The End is Near…but There is Fun Along the Way!

Dear Upper School Families,

As I write, I hear happy noises outside my door as students move from field to gym to hallway to classroom to Library — it’s Spring Fest! And despite the wet weather, the spirits are high. I was also greeted this morning by a gift from of the Class of 2012. A dedicated, creative group of seniors decorated our hallways, windows, library, and dining room with clever (yet respectful) “evidence” of their presence here…presence that we all know will soon be absence, as the Great Class of 2012 moves closer to graduation. Noteworthy, too, was the active presence of both current prefects and those elected for next year; indeed, all prefects planned and executed every detail of this day. A successful Field Day is quite difficult to pull off, and this group did a fantastic job.

SO…what next? Well, it is time to talk assessments.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, teachers will do review work with their students, and all classes will meet on both days. We have created a special schedule to allow for this. Then, on Thursday, assessments begin. There are two assessment blocks placed on each of the four days allotted for assessments: May 31 through June 5. Each day will have one exam occurring from 8:30-10:30 and another from 12:00-2:00. Extended time exams will occur in the Library. Exam make-up day will occur on the June 6. For those of you who understand how our schedule works , our exams will follow an A day pattern. For example, the first day’s exams are the first two colors that occur on an A day, in order. The second day’s exams are the third and fourth colors on an A day, and so on. With blue and green periods, which do not meet on an A day, those are the last two exams in that order on June 5. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Advisor if you have any questions about when your son/daughter has an exam.

Please also know that some classes do not have a “traditional” exam, but instead have a combination of a variety of assessment types — such as projects, oral exams, presentations, etc. So do not be surprised if your son/daughter tells you that he/she actually doesn’t have a “traditional” exam. STUDENTS SHOULD BE HERE ONLY FOR AN EXAM. Otherwise, they should not be in the building — as we are shooting for silent monitored halls, silent classrooms, and silent library.

The last obligation for students this year is Prize Day, which is held on Wednesday, June 6. Students may visit teachers to inquire about grades (or take any necessary make-up exams) after the Prize Day ceremony. Seniors, however, will stay behind after Prize Day to have their graduation rehearsal.

And then there’s Prom. All I will say about this, is that I want everyone to be safe, have fun, and enjoy eachother’s company. Emphasis on SAFE. Enough said. I will see those of you who are able to attend at the pre-prom.

Hope this note finds you all well.

Marnie

Thoughts on Fridays and Other News

Dear Upper School Families,

It is a beautiful May morning — a group of smiling sophomores just left my office to go to the Frick and the Met in the city; another group of serious looking scholars headed to the PAC for AP tests; and young women lacrosse players in the hallway celebrated last night’s 13-9  victory over St. Luke’s — our first in nine years. And it’s going to be 70 degrees and sunny today. AND IT’S FRIDAY.

I’m usually not big on the TGIF approach to life and work, but during these past weeks even I have to admit that I’m glad the weekend does indeed come. I’m sure some of you can imagine why I might feel this way. I will say, though, that weekends always end, and as I say to the kids, wherever you go, there you are (to quote Jan Kabat-Zinn). I know the past few weeks have been tough for some of us, and I know that it always helps me when things don’t go well or feel comfortable or are simply painful, to focus on the fact that in a School (as in life), the best response is to LEARN. Was it Merlin who said that when we are sad, the best response is to learn something new? For me, when life gets blustery, I try to learn something new — or to re-learn something old that I have forgotten. Or to learn from a mistake — one of the biggest cliches but biggest truths I know. I hope we can all be open to each other and to learning as we move on through the month of May.

So…news. Interims went in the mail today. If you receive one, please know that they are meant as ongoing communication about progress in classes and are opportunities to discuss any shifts in approach that a student should take in the coming weeks as we head toward the close of the school year. You should certainly feel free to contact a Dean, Advisor, or Teacher directly with any questions about the contents of these brief reports. Also, a download is available on the newsletter regarding a formal study strategy opportunity for those who wish to use this time before assessments to brush up on best practices for studying!

