 |
|
Now available: St. Gregory Hawks Twitter! Follow the Hawks @StGregorySchool
|
November 6, 2009
|
|
Message from Head of School
|
|
Jonathan E. Martin
Head of School
jmartin@stgregoryschool.org www.stgregoryschool.org
www.21k12blog.net
Twitter:@JonathanEMartin
520-327-6395
|
I spent this morning rock climbing on Mt. Lemmon with some of our eighth graders and some of our excellent twelfth grade peer leaders; I am proud to report that I myself managed to ascend to the top of my rope in my first outdoor technical climb, and I feel great!
It certainly is hard to schedule in this kind of time, and I know our faculty works very hard to wrestle with and reconcile the trade-offs of taking time for outdoor education. We must always be careful when doing so that we not compromise the integrity of our academic curriculum, which is of extraordinary importance to all of us.
But there are many, many wonderful things of value that come to our students from this kind of learning in general, and rock-climbing in particular. The lengthy list would include growth in risk-taking, collaboration, trust-building, leadership, and environmental awareness. But rather than tackle any of these at length here, I just want to say a word about another thing which emerges from this, and which is a great thing in itself: exuberance. Learning is our highest priority, but it is also valuable for our students to experience, in our school-experience context, the soaring sense of joy, triumph, and exhilaration that rock-climbing, and outdoor education more generally, often accomplishes. Exuberance: don't choose a school that doesn't provide this opportunity. |
Back to top
|
Message from the Upper School Head
|
Upper School Head
Susan Heintz
sheintz@stgregoryschool.org
|
It was great to see the turnout for parent conferences this week. I apologize for running out of time slots for required freshmen courses; it is always hard to predict how many parents will choose to attend, and we definitely underestimated this year. Special thanks to Kevin Rolle, Linda Mount, and Kate Oubre, who are still meeting with parents who could not find an available time on Monday or Tuesday, and thanks to those parents for the extra time and effort involved in these meetings.
As always, we encouraged parents to bring their children to conferences, and most parents did. I also told students that their presence was strongly recommended; how could they not want to be involved in a discussion about their own learning? Parents appreciated the direct conversation between teacher and student, which gave them some understanding of the personal interaction as well as the classroom dynamic, and they also enjoyed the chance to ask their own questions of both student and teacher.
Upper school students, while becoming more and more independent as learners as well as people, can still benefit greatly from the opportunity to talk to teachers and parents about their academic work and the qualities they have developed and are developing to succeed in that work. Doing so in the presence of both parents and teachers requires that they bring a serious tone and professionalism to the conversation. By having these conversations, we let students know that we value what they are doing. We need to take advantage of any opportunity to affirm our children, and this is a very powerful way to do so. Students, parents, and teachers, sometimes surprised at the views expressed by others, all learn from the experience, and that cannot happen too often.
Again, thanks to parents, students, and teachers for their efforts to make this week's conferences productive as we move forward together. |
Back to top
|
Message from the Middle School Head
|
Phil Woodall
Middle School Head
pwoodall@stgregoryschool.org |
6th and 7th grade Mindfulness Week – November 16-20
We are hearing more and more about the “new economy” and the importance of our children understanding the power of innovative thinking as the key to future success in their lives. A few years back the STG faculty read Daniel Pink’s, “A Whole New Mind – Why Right Brainers Will Rule The Future”, (Riverhead Books, 2006). Based on that important reading the Middle School sixth and seventh grade teachers developed a week-long program to tap into their students’ inquisitiveness and creativity and called it “Mindfulness Week.” During this special week students will plant gardens, work with students from the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind as they work with animals at the TRAK facility across the street from our campus, learn the history and art of early Tucson, and spend the night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum learning about the magic of this corner of the planet. Again and again our eighth graders report that their Mindfulness Week experience played a crucial and formative role in their St. Gregory experience. Sixth and seventh grade teachers will soon be sending you an outline of the week’s activities.
