TODAY
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014
The Potential for Greatness Graland Library By Ronni McCaffrey, Head of School Continues to Evolve “The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Curriculum review is an important part of our process to ensure Graland students are receiving the best education possible, our goal since 1924. Considering observations from the Association of Colorado Independent Schools’ visiting team, we’ve taken a close look at our library services and realized changes were needed to improve our program. The Library Task Force, a committee of teachers, librarians, administrators and parents, carefully studied the current use of Graland’s library, trends in designing library spaces and programs, and the meshing of technology, information skills and library curriculum. Here is a brief report on the group’s findings.
Faculty and Students Share Needs After surveying Middle School teachers, the task force turned its attention to hearing the students’ continued on page 8
I keep this quote pinned above my desk as a daily reminder of the promise of Graland’s mission. Each word, “potential” and “greatness,” as well as the phrase, “lives within each of us,” is significant. The person who articulated and demonstrated this maxim came into the world prematurely as one of the youngest in a family of 22 children. An African-American woman growing Ronni McCaffrey, up in 1940’s Tennessee, Wilma Rudolph faced a number of Head of School obstacles to survival, much less to success. She was a very sickly child who fell victim to polio and wore a leg brace throughout her childhood. Doctors told her she would never walk properly; however, her mother told her she would. Wilma chose to believe her mother. Not only did she walk, but she ran -- all the way to the 1960 Olympic Games where she was the first woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. At Graland, we commit to cultivating engaged citizens and thoughtful leaders who are equipped with strong intellect and character. We pursue this through a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Each child enters Graland with individual potential: latent qualities, inherent abilities, distinct capacities, a continuum of interests and passions, specific challenges, hopefully only a few fears, and a thoroughly unique personal, familial and cultural history.
▶ Inside this Issue:
continued on page 10
Friendship Skills Page 4
Poised to Learn Page 6
Mission Skills 7 Fall Sports 9 Alumni 13
GOGRALAND