Next…May is advisory switch time. The students who wish to change advisors have received forms as well as access to more if they lose theirs. Students who wish to switch advisors simply choose two new individuals, get their signatures, and of course get the signature of their current advisor. For those of you who are newer to King, or new to the Upper School, advisory switch period is one of our opportunities to encourage our students to take a healthy risk. It can be hard to go to a current advisor, let him or her know one wants to switch to someone else, and then reach out to other adults to ask if there are “openings” in another group. Please know that all adults at King want students to be with an advisor who is right for them, one they WANT to be with. So we are not hurt when a student wants to move, and we happily sign and encourage the student’s initiative. We see it as healthy to push students to discuss good options for advisors with their parents or other teachers, and to make a move if they need to. Remember, too, that we always take a team approach to our students, and even though your son or daughter has an official advisor, that does not preclude other adults (a coach, a former teacher, a Dean) as serving as an advisor at any time. Do not hesitate to contact Becky Rabassa at brabassa@klht.org with any questions about our Advisory System.

We also have a May coffee coming up next week. Agenda items will include the following: a quick Advisory switch update; Karin Wagner will be present to speak about how summer credit courses work and advice for planning ahead in this area; I will update everyone on our summer trip plans for 2013; a College Counseling representative will go over testing recommendations for rising sophomores and juniors; and Tom Main will be present for any questions that may arise about larger issues in the community. I will also walk through the events that occur at the end of May — Senior Project presentations, assessment preparations, Spring Fest, etc. So lots of information to share next Wednesday!

Finally, thanks to Donna Farber and the PA for co-sponsoring with the Upper School Partnering with Parents program our recent Alcohol and Drug Awareness panel. You can find a copy of the materials passed out at that event in the newsletter downloads section.

Meanwhile, TGIF.

Be Well,

Marnie

Playing Catch Up: The Business of May

Please check back in the next few days for my updated post on the crazy month of May.  Or even better – to follow my blog, click the ‘follow’ button (in the right-hand margin as you scroll down) and you will receive an email once I post.  If you already follow the “US Insider,” thank you!

Until then…

Be Well,

Marnie

Thoughts on a Culture that Values Learning…

Dear Upper School Families,

It’s been awhile since I have written. And so of course much has happened. I offer here a “prefect update” along with a bit of reflection…

Twenty juniors put their names forth for consideration as prefects last week. Twenty! We are in the midst of interviews — our current seniors who shaped the prefect system and members of the Student Support Team (made up of faculty and administrators) are spending their lunch periods interviewing students eager to take on the challenge of leading their peers in support of a culture that we are proud of and want to protect.

Speaking of culture…

I’ve been spending a fair amount of time lately, for whatever reason, talking to people about King’s culture — on Strategic Planning committees, in casual conversations with faculty, with parents whose children are very young but who have their eyes on King as a possible school choice in the future. I find myself saying to students and adults, “that’s not a very King thing” in a variety of contexts, or another version, “at King, we believe,” etc. etc. Today the US Faculty spent the early morning faculty meeting going over our current divisional mission statement with an eye toward any revisions or updates we may want to make as we head into next year’s accreditation preparations. (More on that much later.) As we review the statements that guide us, we will certainly be talking about our “culture.”

Of course, there are several definitions of this word. Lately I think most of us use a definition that relates to the behaviors or social patterns of a particular group, whether ethnic or social or age-based (like “culture of our youth,” for example); or we think about things like the art, literature, music — “cultural” activities that contain valued elements of  community expression. Or we simply think generally about things a particular group “values.”

A key element of King’s culture is clearly the value of academic achievement. Yesterday we had our Cum Laude Assembly — an event that celebrates students who have done extremely well in their classes during their time at King. (Cum Laude is the high school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa.) But how King defines “academic achievement,” as the students heard in several speeches yesterday, is not simply about high grades. Rather, as our Cum Laude committee president Dr. Tom Zoubek explained, “those honored today are students for whom the pursuit of learning for its own sake is its own reward.” These students “accept new challenges with zeal and work diligently to realize their goals,” and they are “self-disciplined, with a powerful work ethic honed over the years that allows them to tackle each new project and maintain a consistently high level of achievement.” Dr. Zoubek also pointed out that these students were able to achieve because of support — from parents, teachers, peers. Though I marvel at students who represent this important set of characteristics in our school, and know that most of us will not consistently embody these characteristics so early in life (or ever!), I do know that this ceremony reminds us every year of key aspects of our culture worth protecting: the rhythms of study, concentration, healthy risk-taking in the classroom and out, support for the learning process, constantly resisting the lure of working only for a grade (or other end product), and learning to pursue our curiosities or at least to fight to seek meaning when we fear we are finding none.

