NFTH: January 27, 2020

From the Head of School

Dear Saint Mary's Hall Community,

Adulting Workshops for Seniors, Part II

This year, in order to make Upper School Advisory as dynamic, engaging, and meaningful as possible, Upper School Counselor Liz Clark assembled a faculty Advisory Planning Committee made up of Upper School English Teacher Ben Gerdts, Assistant Director of College Counseling Taylor Ditto, Upper School English Teacher Brittany Wallace, and herself. One new initiative from this committee is offering Adulting Workshops to seniors during which they can learn valuable life skills offered outside of our formal SMH curriculum.

Last Wednesday, we hosted our second series of Adulting Workshops, and seniors were able to choose one of these three sessions, taught by faculty from across almost all departments:

“Laundry, Cleaning, How to Sew a Button/Mend a Seam,” taught by Upper School Social Studies Jane Mannock, 3D Art Teacher Nate Cassie, and Upper School Math Teacher Jennifer Jacobson
“Creating a Budget, Credit/Credit Cards, Basic Banking,” taught by Upper School Math Teacher Jose Molina, Upper School Social Studies Teacher Adrian Viccellio, and Instructional Technology Coordinator Matt Montez
“Talking to College Professors,” taught by Upper School Math Teacher and Karen J. & George C. Hixon Master Chair in Mathematics Jim Polito (a college mathematics professor for 36 years)

I invite you to take a moment to see the photos (right) and video here for a glimpse into another day of great learning at Saint Mary’s Hall!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Eades
Head of School

All-School

New Head of School Visiting SMH Soon

Saint Mary's Hall will welcome new Head of School Len Miller to campus on Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4. During his visit, Len will meet with administrators, division heads, department chairs, staff members, and the board of trustees.

In addition, he will attend Morning Moments, Middle School Chapel, and Upper School Assembly. So that everyone has time to visit with Len, there will be several opportunities for faculty/staff, parents, and students to meet Len in a casual setting and give him a warm welcome to our community!

Please make plans to come meet and greet Len at one of the following times:

Monday, February 3
- 4pm - 4:40pm: Faculty/Staff Meet and Greet
  Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall (brief remarks at 4:15pm)
Tuesday, February 4
- 8am - 9am: Parent Meet and Greet
  Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall (brief remarks at 8:15am)
- 5:30pm - 6:10 pm: Burgers and hotdogs for all faculty/staff/students/parents before women's varsity basketball home game
  Upper School Circle/McCombs Family Athletic Complex

Len is also planning to return to campus in March, and there will be more opportunities to meet him then!

View the original announcement from the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hall about Len, which includes his bio.

Upper School

Acca-Awesome

On January 10, the acapella group known as Colgate13 stopped by SMH to perform in the Remmert Theater and answer questions from students and faculty.

Upper School Science Teacher Brian Kaestner found a connection through his neighbors that resulted in this talented group of singers and performers gracing our campus. Thanks, Mr. Kaestner!

Senior Luncheon

A group of senior parents provided yet another well-received senior luncheon on January 21. Each month this school year, the Class of 2020 has feasted on the front lawn to enjoy some (dwindling) time together and to take in the beauty of the campus.

The Week Ahead

For a look at everything that's happening in the Upper School this week (including college visits to SMH, varsity and JV games, important assemblies, meetings, and upcoming birthdays), please read The Week Ahead.

New Head of School Visiting Next Month

Saint Mary's Hall will welcome new Head of School Len Miller to campus on Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4. Len will greet Upper School students and parents in the Marrs and Verna Mclean Library Complex and Upper School Circle during morning arrival on Tuesday, February 4. He will also address Upper School students at Assembly.

Len will meet and greet parents from all divisions at a drop-in breakfast reception on Tuesday, February 4 from 8am - 9am in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall.

Parents are invited to stop by to grab a free burger or hotdog on Tuesday, February 4 between 5:30pm - 6:10pm in the Upper School Circle/McCombs Family Athletic Complex and stay to cheer on the women's varsity basketball Barons at 6pm in the Booke Gym.

Please make plans to come meet Len and give him a warm welcome to Saint Mary's Hall!

