eUpdate, August 18, 2014

EXPERIENCE EPISCOPAL

August 18, 2014What I Did Last Summer

ChangesThese Knights Have Vision

Summer NerdFest ‘14From The Head of School

Fine Arts UpdateKliengstein Institute Experience

A-Z of LondonA Chance Encounter in Florence

245678

1012

eupd

ate

PreK-3 through Grade 12College Preparatory

Nondiscriminatory AdmissionsTuition Assistance Program

www.ehsbr.org

2 eupdate August 18, 2014

ummers on the Episcopal campus are quiet. You can hear the hum of the air conditioner, the distant

clank of construction work, and the occasional rumble of thunder. Quiet does not, however, mean leisurely. Work flows change, but preparation for the start of school continues to ramp up as August draws near.

I was recently asked to assume responsibility for communications and marketing on campus, and as I considered what would change in my professional life, I came to appreciate what a wonderful place Episcopal is. How many people get to go to work and be creative, work for a community of knowledge seekers, and (best of all) learn something new every day? I do. And I love it.

As we move in to the new school year, you will likely notice some changes in the frequency and content of communication. The E-Update will be distributed twice per month and will focus on the “how and why” of Episcopal. The

more news oriented information (pictures, events, etc.) will find a new home in our social media offerings: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I encourage you to follow Episcopal on our feeds to get a realistic feel for the special moments during the school day that make our school truly unique.

Our E-Update offering will become a place for community voices to be heard as we explore different aspects of Episcopal. In this update, “What I Did Last Summer,” teachers and administrators attempt to give you a glimpse into their summer lives. You’ll see a rich tapestry of preparation, reflection, and recreation—all necessary to keep batteries charged and outlooks fresh.

I invite you to submit articles in the future. Our next update will center around the theme of “Episcopal Values.” Please share your stories and let us know how Episcopal has enriched your life or the lives of your children. Let’s make this publication a living testament to the great place we all call home.

Changes

Jason HubbardAssociate Head of School

S

eupdate 3

New landscaping for Lower School A warm , new space for our PreK-3 students

A freshly painted Main Gym floor A new roof for Penniman Hall


fabricator and programmer to web design, public relations and business management. The FRC motto is “It’s the Hardest Fun You’ll Ever Have!” Truer words have rarely been spoken.

Team KnightVision’s next appearance will be at the Red Stick Rumble Competition at Woodlawn High School on August 29th and 30th. This gathering of 20-25 robotics teams from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama will showcase the complete FIRST program with demonstrations from the FIRST Lego League (grades 5-8), and Tech Challenge (grades 7-12) with the Robotics Competition (grades 9-12) being the main event. We are inviting all prospective robotics team members to join us for the fun. Admission is free and the atmosphere has been described as NASCAR meets ComicCon meets Maker Faire. Ya’ll come!

IRST Robotics Competition Team 3991, aka KnightVision, goes into the fall recruitment and fund-raising season hoping to build

on their summer success. The robotic Knights journeyed to the Dallas-Ft.Worth area this summer to participate in a post-season competition with 18 other teams from Texas and Oklahoma. After two days of hard work and hard fought competition, KnightVision, along with our alliance partners the BulahBots of Parkview Baptist and the Full Metal Jackets of Rockwall, Texas, finished the weekend as meet champions. Our alliance ambushed the field from the number five seed to take the honors in the double elimination tournament with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss. The trio also managed to rack up the highest scoring match of the competition in the process of sweeping the number one seed alliance 2-0 in our semifinal pairing.

