Patternsspring16final316

SPRING

Patterns

2016

The Magazine of St. Martin’s Episcopal School

Full STEAM Ahead

Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics Trekking the Globe... Virtually Google Expeditions comes to SMES

Rites of Passage Purposeful, Robust, Befitting

:

REGISTER NOW FOR

14th Annual Golf Tournament

Monday, May 2 St. Marlo Country Club Check in: 11 am Shotgun start: 1 pm

Did you know?

The St. Martin’s Golf Tournament has raised more than $300,000 for the school’s Endowment Fund.

Scan the QR code below or contact Tina Haas at 404-228-0711 or thaas@stmartinschool.org to register.

Patterns EDITOR Kathy Florence

CONTRIBUTORS The Rev. Dr. James Hamner IV Kristi Gaffney Kathy Florence Photography: Kristi Gaffney Kathy Florence ADMINISTRATION The Rev. Dr. James E. Hamner IV Headmaster Cindy Alexander Principal, Early Childhood Dr. Mary McPherson Principal, Elementary School James “Skeeter” Lee Principal, Middle School Tracy Ballot Director of Advancement and External Affairs John Cunningham Chief Financial Officer Blythe Marsau Director of Admission and Financial Aid The Rev. Stefanie Taylor Chaplain The Rev. Dr. John McCard Church Rector Printing: Standard Press Patterns is published quarterly 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 Attn: Kristi Gaffney (404) 288-0719 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

SPRING

2016

departments

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LETTER

From the Headmaster SEEN & HEARD

News and happenings in the school community IN CLASS

Full STEAM Ahead: What SMES’ Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics curriculum means CLASS NOTES

News from SMES alumni

VOICES

Teaching science is learning science: Wade Hanse

features

12 17

F E AT U R E

Rites of Passage: For everything there is a season

SPOTLIGHT

Google chooses SMES for Expeditions product pilot

On the cover: Rocco Meyerhoff shows off his decorated locker. Advancing from cubbies to lockers is an important rite of passage for students.

View this magazine on your tablet at issuu.com.

from the headmaster Dear Friends:

Part of the joy and wonder of working at St. Martin’s is to see and experience the remarkable growth and development of our children over time. From our bustling group of 3-yearolds in beginners’ classes all the way through to the poise and maturity of our graduating 8th graders, there is a kaleidoscope of change in our students’ lives.

Most of our life’s cognitive, emotional and physical development take place during these very formative, foundational years. It is one of the great virtues of our school that we are able to focus our time, energy, expertise and resources on these critical years of forming one’s character and perspectives.

This time can often be an unsettling and messy period and process of “growing up,” but our students do so in an environment where they are known, loved, and supported. They are strongly encouraged to explore and try new activities as part of their journey of self-discovery and their journey of discerning their particular gifts and interests. As our students progress,

we celebrate their growth and accomplishments with a series of “rites of passage,” which are highlighted in this edition of Patterns.

In unsettling economic times and a technologysaturated world, students today are expected to know far more than earlier generations of students which can add pressure and challenge to their lives. We teach and strive to model what we hope is a balanced approach and understanding of life ­— with the message that a life lived well and healthily is a dynamic rhythm of work and rest, focus and play. A recent edition of Patterns showed how the concept and practice of “mindfulness” helps to enhance the structure of our community life here. There is much wisdom in this for adults as well.

I look forward to seeing you at school during these busy spring months at athletic events, our wonderful Celebration of the Arts and spring musical, and other upcoming activities. As always, I am grateful for your continuing support of our school and the gift of the children entrusted to our care.

Best wishes,

St. Martin’s annual “Crossing the Green” held each May is a ceremonial Rite of Passage for 5th graders as they transition to Middle School.

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seen&heard New middle school principal named Welcome Anthony Shaffer

STUDENT VESTRY HELPS USHER LENTEN SEASON

St. Martin’s Episcopal School welcomes Mr. Anthony Shaffer to serve as our new middle school principal beginning this summer.

Replacing Skeeter Lee who will be retiring in May, Mr. Shaffer joins St. Martin’s from Westminster School in Oklahoma City, where he has served as the middle school division director since 2012.

Prior to Westminster, Mr. Shaffer spent his career in a variety of roles at independent schools including modern languages chair at Pilgrim School in Los Angeles and director of technology at Augusta Preparatory Day School in Augusta, Ga. Mr. Shaffer brings a strong foreign language background in addition to his leadership and strategic planning skills. Over the course of his career, he has been heavily involved in program design and curriculum development and is a frequent speaker at educational conferences such as Alan November’s Building Learning Communities. He is a graduate of California State University and earned his master’s degree from Georgia Regents University. Mr. Shaffer is an avid runner and he and his wife Dora are looking forward to moving their family to the Atlanta area in June.

After four weeks of studying the theology behind the Ash Wednesday service and learning about the season of Lent, student vestry members were an integral part of the St. Martin’s Ash Wednesday chapel service. They introduced the service to the student body, served as readers and helped impose ashes.

Bee Buzz

Heartfelt thanks to SMES’ Solve Club Jr.

