A Busy, Final Week!

This is the final academic week of the 2009 calendar year. We will certainly take advantage of all five days (actually four and half since Friday is a 12:15 dismissal) to pack in a variety of activities and events: the Head Master's Inn on Monday (holiday party for employees in my office); folder paper readings in many Lower School homerooms; Middle School exams on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; Baltimore City H1N1 vaccine clinic on Thursday; 9th Age Hopper-Cricket flag football game on Thursday; Lower School Holiday sing-a-long and class parties on Friday! I even had the pleasure of being serenaded by a 7th Age Spanish class on Monday! (See picture below). The offices will be open Monday, 12/21, through Wednesday, 12/23, and then the buildings are closed for a week and a half. School reopens on Monday, January 4, 2010. It will take a few weeks to get used to writing and saying "2010"! Best wishes for a wonderful, safe, joyous holiday season!

Distance Learning Day a Big Success!

The Distance Learning Day on December 4 proved to be a big success. Five teachers--Mr. Ewen, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Rossi, Mr. Little, and Ms. Summers--instructed 45 Sixth Graders who took math, science, English, and history classes from the comfort of the their own home. (See two pictures below). The teachers used a variety of different technologies, including Google docs, powerpoint, Adobe Connect, break out groups, online quizzes, and chat over the four and half hours of instruction. The all-digital format included technologies to let the students speak to each other and the teachers in real time. The initial feedback from the students was very positive. In fact, one asked, "Can we do this every week?" While the effort involved makes a weekly distance day unlikely, we certainly learned a great deal about a variety of educational technologies. Many thanks to the students, teachers, and Mrs. Frederick, Mr. Bethea, and Mr. Clapp for a job well done!

Devoted Calvert Alumni

On Wednesday night, December 2, I had the special opportunity to attend a Christmas Tree Lighting Party hosted by a Calvert alumnus. His office overlooks Rockefeller Plaza in New York City and thus offers the ideal spot for a holiday party for employees and friends. At the party, I saw numerous Calvert alumni, and whether they graduated 70 years ago or 15 years ago, they remain passionate and devoted to Calvert School. In early 2010, we are going on the road for several Calvert alumni and friends events: January 6 in Palm Beach, Florida; January 7 in Naples, Florida; and January 25 in New York City. If you live in those areas, please be on the lookout for an invitation. Please note that not just alumni are invited; we encourage grandparents and past Calvert parents to attend as well. You should contact Elisa Chelius, Director of Alumni Relations, at 410-243-6054 x. 142 (or echelius@calvertschool.org) if you have any questions.