Patterns Winter 2018

Patterns

WINTER

2018

St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30319

The Magazine of St. Martin’s Episcopal School

A new beginning Major renovations to Early Childhood wing following devastating fire

1 6 T H

A N N U A L

SAVE THE DATE

ST. MARTIN’S GOLF TOURNAMENT

Early Bird Registration Ends March 9, 2018

Proceeds benefit St. Martin’s Endowment Fund

To register visit stmartinschool.org/support

Monday, April 9, 2018 Cherokee Town and Country Club

INSIDE

CORE: Middle Schoolers Learn Locally • Art in Action Panama Exchange Program • A Recipe for Reading • Alumni News • Fall Sports Wrap-Up

CAMP Every Family. Every Year.

G

ifts to The St. Martin’s Fund are an investment in every student and

every faculty member. Your support enables the school to enrich the programs and opportunities each child receives and helps equip our teachers to inspire a love of lifelong learning in every student.

LEADERSHIP GIVING LEVELS Warrior Circle - $10,000 and up Providers Circle - $7,500 to $9,999 Head of School Circle - $5,000 to $7,499 Leaders Circle - $2,000 to $4,999

REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 1ST! Join us for the summer! Summer camps at St. Martin’s Episcopal School provide a variety of child-centered activities focusing on skill building, learning and lots of fun for children in rising Pre-K through 8th Grade. We offer one-week sessions specializing in the following activities and much more. Check online for a full list.

OTHER GIVING LEVELS Benefactors Circle - $1,000 to $1,999 Patrons Circle - $500 to $999 Friends – up to $499

SUMMER CAMP 2018 For more information or to contribute online, please go to www. stmartinschool.org and visit the “Support St. Martin’s” section of the website.

Session 1: June 4 - 29 Session 2: July 9 - August 3

• Golf

• Dance

• STEAM

• Tennis

• Music

• LEGO

• Baseball

• Art

• Robotics

• Soccer

• Fashion

• Game design

• Yard sports

• Typing

• Mod Minecraft

• Volleyball

• Musical theater

• Science

• Ultimate frisbee

• Comedy

• Engineering

• Cheer

• Improv

• Academic brush-up

Enrollment at St. Martin’s Episcopal School is not required to attend.

IN BROOKHAVEN: 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road | To Register: stmartinschool.org/campus_life/summer Mark McDaniel, Director: mmcdaniel@stmartinschool.org or 404.228.0760, ext. 76

Patterns EDITOR Kristi Gaffney

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Luis Ottley Kristi Gaffney Sarah Taylor Libby Tyler Cindy Alexander Neil Conrad Katie Grice Maggie Tereshinski Keller Battey Ryan Pennington Will McLaren Photography: Kristi Gaffney Sarah Taylor Adam Linke Paul Ward Collins Cooper Carusi Architects Design: Kathy Florence ADMINISTRATION Dr. Luis Ottley Head of School Cindy Alexander Principal, Early Childhood Dr. Mary McPherson Principal, Elementary School Tony Shaffer Principal, Middle School Tina Haas Interim Director of Advancement John Cunningham Chief Financial Officer Blythe Marsau Director of Enrollment Management and Tuition Assistance The Rev. Stefanie Taylor Chaplain The Very Rev. Lauren Kuratko Associate Church Rector Patterns is published biannually by St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Please direct any letters, comments or news items to: St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Atlanta, GA 30319 (404) 237-4260 Attn: Kristi Gaffney www.stmartinschool.org kgaffney@stmartinschool.org Mission Statement : St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere, which fosters lifelong learning.

contents

WINTER

2018

this issue

2 4 18 23 28 29 30 33 36 40 42 43 Follow us!

LETTER

From the Head of School SEEN & HEARD

News and happenings in the school community POISED TO REBUILD

Plans for Early Childhood wing following devastating fire G R A N D PA R E N T S DAY

EC and ES students share SMES with their grandparents PA R T N E R I N G T O P R O T E C T P O L L I N AT O R S

A report from SMES’ Green Committee VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

SMES parents Amelia and Matthew DiVenere ART IN ACTION

MS art teacher Libby Tyler reports PANAMA E XCHANG E PROG R AM

New three-week student program introduced L E A R N I N G L O C A L LY I N T H E M I D D L E

CORE: Community Oriented Research and Education SPORTS WRAP-UP

Fall teams complete seasons P O R T R A I T O F A G R A D UAT E

Roberta Hunte, Class of 1990 CLASS NOTES

Alumni News

@NewsatSMES

@smesatl

smesatl

from the head of school Dear SMES Families, By the time you receive this note, the joy of Christmas will be behind you and your focus will have likely shifted toward the day-today experiences which mark our lives and the routines of being parents, children, grandparents, employers or employees.

What I treasured most about the Advent season was the opportunity to reflect on 2017 and prepare for what lies ahead in 2018.

Dr. Luis A. Ottley As I think back on my first few months at St. Martin’s, I am filled with many memories — some perplexing (EC fire) and others very inspiring and moving.

Looking ahead I’m driven by a passage from the book of Isaiah as I think about the exciting work ahead of us at St. Martin’s.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Our mission is simply defined to support and educate children in a loving Christian environment that fosters lifelong learning. It’s an important job and we’re dedicated to teaching the whole child — from a challenging curriculum, to kindness in our daily lives, to giving back to our community and the less fortunate in many ways. 2018 is going to be a banner year!

I invite you to revisit the first semester of this school year in this issue of Patterns and also learn more about some of the exciting programs going on every day here at our school.

You’ll get a recap of the fire at Claiborne Hall and a 10,000-

2

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

foot overview of our replacement building which will include some innovative indoor (STEAM Village) and outdoor spaces and finishes that will enhance teaching and learning experiences at St. Martin’s. You’ll also hear from a group of committed teachers who showcase the use of a time-tested, yet unique approach to help students learn to read (decode) and spell. In addition, we reflect back to earlier this school year when we were blessed with the presence of five Panamanian students from the Colegio Episcopal de Panamá who visited our school for three weeks. They await a cohort of 8th graders from SMES who we hope will be visiting Panamá in June.

I was particularly inspired with the school’s commitment to 21st-century skill development through the middle school’s new C.O.R.E program. Its focus to use Atlanta resources to expose students to real world problem-solving examples and build enduring understanding in multiple disciplines is true active learning. Finally, pay attention to the thoughts of committed SMES parents in our Volunteer Spotlight. The couple echo the words I continue to hear about what makes St. Martin’s unique as they support our school with their time, talent and treasure: “When we walked into St. Martin’s for the first time, we could feel the love and the passion of the faculty and staff and knew that this community was the right fit.”

There is so much more to this issue. I encourage you to take the time to read it all.

As you leaf through this issue, make time to reflect on the many things you accomplished last year and use that positive energy as fuel to help you set forth your ambitious goals for this year.

Episcopal schools believe that every individual is a child of God, The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) believe that there is that of God in everyone. As I look at the state of our country and the world, I want to imagine a world in which everyone truly believes these ideas. Therefore, during this season, I am asking myself the following question and I encourage you to do the same: What will I be doing this year to not only uphold, but also act on, the aforementioned precepts? I wish you the best of luck on your journey this year.

Wishing you love, light and blessings always,

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

3

seen & heard fall semester

MIDDLE SCHOOL

A Rite of Passage

St. Martin’s celebrated the formal installation of Dr. Luis A. Ottley as its third Head of School. Bishop Robert Wright presided over the August ceremony at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. Dr. Ottley is pictured above with his wife, Carrie.

in Celebration of

St. F rancis SMES held its annual Blessing of the Animals chapel service in October in honor of St. Francis.

St. Francis preached to humans and animals the universal ability of all creatures to praise God and the duty of humans to protect and love nature. During chapel, students, faculty and staff blessed Jenny, a retriever mix from the DeKalb County Animal Shelter. In conjunction with the celebration, the SOLVE Club collected goods and supplies in support of the shelter and presented them after the service.

4

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

A back-to-school tradition, incoming SMES middle school students attended a special chapel service to sign the SMES honor pledge. The pledge acknowledges students’ understanding of honesty in and out of the classroom.

seen&heard

The Spirit Club strengthened the fan base at fall volleyball games this year.

The group showed off its St. Martin’s pride and rallied the fans with cheers, pom poms and bright red SMES t-shirts.

Spirit Club is supporting the SMES basketball teams this winter.

Spirit Club cheers loud and proud 4TH GRADE SERVICE PROJECT

Students collect 60 bags of school supplies f. as brie w it h g u tho dibly i, t he in c re d ay e v e n De a r Mim e ein g yo u y es te r u o n c e a gain fo r t h gra d e rs a t G re a t s t o s a y t h a n k y o e d by t h e f o u r id I wa n te d ool su p plies prov dh c y t he kin s b s u d o e r s e s n le e l. b g a ll in’s sc hoo r y e a r, be e n so eir fa milies. Yo u to t r a M . t S a nd th d givin g e a r a f te I ha ve , y y yo u r s t u d e n ts o f ge n e rosit y a n u re wn b ill n ess s ho d e ve lo pe d a c u lt t a u g ht w e v ly a u h r t u o hy t e. ha v e e of a rin g w hic s fo r t u na t t he lif t hose les so ns o f f re e ly s h rcise d t hro u gho u se o f yo u r T he les rwa rd a n d e xe e r pla c e be c a u et t d fo ilies be c a r rie . T he wo r ld is a b t u d e n ts. t heir fa m s d il r d h u n c o a y h s c t f a o n e de stude n d t h os e e f fo r ts a le t t he fo u r t h gra d mira tio n. a te f u l.

