ETON EDITION Vol. 35 No. 2
November 2012
From the Head of School
Benefits of an Eton Education The welcome I have received at Eton, and the hospitality my wife and I have experienced since our move here, has truly been generous and moving. Members of the community have been genuinely interested in making us feel at home at Eton and on the Eastside. For that, we are grateful. Once the frenzy of the start of the school year gave way to the comfort of routine, I frequently heard the same question: “What do you think of Eton so far?” At the same time, I am often presented with the perception of an issue related to Eton’s identity given the Montessori curriculum and structure of the Pre-Elementary and Lower Elementary levels, and the absence of Montessori curriculum in the Upper grades. As I have told several of you, I believe that the “issue” of identity is not related to inconsistency between levels, but rather a matter of articulation regarding the common threads that run throughout the Eton experience. Our school (and the Middle School in particular) does not have the luxury of preparing our students for one high school program. Instead, we have a responsibility to prepare our students to succeed in any high school. This means that we must meticulously ensure that our students are prepared academically, emotionally, and socially. Those students must have self-confidence, be able to succeed in any academic environment, be independent learners who can work with others, and have a love of learning. Knowing that this is what we want of an Eton graduate, our faculty and administration in the Upper level review and revise our program to ensure this goal is being met. Happily, as I look at what our Upper program is achieving with our remarkable students, it is apparent to me that our Lower Elementary program also effectively prepares our students at that level to be successful in the Fourth Grade and beyond, while the Pre-Elementary program provides a solid foundation for students before the move up to the Main Building. In my opinion, there is great congruency running through the Eton experience from the first year of the Pre program to the Eighth Grade graduation ceremony.
On its web site, the American Montessori Society sums up the “Benefits of Montessori” this way: Given the freedom and support to question, to probe deeply, and to make connections, Montessori students become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly — a skill set for the 21st century. I maintain that these same benefits are evident in an Eton graduate, and that the foundation for that graduate is constructed and made stronger each and every year. Dr. Russell Smith, Head of School E-mail: russellsmith@etonschool.org
In This Issue Board Corner: A New Year........................................ 2 Eton Parent Council................................................... 2 Admission Events....................................................... 3 Development Office................................................... 4 Grandparents Day....................................................... 4 Mr. Smith Retires....................................................... 5 Annual Auction........................................................... 6 Culture Fair.................................................................. 7 Student Activities....................................................... 8
Class News.................................................................. 12 Health and Safety...................................................... 17 Learning Specialist................................................... 18
From the Office......................................................... 19
Eton School Newsletter