The boys take the spoils in St. Martin’s annual spelling bee

Skeet Fortner (center) took first place in St. Martin’s Spelling Bee. Second place went to Davis Futrell (l) and third to Will Tuggle (r). They are pictured above with Dr. James Hamner and Middle School Principal Skeeter Lee. Skeet placed among the top 15 in the first round of the GISA Spelling Bee held at Mill Springs Academy.

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On behalf of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, we would like to thank you for your generous donation of 25 Valentines for patients. This donation has helped brighten the hospital experience of our patients and for that we extend our heartfelt gratitude on behalf of patients, families and staff.

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seen & heard

World Cultures Day

A new twist on a favorite St. Martin’s tradition

St. Martin’s annual World Storytelling Celebration expanded to a fun-filled day of cultural learning with the inaugural World Cultures Day held Feb. 5.

Students traveled around the school to the seven continents and enjoyed speakers and storytellers, art projects, games, dance, music, food and more! The school was decorated with international flags and students enjoyed delicious international snacks as they made their way around the cultural learning event.

Asia featured cultural speakers and a yoga session; Antarctica offered scientific facts from pre-first students; Europe hosted first-hand information on its diverse culture and flag painting on ceiling tiles; Africa featured African stories and authentic drummers; South America had the students Zumba dancing; Australia made paper plate boomerangs and heard stories from SMES parents who are from the continent; and North America featured lots of great cultural facts about our home continent including a message from Music teacher Mimi Deupree who has visited all 50 states.

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seen & heard

Voices in (Original) Holiday Song

An original production by St. Martin’s Music and Movement Teacher Mimi Deupree entertained parents, students and guests at the December Christmas program. The lyrics and score for “Come to the Manger” have been in the works since 2010 and Deupree has been adding numbers to the show each year.

“It’s often difficult to find Nativity songs that are developmentally appropriate for younger learners and singers,” she said.

Nine original songs were included in the production that proved to be a hit with the audience and its stars. Lyrics from one of the songs led to the name of the entire program:

“...come to the manger, a babe is sleeping there come to the manger, God’s love is keeping there come to the manger, God sent him from above come to the manger,

Spot Shot Winner

Representing St. Martin’s girls basketball team at the MAAC All-Star game, Caroline Belisle (r) took the top prize in the Spot Shot contest. The event was held Feb. 14 at Brandon Hall School. This is the first year there has been a MAAC All-Star game. SMES 8th grader Davis Futrell represented SMES boys in the All-Star game.

CANINES VISIT 3RD GRADE

and fill your hearts with love.”

Serenading Town Brookhaven

Members of the SMES Middle School Select Chorus sang carols to kick off the Christmas season at Town Brookhaven in December.

Third grade students connected classroom learning and community with a visit from a Brookhaven police officer and his K-9 police dog after reading “Aero and Officer Mike” in their Journeys reading book.

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seen & heard

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters, big hair, shoulder pads and all the best of the ‘80s decade were back for the PTO Winter Social in January. Guests enjoyed socializing with friends, hitting the dance floor and making rounds at the photo station. Costumes featured the best of the decade’s fashions as well as iconic ‘80s characters including Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Salt ‘n Pepa, Madonna and Jim McMahon. Congratulations to costume contest winner, Brad Milsaps, who dressed as Richard Simmons and went home with a killer Rubik’s Cube trophy. The PTO raised $80,000 with the radical Winter Social. Proceeds will support SMES’ ongoing commitment to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) including enhancements to the science lab and school-wide curriculum.

volunteers

Spotlight on Annual Fund chairs Why do you volunteer?

J I volunteer because I enjoy it! I also believe parental involvement is very important to our children and the school.

L Years ago when I joined a sorority someone told me, “you get more out of an organization if you give more.” I took that to heart and got involved serving on several committees and ultimately as Social Chairman. Through my volunteer efforts as an adult, I have found that I meet wonderful people and make lasting friendships serving alongside others.

What advice would you give to other SMES parents?

J Jump in, the water’s fine! Seriously, there is some way each parent can contribute, whether it’s big or small, lead or follow. Find something that works for you and your family.

L Any church, organization or school can feel big until you get involved.

As a working mom, I find volunteering at SMES has allowed me to get to know so many of the wonderful families that attend SMES. I recommend volunteering so you can get plugged in at SMES. Annual Fund co-chairs Laura Glenn (l) and Julie Carson

What makes St. Martin’s special?

Laura and her husband Michael have a daughter, Caroline, in 2nd grade and son, Christian, in kindergarten. Julie and her husband Warren have a son, Jack, in 7th grade at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Both actively volunteer with the Annual Fund and the PTO and are valued members of the SMES community.

J The staff, administrators and teachers are truly concerned and vested in each child’s well-being and success. I think that is what makes me want to give back!

L I love walking through the doors of SMES and seeing so many faces I know. I love the quote by inspirational minister Andy Stanley, “The value of a life is measured in terms of how much of it was given away.” Give yourself away, you won’t regret that time spent!

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e nc e sc i

in class chnolog te

y ineering g n

Eighth grade students were challenged to create a table that could support five text books using only printer paper and scotch tape. “It’s always interesting to see the variety of solutions presented to meet a challenge like this,” said Science teacher Alan Shafir. “Some projects were more successful than others, and the kids were able to learn from each other throughout the process.”

