to achieve on the ACT and SAT as part of the Duke TIP Seventh Grade Talent Search. Last year, for example, five Harding students qualified at the National level, scoring the same or better than 90 percent of the juniors or seniors in high school who took these college entrance exams and representing 2 percent of the entire Duke TIP.
language leaders in the usA
Harding has a grand tradition of producing winners at the National French, Latin, and Spanish exams every year. As sixth graders, middle school students get an introduction to all three languages—then choose one to focus on during the next two years. They test annually in seventh and eighth grade and always make our school proud.
Unlike the popular television show, no one wins “Tennessee Idol,” but everyone learns. Culminating the third graders’ study of Tennessee history is an original play written by teacher Suzanne Little. She and her co-teachers track current events and personalities throughout the year to keep the play’s script up-to-date. Third graders are eager to play Alan Jackson or Minnie Pearl. Most recently, the inspiration was Wood Newton and Jim Weatherly’s song “Wave On Old Glory.”
Campaign Chairs
“Especially in these times, supporting the quality educational experience Harding provides, while challenging, is more important than ever. We have seen Harding go from a good school to a great school, and The Harding Annual Fund ensures its continued excellence. It is our opportunity to give back to the school that has given so much to our children.”
–Campaign Chairs Matt and Patsy Powers, Hank ’09, and Ellie ’10
Hall of Famers
The Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made significant contributions to their chosen careers and demonstrated excellence and leadership. An induction ceremony every other year is held in the gym lobby of the Schwartz Center, where other Harding leaders are represented by the numerous trophies and plaques that honor team and individual achievements in athletics and academic competitions. Our alumni hall of famers are:
Mazi Abdolrasulnia ’93
Katherine Bomboy ’86
Jenny Boucek ’88
Hunter Hillenmeyer ’95
Lt. Col. Thomas C. “Trey” Kelley, III ’82
John D. Medwedeff ’76
Huntley Rodes ’99
Anne Moore Smith ’82
Brandt Snedeker ’95
Kathryn Stegall ’93
Jason Tomichek ’89
Wilburn Tucker ’96
Tiffany D. Watson ’95
Circle of Stars
Harding’s “Circle of Stars” give generously to the Annual Fund. Because gifts impact this school year, it’s important for Harding to have 100% participation and early receipt of your gift or pledge. Having every family participate sends a strong message to the community at large that Harding Academy’s stakeholders believe in providing a best-in-class education.
Your Gift Makes a Difference
ALIGNING OUR PLANETS
While tuition revenue covers most of the traditional classroom, faculty, and facility expenses, your Annual Fund gift helps fund the full cost of operating our school and the myriad kinds of resources and activities depicted throughout our Annual Fund Almanac. Gifts to the Annual Fund account for a significant percentage of Harding’s annual income, having an immediate impact on every child in the year the gift is made by:
• Helping to keep Harding’s tuition competitive and affordable.
• Enabling us to attract and retain superior teachers with competitive compensation and benefits.
• Supporting rigorous academic programs as well as high-quality visual and performing arts, music, and choral programs.
2007–08
$651,000
2008–09
$000,000
2009–10
• Making possible our ability to maintain a superior physical plant, a campus rich in natural resources, and an environment conducive to learning.
MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT
The fifth grade Million Dollar Project in math will again result in solid business proposals for developing profitable businesses. The required spreadsheets, tabulations and presentations are sure to include at least one pizzeria and one computer shop.
G iVin G. A gift to the Annual Fund will make you feel good for influencing our children’s growth and development. With your financial support, Harding students become thoughtful, creative, lifelong learners who are self-disciplined, responsible, caring citizens.
Class of 2009 High School Acceptances
Our most recent graduates have been accepted by an impressive roster of high schools:
Battle Ground Academy
Brentwood Academy
Brooks School (MA)
Ensworth High School
Franklin Road Academy
Harpeth Hall School
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet
Martin Luther King Academic Magnet
Montgomery Bell Academy
Phillips Andover (MA)
Phillips Exeter (MA)
Saint Cecilia Academy
St. Paul’s (NH)
Taft School (CT)
University School of Nashville
Webb School, Bell Buckle
Westminster (CT)
Library holdings
Main campus
Harding Park
Athletic complex
Light bulbs
Water
18,000 volumes and growing
5 acres, 4 buildings with total square footage of approximately 95,000
3 acres used for P.E., Field Day, soccer practice, and disc golf
8 acres on Hwy. 70S
60-65 average number replaced each year
2 million gallons used to irrigate campus and athletic fields
