Tenth Age Performing Arts Show

As reported before in my blog, the Calvert Fine and Performing Arts program is thriving. With each passing month, there are new and improved events, beautiful projects on display, and high-quality performances from a variety of grade levels. On Friday, the showcase activity was the Tenth Age Performing Arts Show. The participation was so strong--24 acts!--that we had to move the event up to 1:30 PM from its original start time of 2:00. Forty-six students (a full two-thirds of the grade) performed during three different Acts: Dance, Poem/Instrumental, and Vocal/Band. The students were terrific! There was truly a great diversity of skills on display: piano, poetry recitation, rock 'n roll, pop, and modern dance, just to name a few. What started out as a 20-30 minute show in the music room two years ago has quickly evolved into a 90 minute show in the Auditorium. I am very proud of all the performers!

Sprinting, not Winding Down

It has already started again this spring. I have been asked several times, as I am routinely in late March or early April, "So, are you winding down the school year?" I always answer emphatically, "No, we are sprinting to the finish!" The running analogy really is apt here, as we have run a strong race thus far and are headed into the final lap of a four lap contest--one lap per academic quarter. We can see the end in sight, but we cannot slow down. There is too much race left! In our case here at Calvert, there are skills to be honed, material to be learned, games to be played, speeches to be delivered, class plays to be performed, and lessons to be taught. The school calendar is literally packed with events, with fine arts nights, talent shows, grade-level plays, interscholastic athletic events, Track and Field Day, and Calvert Day (our spring fair)--among many other activities--filling the docket. It is shaping up to be an exhilarating "last lap" of the 2011-2012 school year, indeed!

The Power of Observation

A few months ago, as Middle School morning handshaking was wrapping up at about 8:15 AM, I just stood there and observed a variety of movements, conversations, and sights: multiple high-quality art projects on the walls and in display areas; dozens (literally) of students bounding down the stairs after early morning squash practice and hustling to their first period class; 7th graders happily starting a dress rehearsal in the Black Box Theater under the tutelage of their enthusiastic teacher; and a math teacher and a 7th grader pleasantly discussing when the best test date would be given that the student had a conflict (because of the aforementioned dress rehearsal!). All in all, it was a great few moments, with academics, art, drama, athletics, and several authentic teacher-student relationships all "on display." The scene reminded me about the power of observation. An observer, while standing in a common area such as a lobby or main hallway, can learn a tremendous amount about a school (or a workplace!) without actually speaking with anyone. What are the students wearing? If they are wearing a uniform, do their accessories (shoes, backpacks, jackets) differentiate them from each other in any way? How are they interacting with each other? With adults? How are the adults interacting? What items are hanging on the walls? Tone and demeanor of the students and adults? I encourage you to "be an observer" in your school or workplace and then to reflect about whether your observations were in line with your prior thoughts or expectations.

The Butterfly Garden

The families of the Class of 2012 are leaving Calvert with a wonderful gift: a butterfly garden. Located along the path between the Lower School and the Middle School, the Class of 2012 Butterfly Garden is just starting to bloom (after being planted in the fall). The path used to have a scraggly bank on its east side, and now that side has exploded with color and will attract butterflies in a few months. The pictures below really do not do the Garden appropriate justice. Please come by campus and see for yourself!

Calvert's Got Talent!

We had our "best ever" Middle School Talent Show last night--18 strong and varied acts--singing, dancing, piano, ukulele, cello, rap, hard rock, classical, pop, guitar, and drums. The Talent Show has gotten so big that some students (in additional to the 18 acts from last night) are performing in two Middle School assemblies this week. Moreover, we have not one, not two, but THREE 8th graders who were accepted to Baltimore School for the Arts for next year! This is all exciting news and proof that the fine arts program at Calvert is growing and thriving.

A Big Day for Calvert

March 9 was a big day for Calvert School. First, it was the day that prospective families had to inform Calvert if they were going to enroll. I am very pleased to report that we have a large, wonderful group of new children and families joining us in the fall! We will again be "full" in both the Lower and Middle Schools; in fact, our enrollment this year of 612 students represents the fourth consecutive year of an all-time high enrollment at Calvert. Also, March 9 was the day by which our 8th graders had to choose their high school. They will be headed to at least 14 different schools next year, and our first choice placement rate will be at least 98%! The Calvert 8th graders are just so strong, and they have had tremendous success over the years with secondary school admission as well as great achievements at those schools once enrolled. Go Calvert!

Spring Sports

On Monday, March 5, our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders begin their Spring interscholastic sports practices. Some years, we do not start Spring sports until after Spring vacation, but with break being later this year (it starts on March 17), we decided to get going sooner. In the two weeks since winter sports wrapped up, it has been strangely quiet in and around the Middle School between 3:15 and 4:30 PM! Under the skillful and dedicated guidance of Director of Athletics and Physical Education Mary Alice Lears, our interscholastic athletics program is a vital component of the Middle School curriculum. Although optional because they occur after the official end of the school day, the sports program is highly subscribed: each year, approximately 95% of the students play at least one sport, and about 75% play at least two. The offerings? Football, cross country, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, field hockey, squash, wrestling, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, track and field, softball, baseball, girls' lacrosse, and boys' lacrosse! In several sports, we offer an "A" and a "B" team based on number of participants and developmental level. Annually, we have a high winning percentage, but that is not a direct goal of the athletic program. We aim to promote teamwork, skill development, sportsmanship, (life-long) physical fitness, and the enjoyment of sports. I strongly encourage you to come by campus to see a Spring sporting event. Please click on "Athletic Schedule" on our home page for the most up-to-date schedule.

Corks for Calvert

Our annual parent social event, called Corks for Calvert, was held on Saturday night in the France-Merrick Atrium in the Middle School. It was a huge success! Some highlights: record ticket sales of approximately 280, delicious food (crab dip, tenderloin, sushi), terrific silent auction items, grade-level auction items (art projects made by the class) that get better each year, and a spirited tuition raffle (winner received a $5,000 credit for next year’s tuition!). It is wonderful to see so many happy attendees each year. If you are a current Calvert parent who has not yet attended Corks, then you should really mark your calendar now for next year's party! Tentative date: February 23, 2013.