Full STEAM ahead

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ar

ematics h at

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@SMES

By Kristi Gaffney, Marketing and Communications Manager

In today’s content-driven world, we are expected to be sophisticated connoisseurs of a variety of interwoven knowledge in order to successfully go about our daily tasks – and certainly to be successful individuals. We experience these expectations at work, at play, at school, at home and just about everywhere we interact. We use QR codes to compare prices at the grocery store, learn a foreign language via Bluetooth while driving to work and must be proficient in a multitude of digital skills to get our jobs done. Society expects us to possess creative solutions in order to solve 21st century challenges.

For years in education, STEM-based curriculum has been more than a buzzword as students have been groomed to integrate their learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to become multi-dimensional thinkers and problem solvers. In recent years though, the business world has placed an emphasis on divergent thinkers who might have views a bit off-the-beaten-path or offer contrary viewpoints. And because it has been widely acknowledged that creativity and right-brained thinking is necessary to generate truly innovative solutions ­— enter the magic of the A. Over the past few years, STEM has transformed to STEAM by adding the important ingredient of the arts for a more comprehensive learning experience. Fine arts, visual arts, language arts and musical arts are all intimately linked to the sciences.

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Georgette Yakman, owner and founding researcher at STEAM Education, a consultancy in Marion, Va., points out that STEAM education is about more than just the subjects in its name. She explains STEAM by asking people what they do for a living, then pointing out that their careers actually incorporate all of the subjects that they studied in school. Rather than teach individual subjects in a vacuum, STEAM programs integrate them in an inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum that more closely aligns with what students will experience in college and the workforce.

St. Martin’s Episcopal School has been committed to STEM since its inception and has embraced the transformation to STEAM throughout its curriculum. Teachers participate in high-quality professional development and integrate new learning into the classrooms and students find themselves actively engaged in experiential academics that build on their

Coming Soon!

4th & 5th Grade STEAM Fair Thursday, May 12 - 6:30 pm

Parents will be invited to view STEAM-related group projects on display in the ES Science Lab. Students will work on in-class projects for a number of weeks prior to the event and will have the opportunity to blog with each other as a means to collaborate along the way.

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traditional classroom activities. The integration of art into the sciences can be seen on a daily basis around campus.

Science

Across divisions, science is an integral part of education at St. Martin’s. Learning through inquiry, middle schoolers are challenged to solve a wide variety of problems using higher-level thinking skills during frequent experimentation, cooperative projects and skill-based activities. Elementary students are ingrained in laboratory work and collaborative learning and Early Childhood uses its award-winning science labs — indoor and out — to begin critical thinking skills.

Middle School Science teacher Susan Potenza is no stranger to STEM or STEAM and notes that most science teachers have taught in a cross-curricular, interdisciplinary manner for many years. The recent formalization of STEAM has been a great asset to her classroom work and homework. “Every couple of weeks I assign STEAM-related homework for students to choose a project from a list of options,” said Potenza. “Recently we were studying the digestive system and homework options included models, puppet shows, ‘I’ narratives, board games and other creative ways to learn and present this complicated system.”

“There is also the annual School Swab Lab where students swab any imaginable surface around the school to see which microorganisms are living there. These elusive life forms

become visible when grown in nutrient agar in a Petri dish.

The microorganisms are illustrated, measured, researched and analyzed. Students will have used science, technology, art and math skills to complete this experiment.”

Technology

Technology is pervasive at St. Martin’s. But it’s not just Smartboards, Chromebooks, iPads and tech labs that help prepare students for the future. There are a number of niche STEAM-based activities that allow students the creativity to understand the technology and manipulate it to solve problems. The 3D Design and Print Club is led by Assistant Director of Technology Mike Morris and allows students to dream of something useful or interesting to build – then go build it. Using 3D printing technology, students use CAD-based software called Tinkercad to design something, and then print a 3D version of it using the new 3D printer. It’s creativity at its finest as students are able to move an idea to a physical entity through amazing technology driven by critical thinking.

“The formalization of STEAM has given classes the opportunity to collaborate and use what they’ve learned in different situations to be more creative in their problem solving,” said Morris. “Students aren’t working in a void anymore, and the work they produce is much more interesting. The 3D printer is a great example of merging the sciences with art and we are excited about all of the potential uses for it down the road.”

Engineering

Engineering can be generally defined as the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building and use of engines, machines and structures. It supports our innate human desire to build.

St. Martin’s students are no exception. Engineering concepts can be found throughout the curriculum from art students designing and building clay pieces to science classes studying traditional physics concepts. Eighth grade Science teacher Alan Shafir offers students fun and engaging design challenges on a regular basis to constantly hone their critical thinking skills.

Mr. Shafir recently challenged his students to build a table using only printer paper and scotch tape with the goal to support up to five textbooks. There were no other instructions.

Students eagerly sketched out their ideas and began working to solve the problem. “This was a fun and engaging design and build challenge,” said Shafir. “It encouraged creative thinking and also allowed them the freedom to fail. It’s always interesting to see the variety of solutions presented to meet a challenge like this. Some were more successful than others, and the kids were able to learn from each other throughout the process.”

