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Campus Connect Repurposed
Dear Holland Hall Community,
The Campus Connect e-newsletters sent monthly have included news from the heads, upcoming campus events, campus news and announcements. With the recent launch of Dutch Weeklies, much of the information available on the monthly Campus Connect is redundant. In order to continue providing relevant and interesting information, starting January 2012, the Campus Connect will be renamed and given a new focus.
"Holland Hallmarks" will be sent home once a month and will feature articles from various faculty, staff and administrators on topics that pertain to the school's mission, educational philosophy and core values. To find out the latest on campus events, news and grade level announcements, we encourage you to read your Dutch Weekly or visit the Holland Hall website.
We hope this change starting January 2012 will bring insightful and interesting information to you as parents and as Holland Hall community members.
News from the Head of School
John D. Marshall
Head of School
The holiday season is upon us, and it is fitting that we pause to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and to appreciate being part of this extraordinary school community. Personally, my wife, children and I have been touched and are grateful for the authentic, warm welcome we have received at Holland Hall and in Tulsa. Our hope that this city would be a great place to raise our family has been realized, without exception. However, we did not foresee the myriad forms of extreme weather in 2011. An earthquake in Tulsa? Something tells me that my New Year’s wish for a dull and predictable four seasons of weather will have to wait.
Reflecting on our school’s noble mission to develop young people into responsible thinkers and servant-leaders in an increasingly complex global society, I offer thanks for the following this holiday season:
Holland Hall’s Episcopal Identity
First and foremost, we are a school whose mission is clear and unapologetic that Christ Jesus was one of the most influential spiritual leaders – and master teachers – in history. We require our Middle and Upper School students to attend chapel services regularly and have two fulltime Episcopal chaplains. Last Sunday evening the Upper School celebrated the annual Lessons & Carols service at the historic downtown Trinity Episcopal Church. It was a wonderful scriptural and chorale celebration of the holiday season for our Upper School families.
CLICK HERE to visit the Head of School's blog!
News from PS
Jo-An Vargo
Head of Primary School
Mike Riera, Ph.D. has worked in the field of education since 1980. I heard him speak many times when I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area, read two of his books about adolescence, and spent several occasions discussing mutual topics of interest. Mike is insightful whether he is speaking about young children or adolescents. I hope you find a fresh perspective in his thoughts on the topic of taking a developmental approach to educating students. It is a term and an approach to education that are the touchstone of our Primary School. This month’s Campus Connect offers the philosophy and thoughts behind the developmental approach in Mike’s words.
Middle School Curricular Point of Emphasis: Developing Global Awareness and Competencies
Joel Bicknell
Head of Middle School
Over the next several Campus Connect articles from the Middle School, we will focus on curricular conversations taking place in our building. While we have a long-standing tradition of providing opportunities for global education in the Middle School within our language department, we have recently been investigating (and implementing) new learning experiences across the program. In a world where global connections are made with ease, it’s of great importance we provide experiences for our students to develop an awareness of the influence of various cultures at a much younger age.
Learning About Curriculum From Reading Comments
Dennis L. Calkins
Head of Upper School
Only a couple of weeks ago, comments were mailed home for every student in the Upper School. I hope you found those reports to be informative and helpful in learning about your child’s academic strengths and any areas where improvement in effort or performance is needed. As I read the comments over the last two weeks, I not only learned about the progress of your sons and daughters, I also am reminded about what takes place in our classrooms every day – what knowledge and skills are important, how our curriculum is delivered, and what our faculty members value as integral parts of their courses.
Following is a sampling of phrases and sentences from comments written by our faculty that I hope will provide you with some additional insight into our curriculum in the Upper School and what skills, behaviors, attitudes, and accomplishments we believe are important for your sons and daughters.
Holland Hall Holiday Events 2011
Living Nativity Scene
Free Admission … Live animals … Live actors … Perfect for the whole family! The Living Nativity Scene utilizes the acting skills of a handful of Middle School students to create a walk-thru experience for the entire Holland Hall community. Live animals and beautiful music make this a stunning complement to any family’s celebration of the coming holiday season. Please contact Bert Bibens, ext. 253, with any questions you have.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011
5:00 - 6:15 p.m.