View the original announcement from the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hall about Len, which includes his bio.

Middle School

GEO Bee Results

Recently, a total of 10 Middle School students competed in the final round of the school’s National Geographic Bee competition. After several rounds of challenging questions, Sani Karkar (Form 8) and Adrian Sorensen (Form 6), moved onto the championship round. In the end, Adrian emerged as the school champion, having missed no questions throughout both the final and championship rounds, and will represent the Saint Mary’s Hall Middle School in the regional competition (administered via an online test) and beyond! SMH is thrilled with more than 40 students who tried out for the Bee this year and want to give special recognition to the 10 finalists and champion:

Sohan Bhakta (Form 6)
Will Carter (Form 8)
Nandini Cheruku (Form 8)
Dillon Daskevich (Form 6)
Sofija Dudhia (Form 8)
Baylor Hinson (Form 6)
Sani Karkar (Form 8 - Runner-up)
William Ogle (Form 7)
Adrian Sorensen (Form 6 - Champion)
Cici Yang (Form 8)

New Head of School Visiting Next Month

Saint Mary's Hall will welcome new Head of School Len Miller to campus on Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4. On Monday, February 3, Len will address Middle School students at Chapel and will have lunch with Form 8 students in the Ruth Bowman Russell Field House.

Len will meet and greet parents from all divisions at a drop-in breakfast reception on Tuesday, February 4 from 8am - 9am in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall.

Please make plans to come meet Len and give him a warm welcome to Saint Mary's Hall!

View the original announcement from the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hall about Len, which includes his bio.

The Talent Show is Coming to SMH

Come one, come all to the Middle School Talent Show on Friday January 31 from 1:30pm-2:45pm in the Coates-Seeligson Theater/Chapel. All Middle School students are encouraged to attend, participate, and enjoy. Solo and group acts welcome! Rehearsal dates include: January 28, 29, and 30 during activity period. This event is always very entertaining and spotlights Middle School talents and abilities.

Come to Movie Night

On Friday, February 7, the Middle School Sports Council host a Movie Night for all Middle School students! The movie will start at 6pm in the Remmert Theater with drop-off at the Upper School Circle. During intermission, pizza will be available for $2 a slice and drinks will be provided free of charge. There will also be entertainment provided during intermission that the students won’t want to miss! Pick up from Movie Night is at 8:30pm sharp in the Upper School Circle. Hope to see you there!

CSC - Love to Serve to Love

The Middle School Community Service Council (CSC) recently asked students to think of ways they could demonstrate love to others in the community. Students want to simply smile more often, compliment others, provide meals, invite new friends over, write encouraging notes, and more! In response, the CSC has planned several exciting service opportunities.

Week of February 10-14: “Support a Senior” letter writing campaign; on-campus volunteer opportunity open to all Middle School students before or after school; more details to be announced soon!
February 14: CSC will host a Valentine’s Day themed Out-of-Uniform Day; $3 to participate.
February 14: Valentine’s Day Pizza Sale during Middle School lunch. $2/slice or $15/whole pizza; pre-order details coming soon!
March 28: Haven for Hope off-campus service; 10am – 2pm; online sign-up coming soon!

Save the Date: Substance Abuse Prevention Parent Coffee

Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) Educational Specialist Eduardo Torres will be on campus working with Middle School students the week of February 10 - 14. He will spend one day working with Form 8 students and four days with Form 7 students. He will also present during a Parent Coffee on Wednesday, February 12 at 8am in the Remmert Theater. SMH strongly encourages you to attend to hear current research information and parenting guidelines on supporting your student in making healthy choices about drugs, alcohol, and vaping.

Lower School

STEAM Adventure

Join us for a STEAM Adventure on Tuesday, January 28, 5:30pm – 7pm, in the Ancira Event Center. At Saint Mary’s Hall, we believe that nurturing our students' innate love of learning is essential. The best way to do this is through experiential learning opportunities. STEAM Adventure will allow Form 3-5 students (and their families) to participate in a variety of science and tech-related activities. There will be more than 20 booths with activities such as creating/building:

a straw rocket
pictures using focal lights
slime, ice cream, or dry ice bubbles
a brine shrimp ecosystem
a Lego car and racing it
animals using everyday items
an adventure for a pint-sized robot

Please note that in order to ensure the best experience for our students, we ask that each student be accompanied by an adult.