Our team is actively seeking new recruits to extend our march to success. There are many roles to be filled, from

2014 Texas RoboReboot Champions - BulahBots Of Parkview Baptist, KnightVision of Episcopal High School and Full Metal Jackets of Rockwall High School, Rockwall, Texas

F

have

visio

nth

ese k

nigh

ts

by Bruce Bowan, Robotics Teacher [email protected]

Nathalie Roy with Alexis Landry Heflin, EHS alum and former Latin teacher.

am not afraid to say it, never have been. I am a nerd. A giant one. By nerd I mean a person who enjoys, I mean - REALLY enjoys, learning just

about anything, but especially stuff that virtually no one else finds interesting, like how best to implement interleaved practice into the process of learning the fifth declension of Latin nouns. Yep. THAT the kind of stuff.

The term nerd can also be a verb as in the phrase “nerd out.” That refers to the action of enjoying learning something so much that you go into a sort of zen state as you realize you can use this stuff with your students in the classroom. Closely related is the term “nerd fest” which refers to a special learning event at which you nerd out.

Fortunately for me, I teach at a school that encourages me to be that nerd. EHS’s professional development committee, whose job it is to decide on which nerds get money to nerd out at nerd fests, paid for me to attend a workshop on reading methodology within the Cambridge Latin Course. And thus, NerdFest14 happened.

The workshop, held in Williamsburg, Virginia, was three days of pure nerd joy. Various experts, including my Latin teacher hero (Massachusetts veteran Joe Davenport), presented methods which they use to teach Latin vocabulary, reading, culture, and grammar. I took meticulous notes in my nerd notebook

Summer NerdFest ‘14

– it comes with me everywhere I go. (You never know when you might learn something.) My favorite sessions at the workshop involved gamification techniques – it’s a current obsession of mine as is assessment as a student learning tool. Gamification helps my middle school Latin students stay engaged and physically moving during my classes.

In addition to all the learning, there was also the fun of catching up with my favorite former EHS colleague and alumna Alexis Landry Heflin. Alexis is now working in a large public school in northern Virginia where she teaches five sections of Latin I. She was attending another nerd fest which prefaced this workshop so we got to hang out a little and discuss old times - nerd times when we taught together at EHS for 10 years.

Along for NerdFest14 was my current colleague, Upper School Latin teacher Jennifer Jarnagin. This time spent learning together gave us the opportunity to discuss lots of strategies to improve learning for our students.

I I’m truly grateful to EHS for its encouragement of their teachers in our professional development and its constant focus on a growth mindset. For me that just means I get to be my true nerd self.

by Nathalie Roy Latin Teacher [email protected]

eupdate 5

he summer of 2014 will not be easily forgotten. First, I had the pleasure of knocking down parts of

walls and taking up parts of floors in my old, new home in Mid-City. It was quite a release! Second, I had a lot of fun welcoming my youngest child—Jesse McIntosh---to New Orleans. After two tours drumming with an independent rock band---one international and one all across our great land---Jess is now settling into the Crescent City where he is teaching upper

Renovation,Demolition, and

“Son Settling”

T


From TheHead of School

Hugh M. McIntoshHead of School

school social studies at Isidore Newman School. Jess joins his sister (in Houston) and me (right here in Baton Rouge) to make up the I-10 Corridor group of McIntoshes.

Episcopal was unusually dynamic this summer. Attracting the last few members to our faculty and staff was a true pleasure. Somehow, it all seems to be working well. Looking back, it was a pretty well-balanced summer and I look forward to a great year.

he Fine Arts Faculty at Episcopal is distinctive in that its members are professional thriving artists making a significant

contribution to our community. This makes them uniquely qualified to educate and inspire their students. Over the summer several members of the department worked in their respective fields. Here are a few of their stories.

Upper School Art Teacher Kate Trepagnier was represented in 3 invitational art events over the summer in Louisiana. Caffery Gallery in Baton Rouge included 3 landscapes in "Louisiana Landscapes" from May - August; in New Orleans during June the exhibition, "Water, Water Everywhere," at Lemieux, Kate's pastels and oil paintings were displayed and were also included during "White Linen Night," in early August. Finally the painting, "About Nothingness," was included in a year- long exhibition hosted by the art department at Southeastern University for the "Fine Art Showcase" on display at the president's residence in Hammond, LA.

