Letter from the Head of School

Dear Collegiate Community,

Welcome to the latest issue of our Connections Magazine.

This time of year is always a busy time as we reflect on our progress so far and make plans for the upcoming year in detail. In preparation for the work involved, I recently had the opportunity to talk to all of our employees about re-centering on our “Why!” in other words, the reason we rise every morning and enthusiastically engage in our work.

That conversation concentrated on a discussion on two principles we hope to both emphasize and emulate as Collegiate faculty and staff: the value of finding joy in our work and the importance of mutual respect as we work together. We hold these ideals in high regard at Collegiate, and I am proud to say that I see them put into practice repeatedly whenever I am interacting with members of our community.

Multiple examples of joy can be seen in every corner of our campus. Joy can be found on the faces of our Early Childhood and Lower School students as they are truly engaged by the variety of activities and experiences before them each and every day. Our older students in Middle and Upper School are not always as transparent with their emotions, but their joy can still be easily spotted in their remarkable school spirit and the enthusiasm with which they transform opportunity into achievement.

Respect for each other can also be found in abundance at Collegiate. The respect shown to our teachers in the classrooms makes for a healthy learning environment for all. The respect our employees have for the talented colleagues in their midst is always inspiring to witness. And the respect our parents have for the institution that is Collegiate is both welcomed and gratifying as we all work together to do what’s best for our students.

It is an honor and a privilege to lead this wonderful school where every day we convene with a shared sense of joy and a great deal of respect for each individual’s efforts and accomplishments. In the pages that follow, you will see admirable examples of endeavors undertaken in this great spirit. I hope you take time to enjoy the moments highlighted.

Go Spartans!

Nathan Washer Head of School

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Over the years, a teacher’s delivery of content has seen many forms. From the sage on a stage model to the utilization of technology, educators through the centuries have looked for the best way to deliver new material in a way that students can truly understand. Engaging all learners at high levels has always been and continues to be a teacher’s main goal. It’s not surprising then that our own teachers constantly look for ways to meet each of our individual students where they are and help take their learning to the next level. One of our favorite ways to create memorable educational experiences? Room transformations.

The concept of room transformations took the educational world by storm as teachers spent the last couple of years bringing experiences TO the classroom instead of taking kids out of the classroom for them. While we know that our students are more than capable of absorbing all of the information presented by our teachers, at the end of the day, delivery matters. Creating an engaging learning environment through a room transformation brings learning to life in a way that makes the kids hungry for more. It helps to achieve that ultimate main goal…engaging all different types of learners in a way that makes them push themselves to the next level.

ANCIENT EGPYT One stop along the 8th grade’s year-long journey through ancient civilizations was ancient Egypt. Students felt transported back in time as Ms. Bay transformed her classroom with hieroglyphics, wall paintings, and even an etching of the Great Sphinx of Giza.

GEOLOGY Students in Mrs. Abdul’s prekindergarten class explore their cave as they discover geological wonders and learn about the creatures that inhabit them.

These immersive learning experiences have mass appeal because of how it can be enjoyed at every age. We have had transformations take place in every building on campus, from our prekindergarten students to our Upper Schoolers, and in every curricular area. From exploring geology in prekindergarten to performing “surgery” in Lower School, our young scientists have had new worlds opened up to them. And whether students went through multiplication bootcamp in Lower School or enjoyed a book tasting in Upper School, Spartans across campus can count on one universal truth: that their teachers will find the most creative way to engage them with new (and sometimes daunting) material. Afterall, one’s imagination is not limited to age, and if anything, we have found that the older they are, the more they appreciate the, quite literal, change of scenery.

BOOK TASTING Mrs. King’s 9th grade English students are encouraged to try out different genres and topics. The “tastings” are short samplings of parts of a book. Whether single chapters or the back-cover-synopsis, the idea is to give students an opportunity to take a small “bite” of an unfamiliar piece of literature to see if they want to devote the time to the entire book.

MEDICAL SCHOOL Mrs. Simms led Lower School science students through a better understanding of the human body in their very own Operating Room.

CAVE DWELLING After reading All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys Soccer Team, Mrs. Ralston’s 6th grade literature class did a teacher-guided Nearpod lesson (with cool VR elements) where students put on noise-cancelling headphones and read by candlelight and flashlight.