Bring a Friend!

Do you know anyone who might have a child who would be interested in STEAM Adventure? Feel free to invite them to this fun and enriching event!

Make it a Family Day!

In addition to all of the fun, Cheesy Jane’s Food Truck will be parked outside the Ancira Event Center beginning at 5pm, so you can purchase a tasty dinner for the family! You can experiment, spend time together, and eat yummy food all in one place. We look forward to seeing you there!

Questions? Please contact Lower School Science Teacher Claire Damarodas at cdamarodas@smhall.org.

New Head of School Visiting Next Month

Saint Mary's Hall will welcome new Head of School Len Miller to campus on Monday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 4. On Monday, February 3, Len will address Lower School students at Morning Moments and greet Lower School students and parents in the carpool line.

Len will meet and greet parents from all divisions at a drop-in breakfast reception on Tuesday, February 4 from 8am - 9am in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall.

Please make plans to come meet Len and give him a warm welcome to Saint Mary's Hall!

View the original announcement from the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hall about Len, which includes his bio.

Egg Experiments in Montessori

Recently, Montessori Room 2 students had more informational and fun science project activities with their science dad, Dr. Bryce Chandler. Dr. Chandler’s son, Brandt, a full-day student and his classmates learned from many different experiments with eggs. The students learned which part of the egg is strong and which part is weak. This experiment even included standing on eggs! Dr. Chandler explained when an egg is solid (hard-boiled) and how it spins faster than when it is liquid (raw).

YBIC 2020 Opportunities

Young Barons in Community are back in full swing for 2020. There are several upcoming opportunities for Lower School families. Stay tuned! Be Kind. Be Proud. Be YBIC.

Which Way is the Wind Blowing?

In Texas, do you ever know what to expect with the weather? Students in Form 3 are learning that meteorologists do have standards on which to base their predictions. As part of the Next Generation Science Standards, the students are learning about tools that are used on a daily basis to help with weather predictions. Last week, students made their own weather vanes to help understand in which direction the wind was blowing. They will be collecting weather data on a daily basis. Using this data, they will learn how to graph this information to look for trends or patterns in daily weather.

Form 1 Science Virtual Realty

Form 1 Science Teacher Bitsy Mayberry (and 2019-2020 Master Teacher) took her students on a virtual reality trip to learn about birds and their adaptations. This was in collaboration with the Form 1 teachers and their study of penguins. Students used the Lower School Library’s new virtual reality goggles to go on a Google Expedition, led by Mrs. Mayberry. They learned about how bird’s beaks, feathers, and legs help them survive and adapt to their surroundings.

Help Kids Balance Their Media Lives

From the article, Help Kids Balance Their Media Lives : “From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Kids love easy access to shows, games, and information. Parents and caregivers love that kids can learn on the go (and stay busy when dinner's cooking). But it's easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices.” Read the full article.

Form 3 Geometry

How do Form 3 students make geometry come to life? It is easy … they make snowflakes with the shapes they have reviewed. In January, Form 3 Math Teacher Rondelle Webb reviewed the attributes of several different geometric shapes with her students, and then she challenged them to make original snowflakes using those shapes. Just like snowflakes in nature, none of the Form 3 students were exactly alike. They were all original, just as they are in nature.

One Word Goals Inspired by Form 4

In lieu of read aloud time during the month of December, Form 4 Language Arts Teacher Tess Eggleston's homeroom watched Colin O’Brady and his amazing team be the first to row across the Drake Passage. On Christmas Day 2019, he earned a fifth world record. After discussing how he had made the impossible possible, the kids made a one-word goal for the coming year. Meanwhile, the Lower School Collaboratory will be used to explore the six-man crew's collaborative journey and integrate some STEAM activities into read aloud time together. Students will be working in groups on a Google Drive document (a first for them with a 'shared' document) to write a script to use with the green screen. Ideas so far have included interviews and commercials for The Impossible Row. Coding the treacherous journey with Ozobots along with Legos and the whiteboard will also be used.

