School Year Chock-Full of Highlights!

As the final days of the 2017-2018 school year come to a close, we asked several administrators and department heads for their Top 5 Highlights – a request, we learned, that daunted even the most seasoned of faculty members because the past 160-or-so days have been chock-full of good stuff!

There was some overlapping among Upper School administrators, many of whom cited the Laramie Project as their number one school-year highlight. During an Upper School Assembly in January, faculty and students staged a heartfelt reading of "The Laramie Project," spearheaded by theatre manager Charlie Alexander. The reading was followed by a productive talk-back.

Also noted were the Upper School class trips, the success of our Math Team, and the recent Mayfest, which was dubbed the “best yet” in terms of the Friday night art walk and on-campus performances.

Lending a helping hand to the greater community was also deemed noteworthy for all three levels. Several initiatives included the entire school, such as Stuff A Bus and Earth Day. Others were level-specific, such as the Lower School’s sock, toy, book, and spring-cleaning drives. Lower School students also sent handmade “Hugs for Soldiers” cards and letters to our military.

In the Middle School, students performed hands-on community service work for the Columbus House Overflow Shelter. Students prepared the shelter’s evening meal on four separate occasions this school year. Upper School Knitting Club members were acknowledged for their Red Scarf Project.

Middle School Director Brian Christman pointed to the new Middle School Book Club and the FIRST Lego League as definite 2017-2018 highlights. Lower School Director Lorri Carroll declared the redesign of many classrooms and the implementation of the Daily 5 Literacy Framework as worthy of mention. The redesign allows for flexible seating and student spaces, while the Daily 5 allows for more student choice and individualized learning.

In Swain Library, Head Librarian Kathy McNeiece gave a thumbs-up to authors Deborah Freedman and Jake Burt for their visits with Lower and Middle School students respectively. Mrs. McNeiece also cited “Book Speed Dating” as a fun new program that was a success for students in Grades 7, 8, and 9. Students engaged in speed-dating rounds with books in order to find “the one” for them!

In our arts community, all seemed to be in agreement on the recent Middle and Upper School Spring Concert conducted by music teacher Matthew Harrison. Accolades such as “holy moly” and “best yet” were ascribed to the choral performance, which featured Mozart’s Requiem. Further noteworthy is that the Hamden Hall Choirs YouTube channel has 500 subscribers and has been viewed more than a half-million times!

Also cited was the faculty and staff art exhibit, which is currently on display in the Moira Fitzsimmons Arons Art Gallery. Other creative works of significance included the dramatic performance of Theban Cycle, the Upper School musical Urinetown, and the third-and fourth-grade performances of, respectively, Anisha Nave and Children of the Wind.

Over in the Athletics Department, Director David Doyle reeled off team highlights: Four teams played in New England Championship games – football, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse, and girls’ soccer. Football won the New England Championship; and football, boys’ basketball, and boys’ lacrosse all won the Fairchester Championships.