T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R S T. L U K E S ’ S S C H O O L

Check the website at www.stlukesct.org/podiumfor more stories about St. Luke’s.

Thank you to the SLS Advancement Council membersfor editorial oversight. Please share your comments!Email Zoé Sherlick, Director of Communications, atcommunications@stlukesct.org

Cover photo – Collaborative Outdoor Art Exhibit, Class of 2015

Enter to Learn

Go Forth to Serve

St. Luke’s School377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840www.stlukesct.org/podium

insert indiciainfo

Like a good book, the school year has a beginning and an ending,as well as a big middle in which the plot thickens and thins andcharacters evolve while managing the opportunities and challengesof their lives. After I finish a book or a school year, I take a deep breathand almost immediately start thinking about the next one. What willI read next? How should we start the next school year and what do wewant to accomplish during it?

A central theme in the planning of a St. Luke’s school year is the building ofcommunity. That’s very different from the way I thought about a new school yearwhen I was a student. Then, I just tried to remember to bring pens and notebooks withme, made sure I found my classrooms, and got on with it. But of course I also lookedforward to seeing my friends, or if I was a new student (which frequently I was becausewe moved often) I nervously hoped I would make a friend and feel connectedsomehow to my new environment. In a very real way, therefore, the beginning of aschool year is about community.

There are two parts to a school community. The first part has to do with personalconnections, and so it has a social component (Will people like me? Will I havefriends?) and a values component (Do my beliefs square with the School’s core valuesand expectations?). The second part is academic. A great school creates a vibrantlearning community, led by wise, caring teachers, that fosters students’ intellectualand moral growth, prepares them to thrive in college, and gives them the tools forleadership and service in the world.

As part of building that community year after year at St. Luke’s, most St. Luke’sstudents start the year with a class trip or class experience that forges relationshipsthrough common experiences with classmates and teachers. (7th and 8th gradestudents start the year with regular classes and have their class trips – to Boston andWashington, DC – a little later in the fall.) Frequently referred to as “bonding”experiences, these activities also enhance students’ learning. In some cases they areformally tied to the academic curriculum, or to an important aspect of the school year(such as the 11th grade trip to several colleges and universities). Most important,however, is the knowledge, supported by research and experience, that students learnbetter when they feel connected in school to peers and adults. Knowing that they areknown motivates students and gives them the confidence to work hard, to seek newexperiences, to take intellectual and extracurricular risks. These are the habits thatlead to intellectual and personal growth, and they are the fruits of a school that caresabout community.

Head of School, Mark Davis

Welcome to the inaugural issue of 377, The Magazine for St. Luke’s School.The mission of this new publication is to connect you with stories and pictures fromour St. Luke’s School community. Instead of the annual bulletin, you will receiveupdates from us, highlighting students, facultymembers, alumni andmore. Look for the

to identify stories that offer more on our website at www.stlukesct.org/podium.

Like a good book, the school year has a beginning and an ending,as well as a big middle in which the plot thickens and thins andcharacters evolve while managing the opportunities and challengesof their lives. After I finish a book or a school year, I take a deep breathand almost immediately start thinking about the next one. What willI read next? How should we start the next school year and what do wewant to accomplish during it?

A central theme in the planning of a St. Luke’s school year is the building ofcommunity. That’s very different from the way I thought about a new school yearwhen I was a student. Then, I just tried to remember to bring pens and notebooks withme, made sure I found my classrooms, and got on with it. But of course I also lookedforward to seeing my friends, or if I was a new student (which frequently I was becausewe moved often) I nervously hoped I would make a friend and feel connectedsomehow to my new environment. In a very real way, therefore, the beginning of aschool year is about community.

There are two parts to a school community. The first part has to do with personalconnections, and so it has a social component (Will people like me? Will I havefriends?) and a values component (Do my beliefs square with the School’s core valuesand expectations?). The second part is academic. A great school creates a vibrantlearning community, led by wise, caring teachers, that fosters students’ intellectualand moral growth, prepares them to thrive in college, and gives them the tools forleadership and service in the world.

