8 minute read
Christian Education
THE POWER OF COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP AT ST. PHILIP’S
A few years ago, St. Philip’s established a dynamic Instructional Leadership Team consisting of veteran and key faculty members tasked with accelerating school change by improving teaching and learning through increased collaboration. They’ve successfully established a culture and systematic way of practicing “distributed leadership,” where decision-making spreads from one person to a group, particularly as it relates to addressing school-wide instructional quality. These esteemed leaders are continuous learners, collaborative, knowledgeable of content, pedagogy, assessment and data. They are invested in the school’s vision and have a growth mindset. Following are messages from three members of St. Philip’s Instructional Leadership Team – Telissha Wesson, Jacquelyn Andrews, and Dr. Shaunaisea Henderson – with updates and highlights on our school divisions.
SHAPING OUR YOUNGEST MINDS AND HEARTS
There’s no place like home! As the Hunt Family Early Childhood Director, year twenty-nine as an employee, and thirty-three years as a part of the St. Philip’s family, i am honored to share a snippet of where education begins – Early Childhood (EC).
In the beginning, God created… the Early Childhood department at St. Philip’s, and there was light! Our students immediately begin learning the CREED, particularly ‘the sky is the limit, if they just put their minds in it.’ Our youngest scholars are planted in the soil of an aligned curriculum, the inclusion of daily Chapel service, and in the provision of specialized classes in Art, I-Lab, Music, P.E., and Spanish. EC is the foundation of the school, representing approximately fifty percent of the student population.
March of 2020 brought about a major change in education with the onset of the world pandemic. St. Philip’s dove in and successfully pivoted to virtual learning. During this time, our PK2 through Kindergarten students and their parents were patient and phenomenal! Our biggest challenge has been the return to in-person learning with two- to five-year-old children who have been isolated from human contact and interaction.
This experience reminded us of the importance of integrating Social & Emotional Learning into the forefront of St. Philip’s curriculum, as it is a vital part of education and human development. Through this process, our students develop into independent learners while remaining true to themselves and their individual, majestic personalities. This makes way for robust academic success produced the “St. Philip’s way.”
We look forward to keeping St. Philip’s educational foundation solid with quality, degreed, experienced educators and amazing students and families tailored for our school where we embrace every student’s potential to be extraordinary.
TELISSHA WESSON
Hunt Family Early Childhood Director
OUT OF THE BOX LEARNING ABOUNDS IN LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL PREP DIVISIONS
Better Together! I am blessed to lead the Lower School and Middle School Prep divisions, which work together to prepare our students for a bright future. Since the first day of the school year, these students have been provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning experiences and activities to enhance their education.
In October, all students participated in Storybook Character Day, coordinated by our librarian, Ms. Booker, in which they read a fictional book and dressed as one of the characters. Lower School students decorated a pumpkin to portray their character and Middle School Prep students presented story elements on a project board related to their book.
In November, the 5th graders enjoyed an engaging lesson in which their math teacher, Mr. Francois, turned the classroom into a Mexican restaurant with festive music, decorations, snacks, and a menu. The students used the prices on their menus to solve math problems.
Most recently, Middle School Prep students were hosted by Judge Mark Murrell in the Dallas Municipal Court where they learned about the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities of the court system. This was a great way for Mrs. Givens, the social studies teacher, to make social studies a “real world” experience.
Creative teaching, engaging experiences, and enthusiastic learners are the expectation and the norm. I am blessed to work with these amazing educators and students. “Together,” we provide great learning opportunities.
JACQUELYN ANDREWS
Lower School and Middle School Prep Director
-- Jacquelyn Andrews
THE EXPANDED MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM TAKES FLIGHT
What a sensational first semester our 6th grade and first class of 7th grade middle school students are having! We are so grateful as this is usually everyone’s favorite time of the year. It is a time when we are encouraged to reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. The middle school students and teachers are excited for all that has taken place thus far and looking forward to what is to come.