Ple ase gra tit u d e a n d a he a r t so ve ry gr my my k n o w o f a re so kin d, a n d Yo u a ll e, Ta k e c a r l Bil D n IV, M ician C . Warre t and Pediatr William siden re nter P r, e alth Ce e H Found an amarit Good S

St. Martin’s 4th graders collect school supplies for donation to a local charity that assists under-served families in the Atlanta area. An annual service project, 60 bags of supplies were delivered to the Good Samaritan Health Center and were made available to visiting patients.

Pictured above is SMES teacher Mimi Deupree with Dr. William Warren, IV. PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

5

Football Friday

seen & heard fall semester

Congratulations Student Council officers Fifth- through 8th-grade students campaigned, gave speeches and voted for Student Council this fall.

Congratulations to President Alex Norris; Vice-President of Community Service Allie Campbell; Vice-President of School Service Noelle Broughton; VicePresident for Administration Drew Chastain; Recording Secretary Abby Williams; Corresponding Secretary Hadley Broughton; and Treasurer Jack Schmitt for their leadership! Each grade also elected representatives to round out the full council.

Fan-favorite Football Friday returned in September when students were invited to wear their favorite college or professional football team jersey to school. There was extra energy in the air as students, faculty and staff supported their teams.

Makerspace

A historic National Anthem at Braves game

Play ball!

is gaining STEAM

The ES science lab was outfitted with a new outdoor makerspace for this school year. The new makerspace has allowed 5th graders to complete a chemical change activity, 4th graders to model transverse and longitudinal waves, and 2nd graders to record data collected during an insect hunt. Look for much more to come this spring.

6

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Chorus students performed the national anthem at an Atlanta Braves game in the new SunTrust Park. SMES chorus students in grades 3rd through 8th have sung the anthem at local professional sports games for the past four years.

seen&heard

There Goes the Sun STUDENT REPORTER

By Ryan Pennington 8th grade

Once in a lifetime opportunities come in many forms. This year, the students at St Martin’s and many in the Southeast experienced a total solar eclipse.

When the last bell rang, the students quickly made it to their homerooms to grab solar eclipse glasses and run outside to see a truly amazing sight.

Once the students got outside, about one-fifth of the moon had started to cover the sun. Armed with eclipse glasses, students enjoyed moonthemed music leading up to the solar eclipse that started at approximately 1:30 p.m. As the moon crossed in front of the sun, the excitement and anticipation grew among the students and the faculty. The shadows of the leaves turned into tiny crescents, causing the ground to look like a moon you would see in a starry night sky.

Before the solar eclipse started, students took shortened classes in order to see the eclipse at the end of the day. Most teachers incorporated

this memorable event into their daily lesson plans.

For example, in eighth grade science, the students created unique paper filters to view the eclipse.

In sixth grade, Mr. Collins taught about the path the solar eclipse takes across the world. In seventh grade, Mrs. Grier did a solar eclipse related worksheet and Ms. Leifermann discussed the next solar eclipse with her students.

The moon was expected to cover 97.1% of the sun by the end of the eclipse. Even though it did not get too dark outside, we all felt a rapid drop in temperature and the lighting created a shade you could only find in cameras. The students were outside for approximately 45 minutes.

On August 21, it took less than one hour for the St. Martin’s community to experience a remarkable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

7

seen & heard fall semester

Drama scores in state One-Act Festival St. Martin’s middle school students won Best Costumes at the Georgia Jr. One-Act Festival, and two students— Ansley Graves and Ciara Wilmath— were selected to the all-star cast as part of their performance of an abridged version of “Legally Blonde JR.” This state-level competition includes workshops and guest speakers allowing students to further develop their craft.

The Green Committee

hosts FARM-TO-TABLE

Fall Drama Showcase brings students together

For one fall lunch in October, the St. Martin’s Green Committee hosted a Farm-to-Table Day in the Commons. The committee provided compostable plates and cups in place of plastic foam and decorative pumpkins for the tables. SAGE dining provided a special menu including locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat from local farmers and bread from a local bakery.

8

At this year’s fall Drama Showcase, students performed a one-act version of “Legally Blonde Jr.” and showcased improvisation and scenes and songs from “Seussical Jr.” and “Shrek Jr.” Many St. Martin’s drama alums attended to support and enjoy the show!

(l-r): SMES alumni Taylor Rand (‘15); 7th grade students Tanner Grady and Katie Nama; SMES alumni Emily Schmitt (‘15) Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

PTO Fall Festival &Church Bazaar

seen&heard

The PTO and St. Martin’s Church added a few new twists to the annual Fall Festival and Church Bazaar.

This year’s October festival included a local artist market, a display of students’ art, train rides and nine-hole mini-golf.

Kids, parents, SMES faculty and the neighboring community enjoyed the rides, food and faculty Oreo- eating contest.

This event coincided with the St. Martin in the Fields church bazaar, which offered a wide variety of fun, including the church cookout, silent auction and wine pull.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

9

The Halloween Parade

A spooky SMES tradition A chilly October morning could not stop fall’s muchloved Halloween Parade. Donning a host of creative costumes, EC students, their 8th-grade buddies, and spirited faculty members marched through the parking lot as parents, students, faculty and staff cheered them on. There were a number of Troll Dolls, Ninja Turtles, a group of Lego people, Disney princesses, soldiers and many other festive costumes to enjoy this year.

10

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Making Music Four students attend Tri-State Honor Band

The Tri-State Middle School Honor Band is an instructional event hosted each fall by Young Harris College with students attending from Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. This year, students were grouped into two bands led by wonderful conductors and enjoyed a day full of music concluding with a final concert.

SMES Band Director Allen Barbee recommended four St. Martin’s students to attend. Congratulations (l-r) Joseph McGhee, Lucas Voorhies, Katie Holmes and Max Miller.

seen&heard

Giving thanks

EC students celebrated Thanksgiving with a tasty traditional feast.

Each class dressed up as Pilgrims or Native Americans and learned about the history of Thanksgiving.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

11

3

Veterans Day

seen & heard fall semester

An impactful annual tradition, the St. Martin’s Veterans Day assembly delighted audience members with stories of service and patriotic performances to honor veterans. Students, faculty, parents, veteran guests and community members gathered to hear guest speakers Dr. Jenetia Bell, Medical Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mrs. Sharry Shepard; and Captain Michael Papirio. In addition, the SMES band and chorus performed a variety of patriotic songs and the 4th grade created a human American flag.

The Veteran I Admire Most student essay contest winners Brayden Ebert, Will Tuggle, Emmy Cate Childers and Bennett Leister also read their inspirational messages of thanks. After the assembly, veteran guests were invited to enjoy a light breakfast and view an art display dedicated to the special day.

★

12

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Open House

SMES

Duke

TIP

Congratulations to 32 of our 7th-grade students who qualified to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) this year.

seen&heard SMES faculty, staff and student volunteers welcomed prospective St. Martin’s families to campus at the fall Open House. Visitors heard from Head of School Dr. Luis Ottley and 8th-grader Allie Campbell, enjoyed a Q&A session with SMES students and alumni and learned about the Explorers, arts and athletics programs. Student ambassadors served as tour guides and led families around campus to visit classrooms, meet teachers and learn about the curriculum and variety of STEAM-focused opportunities students have available at St. Martin’s. The SMES PTO offered refreshments and the Varsity food truck kept everyone well fed.

Students are recognized in the national program based on scores on various standardized tests taken during sixth grade. Qualifying students are invited to take the SAT or ACT test and also to participate in programs for middle school students hosted at various colleges.

Hadley Broughton Griffin Clare Gracie Crofton Madeline Crofton Stella Jane Eskew Devin Fisher Matthew Gillin Tanner Grady Simon Guterman Hayden Humphrey Sophia Karampelas

Thomas Kinser Caroline Koziol Nicholas Lennon Bryant Lisenby Carson Lott Liza Love Ansley Massanelli Jackson Mathis Connor McCarthy Max Miller Kate Perry

PATTERNS

Jules Schmidt Jack Schmitt Emma Schwind Austin Scott Jesse Sherrill Lilly Grace Short Daniel Simontacchi Truman Thompson Peter van der Mandele Parker Vedell

= Winter 2018

13

seen & heard fall semester

STUDENT REPORTER

By Will McLaren 8th grade

In my opinion, there is no feeling greater than finishing a race where you gave your best effort. The smell of the fresh air mixing with the dirt being kicked up by the runners, and most of all, the overwhelming sense of accomplishment when all of the intense training and preparation comes together and drives you over the finish line. As a team member of the St. Martin’s Cross Country team, I can honestly say that both our boys and girls put forth their best effort, and it definitely paid off.