As part of building that community year after year at St. Luke’s, most St. Luke’sstudents start the year with a class trip or class experience that forges relationshipsthrough common experiences with classmates and teachers. (7th and 8th gradestudents start the year with regular classes and have their class trips – to Boston andWashington, DC – a little later in the fall.) Frequently referred to as “bonding”experiences, these activities also enhance students’ learning. In some cases they areformally tied to the academic curriculum, or to an important aspect of the school year(such as the 11th grade trip to several colleges and universities). Most important,however, is the knowledge, supported by research and experience, that students learnbetter when they feel connected in school to peers and adults. Knowing that they areknown motivates students and gives them the confidence to work hard, to seek newexperiences, to take intellectual and extracurricular risks. These are the habits thatlead to intellectual and personal growth, and they are the fruits of a school that caresabout community.

Head of School, Mark Davis

Welcome to the inaugural issue of 377, The Magazine for St. Luke’s School.The mission of this new publication is to connect you with stories and pictures fromour St. Luke’s School community. Instead of the annual bulletin, you will receiveupdates from us, highlighting students, facultymembers, alumni andmore. Look for the

to identify stories that offer more on our website at www.stlukesct.org/podium.

“Ms. Bell, you’ve become so much more tome, and you don’t even know it. You knowhow kids have that one person they lookup to the most, besides their parents?You’ve turned into that for me. You’vebeen an advisor, a mother figure, and mostimportantly, a friend. You care, you listen,you’re so open-minded, patient, andwelcoming. I know I can talk to you aboutanything. I can’t thank you enough.”

“After 24 years teaching and advising students at both thesecondary school and collegiate levels, I've realized thatsuccessful students share similar traits - love of learning,curiosity, critical thinking, and determination. St. Luke'sstudents have these, certainly, but our students take it tothe next level. Learning is not compartmentalized intodiscreet units here. Our students bring lessons learned intheir second period class into their third period class. Theymake clean and clear connections among academic subjects.They understand the subtle ebb and flow of knowledge thatmirrors the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature oflearning and of life, and it is this high level thinking thatcreates leaders at St. Luke's and beyond.”

“Ms. Bell, you’ve become so much more tome, and you don’t even know it. You knowhow kids have that one person they lookup to the most, besides their parents?You’ve turned into that for me. You’vebeen an advisor, a mother figure, and mostimportantly, a friend. You care, you listen,you’re so open-minded, patient, andwelcoming. I know I can talk to you aboutanything. I can’t thank you enough.”

“After 24 years teaching and advising students at both thesecondary school and collegiate levels, I've realized thatsuccessful students share similar traits - love of learning,curiosity, critical thinking, and determination. St. Luke'sstudents have these, certainly, but our students take it tothe next level. Learning is not compartmentalized intodiscreet units here. Our students bring lessons learned intheir second period class into their third period class. Theymake clean and clear connections among academic subjects.They understand the subtle ebb and flow of knowledge thatmirrors the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature oflearning and of life, and it is this high level thinking thatcreates leaders at St. Luke's and beyond.”

“I love St. Luke's and everything St. Luke's has givenme in the past ten months: best friends, amazingteachers, best host family and the best everscience and art opportunities. I loved all my classes(even if some of them had tons of homework!)I’ve stayed in touch with my SLS friends throughFacebook and emails, and I’ve even tried someSkyping. It was not just a year of studying abroadfor me, but a year of life-changing experiences!”

“This summer at Carnegie MellonI took conservatory-level classesin the significant areas of musicincluding theory and aural training.I was encouraged to explore thedifferent areas, like at St. Luke's,rather than simply focusing onperformance. The experience wasincredible, and I learned so muchnot just about music, but myself,and am excited to get back toSchool and apply everything I'velearned for next year's musicaljourney at St. Luke's.”

“Volunteering at Waterside has been an amazing experiencefor me. As a counselor, I make great connections with thekids at the camp, which is the main reason why I returnevery summer. It’s fulfilling to know I am helping childrengrow and learn while having a fun and exciting summer atthe same time. It’s also very much a learning experiencefor me and for the other counselors. I plan to continuevolunteering here for summers to come.”