Ms. Eggleston said, “This has been a really special bonding time with Form 4, and what is hoped to be a unique and memorable life lesson.”

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” - Audrey Hepburn

Form 5 Rocket Cars

Students built rocket cars in Form 5 Science while learning about the topics of force and motion. With the objective of designing the car that would travel the longest distance for their class, students worked in small groups to create a design (think: shape of a car body and wheel size). Templates were made, then sketched on large sheets of Styrofoam. Students worked to cut these out, sand the edges, and then put their cars together. Power was supplied by air from a balloon, allowing students to see Newton's 3^rd Law of Motion in action. Form 5 winning cars, which traveled the farthest distance, were made up of the following teams:

#1 – Form 5 Teacher Molly Carter design team: Tharun Cheruku, Abbey Azar, Bella Troutwine, and Liam Cox with a distance of 34 feet, 1 inch
#2 - Form 5 Teacher Shannon McGloin design team: Cesar Serna, Eleanor Brooks, Annie Altmeyer, and Joaquin Kypuros with a distance of 30 feet, 2 inches
#3 - Form 5 Social Studies and Science Teacher Claire Damarodas design team: Reese Arrington, Divya Beeram, Travis Kirsch, and Jacob Kollars with a distance of 29 feet, 11 inches

Mrs. Damarodas said, “There is no way we can tell you all we learned participating in this activity. Most important, learning didn't just stop after testing, but students worked together to analyze what design features were essential to include in a car that traveled very far! All in all, this was a great opportunity for kids to see engineering design as a process.”

News from the Lower School Library

Visiting Author

Visiting author Nancy Loewen entertained Forms 2 - 4 students in the Coates-Seeligson Theater/Chapel on January 15 with stories about her early childhood and how she became a writer. She brought along some of her earliest children’s books, which inspired her to love to read at an early age. She answered questions from the audience and then ate lunch in the Peggy Pitman Mays Dining Hall with Form 2 students. After lunch she conducted a Writer’s Workshop for the Form 2 young writers. Watch the video.

Bluebonnet Books

Forms 3 - 5 student voted for their favorite Bluebonnet Book for the 2019-2020 school year. The winner will be announced through the Texas Library Association in early February. What book will win?

Lower School Student Holiday – Forms 1-5 Parent/Teacher Conferences

For your convenience, Extended Care (EC) will be open to your Lower School student during your parent conference time on Thursday, February 6. All day reservations will not be available and space is limited to students currently enrolled in Saint Mary’s Hall Lower School. So that SMH may plan appropriately, please make a reservation by contacting Director of Extended Care Linda Blanks at (210) 483-9130, lblanks@smhall.org, or stop by EC and visit in person!

Charges for the day will be billed at the drop-in rate of $10.50 per hour, with a 1-hour minimum. Hours of operation will be from 7am until 6pm. Please provide a peanut-free lunch for your child if applicable.

Fine Arts

Tobin Fine Arts School

Director's Corner

On January 21, Saint Mary’s Hall was proud to present the first induction of Upper School students into the new SMH chapter of the National Honor Society for the Dance Arts (NHSDA), sponsored by the National Dance Education Organization. A total of 16 new members were presented with the National Dance Education Organization Gold Honor Pin and their Honor Cords during a formal ceremony at Upper School Assembly.

To qualify for this honor, our dancers earned at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). In addition, they have taken hours and hours of dance classes in our In-School and After-School Dance Program, have performed in SMH dance productions throughout the year, and have volunteered service to the program in many ways. Through their work in dance, academic achievement, and service to others, the candidates have earned the right to become members of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. The sponsors for the NHSDA are Head of Dance and Ballet Teacher Yosvani Cortellan, Dance Fine Arts Coordinator/Teacher Dawn Loring (also chapter founder), and Registration Coordinator and Middle/Upper School Modern Dance Teacher Stephany Rayburn, all of whom deserve recognition for fostering the love of dance and service in their lives.

Congratulations to our dancers for their work to earn this important recognition!