Despite a shortened season, with two meets being canceled, and a meet at Wesleyan not being scored, the runners started

A Season to Remember Cross Country Team Treks to State

and finished strong. We won all of our officially scored regular season meets, along with the regional MAAC conference championship. We even triumphed over long-time rival Marist for the first time in its history. For the boys team, Truman Thompson placed first overall in every meet, and Grant Gaffney, Benjamin Nordstrom and I all finished every regular season meet in the top ten. The girls team: they also ran their hearts out, with great runs from Alex Norris, Annie Quinn, Claire Gannon, and Noelle Broughton on all occasions.

But this was not the end of the season for the top ten boys and girls runners. They were about to take part in the Georgia State Cross Country meet.

About midway through the season, Coach Hanse made a surprising announcement to the runners and their parents. He had decided to enter the top ten runners of the girls and boys teams into the Georgia State Meet. This came as a surprise to all, as St. Martins had never before sent a whole team to this meet.

We were to compete in the medium school division, against fellow private and public schools including Marist, Pace, and

14

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Jingle Jog Wesleyan. Coach Hanse divided the top ten roster into three for the junior varsity race, and the top seven for the varsity.

After an early start and a two-hour drive, the team was fired up and ready to go. The runners were greeted to the sight of a beautiful day and an enormous cross country meet. The conditions were the best we had seen all season, and probably it was also the biggest meet all year: 12 schools just in the medium school division, not including the other two divisions also competing. And all of these schools had brought their top competition.

The Warriors knew we were in for a challenge, but we also knew that we were both prepared and strong enough to face it.

Coach Hanse set up camp near the start line, but far enough away from the action, not to be distracted from the final goal. He always told us to keep our cool and not waste energy before the race, even if other teams do so. The first races of the day were the MS Junior Varsity. All of the runners in those races did amazing, with Conor Self coming in the top 3 for the Boys JV. After these races though, came the MS Varsity. The boys were up first, with the girls on deck. All of the boys ran outstanding races, with Benjamin Nordstrom and I placing in the top 30, and Grant Gaffney placing in the top 15. The best run of the day came from none other than Truman Thompson, placing fourth overall. These runs scored the boys varsity team third overall in the division!

The girls also ran their best this season, and Alex Norris placed in the top 15. Overall, it was one of the best seasons for St. Martin’s Cross Country, and everyone is looking forward to next year, where we will defend our MAAC title for the third year in a row.

The PTO Jingle Jog was a pavement-pounding hit in early December with 70 runners.

Participants chose between the onemiler and the 5K and celebrated after the finish line with cookies and hot chocolate.

Kindergarteners celebrate the Nativity Story through music!

In St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, kindergarten students shared Christmas songs and the Nativity story with friends and family with classics like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Jingle Bells.”

In the retelling of the Nativity story, performers used props to set the scene and represent important characters, such as the wise men and the animals, and sang “Come to the Manger,” and “Star Over Bethlehem.”

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

15

seen&heard

Cookies and Carols

To kick off the Christmas season, students enjoyed the festive and tasty annual celebration of Cookies and Carols. The PTO elves provided home-baked cookies, everyone sang carols and the students got to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In preparation for Christmas, students, faculty and staff closed out the semester with the annual Lessons and Carols service. This holiday tradition included highlights such as student and faculty choral performances and readings as well as lots of Christmas hymns sung by all.

16

Winter 2018

Lessons and Carols

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

2nd Graders get Grinchy

Best-selling author on campus St. Martin’s hosted parenting expert and best-selling author Dr. Wendy Mogel for a community speaking engagement in the fall. With humor and insight, Dr. Mogel discussed “Resiliency in Children” to an audience of more than 200 people in the St. Martin’s gym.

For Grinch Day, 2nd-grade students and teachers dressed as Whos from Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and the hallway and classrooms were transformed into Whoville. Activities included making Grinch masks, solving Grinch crossword puzzles and watching the beloved film, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

FA C U LT Y N E W S GISA Conference

Theater awards

A group of St. Martin’s faculty members attended and presented at the Georgia Independent School Association’s fall conference, covering topics including teaching tolerance to preschool students, how to have a successful after-school program and developing leaders in the classroom. Congratulations to Cindy Alexander, Mimi Deupree, Susan Potenza, Morries Walker and Michele Davis for successful presentations. SMES teachers attend this conference and many others during the year as part of professional development designed to infuse St. Martin’s with new knowledge.

Holocaust. Taylor visited eight cities and many historic sites including All Saints Church, Wartburg Castle and the Holocaust Memorial. “This was the trip of a lifetime and I learned so much that will benefit my job directly,” said Taylor.

Congratulations to SMES drama teacher Heidi McKerley for earning two Suzi Bass Award nominations (Atlanta’s version of the Tonys). McKerley was nominated for directing and cochoreography for “Nobody Loves You.”

Front desk receptionist Michele Sanders and her husband, Dave, welcomed baby Penn Gary Becknell Sanders on Oct. 9, 2017. He was 7.7 lbs., and 20 in. long.

Charlotte Fleming Grigsby husband Jim, welcomed their grandson, Wheeler James Roberts, into the world on Oct. 25, 2017. He was 8 lbs. and 8 oz.

Stefanie Taylor Mother Stefanie Taylor traveled to Germany as part of her doctoral program in educational ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary. The class covered the Reformation and the

Carol Roberts and husband Jim with new grandson.

Current 2nd-grade assistant and long-time 1st-grade Michele Sanders with husband Dave teacher, Carol Roberts, and and new baby.

SMES veteran kindergarten teacher, Janet Hurlburt, welcomed her granddaughter, Charlotte Fleming Grigsby, into the world on Dec. 7, 2017. She was 7 lbs. and 9 oz.

Charlotte is also the niece of EC science teacher, Elizabeth Beckwith.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

17

St. Martin’s Early Childhood

Poised

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••imagine•••••••••••

By Kristi Gaffney Director of Marketing

B

efore the sun had a chance to rise on July 4, 2017, St. Martin’s Episcopal School was victim to an unfortunate crime rendering a large portion of its Early Childhood wing unusable for the start of the 2017-18 school year. With the strike of a match, this senseless act of arson started a chain of events that tested the strength and resolve of the St. Martin’s community.

Upon hearing the news on that July 4 holiday morning, a large group of faculty, staff and administrators rallied to the call that the building had suffered a fire. Local fire officials worked quickly to extinguish the flames, successfully rescue animals from the Science Lab and salvage as much as possible from the building.

18

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Early Childhood science teacher Elizabeth Beckwith was onhand immediately to tend to the animals that were rescued.

After assurance that all creatures were safe, the realization set in that the beloved EC science lab she used to foster curiosity and learning was gone. Early Childhood Principal Cindy Alexander and other administrators gathered to assess the damage and formulate a plan to pick up the pieces. Teachers came to campus throughout the day to lend a hand or offer support, and those whose classrooms were directly affected began to mourn the loss of the many important school-related items and personal mementos that were lost forever.

In a strange twist, the fire occurred the day before St. Martin’s new Head of School was to begin. With an official start date of July 5, Dr. Luis Ottley got an early indoctrination into what it’s

to Rebuild

••explore••••••••create••••••••••••••••••• like to be a part of the St. Martin’s community, and he’s never looked back.

“I was shocked to receive an early morning phone call alerting me that the building was on fire,” he remembers. “I rushed to campus to find so many others from the school and the surrounding community arriving to offer help. In that moment it was clear that St. Martin’s was much more than just a school. It’s a family. The gravity of this realization cemented my decision to move across the country to join this community. It’s truly a special place.”

For the remaining weeks of summer, the staff, facilities crew and a team of remediation contractors worked tirelessly to clean and restore the usable space and, through the

generosity of St. Martin’s Church, made plans to retrofit Sunday school and church meeting spaces into classrooms for SMES’ youngest students. The Beginners and Pre-K classes now meet in these spaces each school day and EC Administrators have found new homes in nooks and crannies including the creation of a temporary EC lobby at the church entrance.

“Without the generosity of the church, we would be in a completely different situation at this point in time,” said Ottley. “We cannot express enough gratitude to St. Martin in the Fields Church. The space-sharing solution has allowed us to operate our EC division on campus ­— and that’s made all the difference.”

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

19

classrooms And while the adjustment took some getting used to, St. Martin’s EC faculty, staff and students have made lemonade out of lemons. The school has lived up to its mission to provide a quality education of the whole person in a loving Christian environment.

“Students are still receiving an amazing St. Martin’s education and teachers are on top of their game to ensure this happens — it’s just going on in a temporary space,” Ottley notes. “My own daughter is in the Beginners program and with my ‘parent hat’ on — I couldn’t be happier.”

What’s next?

As the second semester is now underway, St. Martin’s looks toward an exciting future for the Early Childhood division.