Visit the Media Gallery atwww.stlukesct.org/podiumto hear Jon’s music.

“I love St. Luke's and everything St. Luke's has givenme in the past ten months: best friends, amazingteachers, best host family and the best everscience and art opportunities. I loved all my classes(even if some of them had tons of homework!)I’ve stayed in touch with my SLS friends throughFacebook and emails, and I’ve even tried someSkyping. It was not just a year of studying abroadfor me, but a year of life-changing experiences!”

“This summer at Carnegie MellonI took conservatory-level classesin the significant areas of musicincluding theory and aural training.I was encouraged to explore thedifferent areas, like at St. Luke's,rather than simply focusing onperformance. The experience wasincredible, and I learned so muchnot just about music, but myself,and am excited to get back toSchool and apply everything I'velearned for next year's musicaljourney at St. Luke's.”

“Volunteering at Waterside has been an amazing experiencefor me. As a counselor, I make great connections with thekids at the camp, which is the main reason why I returnevery summer. It’s fulfilling to know I am helping childrengrow and learn while having a fun and exciting summer atthe same time. It’s also very much a learning experiencefor me and for the other counselors. I plan to continuevolunteering here for summers to come.”

Visit the Media Gallery atwww.stlukesct.org/podiumto hear Jon’s music.

TheBest Partof My Day

He coaches and he counsels.He blogs and he tweets.

For Head of School Mark Davis,it’s all part of connectingwith students in ways thatare personal, meaningful and,sometimes, just plain fun.

TheBest Partof My Day

He coaches and he counsels.He blogs and he tweets.

For Head of School Mark Davis,it’s all part of connectingwith students in ways thatare personal, meaningful and,sometimes, just plain fun.

A “Good Morning!” here, a handshake there. A pat on theback. A wave to a parent.

Head of School Mark Davis is there virtually every morning, standingat the School’s front walkway, personally greeting students as they arriveand begin their academic day. It’s more than a tradition, he explains.“It’s a visible way to make certain I see every student one-on-one everysingle day. As I greet students, I see parents, too…I’m able to connect withthe entire community.”

Building communities within St. Luke’s School is essential to the vitality ofthe School in its entirety, according to Mark. Families respond to thevibrancy and collegiality of St. Luke’s teaching environment and recognizeit as one of its strengths.

“The beauty of the School lies in the component communities thatassemble to create the whole,” Mark says. “Our sense of community… thecertainty we convey and instill in each student that they are distinctly knownand valued and cared about by those around them… is a quality that setsus apart and that energizes us all. We care, and they know it. Asstudents engage in the many activities that help them bond and build theirclass communities, I am able to get to know them and be a part of that largereffort as well.”

Mark’s regular interactions with students span a broad spectrum ofactivities and settings – some well-known, some behind-the-scenes, some scheduled,some entirely impromptu. Like other faculty members, he is the academic advisor to agroup of students whom he counsels on a regular basis. In addition to these advisories, hemaintains a schedule of weekly sessions with students to talk about college admissionsissues, meeting with five to six juniors at a time to ensure that he sees every prospectivesenior by the end of their junior year. With his professional background in collegecounseling, Mark finds these informal discussions to be especially rewarding.

“We meet every Wednesday for lunch in my office,” he says. “For a lot of them, it’s thefirst time they’ve been in the Head of School’s office, and they bring their lunch trayshere. (Our sessions) certainly do not supplant our excellent college counselingprogram, but it’s an adjunct connection, a way for me to de-mystify the collegeapplication process and help me know the kids. I try to help them understand that theirchoice of college is not going to make or break the rest of their lives. In many ways, it’sa rite of passage, a time for self-reflecting, and I hope I help provide some insight.”