Roxi Victorian, Episcopal’s Dance Director was very busy this summer. She began work towards a yoga certification. Roxi also participated in a 6-week class with The National Dance Education Association and found time to perform with Art Melt 2014' with the Dance Collective Baton Rouge. Roxi has an upcoming solo performance at the Manship Theatre September 28, 2014.

Episcopal’s newly appointed Director of Productions, Paige Gagliano, enjoyed an eventful summer as well. Paige was given the opportunity to direct a cast of 36 in Peter Pan, Jr. at Manship Theatre alongside Manship’s Executive Director, Renee Chatelain and Director

of Educational Programming Melanie Couvillon.

Lower School Art teacher Jennifer Keith and Paige joined creative forces to conduct an all arts infused summer camp called Arts a Go Go. Over 50 campers ranging from rising Kindergarten through rising 5th grade enjoyed a fun filled week of weaving, painting, mixed media, printmaking, drawing, and sculpting. Students grew “dramatically” in the Black Box Theatre learning theatre skills through exercises such as park bench, statues, improvisation and their favorite “Night at the Museum”. Parents were invited to a closing showcase in the VPAC Theatre for a sampling of drama and music activities as well as an art show in the lobby. Episcopal Band Director, Paul Taranto’s original musical, “Evangeline”, enjoyed its international premier. A community theatre in Nova Scotia presented the show. Paul spent a week in Nova Scotia working with the actors and singers to prepare for the production. Paul was moved and challenged by the experience and says, “It was a very special and rewarding experience to spend time with a group of people who are so obviously close to the history and who have a particular connection to the story.”

Carter Smith, Upper and Middle School Choir Director was only 1 of 12 chosen nationwide, to participate in LSU’s Sacred Music Project. He was taught by and shared podium time with Stephen Cleobury of Cambrige College. This honor is especially important because Carter was invited to participate in the program.

These amazing teachers are another example of what makes the Fine Arts at Episcopal a beacon in our community.

fine a

rts It was a very special and rewarding experience to spend time with a group of people who are so obviously close to the history and who have a particular connection to the story.

“

T

eupdate 7

“

or those who need a bit of background, I applied to Columbia University's Klingenstein Institute in

January and was accepted in April (despite all of my predictions to the contrary!) What is the Klingenstein Institute exactly?

The Short: a two-week graduate course for independent school leadership through Columbia University in New York at the Lawrenceville School (aka the most beautiful campus ever school).

A lot of the Klingenstein experience was overwhelming: 10 hour days with LOTS of reading during the daytime left very little time to let everything coalesce. I saw a quote by Maya Langelou “do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,” and thought, "This is what it's about. I've been doing the best I can all along, but now I know better."


Klin

gens

tein

Inst

itute

expe

rienc

e

Do the best you can until

you know better. Then when you know better,

do better.

- Maya Angelou

“

“

F

by Blair Richards World Language Department Chair [email protected]

Now, I’m ready to do better in these ways:

1. Have a better sensibility for issues of diversity and understand that not taking a stand is a conscious choice to support the status quo. Be willing to engage in courageous conversations surrounding issues of diversity and lean into the discomfort instead of avoiding them because I don't want anyone to be offended.

2. Ask students the question, "How might we..." and design classroom experiences where they can wonder much more than they currently do.

3. Construct choices for professional development and get others (who are interested) involved in continuous, meaningful, co-constructed PD experiences.

4. Understand that the culture of organizations is important; change to that culture is a slow and intentional process.

eupdate 9

ast fall the Professional Development Committee saw fit to grant me $1500 to supplement my $1500

grant from the Newton family. I used the $3000 to help fund my trip to London last spring. My husband accompanied me on the trip (paying his own way of course), and I must say that this was a once in a lifetime experience for us. I assure you that I could not have asked for a better professional development experience.