Arts

Art class at St. Martin’s has evolved into STEAMbased learning through teacher collaboration to ensure art is supporting the sciences and vice versa.

While art class is an opportunity for students to

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flex their right-brain muscle, it also serves as an opportunity to support cross-curricular learning. St. Martin’s Art teacher Libby Tyler is always consulting with math and science teachers to keep up with the curriculum as it’s taught and works to integrate these concepts into art class. While fifth grade math students learn about tessellations as part of early geometry, they also get to ‘make’ tessellation-based art projects by tiling together shapes to create interesting pieces.

“The incorporation of science into our art projects is a great way to reinforce how integrated science is with art,” said Tyler.

“For example, if kids are learning about measuring in math, I will try to have a project that requires them to measure for accurate spacing as part of the art piece. I explain the math or science behind each art project so students understand that art isn’t a ‘separate’ class. It’s all cross-curricular and everything is interwoven. It’s important to spell that out for them.”

s.” n i g e b t r a , s nd e e c n e i c s e r ègre “W he N s e l r a h C — Math

Early photographer Charles Nègre (1820–1880) is a classic example of the combination of art and science in one creative personality. After studying painting in Paris and exhibiting his work for nearly two decades, he was “struck with astonishment” when he first saw daguerreotypes and immediately began experimenting with the chemistry behind photography, the physics and mathematics of optics, and the engineering principles of both camera design and the architecture he photographed. Also an avid writer, in 1851 he eloquently summed up the notion of STEAM: “Where science ends, art begins.”

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Math is a fundamental pillar for education, and the SMES curriculum— from counting to Algebra— is thoughtful and challenging as students are taught important concepts to build upon throughout their years at St. Martin’s. But STEAM-related experiential math learning can also be found in a variety of subjects, even in early childhood. Pre-K students visit the early childhood science lab and learn many fundamental science concepts. They also have an opportunity to learn about design, art and math. On an unseasonably warm February day, a pre-K class spent time in the outdoor science area with access to stations set up with a variety of equipment.

They were able to soak up the warm day and travel among the stations for some free-form learning.

Large, colorful tape measures were available at one table, and the children roamed around finding a variety of outdoor things to measure. Sticks, wood beams, the circumference of a tree or even an attempt to chase down a giant bubble to put a number to its size were just some of the challenges these early learners were attempting. Early Childhood Science teacher Elizabeth Beckwith is always amazed at the creative thinking our smallest learners come up with. “Our pre-first class was recently learning about paper airplanes and they were outside flying them down a hill,” recalled Beckwith. “After everyone’s plane had landed, they decided to measure how far each plane had flown. They sought out the measuring tapes and were off.”

St. Martin’s 3D printer (l) allows students to imagine, design and create. Members of the school’s 3D Design and Print Club incorporate CAD-based software called Tinkercad to design and create on the printer. At right, some of the students’ designs.

Measuring, estimating, visually using a balance and counting tree rings are all experiential activities found in the EC science lab to support fundamental math concepts.

STEAM is our future

Inquiry-based and student-centered learning are concepts that will continue to evolve, and St. Martin’s is dedicated to keep pace and stay ahead of the curve.

“STEAM-based learning opportunities encourage free thinking and the opportunity for revision, reflection and the use of critical and collaborative skills to solve challenges,” said Elementary School Principal Mary McPherson. “It’s a fun and engaging way for our teachers to collaborate with each other and then challenge our students. You never know what amazing things might happen when our students put their collective minds to work.”

At left, puppet show characters illustrate the roles of each component of the human body’s digestive system. At right, students combine art, science and a bit of engineering to learn the complicated process.

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feature

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; Â a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Rites of Passage:

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a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

H

ere’s what’s true:

The best of a moment is the moment itself.

Preparedness and anticipation add depth and significance to each moment.

And with each moment, we grow and prepare for the next.

Here’s what we sometimes forget:

There is a perfect time for each moment and if we jump ahead, we can’t go back.

Never is this truer than in childhood.

Preparing children to squeeze the best from each moment — and in its appropriate time and order — is a critical role for parents and educators. St. Martin’s Episcopal School takes these rites of passage very seriously.

By Kathy Florence

What’s more, St. Martin’s structure, curriculum and philosophy offer the perfect setting for garnering freshness and excitement from each step.

For everything there is a season...

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...A time for every matter “We are especially fortunate at St. Martin’s,” said Blythe Marsau, Director of Admissions. “Our Preschool - 8 configuration allows us the opportunity to be a part of our students’ childhood and early adolescence. Each stage is equally precious and incorporates a distinct set of needs, which is why we are designed with three distinct programs and led by three different principals for our early childhood, elementary and middle schools. The structure offers the perfect balance between growth and continuity.”

Indeed, a careful introduction of newness at each level of growth provides anticipation for what’s to come and builds pride with accomplishment. Mentoring programs simultaneously instill responsibility and accord with the older mentors and eagerness and respect among the younger students delighted to learn from their older role models.

“Children have one opportunity to be children,” said Guidance Counselor Christina Johnson. “We want to be sure they experience all of the best of childhood and that they

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move toward adolescence at a healthy and appropriate pace and completely master childhood before moving on.”