Artily yours,

Bethany Bohall
Wanda Wiley Atkinson Director of Fine Arts
Tobin Fine Arts School at Saint Mary’s Hall
bbohall@smhall.org
(210) 483-9253

Upper School Spring One-Act Cast List Has Gone Up!

Congratulations to the Upper School students who were cast in the spring play, Almost Maine, by John Cariani. The show is a romantic comedy with a touch of magic realism, set in the fictional town of Almost, Maine. The show will debut at the ISAS Arts Festival in early April with performances on campus April 22 and 23. Guest artist Tyler Keyes will direct the play. The design team will consist of Susie Hamilton (costumes) and Javan Johnson (scenic and lighting design). Technical Director/Theater Manager/Scenic Designer Patrick Cunningham is the technical director. Congratulations to the cast! Stay tuned to News from the Hall for updates on ticket sales and more! See the cast list here.

Speech & Debate Results

On January 18 and 19, a total of 39 Speech & Debate students competed at the Brandeis Bronco Bash. SMH performed well enough to have won the Overall Speech and Debate Sweepstakes Award! SMH also was proud to have nine tournament champions! Tournament Champions included:

Program of Oral Interpretation
- Tournament Champion - Caroline Coley (Form 11)
Public Forum Debate
- Co-Tournament Champions - Nicholas Campos (Form 10) / Andres Trujillo (Form 10)
- Co-Tournament Champions - Penelope Luna (Form 10) / Ricky Reyna (Form 11)
Humorous Interpretation
- Tournament Champion - Kathleen Benson (Form 10)
Original Oratory
- Tournament Champion - Grace Ogden (Form 9)
Dramatic Interpretation
- Tournament Champion - Michael Karkar (Form 11)
Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
- Tournament Champion - Penelope Luna (Form 10)

View the complete results.

SMH Dance Faculty to Perform in Ballet San Antonio’s Romeo and Juliet

When Ballet San Antonio opens Romeo and Juliet on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, you might recognize a few familiar faces onstage at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Head of Dance and Ballet Teacher Yosvani Cortellan and Lower School Ballet Teacher Yanaylet Lopez will be performing as Lord and Lady Capulet and Registration Coordinator and Middle/Upper School Modern Dance Teacher Stephany Rayburn will be playing Juliet’s Nurse in the production. This is a “must-see” event for all dance fans and romantics! For tickets and information visit https://balletsanantonio.org/.

Band and Orchestra at Disney World

A total of 48 students from Upper School Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra took their talents on the road January 17-21 to perform at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. To catch all the fun, visit @smh_finearts on Instagram and view the video of the band’s performance (above). Congratulations to all the SMH music students, Band/Chamber Orchestra Teacher Trevor Docwra, and chaperones, Lower School Music Teacher Liz Troutwine and Middle School Social Studies Teacher Brian Fleming.

Fine Arts Events

View All

Mandatory Musical Rehearsal Subscribe to Alerts

Oct 17

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Mandatory Musical Rehearsal

Fall Production Rehearsal Subscribe to Alerts

Oct 22

all day

Fall Production Rehearsal

Fall Musical Production Subscribe to Alerts

Oct 25

7:00 PM

Theater/Chapel

Fall Musical Production

Fine Arts Social Media

Check out the Fine Arts Instagram page. This account is a great way to get an up-close and personal look at the day-to-day excitement in these amazing, ever-buzzing programs. In addition, check out Saint Mary’s Hall main social media channels for more Fine Arts news
on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Athletics

Men’s Basketball Wins Big Heading into District

The Barons men’s varsity basketball team took the short trip to Austin once again, to take on a soon to be district foe for next season, Regents. The Barons took some time to find their legs after the drive, and adjusted to the size of the Regents team, but jumped to an early and dominant lead to end the first half. Up 44-29 at half, the Barons maintained the lead for the second half, eventually winning 75-50.

Saint Mary’s Hall defeated San Marcos High School (SMHS) 93-46. In the last game prior to district competition beginning, the Barons took the lead early and kept on pushing. After halftime, the Barons came out on fire, outscoring the SMHS 31-0. Scoring was led by senior Avery Eugster (22 points), with double-digit performances by seniors Dane Huggins, Max Terry, and Ben Eugster.