During our trip, we had the opportunity to visit many hallmark London attractions:

Westminster Abbey: For me the graves of Geoffrey Chaucer, Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, John Dryden, Thomas Hardy, Alfred Tennyson and so many others were the highlight. We listened to tutorials on the entire abbey, but the poet’s corner was so inspiring. The next day was Easter Sunday, and to attend services at the abbey was so amazing.

Hampton Court Palace: Following Sunday services, we rode the subway and then the bus to Henry VIII’s summer residence, Hampton

Court Palace. This palace is often referenced in literature, and was not a disappointment. Our four hour tour took us through the palace and the grounds with detailed tutorials on each area.

Tower of London: We took in each feature, including the royal jewels, the white castle built in 1066 by William the Conqueror, and the chapel where Anne Boleyn is buried.

The Globe Theater and 22 Baker Street: We toured the museum first, then we had a tour of the actual theater. Of course it is a replica since the original burned, but it is a duplicate and sits in close proximity to the original. That afternoon we took the subway to 22 Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes’ house. We heard about the history of the place and the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s adventures.

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath: This all day us tour took us to the residence of the Queen, the iconic Stonehenge, and the historic town of Bath, which is the inspiration for one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. We also toured the Roman baths.


A-Z of LondonL

Oxford, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and Warwick Castle: On our walking tour of Oxford we heard about some of the famous lecturers and authors associated with the university, such as Lewis Carroll. In the time we had at Stratford, we visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, Trinity Chapel where he is buried, and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. Another highlight for me! Lastly we toured Warwick Castle and watched several shows of medieval knights jousting and carnival side shows.

There were other sites that we wanted to visit, but we ran out of time and energy. I brought home several books and posters as remembrances, and I have shared my experiences with colleagues and students. Let me say that this would not have been possible without the generosity of the Professional Development Committee and the Newton family.

by Angie Edwards Upper School English Teacher [email protected]

eupdate 11

This was a once in a lifetime experience for us.

“

“

n addition to “nerding out” at a “nerd fest” with my colleague Nathalie Roy, this summer I had the opportunity to help

a former colleague chaperone a Europe tour with an emphasis in Art History. We visited Paris, Lucerne, Florence and Rome. While there were many wonderful experiences throughout the trip, the highlight of my summer came from a chance encounter in Florence.

I was on a walking tour of the city at 10:00 a.m. We were wrapping up our tour of churches, chapels and other notable monuments when we turned down a side street to see the Ponte Vecchio bridge. This street had no attractions—no vendors, no restaurants, nothing to catch your eye.


by Jennifer Jarnagin [email protected] Latin Teacher

When it really “sunk in” that THE Dalai Llama—a man who has captivated me since a middle school field trip to watch Buddhist monks make sand art many moons ago—I begin to weep and tremble.

“

“

I

A Chance Encounter

in FlorenceAs we turned onto this side street, cameras in hand, our tour guide said, “there’s the Dalai Llama!” I clicked a picture from rote (here’s the Duomo ‘click,’ here’s Dante’s house ‘click,’ here’s the Dalai Llama ‘click’)

When it really “sunk in” that THE Dalai Llama—a man who has captivated me since a middle school field trip to watch Buddhist monks make sand art many moons ago—I begin to weep and tremble. I was simply overwhelmed by his presence. One of the students said, “you need to meet him!” Then ran up to him and asked him to stop and visit. He shook my hand and took a picture with the group. It was an amazing experience.

eupdate 13

PreK-3 through grade 12www.ehsbr.org

3200 Woodland Ridge BLvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70816 / 225.755.2684College Preparatory / Nondiscriminatory Admissions / Tuition Assistance ProgramEPISCOPAL

The e-Update is a publication ofThe Communication Department

of Episcopal School of Baton Rouge

Jason Hubbard, Associate Head of School

Shandi Fazely, Admission and Communication Coordinator

Dianne Madden,Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

Documents

eUpdate, August 18, 2014