It starts in Early Childhood Everything is new for St. Martin’s preschool students. Being a part of a community begins when they enter their classroom and open the very basic of building blocks to learning and social interaction.

“Once our beginner and Pre-K students are comfortable with their classmates and teachers, they are excited and ready to move beyond to music rooms and science facilities. Students satisfy their insatiable thirst for knowledge in the science lab and outdoor classroom where they learn to explore, investigate and ask questions,” said Early Childhood Principal Cindy Alexander.

under Heaven “Likewise, religion, guidance and chapel are all integral parts of St. Martin’s program,” she continued. “Here, students learn to develop enduring values and ethical behaviors such as kindness and responsibility.”

But each step is intentionally paced and carefully crafted with new responsibility and adventure.

Purposeful, Robust, Befitting Once students step to Kindergarten, lunch in the school cafeteria and playtime on the big playground are rites of passage that confirm, reward and open their eyes to new activities that will become part of their daily school life.

In first grade, cubbies are no longer in the confines of the classroom, but are in the hallway. Tables are replaced with individual desks and PE classes are held in the school’s gym.

However subtle, these markers show children that they are prepared for more and allow them to succeed at the new opportunities as they prepare for ones yet to come.

Deeper responsibilities and enhanced liberties are sprinkled throughout each elementary school year. It’s why second

graders change into a PE uniform for physical education class and students are allowed to play on the school’s Four Square court when they get to third grade. And why third graders say goodbye to cubbies and keep their books and gym clothes in their own designated lockers. And why the big salad bar is open to students beginning in fourth grade.

A big deal? You bet.

Delineations are intentional “If every St. Martin’s student were able to wear their Halloween costumes to school, it might become ‘uncool’ to do so somewhere along the way,” said Mary McPherson, elementary school principal. “Rather, only pre-school students and eighth graders wear their costumes on Halloween. And they do it with gusto. Everyone really gets into it.”

A wildly popular tradition of St. Martin’s, students, faculty and parents form a circle around the school one October morning to cheer as early childhood students — escorted by the eighth graders— parade along the circle of spectators. It’s an honor for the youngest, and for the oldest students in the school. And it’s intentional for just that reason.

Likewise, fifth graders are invited to an after-school social in the spring each year. It’s a simple and fitting introduction to co-ed socials. But only Middle School students are invited to the school dances in the gym, keeping it a special and muchanticipated rite of passage for SMES’ oldest students.

“The boys typically clump together and run around the gym at that first dance,” said Social Studies teacher Jennie Paulsen.

“The girls stay together and talk about the boys. But by the last dance of the year, you actually see most of the sixth graders dancing with each other. By the same token, the last dance of the year is bittersweet for the eighth graders. It is truly their last ‘childhood’ dance before the big world of high school. It is also the last social occasion at SMES for them except for their graduation ceremony. After 24 years, I still can get a little teary when I say goodbye to the eighth graders at the end of that last dance.”

Uniforms change A staple of St. Martin’s culture, uniforms are an important aspect of limiting distraction and maintaining a clear environment for learning, but the changes as St. Martin’s PATTERNS

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students grow are intentional. A formal uniform for chapel service is introduced in fourth grade. And in sixth, student uniforms change completely to delineate students as they reach middle school. With each change, students are ready for the outward symbol of their newfound position in the school.

What’s more, a school e-mail address is assigned for each student in fourth grade as well as an iPad that can be used during school hours. And in fifth grade, students are allowed to take the iPads home to assist with their school work — all means of interjecting responsibility and road-testing maturity in appropriate and finite doses.

Fourth graders are ready to serve the school as safety patrols and take their responsibilities very seriously. It’s also the year that they are introduced to intramural options.

In fifth, students can take on leadership roles in student council. They also look forward to their first overnight field trip — St. Martin’s annual visit to the UGA Marine Extension

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Service at Skidaway Island. Further, they are able to participate in the music and band programs their fifth grade year.

Perhaps, most definitive of all, mentoring programs place responsibility directly on individual students to serve by example to younger students. Reading buddy programs and math pairing exercises prove worthy for both sides of the relationship.

And a favorite tradition each May pairs fifth grade students with seventh graders for the “Crossing the Green” ceremony.

Seventh graders escort the upcoming middle schoolers to their new home with pomp, circumstance, welcome and pride.

Preparing for high school Wide-eyed middle schoolers enter sixth grade with a grand set of new opportunities and responsibilities before them. Backed by the familiar, they find themselves in a new building, in a new uniform and with a new mix of students for each class, as they no longer change classes with their homerooms. More, there are new out-of-town field trips, sports and extra-curricular opportunities and brand new privileges before them. They are ready, and that realization prepares them with confidence for new adventures throughout their lives.

Once in Middle School, students take on leadership roles for the school’s television, newspaper and yearbook programs.

They travel to other schools representing St. Martin’s in seasonal sports, chorus and band. And in eighth grade, students enjoy the benefits of being at the summit of their St. Martin’s experience. Only eighth graders can take their lunch to the outside tables on Fridays. All Middle School grades make an overnight field trip each year with their class, culminating with a week-long trip to the Grand Canyon their final year.