This brings the teams overall record to 22-6 on the season.

Ana Lacau Reaches Milestone

At the Barons’ recent home women‘s varsity basketball game against St. Michael’s, senior Ana Lacau became the fifth member, and first female basketball player, to join the 1,000-point club. The Athletics Department would like to congratulate Ana on reaching this tremendous milestone.

“Ana has been a leader on this team for her 4 years at Saint Mary’s Hall. It is an honor to have watched her reach this careered milestone. I couldn’t be happier for her,” said Women’s Varsity Basketball Head Coach Stephanie Mercer.

Keep up the great work, and Go Barons!

Middle School Spotlight

Strong Performances from Boys Soccer

The boys’ soccer team played one of their most complete games of the season and earned a last-minute tie, 1-1, against Boerne Geneva. “Every player, from the starting eleven to the young subs, contributed to the success,” according to Middle School Boys Soccer Head Coach BJ Pyrc. “We hope to build off of this momentum heading into the final two conference games.”

Ryan Spicer (Form 7) played one of the most complete games in arguably the hardest position of the field, racking up many miles of sprints along the outside wing. Form 6 striker, Marco Watson, came up huge with the equalizer with only three minutes remaining in the match. Congratulate the boys on a hard fought game!

Big Win for Middle School Boys A Basketball

The Middle School boys A basketball team defeated the team from Atonement by a score of 25 – 13. The team showed a lot of promise and heart, as they were able to put together a complete performance on defense and offense. High scorers for the game were Form 8 players Oliver Eades with eight points, Cade Barry with six points, and Tim Straight with five points.

Form 6 Girls Basketball

Form 6 girls basketball come up big with the victory over St. Anthony Catholic School. The girls had a tremendous performance, led by scoring for Grace Beauchamp and Bianca Rodriguez. The team looks to continue on the momentum as the season begins to wind down.

Women’s Basketball Drops Two at the Buzzer

The Barons women’s varsity basketball team dropped the first of two heart breakers at the buzzer against St. Michael’s 48-49. The hard fought game saw the Barons take an early lead, only to have it evaporate in the second half. The game was not all heart break however. Senior Ana Lacau achieved a career milestone, by scoring her 1,000-career point, in a 26-point performance.

The Barons took the short drive into the city to take on Providence in a preview of next year’s district match-ups. The team played extremely well in the back-and-forth action, only to come up short when Providence made the game winning shot at the buzzer.

Women’s Soccer Dominates TMI

The women’s varsity soccer team took down crosstown rival TMI, 6-0. The scoring started early and often with sophomore Trianne Cooper scoring four goals in an outstanding performance. Juniors Chelsea Huffman and Whitney McCormick added a goal each to the offensive explosion. The shutout was a combined effort between senior Isabella Sanchez (one save) and freshman Ellen Meltzer (two saves).

The Barons take on St. Dominic Savio on Tuesday, January 28 in Austin for their next district matchup.

College Corner

Play Division III Sports

Division III schools provide an integrated environment focusing on academic success while offering a competitive athletics environment.

Division III rules minimize potential conflicts between athletics and academics and focus on regional in-season and conference play.

While Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships, 75% of Division III student-athletes receive some form of merit or need-based financial aid.

If you are planning to attend a Division III school, you do not need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Division III schools set their own admissions standards.

Athletics Livestream Channel

Can't make it to the game? Tune in from home or while on the go via any device to watch SMH sports events live as they unfold. You can also relive the glory again and again, as all events are archived for future access. When you follow us on Livestream, you'll get updates anytime we add or update an athletic event.

It's easy! Join Livestream today:

1. Go to Livestream.com/smhathletics
2. Click the black "Follow" button on our page.
3. Create an account using your email or connect with Facebook.
4. Sit back and enjoy the game!

Follow @SMH_Barons on Twitter

Tweets by SMH_Barons

Chapel Corner

Chapel – January 20

There were no Chapels on January 20 as the school observed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday.