|
Middle School Gregorians
Throughout the year, the middl Scshool faculty identifies students who stand out as positive examples of caring, respect toward others, and personal responsibility – doing their best and being their best. A Middle School Gregorian leads the way for his or her peers. I am proud to announce to you the following Gregorians for first quarter:
· Caleb Groff (6)
· Samuel Groskind (6)
· Eduardo “Lalo” Hurtado (7)
· Triahna Johnston (7)
· Carter Bakarich (8)
· Garrett Bakarich (8)
· Dallas Sherman (8)
Mealtime – Holiday Together Time
The next six weeks will be a busy time, maybe even a hectic time, for folks. How are you doing with sitting down together as a family for six meals each week? Earlier this year I shared with you information about the positive benefits that come when you frequently share meals together. The more you take time to eat together, the more resilient and safe your children become as a rule. As we head towards the Thanksgiving Break, let’s all focus on an attitude of gratitude. Too often, when our idealized images of holiday time together come up short, we can lose the joy and the connections to one another. Take a deep breath and look at what you have instead of what you are lacking. Focus less on meeting your expectations and more on just relaxing and enjoying the holiday. If you are more relaxed, your family will be more relaxed, the day will go more smoothly and, most importantly, your children will have a role model for how to enjoy a holiday. Your children will probably forget that the turkey was a little dry but they will remember that you laughed and had fun together. Here are some conversation starters for your dinner table this week:
· My favorite Thanksgiving food is . . .
· I am most thankful for . . .
· The healthiest thing I eat is . . .
· If I could have any dessert I would have . . .
· A sport I would like to be good at is . . .
Log onto www.makemealtimefamilytime.com for more conversation prompts to use around your dinner table.
|
Back to top
Back to top
|
2nd Annual Charity Soccer Marathon
|
|
2nd Annual Charity Soccer Marathon
(And new 5k walk/run!)
to benefit Ben’s Bells
Saturday, November 14th
Middle School Soccer Field
Soccer: 10am – 3 pm
5k Walk/run: 10 am
Hosted by: Mr. Elie Rabinowitz
Questions: erabinowitz@stgregoryschool.org
On Saturday, November 14th, I am welcoming all students, parents, siblings, faculty, staff, administrators , and friends of St. Gregory to sign up to walk, run, or play soccer for a cause. This year’s donations will benefit the Ben’s Bells Project, whose mission is to inspire, educate, and motivate one another to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby changing our world.
This year’s sixth graders will be making Ben’s Bells on November 19th and we will make our donation that week. For more information about Ben’s Bells, please see their website: http://www.bensbells.org
In order to participate, simply show up and make a charitable donation to Ben’s Bells Project to help support kindness in our community.
Please bring cash or a check made out to Ben’s Bells any day between now and November 14th.
Not to worry, this is a friendly match! Athletes of all ages, sizes, and levels of experience are welcome! The point is to have fun! Show up having made your donation and you will quickly be subbed into the action!
Strollers are acceptable for the 5k. Please no dogs.
Music, food, drinks, games, and other fun -- all day from 10AM-3PM
|
|
Radium Girls offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science. Tickets on sale now! Email lbodden@stgregoryschool.org for reservations.
|
Back to top
The soccer season ended a little suddenly for the boys' team. We were short of our dream of playing in the state championship, but I love how the team embraces big dreams. We lost to Blue Ridge (a perennial power who beat us in the state championship two years ago) in the state quarter finals.
This final game was our best play of the year. We controlled the ball well. Frankie set up Jayson Rickel in the first half to tie the game at 1-1. Alex Lunt finished a short pass from Dominic Valencia for a 2-1 go-ahead goal. It was beautiful. Sadly, they tied on a PK with 4 minutes left. We played two scoreless overtimes. In PKs Jayson Rickel, Jacob Lifton, and big man Zach Mulder hit, but we lost 4-3.
The team was proud of their play in the last game. We played well enough to beat Blue Ridge. That is a big statement.
In our year Zach Mulder and Jacob Lifton were grand captains. Zach Mulder was 3/3 hitting the fifth PK slot. His composure won us 2 games.
In general our year was very potent. We were 15-4-3. We scored 74 goals and let in 18. That is a good ratio. Alex Sosnowski led the team with 14 goals, followed closely by Frankie Mgbolu (12), Jacob Lifton (9), Zach Mulder (8), and Alex Lunt (8). Zach Mulder led our assists (9), followed by Frankie (6). This year 17 of our 18 players had a goal. We had an attitude to score.
I also want to loudly thank our seniors for their contributions to our program over all the years and seasons: Thank you, Jacob Lifton, Zach Mulder, Diego Ortiz, Xander Pinto, and Jayson Rickel.
|
Back to top
| Season Highlights Girls Volleyball 2009 |
Flowing Wells Invitational Tourney : The girls were the only 1A school in the tourney, played 4A schools all day with a new offense and did really well! They shined in matches versus Sahuaro High school and Santa Rita High School, making it to the afternoon round robin because of a respectable finish during pool play.
Emma Finkelstein stood out as a leader this season. It was really fun to see her develop as a hitter as she and Lauren Stern worked together to run a 6-2 offense. With Lauren's natural timing as a blocker and her skills improving as a left-handed right side hitter, their combination was a highlight of 2009 .