“We work to stay intentional with each new opportunity presented to St. Martin’s students,” said Middle School Principal Skeeter Lee. “Children need new opportunity, responsibility and adventure with each passing year, but that combined with stability and continuity allows them to mature at a healthy and comfortable pace. Our students are poised and ready for high school when they leave St. Martin’s on eighth grade graduation day. What’s more, they are also ready to leave familiar behind and are confident that they will find their place in a new, expanded world.”

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spotlight Google Expeditions

SMES students trek around the globe as part of Google’s VR pilot program

By Kristi Gaffney, Marketing and Communications Manager

oogle representatives visited the St. Martin’s campus for a day in February and SMES students took off around the world. It was all as part of a beta-test for the tech giant’s new virtual field trip product, aptly called Google Expeditions. The Expeditions Pioneer Program is a worldwide effort to introduce students to Google’s new, virtual reality technology. St. Martin’s was one of a handful of schools in the Atlanta area chosen to participate in the pilot.

The St. Martin’s visit was a result of the effort of Director of Academic Technologies Kinshasa Msola’s desire to stay ahead of the technology curve.

“I learned of this program two years ago and as soon as I saw there was an opportunity for St. Martin’s to be part of it, I submitted our school for consideration,” said Msola. “I was so excited when I got the news that we A field trip to the Palace of had been chosen to participate. The Versailles? Sure. St. Martin’s program is designed to allow teachers students made a virtual to take their classes on virtual field visit... and that was just one trips and offer experiences that bring of their stops when Google abstract concepts to life and give Expeditions came to town. students a deeper understanding of the world beyond the classroom.

What a great opportunity it was to introduce this technology at St. Martin’s.”

Google arrived on campus on Wednesday, Feb. 17 for the allday event and took over two middle school classrooms to host 18 different St. Martin’s elementary and middle school groups throughout the day. Prior to the event, eligible teachers were given a list of more than 100 available Expeditions and vied for slots on a first-come, first-serve basis until the 18 slots were filled.

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Click and go

Participating teachers were then able to pre-select a destination based on grade level and curriculum relevance with the goal to aid student learning. First grade students were studying Antarctica, so they went on a penguin expedition; third grade social studies students were learning about different land formations, so they went on a landforms expedition; and middle school religion classes were able to ‘visit’ the holy places of Jerusalem to support their curriculum.

As St. Martin’s students filed through the Expeditions schedule, Google provided each teacher with a tablet to ‘drive’ and each student received an individual Cardboard Viewer outfitted with a smartphone to use as their viewing device. Google Cardboard is a virtual reality viewer made almost entirely of actual cardboard. It’s like a View-Master toy from the 1970s on steroids and allows anyone with a modern smartphone to experience virtual reality. Once the teacher set the destination, the students took off on a virtual trip showing a collection of panoramic videos, 360-degree photo spheres, 3D images and details of points of interest.

Dizzy learning

Both students and teachers alike were awestruck by the images and could be seen walking around the classrooms looking up, looking down, laying on the floor and any other pose they could conjure up to take the technology to its limit. Lots of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” could be heard and it wasn’t uncommon for students to take a quick break to overcome a feeling of dizziness. Fourth grade Social Studies teacher Lucy Coverstone took her students on a tour of the Aztec and Mayan ruins. “It was amazing to make something come alive that we had spent so much time learning about,” said Coverstone. “Not everyone gets the chance to see Chichen Itza in person, but my students did! Google Expeditions offers so many historical topics and places and is a wonderful enhancement of the social studies curriculum. I look forward to having the opportunity to use it again.”

The innovative new product is not intended to replace traditional field trips, but to use the virtual reality technology to enhance classroom-taught lessons in a new and engaging manner for students to learn. Middle School French teacher Shirley Carroll took her students to visit the palaces of Versailles. “My eighth grade students had been studying photos and videos of Versailles in class,” says Carroll. “However, during the Google Expedition they were surprised and excited to be in the palace and gardens and to realize how large and elegant they were. It was very different from just looking at pictures.”

The day turned out to be a fun and experiential learning opportunity for everyone and piqued the interest of students and teachers alike to learn more about virtual reality. “We are currently experimenting with the concept of virtual reality in our middle school Augmented Reality Club as well as in the classroom as part of the social studies, science and foreign language programs,” noted Msola. “The Google product was a fun and interesting way to add locations to the VR concept and was also a great way for our students to provide feedback to Google with their likes and dislikes prior to mass distribution. I’m so proud that St. Martin’s students were able to have this opportunity.”

And then a break

The day following Google Expeditions was the first school-wide ‘Tech Time Out’ challenge where students, faculty and even St. Martin’s families were asked to take a break from digital media for an entire day. “As much as I loved having Google visit our school and immerse students in new technology, we do have to sometimes take a break and appreciate the simple ways of doing things,” noted Msola. “Tech Time Out was a nice balance to Google Expeditions and we hope to make this an annual event.”

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class notes

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE Sarah Affleck , Class of 2006 Manager of business development for Rigor —a high-tech software developer that helps companies optimize and operate web and mobile applications — Sarah Affleck found her job through networking.