Ash Wednesday Schedule and Details

Saint Mary's Hall offers Chapel services for Christian-based traditions and ceremonies like Ash Wednesday in light of its strong historical ties to the Christian faith as stated in our Statement of Religious Expression. This year's schedule, dress code, and other important details for each division are below.

Lower School

Ashes will be offered for all Lower School (Montessori - Form 5) students and families on Ash Wednesday, February 26 in the Eleanor Duncan Sarratt Memorial Library as follows:

7:30am - 7:50am
3:15pm - 4pm

Please note: Students must be with a parent so that we know that the child may receive ashes. Also, Lower School students will wear their normal uniform on Ash Wednesday, and will wear their dress uniform as usual on Monday, February 24.

Middle and Upper School

Ashes will be offered for Middle and Upper School students and families during Chapel on Ash Wednesday, February 26 in the Coates-Seeligson Theater/Chapel as follows:

Upper School: 11:30am - 12:05pm
Middle School: 12:10pm - 12:45pm

Please note: All Middle and Upper School students will wear their dress uniform on Ash Wednesday, February 26. Also, Middle and Upper School students will wear their normal uniform on Monday, February 24.

Middle and Upper School students whose families are of a faith other than Christianity, or who do not practice a particular faith, are welcome to attend the service to observe this important Christian tradition. They will not be expected to participate in receiving ashes.

Middle and Upper School students from families who do not wish for their student to attend this service can attend an alternate Chapel on Ash Wednesday and will still need to wear their dress uniform. We ask that a parent/guardian notify the relevant division office if you are sending your student to the alternative Chapel. Both alternative Chapels will include reflection on values and/or character related topics.

News from All-School Chaplain Rev. Cameron Gunnin

All-School Chaplain Rev. Dr. Cameron Gunnin sends his greetings. He is well and looking forward to being back with us in time for Ash Wednesday services. In the photos, you will see he and his Chaplain team carrying out some of their many and varied daily duties. In one, they are loading up care packages to take to the flight line. In this case, the packages are destined for U.S. military men and women in Iraq. In another, he is recognizing his volunteer worship leaders. One photo recognizes someone who was recently baptized, an important sacrament in the Christian faith. Soon Rev. Dr. Gunnin will indeed be saying goodbye to his deployment base. We look forward to his safe return!

A Look Ahead

The currently planned schedule for Chapels is as follows:

January 27: Students in Middle and Upper School will hear Form 11 student Jennings Stuart speak about how one’s attitude affects those around them and reflect on the difference that positivity makes in one's life. Lower School students will have a reflection on love.
February 3: There will be a Bishops Chapel Society presentation in Upper School Chapel. The Middle School topic is under development. Lower School students will have a reflection on courage.
February 10: Upper School English Teacher Megan Soukup will share her thoughts on life as a spiritual journey in Upper School Chapel. The Middle School topic is pending confirmation of the speaker’s availability. Lower School students will have a reflection on compassion.
February 24: There will be a Lower School Chapel only, led by All-School Chaplain Rev. Dr. Cameron Gunnin.
February 26: Upper and Middle School will have their Ash Wednesday Chapels with All-School Chaplain Rev. Dr. Cameron Gunnin. As is SMH tradition, ashes will be offered at a variety of times and locations throughout the day. Watch Chapel Corner for further details.

Healthy at the Hall

Parenting in the Digital Age

The original iPhone was released on June 29, 2007. For many students at SMH, they have never known a world without smart phones. Many parents have documented their entire children’s lives on smartphones. There are apps that track the sleeping habits of a newborn, white noise apps, a PBS Kids app, learning apps to help your child learn to read; there is an app for everything. Do you remember the iPhone commercial in 2009: “There’s an App for That?”

Some of the research is astounding. Researchers from the University of Iowa who seek to learn more about how children are using tablets by analyzing YouTube videos state that, “Just over 50 percent of 12-to-17 month-old children in the videos had a moderate ability,” and that, “By age two, 90% of the children in the videos had a moderate ability to use a tablet.” According to a synopsis posted on www.commonsense.org that examines “Social Media, Social Life 2018: Among 1- to 17-year-olds in the United States," 35% of tweens/teens surveyed prefer texting as their favorite way of communicating compared with 32% of tweens/teens who preferred in person communication. It seems like everyone from toddlers to teenagers is proficient and enjoy using technology. It is up to parents and educators to help children learn how to use technology in the most "APPropriate" ways.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:

For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to one hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health.
Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.