Funding the replacement of the space will be a combined effort of insurance, school funding and fundraising and St. Martin’s has engaged with a consultant to study the feasibility of community support to assist with this effort. The review will assess funding for the EC building and possibly other priority projects to better meet the future needs of the school.

20

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

As the SMES Board of Trustees works to finalize funding and construction plans, the excitement for the rebuild is palpable.

“I’m so proud of our entire Early Childhood division for coming together as a united team during this unexpected event and working together toward a creative solution,” said Early Childhood Principal Cindy Alexander. “We’re all looking forward to the exciting construction phase and we’re thrilled about the opportunity to build an enhanced experiential learning center for St. Martin’s students. Our curriculum has always supported active, hands-on learning and now our physical space will provide state-of-the art facilities to take the St. Martin’s preschool experience to the next level.”

What’s inside?

The rebuilt structure will offer more than 19,000 squarefeet of space on two levels including the use of the existing footprint of Claiborne Hall and a new lower level beneath.

It will seamlessly integrate into the existing Young Hall Kindergarten wing allowing for a fuller preschool experience

outdoor space

for the entire division. Ample glass will be utilized to maximize natural light for a bright and cheery school setting.

SMES EC students have long enjoyed an unparalleled pre-school experience in the science lab, but the newly renovated lab will bring additional space and features to maximize the experience for young learners. Imagine a lab with expanded opportunities for more animals and creatures along with experiment stations allowing space for students to investigate and get messy while learning about the natural world. A hydro station will allow for rainwater collection and expanded gardening opportunities.

Projection walls will allow for active learning about a variety of subjects including weather, animals and plant life.

A new Tinkerlab space will bridge the realm between art and science to create an EC STEAM village. This flexible space will provide workshop tables and peg board walls displayed

tinker lab with a variety of supplies and child-friendly tools to pique the interest of EC students and allow them to push the limits of their natural curiosity in a safe, yet creative learning space.

A magnetic play wall will offer more opportunities for handson experimentation and problem-solving. Classrooms will PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

21

be welcoming spaces offering a nurturing environment with cozy surfaces. Flexible space will enable endless opportunities for teachers to tailor lessons to the needs of each class and its curriculum. A much-needed multi-purpose room will be added to the Early Childhood wing and will serve as a lunchroom, meeting space, performance area, indoor play space and much more.

The outside in

In addition to the dynamic indoor classrooms and specialty spaces available inside the building, multiple glass garage doors will allow seamless flow for hybrid indoor/outdoor opportunities for children to learn and play. The St. Martin’s award-winning outdoor learning area at the corner of Windsor Parkway and Ashford Dunwoody Road will expand along the Windsor Parkway side of the building, offering a variety of innovative play structures and learning opportunities to

22

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

challenge students’ natural curiosity and desires to be on the move while absorbing knowledge.

“The new space will be a model for student-centered learning and will bring an unimaginable range of learning opportunities to the Early Childhood students at St. Martin’s,” said Ottley. “It will enhance the foundation for lifelong learning that has long been a core competency at SMES. We’re counting on our families and the larger community to help turn these plans into a reality in 2018.”

A Day to Celebrate Grandparents

St. Martin’s celebrated the grandparents of EC and ES students on two brisk mornings in November. On campus, the grandparents enjoyed student choral and band performances, storytellers and a tasty breakfast. The program included welcoming remarks from Head of School Dr. Luis Ottley, a thoughtful blessing

by Mother Stefanie Taylor and a speech by St. Martin’s Annual Fund Grandparent Chairs Gwen and Doug Johnson.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

23

A Recipe for Reading By the 1st-grade team Keller Battey, Katie Grice and Maggie Tereshinski

St. Martin’s first-grade teachers have teamed to create a recipe for teaching reading to their students.

Like a recipe, teaching reading is an approach — an approach because of the spectrum of reading abilities and levels in first grade. Some students come to first grade with a vast knowledge of word attack skills and strategies, while others are not as confident in their abilities; therefore, needing remediation.

Different strategies work for different students. There is no one recipe that works for each student, nonetheless an entire class.

The methodology for this dynamic and ever-evolving process is unique to St. Martin’s and is based on students’ needs as well as the teachers’ background knowledge, education and experience.

Adapting the recipe

The team notes, “At St. Martin’s, we are fortunate to have the flexibility — yet accountability— to design, incorporate and embrace curriculum based on our students’ needs.”

24

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

St. Martin’s language arts program consists of phonics instruction, reading and writing. Spelling, reading and writing go hand-in-hand and they are taught together to corroborate students’ basic knowledge of language and its relationship to our writing system.

Students in first grade begin with a review of letter sounds and overall phonemic awareness. They learn to break apart a

word into its smallest parts and practice individual sounds in an effort to decode words, all the while learning to build, or encode, words.

When writing, phonetic spelling is encouraged to emphasize the importance of sounding out each individual sound while learning to spell and decode.

The St. Martin’s 1st-grade team teaches these skills in whole group settings as well as small group and one-on-one interaction with each student. Once students have a strong foundational understanding of individual sounds, the focus moves to comprehension, vocabulary and fluency.

Mixing it all together

Much like a chef would prepare a weekly menu, St. Martin’s first-grade teachers meet to discuss goals and focal points.

Using Houghton Mifflin’s Journeys curriculum guide and a combination of ideas from the Orton Gillingham approach and the Really Great Reading Blast Foundations, goals for comprehension skill and strategies, grammar and a writing focus are developed and implemented each week. Utilizing these varied approaches helps teach, supplement and remediate the in-class phonics instruction.

ing d a e R de a r G t Firs

) coding el alert . e D ( s e gi ow Strate ing. Peeling off. V g n i d a m hy ) Re g out . R coding arters and harder n E ( Soundin s d t s g Wor chunks, words Buildin part cards: Vowel ic-e). Compound

(mag Wordl-e rule a in F . s r star te nal S) s. Perso b e w d (FATR AT y r Wo lar words).

Vocabu meaning (M&M Multiple . sightings ency)

The Orton Gillingham approach offers rules and multi-sensory ways to practice language instruction. In lieu of memorizing spelling words, students are taught spelling rules to help them understand the “whys” of how a word is spelled and to avoid guessing.

(Flu Speed charts.

Quick

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

25

With this, students can then apply the rule to words when they are reading.

Teachers use decks of letter cards to work with students to form letter sounds and to discover how the sound is formed.

Students learn that “d” and “t” are “cousins” — both formed by tapping your tongue to the top of your mouth, but while one is voiced, the other is unvoiced.

The Blast Foundations curriculum provides online tools as well as visual, tactile and auditory means for helping students learn.

SMES teachers use these tools for small group instruction to teach and reteach concepts designed to boost the students phonics foundation. Through this program, students will practice heart words (words that need to be memorized by heart because they cannot be phonetically sounded out, more traditionally known as sight words,) stretch out individual sounds in words, read words in isolation, read words in phrases and read words in sentences — all making for a great combination to help students read, write and spell.

A menu for success

The recipe changes as the year progresses. Strategies evolve from a menu that stresses phonological awareness and foundational phonics skills to one that emphasizes comprehension, vocabulary and fluency. While learning to read for understanding, students will begin to focus on the various strategies that can help them be star readers: Making connections and predictions; identifying main

26

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

ideas; understanding story structure and problem-solution composition; sequencing; cause-and-effect text and graphic features; and summarizing.

Each week students practice new skills and strategies that relate to the fiction or nonfiction Journeys story. A book is sent home with each student to reinforce weekly learning with at-home reading. With experience and exposure, students gain confidence for more challenging text. Fluency builds as students learn proper expression, rate and accuracy. They are taught to practice the habits of good readers such as monitoring pace, phrasing and recognition of punctuation — the culminating menu item that prepares students to transition into 2nd grade.

Many great ingredients are used to teach reading at St. Martin’s. First-grade teachers surround students with a rich, language-based learning environment that challenges and fosters a foundation where students love reading.

With this foundation, students can transform reading into understanding.

St. Martin’s gives teachers the freedom to explore new approaches and provides professional development opportunities that keeps recipes for learning fresh.

