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News from the Interim Headmaster
Geoffrey C. Butler
Interim Headmaster
Being at Holland Hall for just one year as the interim headmaster, hastens the speed with which the remaining days pass. Every day is both my first and last and determining on what to focus in the remaining time is a challenge. In the closing weeks, the voice of the interim diminishes as people anticipate the arrival of the next head. My first priority, therefore, is to work with John Marshall in order to effect the best possible transition to next year that will preserve momentum on some issues but also pave the way for new initiatives under his leadership.
To that end, Mr. Marshall will be at school this week for a trustee retreat that will focus on the transition and on the vision for the future. At its last meeting the trustees approved the master plan for future campus development that will be an important part of that discussion. The scope of work for the next head is both broad and deep, including:
• Building upon Holland Halls academic excellence,
• Continuing to develop faculty and staff professional growth,
• Improving community relations and communications,
• Developing a new strategic plan,
• Sustaining and building enrollment, and
• Expanding philanthropy and financial resources.
An essential part of the transition is continuing to work on long-term financial modeling, as part of the strategic planning that will begin next year. The hiatus in faculty and staff compensation for the 2011-12 school year can be only temporary, and we must continue to provide compensation in the future that will retain and attract the very best teachers — without whom all else is moot.
In addition to his participation in the trustee retreat, Mr. Marshall will return in May to attend the first Board of Visitors meeting. The Board of Visitors is a body of distinguished alumni, past trustees, past parents and friends of the school who will provide a variety of perspectives on how Holland Hall can continue to educate students to be successful contributors to the future of society.
In June, Mr. Marshall will return again for our administrative retreat at which we preview and set goals for the next school year. As we work together over the next several months, I am very confident that the transition will be as productive as possible and that Mr. Marshall’s tenure will begin with energy that continues to build on the school’s solid foundation.
The Most Important Goals of American (and Japanese) High School Education
Dennis L. Calkins
Head of the Upper School
A number of year ago while living in Japan and working at the Osaka International School, I wrote an article in which I asked my colleagues to consider what they believed to be the goals of American high school education. Among the questions I asked were:
How many goals are there?
Are we trying to do too much?
Can our list of goals be ranked in order of importance?
How do our goals compare with what we believe are the goals of education in Japan?
Should either country try to emulate the other?
To help us along, I created a list of possible goals of American high school education for us to consider. Here is my list of eight possible goals in random order: READ MORE>>
News from the Middle School Head
Joel Bicknell
Head of Middle School
Two years ago, Rick Wormeli, a national consultant on education with significant middle school experience, visited Holland Hall and met with several constituent groups, including Middle School faculty. Wormeli addressed strategies for reaching all learners and healthy homework practices. His perspective promotes best practices in the classroom and school that increase the engagement of middle school students in their learning. In this month’s issue of Educational Leadership, Wormeli discusses five mindsets for educators that support successful transitions throughout the middle school experience. They include: READ MORE>>
Four-Year-Olds Discover Meaningful Connections in Mathematics
Jo-An Vargo
Head of Primary School
Personal discovery and making connections with previous knowledge are both compelling motivators for learning. Recent discussions with PreS 4s faculty reminded me that our younger students are capable of understanding concepts that adults previously considered too sophisticated for this age group. We now know that if we present these sophisticated concepts with concrete materials and in the context of current topics of study, our youngest learners’ mathematical thinking grows exponentially.
When you walk into our PreS 4s classrooms this month, reptiles, birds, tropical flowers and plants abound in the dramatic play center, the sensory tables and the science center. They are the theme in many of the language and math center activities as well. Over the last few years, our math consultant Peggy McLean, has suggested several activities that have been integrated into lesson plans. Here are a few from Laura Voss-Phillips’ class. I’ve also identified the specific strand of mathematical thinking for each because it’s important to know that we try to incorporate all the math strands into each unit of study. READ MORE>>
2011 Holland Hall Auction on April 16 – RSVP Today
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Primary School
7:00 p.m. - Silent Auction
9:00 p.m. - Live Auction
On April 16, gather at Holland Hall’s Primary School and take a trip Back to the Future. You will enjoy great food from Duke’s and In the Raw and dance to music through the decades. Auction items include tickets to the American Idol Finale Show, a delicious pie from Kay Holt, a beautiful getaway to Salt Lake City and grilling with the coaches.
Register online today! Click the link below:
http://www.hollandhall.org/invest/fundraisingevents/auction/rsvp-online/
Click the link below to view a movie featuring some of the great Live Items:
http://www.hollandhall.org/invest/fundraisingevents/auction/
Click here to view the Auction Catalog.