Of course, part of seeking meaning is to expose ourselves to a variety of viewpoints about culture itself and about who we are as humans. Today, Tim Wise is speaking to our community. I have received many emails and phone calls about this event — and the content of these communications has varied. An important part of King’s Upper School culture is, as many are tired of hearing me say, a practiced bent toward “understanding before suspicion or critique.” Learning is uncomfortable. We will almost never agree on every element of a presentation, essay, viewpoint. But we can commit to a value of “understanding first” — and not running away from hearing things we think (or decide in advance) we may disagree with. This is very difficult — and requires resisting presumptions, assumptions, even raw fear. I am deeply aware of this fact as an educator. I see today as an opportunity to practice understanding.

Enough on that for now.

Looking forward, please know that your sons/daughters will have the opportunity to change advisors during the first week in May, should they choose to do so. Please contact Becky Rabassa at brabassa@klht.org with any questions you may have about this process. Also, the Seniors will begin their “senior projects” at the end of this month. More on this exciting time in our young adults’ lives…

Until later…

Be well,

Marnie

Welcome Back!

Dear Upper School Families,

It is wonderful to have everyone back on campus! Breaks are so important, as I have said many times. But the rhythm of life in a school always involves a return — a break, a return — and having the hallways humming and hearing the animated discussions as I walk past classrooms are such important signs of life in our world.

During breaks, of course, life goes on: sports teams were in Florida for preseason work; seniors continued to receive news about colleges (so much good news!); and I know there was quite a sinus/upper respiratory event traveling about in the community, too. But we are back, the Spring season is officially here, and we look forward to films in the PAC, visiting speakers, April community and service learning events, Senior May projects, research papers and Thesis projects, AP tests, our spring sports line-ups, and of course continued challenges and growth throughout. More immediately, you will find in your mailboxes (snail mail) next week departmental recommendations for advanced course placements, if your son or daughter requested these types of courses. If you are concerned about the recommendations, please know that these can be revisited should a “growth spurt” occur in the coming weeks. Adolescents can change surprisingly quickly!

I met yesterday with the senior group now serving as prefects in our community. At today’s Assembly, this group will present its plans for moving forward with our commitment to “space and place,” and will then meet with the Junior class (our rising Senior class) to discuss transition to new prefect leadership for May, when the Senior class transitions to project mode. As you are now tired of hearing me say, I am sure, these past months represent such an important opportunity for our Upper School community — and I know it will impact the whole King community in the long run. I continue to be so proud of our young leaders — and so pleased with our increasing understanding of the relationship between privilege and responsibility.

Finally, I have been reading some good books lately. Thanks to some uninterrupted time over break, I was able to enjoy a stack of books my optimistic husband bought for me for Christmas. Greenblatt’s The Swerve and Bakewell’s How to Live: or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer were particular favorites. I would also recommend Pink’s Drive and Chorost’s World Wide Mind — the latter particularly interesting when paired with Turkle’s Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. For what it’s worth…and please don’t hesitate to let me know what you are reading that I should add to my still-tall stack.

I look forward to seeing you all on campus!

Be Well,

Marnie

March Updates

Dear Upper School Families,

Welcome to March. It is 65 degrees, and a group is playing frisbee in front of the Upper School. It feels like May. But as I grew up in Minnesota, I am genetically wired to think that snow can still come through March and even into April. But so far, so good.

A hearty congratulations to everyone who worked tirelessly on Little Shop of Horrors! Ms. Martino and Mr. Silence drove Audrey II back to Pennsylvania on Tuesday, and it was a bit sad to see her go. As many of you know, we were packed on Friday evening — something we were thrilled to see but something that also pointed to the need for different seating procedures for the future! And of course the students were so pleased with the support from our community. Thanks to the Parents Arts Council for its work, as well. It was an amazing production, and I am so proud of our young actors, scene builders, crew members, lighting directors, musicians, and student production managers. At King we emphasize student involvement at every level when it comes to theater productions, and we are proud to say that students design and make the sets, help with choreography, join in the pit orchestra, aid with direction, help with lighting, and provide the necessary crew to run such a show. And of course they sing, act, and dance! So we should all be very proud.