Enjoy the menu!

nu e M y l k e e W 1st Grade Appetizer Phonics

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Other

Entree Reading/Writing

Dessert enter Independent C

to Reading • EPIC ➔ Listen iting Handwr w vie Re rnal • Reading Bag mprehension strat• Sight Word Jou writing • Co ekly story al rn jou l, nd ke ro • Wee aloud we g (informationa Practice and Int egy intro • Read • Creative writin • Heart Word le & Brainstorm persuasive) & w e vie tiv Re • rra na Ru es Sentenc • Phonics s • Vocabulary • Cloze Readingd journal-grammar editing publish weeken g and , write, edit, rm sto ss ain rd (handwritin arene ➔ br • Writing Wiza lling) • Phonemic Aw ➔ decoding • Writing process spe on cti ds or p W Ap e art ad • Phonics Instru He Gr • Sand Trays of uditory and Visual) • Teach Me 1st tences (A sen on cti Di • using blast word • Building wordsencoding • Wood Work of ension tiles ➔ ing Story • Compreh • Partner Read oks • Chorally ReadReading Practice • Compre-n Just Right bo tivity • Guided cabulary & Comprehensio Ac Up rap W • Vo ice & hension Review Assessments • Student Pract ns workbook) (Blast Foundatio g publishing • Creative writin w • Vocabulary rehension Revie ts mp en Co • sm ses sts As n sio kly Review & Te & Comprehen • Phonics Wee & heart words) rd games) • BAM! (sight wo (real, nonsense hone Spelling Literably •Telep write • • ) up gro all • Squiggle • Kahoot (sm e • Popcorn Words • s Tic Tac To Activity Practice mar Focus Spelling Activitie • Heart Word n writing n Game/Gram sio en reh mp ree Co • Sc Reading • Sight Word • Rhyme Time al Journ

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

27

THE ST. MARTIN’S GREEN COMMITTEE AND GREEN CLUB

artnering to protect pollinators

By Sarah Taylor Communications Intern The St. Martin’s Green Committee, a group of committed and passionate faculty and staff, and the St. Martin’s Green Club, a middle school student group, partner each year to spread the word about the committee’s chosen environmental spotlight. This year the groups are promoting the preservation of pollinators, focusing on bees in the first semester and butterflies in the second.

The Green Club, led by middle school social studies teacher, Jennie Paulsen, is a group of students interested in environmental issues who meet once a week. The students understand the importance of spotlighting pollinators: “Bees pollinate flowers and trees, which are vital to our survival,” said Green Club secretary, Anna Loffredio. Seventh-grader Maddie Crofton serves as the club’s president and 6th-grader Laurel Studdard serves as treasurer.

The Green Committee, chaired by Early Childhood Administrative Assistant Kathryn Hechenbleikner, orchestrates events on campus such as Farm-to-Table day and raises awareness about environmental issues such as the recently lifted U.S. ban on the importation of elephant trophies.

For its spotlight project, the Green Committee created a colorful and informative display in the library for students about the importance of bees and the threats to the bee population.

“The spotlight wall is something the kids can connect with,” said Hechenbleikner. “It helps the students understand that if we do not have pollinators, we do not have food.”

Parts of the display include a scientific article geared toward children, the honey bee life cycle, library books on bees and items students can take with them such as a bee-themed word search and an engaging fact sheet.

28

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

For the group’s spotlight student activity, the Green Club hand-rolled honeycomb candles using supplies from naturewatch.com.

“The students loved seeing the beauty the bees give us while making their candles and are excited to use the candles to raise awareness about bee colony collapse and the harmful effects of insecticides,” said Paulsen.

The candles will be sold next semester for $2 each, with a tasty honey-stick treat included.

Proceeds will benefit the group’s chosen charity, a subset of the Jane Goodall fundraiser, Roots and Shoots.

volunteers

Spotlighting Amelia and Matthew DiVenere The DiVenere family has been familiar to the St. Martin’s campus since 2012 when their son Judson started Kindergarten. Both Amelia and Matt have been active volunteers for in-class activities such as Fun Fridays, Library readers and cookie bakers, and PTO events such as Field Day, Jingle Jog and Bingo. Amelia chaired the SMES shoe drive, which yielded more than 7,000 pairs of shoes for people in developing countries. In addition, Amelia and Matt have been very active with support of the St. Martin’s Fund and the Golf Tournament to support the St. Martin’s Endowment Fund.

hy do you volunteer?

SMES is a special place that makes you feel like part of a family. As such, volunteering just seems natural — you’re helping out your family. From the Head of School through the entire staff and faculty, the level of commitment is inspiring. We volunteer so that they can focus on what they do best—teach and care for our children.

Why is fundraising for St. Martin’s important to your family?

It is important for us that our son be exposed to a full ranging curriculum—STREAM, including Arts and Religious education.

We realize that is an expensive endeavor that tuition alone does not cover. So we give our time, talent and treasure, to the best of our abilities, and encourage others to do so.

What makes St. Martin’s special to your family?

Both of my parents were teachers and administrators. They spent their entire careers in the public school system. I was exposed to multiple schools (high schools and vocational schools) throughout my childhood. For example, after teaching high school English, art and literature during the day, my mother would return to school in the evenings to work with adults. She was passionate about adult literacy and adults achieving a high school diploma. I would join her in the evenings at school where she’d administer GED exams to adults who had dropped out of high school. These experiences ingrained the importance of an education in me.

This all-encompassing exposure means that I am simply my most comfortable being in a school setting. When we walked into St. Martin’s for the first time, we could feel the love and passion of the faculty and staff and knew that this community was a right fit, not only for our son, but for us, because my happy place is being at school. The stronger the school is, the better an education it can provide. St. Martin’s is like an extended part of our family.

Any other thoughts you might like to add..

Please donate to the St. Martin’s Fund!

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

29

Art

in Action

By Libby Tyler ES/MS Art Teacher My journey at St. Martin’s has been one of growth and opportunity. I began my work as a 1st- grade teaching assistant and soon moved into a lead 1st-grade teacher role. All the while, I had also embarked on my journey into graduate school working to get my Master of Arts in Teaching from Mercer University.

After many great years of teaching 1st grade, I had my son, Miles, and began to feel the itch to change my career. At the same time, the art teaching opportunity became available at St. Martin’s.

Art has always been my passion and hobby at home so it seemed like the perfect fit. I am now in my third year teaching art to 3rd- through 8th-grade students. Each year, our school gives me the flexibility to get to know the students and adjust the art curriculum to best suit their needs. If I notice a class is struggling in a specific area, I can alter my lessons to ensure

30

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Above, an interactive mural made from a collection of feathers created by each student and member of the faculty and staff titled, “What lifts you?� hung in Warrior Hall. Surrounding, middle school students create art using their choice of media.

they get the most out of art class. In turn, I have had so many opportunities to grow and alter my teaching methods through professional development.

Collaborative learning

EC art teacher Suzanne Ford and I attended the National Art Education Association conference in Chicago to gather with art teachers from around the country to learn from one another. We attended courses in TAB art (Teaching for Artistic Behavior), school-wide art collaboration and a variety of other interesting classes. The highlight of the conference was hearing one of our favorite bloggers, Cassie Stephens, speak about her experiences as an art teacher. She has inspired many of our school-wide murals and classroom projects and it was a very exciting experience to learn from her firsthand.

Choices are great

One of the best takeaways from the conference was the idea of incorporating choice-based art into the classroom. In my elementary classes, I give students choices for what medium they would like to use to complete their artwork. In middle school, I PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

31

give them a broad topic and let them “run with it” to create artwork however they feel led. I’ve found that when students have more choice in what they are creating they are often more passionate and excited about their artwork. Choice-based art is a great balance to a traditional art class.

We’ve also embraced the idea of school-wide art collaborations.

Every year, Mrs. Ford and I work to make a project that involves students from Beginners through 8th grade. Last year we chose monochromatic self-portraits — inspired by Cassie Stephens. Each grade level was assigned a color and we arranged the pieces in rainbow order outside the library. It was a beautiful display made by all the students in our school.

We also made a wings mural based on the theme, “What lifts you?” Each student and teacher at SMES was asked to create a feather that became part of a giant set of wings. It was a fun, interactive mural in Warrior Hall that encouraged passersby to pose for a picture. When standing in front, it gave the illusion that the subject had a set of wings. This inspired a choice project for 7th- and 8th-grade students to create artwork that would lift them up. One of the most popular art displays we completed all year, the results were many creative canvases, wood art pieces and even art created with string and nails to create a woven project.

Not only does the art program collaborate with all grade levels to make beautiful displays, but we also collaborate cross-curricularly for the annual 4th- and 5th-grade STEAM fair. As the “A” in STEAM, I work with the ES science team to incorporate aspects of art into the STEAM certification challenges for the students. We use time during art class to work on how to make their projects more visually appealing.

They learn about size and scale by creating mini, tri-fold boards out of construction paper to visualize their project’s design and layout before they build the actual project. We discuss color schemes using the color wheel and learn how to work with

complimentary and analogous colors. The students use die cut letters, construction paper and color print outs of photographs to add color and appeal to the boards. One of the big takeaways is to never write directly on the tri-fold board. Students learn they should always write on paper and then glue it to the board to help minimize mistakes. They learn the value of being good stewards of their art supplies.

I try to make the art room a safe place to make mistakes while encouraging self-confidence. When students feel comfortable in the classroom they are more apt to grow and learn. It is such a blessing to work at a school that is supportive of the art program and it is especially wonderful for the students who thrive in art to feel like they have a place they “fit in.” I also love having the freedom to alter the curriculum to suit student interest in real time. For example, this year the self-portrait assignments in 3rd-5th grade were based on characters the kids were interested in. Third-graders made Minion selfportraits, 4th-grade students made Lego self-portraits, and 5th-grade students used Minecraft as their theme.

