Whitfield School eNews November 2017

November 2017

Letter from the Head of School

Dear Whitfield Families,

In addition to welcoming 119 new students to campus this fall we also welcomed several new teachers and administrators who bring a wide range of talent and experience to our dynamic faculty.

Our teachers are the centerpiece of the Whitfield experience—not just experts in their various fields, but also expert communicators who embrace innovation and delight in the opportunities of the modern classroom. Our faculty teach students to be curious, to understand, to make connections and draw conclusions. They provide a foundation for life-long learning and empower students to pursue their interests wherever they may lead. Whitfield teachers live our mission every day as they cultivate ethical, confident, successful students in a community of innovation, collaboration and trust.

Our new faculty members—who have come to Whitfield from universities as well as some of the region’s most highly-regarded private and public schools—quickly embraced this cultural expectation. They have infused their classrooms with enthusiasm and expertise, and the “Whitfield Way” has influenced their teaching.

A new math teachers shared, “Whitfield’s small school size gives me the ability to get to know my students as learners and to gain a genuine understanding of who they are as people.”

A new language teacher commented, “Students here have a world vision and appreciate the importance of learning a second language. I am impressed with the grit of Whitfield students; they are the hardest working kids I have ever had in my classroom.”

And, from one of our social studies faculty, “This is such a positive, intellectual environment that is dedicated to making not only the students better, but making the greater community better.”

What difference does the “Whitfield Way” make in the lives of our students? When you read the article “Achieving the Vision” in this edition of Whitfield eNews, please take a few moments to watch the accompanying video. Three of our alumni, a Microsoft executive, an artist, and a nonprofit CFO, reflect on their individual Whitfield experiences and tell a story that we hear consistently: Whitfield is an extraordinary community that prepared them well for college, career, and life.

Best,

John Delautre
Head of School
john.delautre@whitfieldschool.org

Achieving The Vision

On October 10th Whitfield School announced Phase III of Achieving The Vision: The Campaign for Whitfield at a Town Hall event. Our goal: $10 million. Since the silent phase of the campaign launched in 2016, support from current families, alumni and alumni parents and grandparents has been overwhelming.

Interactive Exhibits

As we prepare our students for success in 21st century careers, we recognize the critical importance of weaving technology throughout traditional English, history, science and language curriculum. This integration of technology came into play this fall as our seventh grade science students combined their research on plants with Makey Makey, an invention kit that connects everyday objects to computer programs, and Scratch, a block-based programming language.

Scavenger Hunt on History

As Whitfield juniors study United States history chronologically, they explore themes of art and culture, economics and capitalism, government and politics, and migration and globalization. Their exploration recently included a scavenger hunt designed to broaden their historical and cultural understanding of St. Louis.

Self-Portrait as a Reflection of Culture

Seniors in Advanced Studio Painting use art as a vehicle to deconstruct and re-interpret images and contemporary topics while addressing their own personal aesthetic. For their self-portrait project, students were asked to consider the influence of culture: how culture influences who they are and how they influence culture. To do this, students first selected a photo that captured their authentic self. Then, they focused in on one facet within the photo—illuminating it through this self-portrait.

Congratulations Dr. Attwood

We are pleased to announce that our own Dr. Adam Attwood, social studies teacher and sponsor of the Model United Nations Club, has achieved the distinction of published author! This September, Palgrave Macmillan published his book, titled "Social Aesthetics and the School Environment: A Case Study of the Chivalric Ethos."

Fall Sports Wrap-Up

Congratulations to our student-athletes on their successful fall seasons! Check out a few highlights from the varsity teams.