Our scholars have participated in several service-learning projects including cleaning up the community, volunteering at Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry and the Annual Community Thanksgiving Feast. The students are now adjusted to the middle school daily regimen, and we believe they feel so much better than they did the first day of school. I believe what they are learning in middle school will be profound for their future. I am thankful for the support and understanding of the great educators who teach the students each day. It is a privilege to work with such a great team.
We are thankful for the support and understanding the parents and community show to the middle school and look forward to a dynamic second semester!
DR. SHAUNAISEA HENDERSON
Middle School Director
LEGACY PLAYGROUND RECEIVES AN UPGRADE THANKS TO ST. PHILIP’S DADS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
At St. Philip’s School and Community Center, we believe volunteers are the hands and feet of God. Through their willing hands and hearts, we’re able to engage in community transformation. Several members of our Dad’s Club and approximately 100 volunteers from Ernst & Young (EY) and Toyota banded together to give our Legacy playground, designated for our 1st through 7th grade students, a much-needed upgrade. Their work not only benefited our school grounds but also provided an example of service-leadership in action for our students.
Much appreciation is also extended to Action Metals, City of Dallas,
Home Depot, and Claire Gogel and family for donating supplies and inkind services to ensure this project was successful.
INNOVATION LAB RECEIVES A BIG MAKEOVER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THREE COMMUNITY PARTNERS
St. Philip’s I-Lab, recently renamed The TI Innovation Lab, is a unique maker’s space for students to create, solve problems and think critically. Thanks to our friends at Texas Instruments (TI) and Highland Park United Methodist Church, we’ve renovated the lab with fresh paint and new furniture. We’ve also equipped the space with new Lego robotics kits, TI-84 calculators, TI Rover Robots and more! Graduate students at SMU designed the floorplan and layout of the space for functionality, accessibility and to encourage the flow of creativity.
The I-Lab, which now features an inspiring mural created by TI’s design team, enhances academics at St. Philip’s by exposing students to 21st century S.T.E.A.M. activities. This provides a window into the future and a glimpse of potential careers students may choose to pursue. Using the Engineering Design Process, our students explore, build and tinker with kits and technology on a regular basis. They receive challenges and specific criteria as a guide, then are free to use their imagination. The renovated TI Innovation Lab serves as the classroom for Tia Stevens, the school’s Director of Innovation and Master Science Teacher, and is one of the many elements that allows St. Philip’s to be progressive and provide an unparalleled education to all of its students
ST. PHILIP’S WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
Alfredo Portillo, Instructor Aliyah Green, Administrative Assistant - Volunteerism
Gina Lalena, Instructor Victoira Brooks. Instructor
Jenee Oxley, Graphic Designer
Morgan Davis, Accounting Clerk Joston Collins, Community Programs Specialist – Youth
Octavia Mason, Executive Assistant, Perot Family Headmaster Cedrick Record, Staff Accountant Deena Freemangrove, Instructor
Jacquelyne Smart, Instructor Jazmyn Charles, Digital Communications Specialist
Kaitlyn Holmes, Communications Supervisor Latrese Berry, Instructor Dr. Shaunaisea Henderson, Middle School Director
Jazmyne Sias Edwards, Instructor
Linnea Henderson, Instructor
Rhenett Ingram, Instructor Stephanie Givens, Instructor Tamara Martin, Admissions Associate
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON OR AT INTERBANG BOOKS Destiny is Mine!
DESTINY FULFILLED: ST. PHILIP’S PUBLISHES CHILDREN’S BOOK INSPIRED BY THE CREED
The St. Philip’s Creed, written by our very own Perot Family Headmaster, Dr. Terry J. Flowers, has been brought to life in an illustrated book for children and youth of all ages! Written in 1984, the St. Philip’s Creed has inspired hope, faith and invigorated passion in all that have spoken it for many years. Through vibrant illustrations, “Destiny is Mine!” encourages children to persevere with a message that the sky is the limit, if you just put your mind in it.
The book is now available for purchase on Amazon or at Interabang! Books in North Dallas. We hope you will support our ministry and purchase your copy of “Destiny is Mine!” today! All proceeds benefit tuition assistance and our annual fund.