“DutchBay” — Online Portion of the 2011 Auction Starts April 8
Get those virtual bidding paddles ready and warmed up because the online portion of the 2011 Auction is about to kick off on April 8! Many valuable and coveted items are up for bid on “DutchBay” including parking space at the Primary School, great seats in the Branch Theatre for Commencement, and use of the marquee to send a special Happy Birthday message to your child. All this and more can be yours when you visit hollandhall.org, click on the Online Auction link and bid to your heart’s content. The auction website will be open from 9 p.m. Friday, April 8, through 9 p.m. Monday, April 18. All proceeds benefit the school’s overall operating budget.
Annual Fund Grade Challenge Continues
The grade in each division with the highest Annual Fund giving percentage as of May 1, 2011 will be awarded that most coveted prize of all … a Free Dress Day! Check below for current standings and
CLICK HERE to give a gift of any size and participate in Holland Hall’s most important fundraiser.
Percentage of parents who have given to Annual Fund 2010-2011
7th Grade - 70%
2nd Grade - 69%
6th Grade - 65%
3rd Grade - 63%
5th Grade - 62%
4th Grade - 60%
9th Grade - 58%
8th Grade - 55%
JrK/Kindergarten - 53%
Preschool - 51%
11th Grade - 51%
1st Grade - 50%
10th Grade - 48%
12th Grade - 42%
Overall Parent Giving: 53%
(Goal 75%)
Parents’ Association April Meeting
Everyone is welcome to attend the Parents' Association meeting on Monday, April 11 at 2 p.m. in the Alumni Center, Middle School. Special guests will be the Middle School Honor Choir. These monthly meetings are a great opportunity to find out more about what is going on at the school and get involved. For more information, contact Erin Yancy at eyancy@hollandhall.org.
Team Up with College Counseling
Please bring your lunch and join us for this year’s final session of “Team Up With College Counseling” on Monday, April 11, 2011 at noon in the Middle School Alumni Center. Join Kathy Housh, Director of College Counseling, in the Alumni Center to discuss summer ideas and programs for high school students.
Calendar Reminder
A reminder that school will be in session on Friday, April 22 and Friday, April 29. April 22, initially scheduled as no classes in recognition of Good Friday, will become a regular school day. April 29, originally slated as a Professional Day, will also be a regular school day. These make up days are due to the number of snow days for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Upcoming Arts Events
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Upper School Solo/Ensemble and Jazz Band Night
7 p.m., Newman Theatre, Walter Arts Center
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Upper School Choir, Dance and Show Choir Concert
7 p.m., Branch Theatre, Walter Arts Center
Register for the 2011 Holland Hall Golf Tournament
Register today for the 2011 Holland Hall Golf Tournament scheduled for Monday, May 9, 2011 at The Golf Club of Oklahoma, 20400 East 141st Street in Broken Arrow, OK. To register your team online, CLICK HERE. For more information about the event or how you can become a corporate sponsor, contact Erin Yancy in the Institutional Advancement Office at (918) 879-4738.
Order Your Yearbook Online Today
See the yearbook page for more info and a link to the ordering site:
http://www.hollandhall.org/activities/clubs-organizations/yearbook/
Save the Date! Volunteer Appreciation Brunch and Parents’ Association Change Over Meeting
In recognition of their invaluable contributions throughout the year, Holland Hall invites all volunteers to the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. The Parents’ Association Change Over meeting will also take place during the brunch.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Holliman Gallery, Walter Arts Center
Please RSVP to Erin Yancy by calling (918) 879-4738 or email eyancy@hollandhall.org.
2011 Dutch Weekend Information
Dutch Weekend will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Petroleum Club of Tulsa from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Dutch Weekend is a formal event featuring a spectacular DJ and lighting, a delicious dessert buffet, and a fun photobooth. The ticket price of $35 includes a t-shirt, the dessert buffet, soft drinks and valet parking. The Petroleum Club is located at 601 S. Boulder and the event will be held on the 15th floor. Enter the Petroleum Club on Boulder Avenue. Tickets can be purchased by check or cash. Checks should be made out to Holland Hall and payment delivered to Amy Cauthon in the Upper School. Holland Hall security will also be provided.
Mark Your Calendars! Dutch Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony
Mark your calendars for this year’s new combined Dutch Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, May 13, 2011 at the DoubleTree Warren Hotel at 61st and Yale.
This new format provides current student athletes and their families the opportunity to celebrate the great tradition of Holland Hall sports with former athletes. The annual Hall of Fame Ceremony recognizes former athletes and their athletic achievements. The individuals and teams are selected based on certain criteria and by a committee panel.
The Dutch Awards Banquet recognizes current student athletes and their accomplishments.
This is a ticketed event, more details to come soon.