A favorite middle school student project was inspired by a piece of artwork I made as part of the classroom décor. After lots of student comments on this piece made from melted crayons on canvas, I decided to see what the 7th- and 8th-grade students could create using the same materials. Armed with lots of crayons and heat embossing guns, the students were given the freedom to choose their own designs for the project.

It was a fun experience to see how the crayons melted to create interesting art.

Going digital

After learning through self-study about digital lettering and calligraphy design through coursework and on Instagram, I sought out online courses and resources to help grow my curriculum digitally. In today’s world, the digital footprint is large and I want students to be prepared for anything that is thrown at them in the future. I began learning how to use an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil by taking online classes through an art resource called Skillshare. Once I tapped into this amazing resource, I knew this was something my middle school students would love to learn. With the support of middle school Principal Tony Shaffer, I’m currently working to develop a digital art class curriculum for 8th-grade students dedicated to learning art on the iPad Pro using Apple Pencil.

With the help of funding through professional development at St. Martin’s, I have been able to grow as an artist and teacher.

I have learned new techniques that have helped me expand my knowledge base as an artist, which in turn help me teach students new and interesting techniques. I have been able to cater my classroom instruction to the interests of my students while still balancing a traditional art classroom setting — it’s truly the best of both worlds!

32

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

PANAMA EXCHANGE PROGRAM

debuts at St. Martin’s

By Sarah Taylor Communications Intern or the first time in school history, St. Martin’s welcomed five middle school exchange students to campus from The Episcopal School of Panamá located in Panamá City, Panamá. This fall, 8th graders Maria Sofia Oviedo, Adriana Villalobos, Stella DiPieri, Victoria Jakitis and Christine Langman stayed with St. Martin’s host families for three activity-packed weeks.

St. Martin’s new Head of School, Dr. Luis Ottley, established the exchange program more than 20 years ago while working as a teacher in Washington D.C. Ottley’s relationship with The Episcopal School of Panamá began when he was a student there from 3rd through 11th grade. He has administered the program throughout his career and most recently brought it to SMES. “I am moved by the relationships that are forged between students who are given the opportunity to live and walk

alongside people from different cultures,” said Ottley. “I am inspired by their willingness to see beyond cultural differences, and build strong bonds that are sustained beyond the length of time they spend together as part of the exchange.”

The exchange immerses students in the culture of a foreign country, school and family. To learn more about the traditions and heritage of America and Atlanta, the Panamánian students explored Atlanta’s most important and popular attractions in a series of field trips led by program coordinator and middle school Spanish teacher Thaïs Díaz. They visited the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Carter Center, CNN, World of Coke, the Botanical Gardens and the Georgia Aquarium.

Adriana has aspirations to become a reporter, so her favorite excursion was touring CNN. “I went to CNN and it was like a dream,” she said. “I liked seeing the backstage of everything and it was really fun!”

At the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Díaz watched the exchange students learn about and reflect on serious issues PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

33

“ I’m going to tell my friends that I learned how to square dance, and then I’m going to force them to square dance with me.” ­—Stella DiPieri “ I’ll tell my dad about the World of Coke because my dad loves Coca-Cola, and he would be really jealous.” — Victoria Jakitis

“ When I arrived here, for the first week, I didn’t even talk-- I was really shy. And then I started talking with Alex and everything changed, and I started talking with her friends and it was really good.

So I think I will try to speak to new people in my school.”

—Adriana Villalobos

“ Something that I enjoyed about St. Martin’s is that they have a retreat, and get to go to another state. They had a lot of fun activities.”

—Maria Sofia

“ My favorite field trip was probably the Aquarium. I liked the dolphin show and the sea otters were really cute!”

—Christine Langman

34

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

facing the U.S. today. “I will tell my family about the Civil and Human Rights Center because there were a lot of things I did not know about U.S. history,” said Maria Sofia.

To learn about the day-to-day life at St. Martin’s, the exchange girls attended classes and after-school activities with their 8thgrade host sisters: Luly Ahmed, Alex Norris, Sophia Stratford, Annie Quinn and Caroline Hatcher. Students were paired based on personality, interests and activities. “The pairing of the students was perfect,” said Díaz. “The students are still in contact with one another via Skype and Whatsapp.”

During their time at St. Martin’s, the exchange students grew attached to certain aspects of the school. “At St. Martin’s, the 8th graders are the oldest so we feel like seniors here... while back home we are looked down upon by all the 11th and 12th graders,” said Stella. Victoria added, “When I go back to Panamá, I will really miss how the school works here, because St. Martin’s tries to make it fun.”

Middle school principal Tony Shaffer is enthusiastic about the program and grateful to Ottley for bringing it to St. Martin’s. His favorite memory was watching the Panamánian girls and their hosts remain smiling, upbeat, flexible and friendly amidst the uncertainty caused by Hurricane Irma. “It was delightful to watch the students learn such an important life lesson about how to deal with the unexpected,” said Shaffer.

The exchange culminated with a middle school farewell pizza party. The Panamánian girls received St. Martin’s t-shirts and enjoyed spending time with their new friends. After three weeks together, the host and exchange sisters grew quite close, and saying goodbye was difficult. “It feels like I have a twin sister,” said Luly. “We have the same stuff to deal with,” Caroline agreed. “I’ve never had a sister, so I feel like Christine is my sister in a way.”

“ I really enjoyed going to Six Flags together.

Some of the exchange students tried their first funnel cake. It was really fun.”

—Luly Ahmed

“ I liked how we have similar dynamics with our friends and similar problems, but we are from completely opposite parts of the world.”

Ottley believes the home stay is critical to the success of this program. “We can’t do this without the support of the host families and their willingness to open up their homes and their lives to another child,” said Ottley.

The flip side

A group of this school year’s St. Martin’s 8th-grade graduates will have the opportunity to become exchange students in Panamá in June 2018. The Episcopal School of Panamá’s academic year runs from March through December, so St. Martin’s exchange students will visit when the Panamánian hosts are in the middle of their 9th-grade year.

Note: If you have a current 8th-grade student who may be interested in becoming an exchange student in June 2018, please contact Tony Shaffer or Thaïs Díaz .

—Annie Quinn

“ I’m an only child so having Stella stay with us made me feel like I have a sister.”

—Sophia Stratford

“ My favorite part of the program was asking questions about how different life is in Panama.” — Alex Norris

“ I want to study abroad because I’d like to experience different cultures.”

—Caroline Hatcher

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

35

Learning Locally in

the middle

By Neil Conrad High School Placement Director and C.O.R.E. Coordinator

How has education evolved as we move further into the 21st century? Are young students equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle the problems of the world around us?

These are some of the big questions educators have to answer in order to better prepare students to be global citizens in a rapidly changing world. As with most educational concepts, preparation begins with a solid foundation and, in this case,

it begins by ‘learning locally.’ To better understand the big picture, St. Martin’s wants to expose middle school students to a variety of local community roles in order to actively connect with Atlanta.

Doing the research

Last school year, middle school Principal Tony Shaffer started a dialogue about the abundant business, academic and cultural resources available in the metro-Atlanta area and challenged the middle school faculty to find ways to harness existing relationships and explore new ones with the goal to provide St. Martin’s middle school students with learning opportunities.

Some of that research led to Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh. After discussions with the school’s “City as Our Campus” program director Adam Nye, the St. Martin’s committee was invited to visit and learn more about the partnerships they have built and how they have taken advantage of the many resources available in the local Pittsburgh community. I joined 6th-grade math teacher Laura Lewis and 7th-grade social studies teacher Alexis Leifermann to visit the Steel City.

Nye and other school leaders at Winchester Thurston opened their school and its City as Our Campus program to us which

36

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

C.O.R.E.

We were guided through a variety of great examples that were illustrated throughout the school. “First graders are learning about building and community design from seasoned architects,” said Nye. “PostAP high school seniors are using research science to prototype solutions to help solve community problems. And inspired middle schoolers are writing about society and recording songs with a local, awardwinning studio artist.” Seeing these great examples first-hand helped inspire our group to build on our own ideas.

Community Oriented Research and Education

enabled our committee to learn first-hand about its successful community learning initiative. The program is founded in a quote by John Dewey, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Welcome to C.O.R.E.

The committee compiled the research and launched C.O.R.E., Community Oriented Research and Education, for the 2017-18 school year, and it’s been an exciting endeavor. C.O.R.E. is an extension of the St. Martin’s middle school academic curriculum and is already providing meaningful, real-world experiences for our students. We developed the program both to take SMES into Atlanta but also to bring Atlanta to the SMES campus. Our goal is to form community partnerships so our students will become active, informed and engaged citizens.

The St. Martin’s faculty is at the center of the program. Teachers design and implement projects, units and courses that enhance their existing curriculum. Community partners then become coeducators creating wonderful opportunities for the PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

37

students to learn in a way that prepares them for the challenges of high school and life. We recognize that school does not have to be the only center for learning — museums, businesses, libraries and community organizations can all work to be part of the overall learning environment.

C.O.R.E in action

This school year has already been busy with C.O.R.E. activities, and more are planned for the spring semester.