As you determine what is best for your family, please consider the “pointers” below from the American Psychological Association’s Digital Guidelines: Promoting Health Technology Use for Children.

Don’t overreact. Like it or not, technology is an important part of our modern world. It won’t help your child if you set overly restrictive limits or send the message that technology is something to fear. Instead, focus on teaching healthy habits that will stay with your child for a lifetime.
Teach kids about technology from a young age. Explain that tablets, computers and other media devices are not toys, and should be handled with care. Discuss with kids the many benefits of technology as well as the risks. Don’t frighten them, but discuss the importance of respecting privacy and protecting personal information in age-appropriate ways. These conversations should be ongoing, and should become more detailed as your children get older.
Use your judgment. While screen-time limits are often a good idea, experts caution that parents shouldn’t assume technology use is inherently harmful. Consider the context when establishing your family’s rules for technology use. Video chatting with grandparents is different from playing a video game, for example. If you’re entertaining your preschooler on a plane, the world won’t end if she has a little extra screen time that day. If your son is doing research for a school paper, that computer time shouldn’t necessarily count as his only screen time for the day.
Protect bedtime. Studies show that using digital media at night can interfere with sleep quality.² Consider restricting the use of phones, tablets and computers for at least 30 minutes before bed. Think twice about letting your child use those devices in his or her bedroom after lights out.
Pay attention. With younger kids, it’s easy to see what they’re doing online. As they get older, it’s not so easy to look over their shoulder. Have open, honest discussions about what sites and type of content are off-limits. Do your research to understand the media your child is using, and check out your child’s browser history to see what sites they visit. Explore software to filter or restrict access to content that’s off-limits.
Teach good online behavior. People often say things online that they’d never say to someone’s face. According to a 2014 study by the internet-security firm, McAfee, 87 percent of teens have witnessed cyberbullying. Talk to you children about the importance of being respectful in their digital interactions. Encourage them to come to you if they witness cyberbullying or other troubling information online.
Discuss digital decision-making. It can be hard to discern whether some websites are reliable sources of information or not. Have conversations with your child about how to evaluate authenticity and accuracy online. Explain why they shouldn’t download unfamiliar programs, click on suspicious links or share personal information on unknown apps or websites. Also teach your children not to respond to unsolicited messages from strangers — and to tell you if they get them.
Foster real-life friendships. Some kids who find it difficult to connect with peers spend more time online than playing with friends in real life. But digital friendships aren’t a replacement for the real thing. Help your child develop social skills and nurture his or her real-life relationships.
Learn more. Technology changes quickly, and it can be hard to stay on top of all the apps and sites your children use. To keep tabs on the changing tech landscape, visit the Family Online Safety Institute and Common Sense Media.

Screenagers

For additional information on this topic of parenting in the digital age , please plan to attend a Parent Coffee and viewing of Screenagers from physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston. Saint Mary’s Hall will host the event on Wednesday, February 5 from 8am-9:30am in the Remmert Theater. The film’s run time is 67 minutes and will be followed by a brief discussion. Unfortunately, there is not currently an option to watch the film separately. If there is enough interest, we will certainly consider bringing Dr. Ruston’s new film next year (Screenagers Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience). Below is the Screenagers synopsis:

Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well.

In Screenagers, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, Delaney takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, Screenagers reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

View the trailer.

Please contact Wellness Director Dr. Sandra Lopez-Morales at slopezmorales@smhall.org with questions.

Health and Wellness Class Update

Health and Wellness Educator Amelia Teodosio’s Health and Wellness class is spending time learning about the important topic of mental health, the harmful effects of stigma, and how students can be supportive of others who may experience a mental health challenge. Particularly, they learned the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety and filled out a checklist to increase insight into their own wellbeing. Some students participated in an activity called “Blind Maze,” where they learned the importance of asking for help. View a video clip of the activity.