Newman Theatre, Walter Arts Center
Middle and Upper School Band Concert
On Tuesday, December the 13, the Holland Hall Band program will present its annual Winter Band Concert. The program begins at 7 p.m. in the Branch Theatre and will feature the full school band department from 6th grade through Upper School. Each band will perform separately from youngest to oldest and will play Holiday music as well as movie and traditional band literature appropriate for the different age groups. The 7th and 8th grade bands will be combined to perform a medley from "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the Upper School band will be performing a movie medley from "The Incredibles". Come and see the time warp of band performances ranging from the first semester players to the mature concert band sound of the Holland Hall Wind Ensemble in one easy listening hour. For further information contact Kendall Griffith at 481-1111 ext. 417.
Primary School 3rd Grade Holiday Program
On Thursday, December 15, the third graders will perform a special holiday program at 1:30 p.m. in the All Saints’ Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend.
4th and 5th Grades Music Program
On Tuesday, December 20, the fourth and fifth graders will perform a special holiday program at 2 p.m. in the All Saints’ Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Upper School 1st Semester Exam Schedule
Notice to All Students:
- Dress regulations are in effect during the entire examination period. When students are on campus, they must be in uniform.
- Due to possible testing at the north end of the library, the south end will be open for independent, quiet study only. Students will be expected to remain quiet at all times while in the library during the three days of exams.
- Students need to be in attendance only for their scheduled exams and during the announcements prior to each exam.
- Announcements will begin 15 minutes before the scheduled exam time.
- The US Refectory will be closed during final exams. Lunch may be purchased each day in the MS Refectory with a debit card. Students have the school’s permission to leave campus for lunch. Parents are encouraged to discuss lunch arrangements with their son or daughter.
- Beginning at 7:45 a.m. on Friday, December 16th, a hot breakfast will be served in the Upper School Commons compliments of Mr. John D. Marshall, Head of School.
- Students who have conflicts with the exam schedule below should contact their teachers as soon as possible.
Fri., Dec. 16, 2011
7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast in US Commons
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Foreign Language
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. History
Mon., Dec. 19, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. English
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Math
Tues., Dec. 20, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Science
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Religion/Computer
Wed., Dec. 21, 2011
9:00 a.m. Make-up Exams
Joy to the Annual Fund!
Thank you to all who have already given to our Annual Fund. We have achieved a major accomplishment by our parent group and have reached 50% participation. This is outstanding and we just can't thank you enough!
If you have not made your Annual Fund donation yet, please remember that a gift of any size is appreciated AND tax-deductible for 2011 if made by December 31. If not, then please consider a tax-deductible donation and let's reach our goal of 100% participation! Don't forget about the Board of Trustees Challenge whereby new gifts are matched up to $500 or donors moving to the next giving level are matched $500. Please take advantage of this one time, amazing offer and double the impact of your gift.
Every Annual Fund gift, no matter the size, is appreciated!
Affiliate: up to $249
Benefactor: $250 - $499
Partnership Circle: $500 - 999
Head of School: $1,000 - 1,499
Leadership Circle: $1,500 - 2,499
1922 Founders Society: $2,500 - 4,999
Hallmark Society: $5,000 - 9,999
Stewardship Society: $10,000 - 24,999
Visionaries: $25,000 & above
Thank you for helping us DreamBIG! – Amy Whitaker, Director of Annual Giving.
Save the Dates!
Holland Hall’s 52nd Book Fair is a Tulsa Tradition! Mark your calendars and plan on joining us for the Preview Party Friday, February 24, 2012 and for the Book Fair on Saturday, February 25, 2012.
The Book Fair is a huge undertaking that requires hundreds of the volunteers leading up to and on the day of the event. All Holland Hall families and students are encouraged to participate and help. If you are interested, please email Erin Yancy at eyancy@hollandhall.org.