Mark’s passion for baseballprovides another powerfulopportunity for making a directconnection with students.Mark’s father played major leaguebaseball, and he himself was a varsitybaseball player in college and is anexperienced coach. “Baseball is mypassion, it’s in my blood,” he admits.He was assistant coach for St. Luke’svarsity baseball team and for the pastthree years has coached the seventh andeighth grade team. “I have to say, thatcommitment, every day from 2:45 to3:45, is the best part of my day. It’s notoptional. No matter what else I’mdoing on that day, I know I have tomake practice. I learn more about thekids by their actions on the playing fieldand during the van ride going togames,” he says. “They are almostunfettered on the field, the walls godown…they can act silly, I can actsilly. I see sides of them I wouldn’tordinarily see.”

Beyond the classroom, St. Luke’s fosters personalconnections with an extensive year-round schedule ofclass trips and group learning experiences, and Markespecially enjoys seeing the many sides of students when he is able tojoin in as a fellow traveler. He regularly joins the fifth grade on theirannual April trip to Gettysburg and Philadelphia. (“Three days with 50new students to the School – it’s great!” he says. “We don’t allow thestudents to bring along electronic devices on this trip and, marvel ofmarvels, they sing and read, we talk and play games.”) He wasinstrumental in developing the annual junior class trip to area collegesand universities, and he will be accompanying the juniors this year whenthey visit major schools in the Providence area.

Of course, today’s technology and social networking capabilitiesprovide unprecedented avenues for connection and interaction. Markwrites a regular blog which appears on the School’s website. “My blogposts are another way to build community,” he says. “Over time,people get a better sense of what I think about certain things. It allowsa conversation to extend beyond the post, and permits some depthand perspective.” In March, when Mark accompanied the School’sMandarin Chinese language students on a two-week trip to China, hecommunicated with the entire School community through blog postsand Twitter. “It was wonderful to tweet from the base of the GreatWall of China,” Mark says.

Another community builder is the weekly Meditations series Markinitiated where the Upper School gathers to hear a volunteer – a facultymember, administrator, or student – reflect upon a matter of significantpersonal interest.The series has been such a success that speaking slots arefilled well in advance, and messages are available for download onthe website.

Whether he’s reading Rudyard Kipling’s Rikki Tikki Tavi to fifthgraders as he does once a year, sitting for interviews by Sentinelreporters, or leading the applause in the audience at plays and games,connecting and building relationships is an ongoing process and a toppriority. One of Mark’s goals for the coming year is to allow for moreunstructured time to walk the halls, stop in the library and classrooms,and just “shoot the breeze” with students in free moments.

“I love it when teachers’ doors are open and I can hearwhat’s happening in the classroom. Or, just to talk tostudents in the halls or at lunch. As I see it, whether I’mmeeting with just a few kids or a roomful, I’m helping tobuild community.” Mark gets a morning hug from his daughter, Sarabeth ’16.

“St. Luke’s has given mydaughters the courage to trythings and has helped themwhen they fail. Theyparticipate in theater, sportsand Model UN. It’s importantto know your children andlook beyond the statistics tothe community of the school.I play an active role oncampus because I believethat knowing my daughters’classmates and their parentswill ward off trouble in theteen years. The way thatSt. Luke’s has embraced notjust my girls, but me too,has touched me deeply."

“St. Luke’s has given mydaughters the courage to trythings and has helped themwhen they fail. Theyparticipate in theater, sportsand Model UN. It’s importantto know your children andlook beyond the statistics tothe community of the school.I play an active role oncampus because I believethat knowing my daughters’classmates and their parentswill ward off trouble in theteen years. The way thatSt. Luke’s has embraced notjust my girls, but me too,has touched me deeply."

“This is a singular distinction to St. Luke’s, your future almamater, regardless of your grade: we know who you are.We will remember that you were here, regardless ofwhether your name is a on a plaque, or what youractivities were. We know what you were like when youcame here and we will remember what you were likewhen you left. Even if you don’t remember, we will.Thanks for giving us part of yourself. We’ll keep it on theHilltop for you: your best parts, all the big and smallmemories of you. They will always be here. You willalways matter at St. Luke’s, no matter what.”