“A fellow Wofford alum was looking to expand the sales team for the company located in the Atlanta Tech Village when I graduated in May of 2014,” said Sarah. “Rigor had just won The Atlanta Business Chronicle’s, ‘Number One Small Company In Atlanta To Work For’ award and I wanted to be a part of it!”

As a business development representative, Sarah exceeded quotas each month. After one year, she took on a full-time leadership position and was promoted to Manager of the Business Development team.

“I am now no longer holding my own quota but instead responsible for teaching and coaching the individuals on my team as we attempt to scale. Rigor’s CEO has asked me to build out the team so I am actively searching for top talent. My small team of three is about to grow to eight and I can’t wait to see the changes ahead! I can honestly say I love my job.

I work with some of the most intelligent, inspiring, young entrepreneurs in Atlanta and have become a huge advocate for women in technology.

Holy Innocents’ English/Literature

High School Study

College

Wofford College

St. Martin’s helped me to develop a love of reading. I became an English major in college, thanks to Mrs. O’Keefe’s English class and those Wordly Wise quizzes Favorite food vegetable lasagna Favorite book The Giver Favorite app Pinterest - for the recipes!

Favorite way to give back Volunteering with the Big Brothers/ Big Sisters. I have had a little sister named Gaby for the past six years.

My favorites: X Books Movies Surfing the Net X Sweet Savory

Baseball Football X Tennis Something special you learned at SMES

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class notes Winnie Davis, daughter of Lawrence Davis, Class of 1996

1996

2008

Lawrence Davis and his wife Katherine are the proud parents of Corwin Celeste “Winnie” Davis, born Aug 5. 2015.

Andrew Roberts is serving in the Georgia State Legislature for the 2016 session as a University of Georgia legislative intern assigned to the Speaker of the House’s Office.

Sara Harwood Snavely and her husband welcomed baby Cecilia Mae Snavely on Jan. 12. SMES graduate Caroline McGreaham is Cecilia’s godmother.

2002

Mary Walker Mixon made the Dean’s list for the fourth consecutive semester at Gardner Webb University and has a cumulative GPA of 3.85.

Cristina Mullins graduated summa cum laude from Morehouse School of Medicine.

She is currently working as an intern with Emory University Hospital and recently married Dr. Jeremy Whitley.

2010

2003

Cristina Mullins

Rachel Roop has joined Schiff Real Estate Team as a Buyer’s Specialist with Keller Williams Peachtree Road office. She recently ran her first half marathon and was baptized at the Buckhead Church in October.

2007 Patrick Beless graduated magna cum laude with honors from the University of Georgia in December. He majored in risk management, minored in history, and earned a Certificate in Personal and Organizational Leadership. Patrick was honored with the Senior Scholar Award at the UGA Football Banquet and was awarded his letterman’s ring on Dec. 12. Patrick now works with the surety bond department at Liberty Mutual in Duluth.

Patrick Beless

Sara Harwood Snavely (r) with daughter Celicia Mae and Caroline McGreaham, the baby’s godmother.

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Addie Tyler and Robert Beeland were inducted into the Order of Gownsmen, a society recognizing students for their academic distinction at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. Addie is studying religion with a double minor in psychology and education. Robert is studying English and philosophy.

2012 Lucy Hatcher attends Brandon Hall School where she is captain of the volleyball team and was named to the all region team. She also serves as co-captain of the basketball team. Lucy will attend George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., in the fall.

2013 Abby Thomas managed St. Pius X’s division 4A state runner up varsity volleyball team.

She volunteered at St. Joseph’s hospital last summer working in the oncology infusion center.

class notes

Nicholas Hewett plays football and lacrosse at Holy Innocents’. He has started his own business: Nic Hewett Firewood Delivered & Stacked.

Kenneth Roberts made Eagle Scout. He is studying AP English and theater, and is a National Merit Scholar at Westminster.

2014 Gavin Guest plays on Pace Academy’s varsity football team. The team won the 2A state championship in December — Pace’s first time to the state championship.

Erika Kaivani is a sophomore at Galloway.

She serves as a student ambassador, member of improv club, and is an A student.

Erika is a member of the dance ensemble at school and spends weekends at Mabry Farms riding horses. She will be making a mission trip to Haiti with Buckhead Church this summer.

Shelby McIntyre is a member of the National Charity League and plays soccer and manages the football team for Greater Atlanta Christian School. She traveled to Greece for a mission trip in February.

2015 Olivia Tavolacci is a member and student instructor of a Cirque Troupe. She performed in her first RabunGap Cirque performance in October.

Lewis Jaynes was named Basketball Defensive Player of the Year at Marist and made the football team that will play in Ireland in the fall.

Davis Little plays tennis and is on the debate team at McCallie where he made the Headmaster’s List. He volunteers at a food bank each week.

McKenzie Miller is on the varsity competition cheerleading team for St. Pius X.

William Roberts served in the state legislature on Jan. 25 as a student page for Senator Steve Henson. He was joined by his brother Andrew who is serving as a legislative intern this session.

Kathleen Weber is a 4.0 student at Mount Vernon Presbyterian. She’s been recruited to a team for the interscholastic equestrian association and recently was selected to participate in a selective program run by the Boston Medical Association.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Walls is a two-time state champion in swimming at Marist. She will be touring Munich, Prague and Krakow with Marist as a part of its “Bearing Witness” Holocaust class.