Other updates:

• Course selection process officially closed on Wednesday. That means the FORMS SHOULD BE IN. It does NOT mean that one cannot make changes to a schedule (remember, our drop add period will last through most of September), nor does it mean that one cannot contact the School at any time with additional questions or concerns. If you still have a form at home, please ask your son or daughter if he or she has already turned in a copy to the front office or to his or her Advisor. If not, please ask your child to give the form to the Advisor as soon as possible. As always, do not hesitate to contact your child’s Advisor or Dean, or Karin Wagner, should you wish to discuss issues about anything related to your child’s program.

• This week, the Seniors presented a pared-down version of a new Prefect System designed to bridge a gap in leadership between the students and Faculty/Administration. The group rolled out their proposal to the entire Upper School community. The goal throughout this process has been to foster a greater sense of cohesion among all “groups” in the Upper School; and of course, we offered an opportunity for follow-up discussion with this group of seniors on Thursday. When we return from Break, the Seniors currently playing the role of “Prefects” will work with the entire Junior class, as this group will move through the selection process to take over the Seniors’ roles in May. SO…April and May will be “kink workout period” for our new system.

Obviously cultural and systemic changes take time, as I have said before. There will be resistance, irritations with specific details of the change, and genuine disagreements that emerge over time. But I emphasize the huge opportunity we’ve had here in the Upper School over these past weeks and will continue to have going forward through the end of the school year — and into the next. As one Junior pointed out to me today, “Ms. Sadlowsky, this prefect thing has been a long time in coming.” Yes. And we are ready for it.

More details on the requirements, responsibilities, election rules, and other details related to our prefect system will be published when finalized; I will link to the information here, and of course we will put the System’s description on our website and in our Student Parent Handbook.

Spring Break is almost here! As I told the students at Assembly yesterday, I wish everyone a very safe and re-creative time. I look forward to seeing everyone back at King happy and healthy at the end of March.

Be Well,

Marnie

 

Today’s Community Open Forum

Well, I just walked out of our very first student/faculty open forum. It was a very important step for us.

First, I am so proud of the members of the student council and leadership group who planned the program. Four students and a Faculty member, Mr. Parker, spoke to the group about what they valued about King, what they loved about a School that some had attended for thirteen years. Then, the discussion was formally opened to include the entire community – accompanied by enthusiastic applause.

Second, I felt great respect for the power of individuals passionately speaking their ideas, thoughts, and feelings to a large group. We have so many thoughtful, wiser-than-their-years young adults among us.

Third, I feel very confident that this type of open forum, while messy and therefore very “human,” will be a good tradition for us going forward. Some schools have open forums regularly; perhaps our student leaders will decide, for example, that ours should occur quarterly. Some forums are called only when students or faculty or administrators find them necessary; perhaps our student leaders will decide that we will hold open forums when important community issues are getting too close to some edge for someone’s comfort. In other words, a community member could call an open forum before, say, we need to take drastic steps to close the cafeteria during certain hours. We will see what the students decide.

Also, there were several students who obviously feel very put upon by the actions I chose to take several weeks ago now. They simply wanted a place to vent, to hear their friends cheer them on, to perhaps try out their anger on a larger group. While this can be dangerous, I believe this type of student voice is very important to hear nevertheless.

The majority of speakers commented on their gratitude for the opportunities King provides, speaking warmly of Faculty and expressing understanding about why decisions had been made about respect for “space and place,” as I refer to these types of things. They repeatedly called their peers to own their actions and respect each other and a School so full of opportunity, and, as a Senior put it, “many amazing teachers with masters and PhDs who have dedicated their lives to helping us.”

Other students who spoke were frustrated by the lack of specific proposals for solutions – but who nevertheless were clear that if their ability to use certain spaces and places in the School were to be restored, they would certainly “be better,” pointing to very good evidence that decorum and respectful behavior around food had already improved. And of course, I had seniors in my office right after the event, updating me on their ongoing work on a type of prefect system, and asking that I come to another meeting on Monday to help finalize details and get the plan up and running.

SO … so far, so good.

I continue to ask that you encourage your sons and daughters to think of “community” as something that demands responsibility and willingness to listen carefully to others. It may be hard work, but the work is ultimately worth it.

Stand by for more information!

Be Well,

Marnie