“You have all been given oneof the most precious giftsin the world - the gift ofeducation and a St. Luke'seducation at that...You havebeen challenged to thinkcritically and analytically andyou have been pushed toreach your potential. Thiseducation comes with a hugeresponsibility. Each and everyone of you must take this giftthat you have been givenand share it with others afteryou leave St. Luke's. Yourschool motto of Enter toLearn, Go Forth to Serveshould not be taken lightly."

Visit the St. Luke’s website atwww.stlukesct.org/podium forcommunity members’ meditations.

“This is a singular distinction to St. Luke’s, your future almamater, regardless of your grade: we know who you are.We will remember that you were here, regardless ofwhether your name is a on a plaque, or what youractivities were. We know what you were like when youcame here and we will remember what you were likewhen you left. Even if you don’t remember, we will.Thanks for giving us part of yourself. We’ll keep it on theHilltop for you: your best parts, all the big and smallmemories of you. They will always be here. You willalways matter at St. Luke’s, no matter what.”

“You have all been given oneof the most precious giftsin the world - the gift ofeducation and a St. Luke'seducation at that...You havebeen challenged to thinkcritically and analytically andyou have been pushed toreach your potential. Thiseducation comes with a hugeresponsibility. Each and everyone of you must take this giftthat you have been givenand share it with others afteryou leave St. Luke's. Yourschool motto of Enter toLearn, Go Forth to Serveshould not be taken lightly."

Visit the St. Luke’s website atwww.stlukesct.org/podium forcommunity members’ meditations.

“St. Luke's has changed physically a great dealsince the 1950s,when it was just the red brickbuilding on "the Hilltop.” What I sense has notchanged is the feeling of being together — ofplaying as a team, being together at school andafter hours and eventually years after graduation.Today this sense of community is quite apparentamong the parents and faculty I’ve been meetingwith on the Strategic Planning Committee.”

377Since 1928, St. Luke’s School has been a havenfor young scholars, artists and athletes. Since1942, SLS students have arrived on the Hilltopeach morning at 377 North Wilton Road. Weall have a story about 377 and we invite youto tell us your story. Write to us at:

377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840

or communications@stlukesct.org.

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R S T. L U K E S ’ S S C H O O L

377 + 73 =

numberof SLSstudents whoplay athleticseach year

*actual number

Credits: Feature article by Judith DrydenPhotography by Jane Ahrens, Su Bick, Bob Handelman, and ChiChi UbinaDesigned by Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT

3 + 7 + 7 =

AP coursesofferedat SLS

377 X 3,771 =

2008-2009Annual Fund$1,421,734*

“St. Luke's has changed physically a great dealsince the 1950s,when it was just the red brickbuilding on "the Hilltop.” What I sense has notchanged is the feeling of being together — ofplaying as a team, being together at school andafter hours and eventually years after graduation.Today this sense of community is quite apparentamong the parents and faculty I’ve been meetingwith on the Strategic Planning Committee.”

377Since 1928, St. Luke’s School has been a havenfor young scholars, artists and athletes. Since1942, SLS students have arrived on the Hilltopeach morning at 377 North Wilton Road. Weall have a story about 377 and we invite youto tell us your story. Write to us at:

377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840

or communications@stlukesct.org.

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R S T. L U K E S ’ S S C H O O L

377 + 73 =

numberof SLSstudents whoplay athleticseach year

*actual number

Credits: Feature article by Judith DrydenPhotography by Jane Ahrens, Su Bick, Bob Handelman, and ChiChi UbinaDesigned by Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT

3 + 7 + 7 =

AP coursesofferedat SLS

377 X 3,771 =

2008-2009Annual Fund$1,421,734*

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R S T. L U K E S ’ S S C H O O L

Check the website at www.stlukesct.org/podiumfor more stories about St. Luke’s.

Thank you to the SLS Advancement Council membersfor editorial oversight. Please share your comments!Email Zoé Sherlick, Director of Communications, atcommunications@stlukesct.org

Cover photo – Collaborative Outdoor Art Exhibit, Class of 2015

Enter to Learn

Go Forth to Serve

St. Luke’s School377 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840www.stlukesct.org/podium

insert indiciainfo