Rachel Roop

Keep in touch!

Please send your news and photos via email to alumni@stmartinschool.org

Brothers Andrew and William Roberts worked together at the State Legislature for a day in January.

Erika Kaivani with her horse Smokey

Visit our Alumni pages online at www.stmartinschool.org and on Facebook and Twitter!

Gavin Guest, #20 for Pace Academy PATTERNS

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St. Martin’s annual Red and Blue Dinner

Graduates from years 2013, 2014 and 2015 gathered for an evening of socializing, sharing memories and great food at the annual Red and Blue Alumni Dinner held on Feb. 15 in the atrium of the Middle School building. Alumni tested their knowledge of SMES staff and school with a trivia contest.

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You’re always welcome

MAY FEBRUARY

MAY

MAY

APRIL

at St. Martin’s Episcopal School!

Make note of these upcoming events:

14-15 17

2 5 27

Celebration of the Arts Join St. Martin’s at its annual Celebration of the Arts featuring exhibits of students’ visual art creations and three performances of “The Lion King, Jr.”

Golf Tournament Sign up now for SMES’ 14th annual golf tournament to be held at St. Marlo Country Club. Register by calling Tina Haas at 404-228-0711 or via email at thaas@stmartinschool.org.

Senior Dinner Graduating high school seniors and their parents are invited to the annual Senior Dinner celebrating graduation and future plans. 5:30 p.m.

Graduation St. Martin’s celebrates its graduating class in a ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. Phillips. 10 a.m.

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voices

WADE HANSE, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER

I am a die-hard fan of superhero movies. My absolute favorite hero is Iron Man. He is a genius, billionaire, engineer with a presumptuous personality and a flair for the dramatic. I often think how incredible it would be to soar around in my suit of armor, fighting evil villains, and saving the day. Then, I remember my fear of heights and quickly ground myself back to reality.

As a teacher I may not rocket around in a suit of armor or smash through walls without a second thought for my well-being (or community infrastructure), but just like the heroes of cinema, I am an ambassador for the merit of risk. Ask any of my students what my favorite E word is, and most without hesitation will answer, “effort.”

Effort is what makes learning beautiful, it is also what makes it so terrifying and risky.

If we try but fall short, we have no one to blame for our failure but ourselves. Right?

Wrong. My favorite part about teaching science is that I am regularly able to create circumstances in which students begin to see setbacks as opportunities, not labels of inadequacy. Recently, I challenged the fourth grade to develop a procedure that would crumple a soda can without using physical force (i.e. no Hulk smash). As soon as I introduced the assignment, they were off and the inquiry was fascinating. Some students were prototyping with K’nex, others were conceptualizing death traps that would reduce their can to ashes, still others were tinkering with ways to seal the can in our vacuum chamber, assuredly anticipating a grandiose implosion.

My pleasure as a teacher did not come when we eventually did crush the can (a few different strategies did work, though not on the theatrical scale the students pictured). No, I was most pleased with the students’ collaborative process of learning. Additionally, and most importantly to me, not one student was worried about the risk of looking like a failure. Every time the can stayed intact, we did not fail, we learned something new as a class… success!

Many people describe Thomas Edison’s work on the light bulb as solitary genius. They picture him toiling away in his New Jersey laboratory and then voilà: the light bulb. In reality, Edison’s work on the light bulb took years of focused ambition, experimentation and hero-like resiliency. Furthermore, Edison collaborated with a well-educated and trained team including more than 50 scientists, engineers, electricians and glass blowers. Edison was not concerned with the risk of failure, or how others might view his mistakes. His only goal was getting that light bulb to light up (and stay lit).

When I reflect on my five years at St. Martin’s, I see students taking risks all the time. It may be as simple as asking for help or stretching their limits by fabricating a new device during our STEAM fair. If students can learn to cherish academic risk and adopt persistence, effort and collaboration, I have no doubt they will all find their own success. Maybe one or two might even grow up to be a modern-day Edison—or even the real-life Iron Man. Who knows? When you embrace risk, anything is possible.

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Fun for children in rising Pre-K through 8th Grade Day Camp | Specialty Camps | After Camp

Session 1: June 6 - July 1 Session 2: July 11 - August 5

Come 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! We offer one-week sessions specializing in the following activities and much more. Check online for a full list.

• Golf • Tennis • Baseball • Soccer

• Yard sports • Volleyball • Cheer • Dance

• Music • Art • Chess • Fashion

• Typing • Computer • Film making • Musical theater

• Comedy • Improv • STEAM • LEGO

• Server design • Science • Engineering • Academic brush-up

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

3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 | 404.237.4280, ext. 380 Questions? Contact Mark McDaniel, Director of Summer Programs: mmcdaniel@stmartinschool.org

stmartinschool.org/campus_life/summer

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

Celebration of the Arts April 14•15•17

Visual arts exhibits throughout the school and three performances of The Lion King, Jr! April 14 and 15: Art show at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m.

April 17: Art show at 1 p.m., showtime at 2 p.m.

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