Kinsey Litton led the team in kills, and developed her ability to hit the deep corners from her middle position.
Taryn Parsons developed a wicked jump serve that kept the defense on their toes, and she led our team in aces.
With leadership from Shannon Kaye and Lauren Stern, the JV team experienced success in terms of wins and losses. Julianna Fernandez worked hard throughout the season to be able to successfully serve overhand! Steffi McNerney's kills and aces stood out amongst the stats! Kersey Fadduol really stepped up on both the JV and Varsity teams to become our go-to gal for passing to target.
|
Back to top
|
The girls competed Monday and Tuesday in the 4A I Kino region championships at Torres Blancas golf club in Green Valley. The team finished second to Cienega in the region and Sarah Mann (78-77-155) finished second overall for individuals and Carrie Ford (84-79 163) finished fifth overall. Along with Sarah and Carrie, Beverly Ann Bass also qualified for the state tournament next week at Del Urich golf course in Tucson. The girls improved by 83 strokes over last year's total on the same course. The girls were moved up to the 4A I division (schools with an enrollment of 1,400-2,000) and were very competitive, winning 75% of their matches. Sarah Mann, Carrie Ford and Abri Romero were all medalists in matches during the year. Sarah Duarte was much improved, and Jennie Bass and Coco Tirambulo provided much depth this year.
|
Back to top
Note from Parent Ambassadors
|
|
The Parent Ambassadors want to invite all interested parents to join with them in developing a school-wide support network for St. Gregory families needing help to cope with a significant life event. The aim of the new Families 4 Families initiative is to be able to extend gestures of support and kindness to St. Gregory families who both need and want assistance during a crisis period. Life events happen. Accidents, serious illness, traumatic events, family deaths, military service or simply the addition of a new child can unbalance even the steadiest of families. It is our hope that a family-to-family support network can provide some assistance at those times, if it is desired.
As now envisioned, the initiative will focus on the offering of simple gestures that can ease the burden during a time of severe stress. Gestures may be as simple as making a telephone call, sharing coffee or tea, or writing a note, or, they could be as involved as helping with school transportation or providing an evening meal. We anticipate that the effort will define itself as needs arise and we determine whether and how we can meet them. We also think the initiative will naturally evolve to fit St. Gregory and its community of families.
We are now putting together a list of parents willing to be of assistance when a crisis event affects a St. Gregory family and they request help. If you would like to become involved or learn more, please contact Debra Huffman at dhuffman@dakotacom.net or speak with another member of the Parent Ambassadors.
|
Back to top
|
|
The Flag Football team advanced through two rounds of the tournament and faced undefeated Tucson Country Day in the championship. After falling behind 12-0 the Hawks battled back to tie it on touchdowns to Jack Hundley and Danny Benson in the closing minutes. Tucson Country Day had some resolve of their own and won the game on a touchdown in the closing seconds. It was a great year for the football team which finished in 2nd place and won eleven of their fifteen games. The volleyball team also had success in the tourney, upsetting #3 seed Pusch Ridge in the first round. Second-seeded St. Michael's was too much in the next round as St. Gregory lost in the semi-finals to close a fine year. November 9 will see the start of our winter season. Softball for girls and soccer for boys and girls will meet on the field from 3:30 - 5:00 every weekday except Wednesday.
Back to top
|
|
|
Reminders & Upcoming Events
|
|
|
Reminder to all Seniors:
Senior Pages and Senior Baby Pictures are due to Ms. Smith no later than Friday, December 11th. When creating your senior page, remember to size accordingly. Half a page is 8.5" wide x 5.5" high. When combining a page with another senior, the page size is 8.5" x 11". If you create your page in Photoshop or another photo program make sure the resolution of the entire finished page is 300 DPI. We cannot accept anything smaller than this because it will not fit into our online yearbook program.
If you do not turn your page in by the assigned due date, your student ID picture will be used for your page in the yearbook.
Email Ms. Smith for further questions or concerns.
Upcoming Events
- 11/9 & 10 - Half of 8th grade on Mt. Lemmon for climbing and overnight
- 11/11 - Veterans' Day - No School
- 11/13 & 14 - US Fall Production "Radium Girls" 7pm
- 11/16-11/20 - MS Mindfulness Week
- 11/16-18 - 11th Grade on Ropes Course
- 11/23 - Fall Music Concert 7 pm
- 11/24 - Grandparents visit St. Gregory
- 11/25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
For additional information about any of the events listed above or St. Gregory athletics, click here. For a printout of the 2009-10 Parent Calendar, click here.
|
Back to top
|
|
