14 | 15 State of the Scho ol | Stude n t r e port
school meeting, Dr. Curtis and President of the Student Council Jason Plush ’12 announced a trial run for a more relaxed dinner dress code, with the caveat that students themselves are to monitor their peers – with added privileges come responsibilities. The Student Council has embraced a number of charities, both locally and abroad. Proceeds from The Daily Grind, a student-run coffee house open during conference periods and at various home athletic events, were donated this fall to the Great Commission Alliance, an international group that has been serving Haiti since 2000. During the period before Christmas break, the Student Council also donated funds to a Secret Santa operation in Branford, Conn., that provided food, medical supplies, and clothing to more than 15 families. This term, current proceeds are being donated to Master’s Manna, a soup kitchen and food pantry in Wallingford that also provides other necessities to local families. Beyond campus, student enthusiasm for service continues. Under the leadership of the Rev. Marc Trister, members of Christian Fellowship made their fourth service trip to Mexico during March break to build homes and help orphans in the village of Oaxaca. Under the auspices of World Horizons International, 11 Choate students also traveled to Cayambe, Ecuador to work in a village school.
In conjunction with our 2012 Summer Programs, Choate Volunteer Corps, a new service-learning program, will offer two-week immersion service opportunities in three locations this summer – the Northeast, the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, and the Sonrise School in Musanze, Rwanda. These opportunities help students fulfill an important part of the School’s mission “to develop a global perspective on cultural, social, political and environmental issues.” Our Parent Relations Office, led by Manager of Parents Relations Libby Peard, continues as a vital conduit between parents and the School. In January, 2012 a new Parents Portal was launched successfully, and gives Choate parents fast, easy access to critical information. Finally, after seven years in the Dean of Students Office, I have decided to step down at the end of this year, but will remain Boys Dean for the Class of 2013, seeing them through to their graduation. It has been a privilege to serve the school as Dean of Students, but I do believe it is important for this office to benefit from new and fresh leadership. I look forward to the camaraderie of my fellow deans for another year, before returning to teaching full-time in the science department.
“Service-learning opportunities help students fulfill an important part of the School’s mission ‘to develop a global perspective on cultural, social, political and environmental issues.’” –John Ford