The Audubon Society visited campus to engage students in a birding exercise. Atlanta Audubon is a local branch of a national organization and connects directly to an upcoming animal unit of study and bird watching. The Audubon educators gave a lecture on common birds students might see at feeders on campus and they took students outside to help them use binoculars to site birds. This spring, students will participate in a Project FeederWatch study through Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology.

The 7th-grade students recently visited the Carter Center to see an exhibit, “Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease.” It focuses on efforts throughout history to eradicate, eliminate and control disease, which ties directly into the social studies curriculum. The Audubon Society visited campus to engage students in a birding exercise.

And this spring, the 7th grade will be visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for a guided tour of its museum. This follow-up to the Carter Center trip will give students more information on current research, treatment and prevention of diseases that once caused large populations to perish. At the same time, students will be studying the effect of viruses and other pathogens on the human body in science.

To further connect this theme, in English class students analyze “Ring Around the Rosie.” The poem was written during the time of the Black Plague and describes how children carried flowers in their pockets to keep the smell of the burning bodies of the dead at bay. Math will concentrate on scientific notation and exponents. This will further enhance students’ understanding of the large numbers involved in bacteria, virus and protist populations that cause diseases.

Eighth-grade students will embark on a capstone project for their science class that will incorporate a variety of community participants. In memory of middle school English teacher Michele Davis’ son, Carter, and to incorporate Carter’s high school senior project idea with STEAM concepts, 8th-grade teams will work on a competition to build the fastest boxcar with the greatest acceleration and with the best theme.

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

John Dewey

38

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Students will design, build, test and race a boxcar consisting of two riders and two pushers. Pulling together many skills and content areas, students will be able to showcase their learning in a creative and engaging way. They will create a website to showcase the design and blueprint, their build ‘how-to,’ the researched theme, and even a translation of the work into another language. Content areas of focus will include physics (forces of motion, speed, velocity, acceleration, aerodynamics), geometry and scale, writing, research, art, foreign language and technology.

To involve the community, local engineering students will work with the teams to help them design and write blueprints.

A local building supply company will assist with the actual building of the boxcars and assist students with the proper use of power tools in a safe and effective manner. Local law enforcement will be on hand for the actual race to direct traffic and clock the students’ speed that will be part of the collected data.

It’s all connected

In order to be better prepared for high school, our students will interact with our partners in order to understand differing viewpoints and a bigger picture of how their learning can be applied in the real world. They will be active through personally relevant learning by using problem-solving skills.

With our community connections, students will receive a greater understanding of the world around them which ultimately creates greater empathy — ­ one of life’s greatest attributes. C.O.R.E. will provide an open path for students to enjoy a more fulfilling middle school learning journey with the benefit of providing greater service to others.

If you have a connection to a relevant community partner who could provide value to the C.O.R.E. program, please contact Neil Conrad at nconrad@stmartinschool.org.

The boxcar race planning is underway and we are excited to host our first “Carter’s Boxcar Race” during the first week of May.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

39

Fall Semester AWARDS Girls A Volleyball

Boys A Soccer

MAAC ALL CONFERENCE AWARD Lura Underwood Sophia Stratford

WARRIOR AWARD Michael Lynch Sam Alexander

MAAC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

WARRIOR AWARD Katie Holmes Hadley Broughton

Girls B Volleyball WARRIOR AWARD Carly Kritzer Jules Schmidt

MAAC ALL CONFERENCE AWARD Charlie Seelke

Cross Country

MAAC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS 3RD PLACE GEORGIA MIDDLE SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

St. Martin’s athletics enjoyed a great season of competition in a variety of sports.

“This fall was a lot of fun and each team was very competitive and full of talent,” said SMES Athletic Director Mark McDaniel. “Our participation rates continue to grow as does the effort and aggressive play. I am proud of our athletes and coaches and thank the community for all of its support.”

MOST IMPROVED Hayes Pope

Boys B Soccer WARRIOR AWARD Will Tuggle MOST IMPROVED Jackson Mathis

MOST IMPROVED Emerson Rand HUSTLE AWARD Emma Schwind

Sports Wrap-Up

HUSTLE AWARD Ian Gaffney

Ultimate Frisbee WARRIOR AWARD Patton Jaynes Erik McKeithen MOST IMPROVED Win Scott

At the fall sports assembly, teams were recognized for their season accomplishments and select athletes received awards for their performances. Congratulations to all sports teams and sports assembly award winners.

CROSS COUNTRY

HUSTLE AWARD Daniel Simontacchi

The St. Martin’s boys cross-country team won the MAAC championship, with four individuals placing in the top ten. The girls cross-country team placed third overall, with one individual in the top ten.

MAAC ALL CONFERENCE AWARD Alex Norris Truman Thompson WARRIOR AWARD Annie Quinn Grant Gaffney Will McLaren MOST IMPROVED Stella Jane Eskew Conner Self

40

Winter 2018

For the first time ever, the St. Martin’s crosscountry team competed at the Georgia Middle School State Championship. The boys team placed third overall, with one individual placing in the top ten, and the girls team placed 12th overall. Both teams worked hard and ran smart this season.

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The St. Martin’s A Girls volleyball team won the MAAC Championship for the first time since 2012. The Warriors faced the number one seed, Sandy Springs Middle School, in the championship and won 2-0. The win reflected the season-long effort and skill level on both offense and defense.

The B Girls volleyball team was very competitive and kept nearly every match close this season. The girls continued to improve on fundamentals, particularly in passing and the three-touch method.

BOYS SOCCER Boys A soccer team made the playoffs for the first time in several years and clinched third place in its division. The 8th-graders showed great leadership on the field and the 7th- and 6th-graders were solid contributors all season long. The team improved every game, particularly in moving the ball and finding feet.

Boys B soccer played well this season.

They were strong on the attack, scoring more than 15 goals. The team had lots of talent and made every game competitive.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE New this fall, St. Martin’s competed in the MAAC Ultimate Frisbee League. Twenty-five boys came out to play, and the team finished with a 5-1 record. Each match the players flew all over the field, turning defensive plays into quick points.

Way to go, Warriors

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

41

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE Roberta Hunte, SMES Class of 1990 Roberta Hunte currently works as an assistant professor in child, youth and family studies at Portland State University, where she teaches about racial and gender inequality, equity and social justice. She also serves as a policy advisor for a Multnomah County Commissioner. She lives in Portland with husband Dan, infant son, Rumi, and mother, Patricia.

Photo: Sam Tenney (DJC)

Della Salle Holy Cross College, Johannesburg, South Africa College University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (B.A); Portland State University (M.A.); University of Manitoba (Ph.D.) High School

Favorite food:

Hobbies

Copious cups of tea

Anything with singing.

Favorite movie:

I’m fascinated by people’s stories and like to use theater as a medium to share those stories

with a diverse audience. I worked with a playwright to turn my dissertation on black tradeswomen into a theater piece, “My Walk Has Never Been Average.” I worked with a filmmaker to make a short narrative film called, “Sista in the Brotherhood.” I also worked with a fellow director to create a theater piece based on people of color’s reproductive experiences called, “We are Brave.”

Most influential SMES teacher

Fifth-grade teacher Ms Catherine Beadles - she took a special interest in

me and shared her life a bit. I’ve talked with her a number of times over the years. She offered a love of history, field trips, reading, and political engagement.

Favorite place to visit

Barbados

42

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Winter 2018

Favorite celebrity

Serena Williams

Favorite app

Whatsapp ­­­­­­­­­

2004

class notes

Christopher Beless is attending Vanderbilt University in the MBA program in marketing (branding). His anticipated graduation date is May 2019.

Sean Kennedy graduated from Emory University with a master’s in health policy and is currently working as a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control.

2005

Elizabeth Gray Miliciunas

1999 Elizabeth Gray Miliciunas married JP (John Paul) Miliciunas on July 22, 2017, in Atlanta.

Cameron Schriner graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering and works full-time for IronCAD based in Atlanta.

Cameron is the head state referee for the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) International Robotics Competition and also referees for the FLL World Championships.

Cameron thanks Dr. Mac for introducing him to Lego RCX in 5th grade and SMES for the solid foundation he believes help make his achievements possible.

Caroline Roberts Elizabeth Gallo is pursuing her doctorate in the hydrologic science and engineering program at Colorado School of Mines.

She is part of a research team comprised of specialists from Colorado School of Mines, Berkeley and South Dakota School of Mines. The EPA funds the research team to develop an integrated decision support tool to help planners determine the best storm water management plan for their community.

2006

Cameron Schriner (L)

Caroline Roberts received her Master of Science degree in physics with a concentration in astronomy from Georgia State University in May 2017. She was recently appointed fellow of GSU’s Hard Labor Creek Observatory in Rutledge, Ga., and works as a graduate research assistant while continuing her work toward

a doctorate. She regularly participates in former SMES science teacher David Taube’s Science Showcase.

Patrick Beless

2007 Patrick Beless is engaged to Shelley Killeen of Athens, Ga. He is employed as an underwriter at Liberty Mutual and coaches football at Marist School (his alma mater). He gives private kicking lessons in his spare time.

PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

43

class notes

Natalie Chu graduated from Georgia Tech in December with a degree in electrical engineering and a minor in Chinese. She is currently working for NextEra Energy, Inc. Mary Walker Mixon moved to Charlotte, N.C., to work for Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment as a marketing coordinator for the CIAA conference.

Melissa Morris

2010 Hannah Rose Adams is a senior at Rhodes College planning to graduate this spring with a political science major and an African studies minor. She serves as president of the Rhodes College Social Regulations Council that presides over cases of social and moral misconduct on campus.

Robert Beeland Robert Beeland is a current senior at Sewanee: The University of the South. He will graduate this spring with degrees in English and philosophy. Last year, he was inducted into the national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa. He currently serves as the editor in chief of Sewanee’s student newspaper, The Sewanee Purple.

2011

Susan Ansley Bloom

2008

Grace Francour finished her sophomore year at Miami

University-Oxford, Ohio, and made the dean’s list. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

This summer she was once again head coach for the Byrnwyck Blue Dolphins.

Jon Walsh is a student and published movie critic at Clemson University in South Carolina. He reviews films for the student-run newspaper, The Tiger. Jon’s reviewed titles include “It” (2017), “Thor: Ragnorak,” “Kingsman 2,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean 5.” He was notably unimpressed with “Pirates of the Caribbean 5.”

Melissa Morris is working as a real estate agent with Beacham & Company Realtors in Buckhead. She graduated from the University of Georgia.

2009 Susan Ansley Bloom works as a special education teacher at Druid Hills High School and teaches dance classes in the evenings.

44

Hannah Rose Adams speaks at the freshman signing ceremony for the Rhodes College Social Regulations Council.

Grace Francour visits Claire Snyder (‘11) at UGA football game.

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

class notes 2013

Kristen Elliott is studying in Florence, Italy, as a freshman and first-year abroad student through Florida State University.

Maggie Mixon is a freshman studying political communication and economics at The George Washington University. She recently had an essay featured on the NeW (Network of enlightened Women) website.

Mollie Belisle is a freshman at the University of Georgia and plays on the UGA women’s soccer team. She is a serious threat on offense, and as of Dec. 1, had a season high of four goals in one game against Coastal Carolina.

Kristen Elliott (l)

2012 Alexandria Cannon is a sophomore, on the dean’s list and is majoring in history at George Washington University. She is an intern with the Education Braintrust, a nonpartisan political

action committee that supports public educational opportunities for all children.

Alexandria continues to tutor high school students at the School Without Walls in Washington D.C., and is very involved with campus outreach as a Christian Leader.

Joe Regas is a freshman at the University of Alabama, and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

2014

William Roberts

William Roberts is a senior at Baylor School and attained Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts of America last summer. For his Eagle Scout project he installed two bench shade canopies for St. Martin’s Episcopal School’s playground. He attended the American Legion’s Boys State, interned in Nassau, Bahamas, attended rowing camp at the U.S. Naval Academy, and was selected captain of the crew team at Baylor School.

Mollie Belisle PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

45

class notes

Issy Regas is a junior at St. Pius X, a varsity football cheerleader, a varsity competition cheerleader, and competes on the varsity track team. She is a member of the Junior Council and the vice president of membership for girlFriends, a volunteer organization for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

2016 Arden Adams is a freshman Britton Buchanan, Lily Francour, Kaki Hailey (‘15) and Kate Snyder (‘14) at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian handle registration for the Interfaith Outreach Home’s 25th anniversary School. She is active in the celebration held at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. drama program and played the roles of street orphan, Arden Adams newsboy, puppeteer and Eliza Griffin is a junior at gallery owner in a production Marist School. Last summer she participated in an Alliance of “The Magic Paintbrush.”

Theatre internship during a Lily Francour is a junior at Woodward Academy and runs kids’ performing arts camp.

She helped with lighting, cross country and track. Lily has made the Eagle Roll every costumes, arts, crafts and managing the children. semester and volunteers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She was also a lifeguard last summer.

2015

SMES Alums: If you have news to share about what you’re up to, we would love to hear from you.

Five SMES alumni, Abby Ray (‘15), Emily Schmitt (‘15), Paige Demba (‘14), Audrey Holton (‘17), and Jack Carson (‘17), performed in Pace Academy’s fall musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Jack and Audrey had lead roles as freshmen; Paige is president of the Drama Club; and Emily is Drama Club secretary.

46

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

Please email news and photos to St. Martin’s Advancement Coordinator Jamie Fencl at jfencl@stmartinschool.org

Marist Honors SMES Grads Marist held its annual Academic Honors Night in August and recognized the following SMES alumni for academic achievement during the 2016-2017 school year:

class notes

New Twist

for Alumni Gathering

Dean’s List: Henry Bieze, ‘16; Lila Crump, ‘14; Ellie Crump, ‘14; George Fish, ‘15; Luke Hale, ‘18; Francesca Herrera, ‘15; Abby Lauterbach, ‘15; William Payne, ‘16; Maggie Sjostrom, ‘14; JT Termini, ‘16; Kennedy Walls, ‘16

Honor Roll: Allie Bittick, ‘15; Watson Coker, ‘14; Emily Davis, ‘15; Lee Fenstermacher, ‘16; Joey Ferguson, ‘14; Skeet Fortner, ‘16; Virginia Gwin Fortner, ‘16; Eliza Griffin, ‘15; Lily Jane Hamilton, ‘16; Danny Holmes, ‘15; Grayton Hudson, ‘15; Caswell King, ‘15; Matthew Larkin, ‘15; Garrett McCarthy, ‘15; Justin Morgan, ‘15; Shannon Murphy, ‘16; Taryn Murphy, ‘16; Conor Rahiya, ‘16; Bolling Sewell, ‘14; Chandler Sharp, ‘15; Molly Sikes, ‘14; Will Sjostrom, ‘16; Connor Soscia, ‘16; Chris Stenglein, ‘16; Lauren Young, ‘15

The SMES Alumni Luncheon debuted this year, welcoming college-age and older alumni to campus to celebrate the holidays with St. Martin’s. Alumni attended Lessons and Carols, then enjoyed a special lunch surrounded by fellow classmates, SMES faculty and staff. While reconnecting, alums shared their passions and pursuits since graduating SMES. Head of School Dr. Luis Ottley attended, forging new bonds between St. Martin’s rich history and St. Martin’s today.

Gold Award: Jack Griffin, ‘17; Cici Verska, ‘16

Blue Award: Dorothy Bailey, ‘18; Molly Farrell, ‘17; Reid Kelly, ‘17; George Parker, ‘17 PATTERNS

= Winter 2018

47

voices

CINDY ALEXANDER, EARLY CHILDHOOD PRINCIPAL

As a former teacher and current Early Childhood principal, I have spent most of my adult life working in education. But as much as people look at me and see an educator, I have always seen myself as a student. I am a lifelong learner, and I love learning new facts and more about the world around me. This fascination with learning started at a very young age. As a child I was always very curious and enjoyed discovering new things. My parents encouraged me to explore and I would spend hours at a creek near our house looking at crawdads and insects.

I remember walking through the woods and noticing how each tree’s bark had different patterns, and I enjoyed sitting in our front yard on summer evenings and watching the fireflies and wondering what made them glow. My mother was an art teacher who taught me to see the beauty in the world, and my father was an engineer who answered all of my questions about science and how the world works.

When I was learning to read, I learned that all sentences have nouns and verbs as a foundation. I have been thinking a lot about nouns lately — people, places and things. The summer brought us an unfortunate fire in the Early Childhood building, and we have been very focused on people (how the students would be taken care of during this time of transition), places (where we would hold classes) and things (what items would need to be replaced and how would we rebuild). As we embark on this new phase at St. Martin’s, the people, places and things are very important to this process, but the verbs are what excite me the most — what the children will do in the new facilities and the experiences they will have.

I am thrilled about the new plans for the Early Childhood Center and the expanded opportunities we will have for our early learners. The large multipurpose room will serve as a lunchroom for Beginners and Pre-K, a venue to enjoy music performances, a space for parent meetings and an indoor area for physical activity.

St. Martin’s is creating a new STEAM Village including an Art Lab, Tinker Lab, Science Lab and Outdoor classroom, which will allow our Early Childhood program to better cultivate innovators. Our STEAM Village has distinct learning areas for preschoolers to develop their love for learning and develop their independence and confidence. This cutting-edge facility will provide a stimulating and inviting environment for children to learn through exploration and play. I believe this program will be the cornerstone of the Early Childhood curriculum.

The outdoor space will provide additional opportunities for students to stretch their imaginations and develop growing bodies in a child-centered play space.

The entire rebuild will help teachers prepare St. Martin’s students to be lifelong learners by introducing many tasks, topics and activities to support our already robust Early Childhood curriculum. For me, it’s wonderful to know that just as I learned through the rich experiences I had as a child, our expanded program will offer an even more engaging and interactive experience for early learning at St. Martin’s.

Cindy Alexander

48

Winter 2018

= ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL