The Independent - Winter 2024

The Independent

Crafting a Vision for the Future

Strategic Planning at St. Peter’s School

As the School embarks on a new Strategic Plan, there are many important questions we must ask. The School is just ten years away from our bi-centennial celebration in 2034. It is important to understand the impact these strategic decisions will have on the history of our School and our relationships in Philadelphia. In the most recent history of the School, since establishing our independence from St. Peter’s Church in 1969, the School has benefitted from so many connections and relationships with area organizations and community partners. Truly, our history is the history of our neighborhood and the foundation of a St. Peter’s education for all our graduates.

Partnering with Bloom Planning marks the start of an extensive strategic planning process. It’s not just about organizational frameworks; it’s about defining a visionary path that will shape the evolution of our institution over the next decade.

Yet, we recognize that this journey cannot be undertaken alone. It’s a collective effort that calls upon our dynamic community— parents, students, teachers, and alum—to actively participate in shaping the future of St. Peter’s School. Your insights, experiences, and aspirations will drive the decisions we make and the paths we choose.

Community involvement is crucial to this process; every voice within our community is instrumental in composing our shared journey. As we prepare for this exciting phase of strategic planning, we invite you, our invaluable community members, to play a pivotal role in this transformative endeavor.

There are various opportunities for engagement:

• Interviews: Share your stories, aspirations, and ideas to help us craft a vision that resonates with every member of our community.

• Focus Groups: Engage in meaningful conversations to help illuminate a path forward.

• Committees: Apply your expertise to shape targeted initiatives within the strategic planning process.

• Other Engagement Opportunities: From interactive workshops to feedback sessions, tailored avenues for participation are available to all.

SPS and Bloom Consulting have begun gathering feedback from families and local community leaders, connecting with approximately 10% of the SPS community. We’re eager to work with our faculty, families, alum, and students to chart a path forward.

The challenges are significant, and we must envision a new future that preserves the SPS education for our students, fosters community connection, and prepares students to be generous and committed citizens. We encourage you to engage with the process, ask questions, and share your thoughts as we consider our future. If we collectively determine the essential aspects to preserve and focus our attention, this process will lead St. Peter’s toward meaningful change and establish a direction guiding us into our third century. Expect more outreach and opportunities to connect with consultants in the coming months and through the spring. Let’s forge a future aligned with our mission and deepen connections within our city. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education and supporting St. Peter’s through this vital process.

We asked a few of our youngest learners about their favorite parts of SPS, and here is what they had to say!

Continuing the Journey

Sixth-Grade Boat Building Project Sets Sail Again

Back in 2018, our Sixth Grade Boat Building project set sail for the first time, offering students a hands-on learning experience of design and engineering. We are thrilled to welcome this beloved project back to our basement workshop. Now, each week, the sounds of sawing, hammering, measuring, and painting are mixed with the shouts and chatter of collaboration in our basement workshop.

Our student engineers are guided by skilled instructors from Glen Foerd, a local organization that provides inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and support Philadelphia’s natural and cultural ecosystems. Glen Foerd partners with Philadelphia schools and local arts and cultural institutions to offer structured boat-building programs to middle—and high-school students.

With its intricate blend of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), boat building provides a hands-on learning experience. From understanding buoyancy and basic mechanics to mastering manual and power tools, our students immerse themselves in a world where theory meets practice.

As we eagerly anticipate the maiden voyage of these vessels later this spring, we’re reminded of the excitement and camaraderie that accompanies this project. The Sixth Grade Boat Building program’s return promises a memorable journey on the water and heralds more years of building, learning, and sailing together at SPS.

Exploring The Past

PBL Learning in the Upper Grades

Building upon the foundation laid last year and fueled by intensive research conducted over the summer, our Sixth through Eighth Grade educators embarked on an ambitious journey this fall to enrich our curriculum through Project Based Learning (PBL).

Project Based Learning, or PBL, is a pedagogical approach where students delve into a project for an extended period, typically around 12 weeks in our case. They tackle real-world problems or explore complex questions, culminating in a presentation to the community. This immersive method fosters profound comprehension and lasting retention of content, empowering students to apply their skills in tangible scenarios and make meaningful contributions to society.

Upper Grade teachers Ms. Soriano, Mr. Prichard, and Mr. Bartle led students through three PBL endeavors during the fall term. The objectives were clear: cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and innovation while nurturing self-directed learning and problem-solving skills.

During the Fall, our students undertook diverse challenges:

• 6th Grade: Immersed themselves in the Age of Exploration, selecting a modern tool or equipment to introduce to historical explorers, envisioning its potential impact on shaping our contemporary world.

• 7th Grade: Delved into Philadelphia’s medical history, dissecting a past outbreak and tracing its transmission within the body, while exploring its ramifications on the city’s healthcare system and community dynamics.

• 8th Grade: Explored the culinary consequences of the Columbian Exchange, scrutinizing the exchange of base ingredients between the Old and New Worlds and its enduring influence on modern nutrition.

These projects, crafted collaboratively by our core academic team, empower students to confront realworld complexities and showcase their comprehension and public speaking prowess. As our students navigate these challenges and forge connections with their communities, they not only deepen their understanding of societal issues but also hone their strengths to effect positive change.

Welcome Back!

SPS Alum Speakers Sam Shaw ’88 and Emily Sutton ’11

During the Fall, our students had the privilege of hearing from two remarkable alum who returned to share their experiences and insights about their journey from school to career.

Sam Shaw, a graduate from the class of ’88 and the owner of Sam Shaw’s Treatery on South Street, has made a name for herself in the culinary world. Sam has turned her love for baking into a thriving business. During her visit, Sam not only shared valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, but she also baked some sweet treats with our Preschool students!

Joining Sam this Fall was Emily Sutton, a familiar face to our early childhood students as a Preschool teacher. Emily, class of 2011, journeyed from student to educator, embodying the spirit of giving back to her community. She warmly plays an important role in nurturing the curiosity and love for learning in our youngest learners.

As we continue to foster connections between our alumni and current students, we are proud to see the St. Peter’s community thriving with individuals making a positive impact in their respective fields. We look forward to welcoming more alumni back to share their stories and inspire the next generation of leaders.

If you are interested in the opportunity to speak with students about your St. Peter’s School experience and life after graduation, contact Tiffani Harris at tharris@st-peters-school.org.

SCI/PI Day A Showcase of All Things Math and Science

Early this winter, families joined us for our very first SCI/PI Day at SPS! This event was a special showcase of all things math and science, designed to give families a deeper understanding of our curriculum and teaching methods as their students progress through different grade levels.

Throughout the morning, parents had the opportunity to explore a wide range of science and math concepts taught at different grade levels throughout the school. Each classroom offered engaging hands-on experiences that allowed parents to witness firsthand the dynamic and interactive nature of our lessons.

From constructing simple machines to solving equations, families delved into a variety of activities that showcased the breadth and depth of our curriculum. Guided by our teachers, parents gained insights into the innovative teaching methods and projects that await their children as they progress through SPS.

As the morning came to a close, we were grateful to all who attended and contributed to the success of SCI PI Day. Your presence and enthusiasm underscored the strong partnership between home and school, highlighting our shared commitment to providing students with a rich and rewarding academic experience. We look forward to many more opportunities to come together and celebrate the joys of learning at SPS!