Month: November 2011

Categories
Family and Community

Humbled by Service

By Kaye Hauschild
Middle School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School 

My daddy was in the Navy in World War II.  When I was growing up, all that his service meant to me was that I could borrow a real sailor’s hat for my Halloween costume.  When I got to college and majored in History, I thought myself an expert in World War II military history and his service became a footnote in my knowledge.  When life had taught me that war is not something even remotely communicated in textbooks, his service humbled me.

I celebrate Veteran’s Day in his memory and share my celebration with my students each year, encouraging them to remember their friends and loved ones who served our country.

This year, I took the seventh grade, Mrs. John, and Mrs. Ekstrom down the road to C.C. Young Retirement Center where we volunteered to go and talk with the World War II veterans and help them get from where they live to where the Veteran’s Day flag ceremony was taking place.

In the days before our visit, we had four of our scouts volunteer to perform the flag ceremony and four girls volunteer to lead the entire group in the pledge of allegiance.  We practiced appropriate questions and conversation starters.  We reviewed procedures and dress code.

And then, on November 11, 2011, our seventh grade went to C.C. Young.  It was a beautiful flag ceremony, a rousing recitation of the pledge, and no one was lost in transit from home to ceremony or back.  The students did everything they were asked to do, but at the end of the morning, it was so much more.

There was a kind of magic that morning between the veterans and our students.  Maybe everyone was a little awkward at first, but minutes into our time together, that awkwardness turned to sincere mutual interest.  We learned about their experiences and they wanted to know about ours.  We were fascinated by their pasts and they were excited for our futures. (One of our veterans tried to recommend Texas A&M to everyone!)  Even after the lovely ceremony, one resident’s comment was “It means so much that you just came to talk to us.”  And our students felt the same way.

Everyone wants to plan another visit to our new friends.  Seventh graders are still talking about their experiences.  And there is talk of making our Veteran’s Day visit an annual event.

Once again, I am humbled.

Categories
Family and Community

A Thanksgiving Assignment

By Patti Brooks
Lower School Coordinator, Lakehill Preparatory School 

I LOVE Thanksgiving!

It is the time of year that pansies are planted, cold breezes blow in, fireplaces fill the night air with that campfire smell, and good food is coupled with hugs from loved ones!  As a second grade teacher, I always found myself discussing favorite memories with my students about this wonderful holiday. My favorite assignment was to have them write an acrostic poem about Thanksgiving. Since I don’t have a chance to assign this task to others this year, I will do it myself, so here goes:

T=Thankfully surrounded by that special, talented group, called the Lower School faculty

H=Having the most wonderful students in Dallas

A=Always knowing that I was “at home” in the halls of Lakehill

N=Never doubting the importance of the supportive parents

K=Knowing that children’s happiness was #1

S=Seeing self-confident smiles daily

G=Giving proud hugs with many tears at Baccalaureate each year

I=Interested in the opinions of others, young and old

V=Very thankful for the close friendships I have formed

I=Impressed by the leadership of dedicated professionals

N=Not forgetting that my wonderful family has supported my dedication to Lakehill

G=Grateful that 29 years ago Mr. Perry said, “Yes” to my teacher application at Lakehill

Categories
Technology

The Times They Are A’ Changin’

By Katie Becker
Social Studies Chair, Lakehill Preparatory School 

I am doing something a little different this year.

Every fall in my eighth grade American History class I have my students create a poster that illustrates the major events that led up to the break-out of the Revolutionary War. Students bring in hand-drawn pictures and detail the events in creative ways. But this year we are going digital! We are using an online service called Glogster. It is an interactive poster-making site with a fantastic array of text boxes, images, and backgrounds. And if the pre-made items are not enough, users can upload their own images, videos, and sound clips. Students are able to add different media to make this a very creative and unique project.

I tested the site with my AP European students with an assignment over the Protestant Reformation. They were instructed to create digital recruitment posters to follow Martin Luther and John Calvin. Check out one of the AP glogs here: http://sweyazb.edu.glogster.com/protestant-reformation/.

The AP students seemed to enjoy the assignment and I enjoyed viewing them. Eighth grade students just finished their “glogs” and I am so impressed with their creativity. Check out one of the 8th grade glogs here: http://sqxfv2y.edu.glogster.com/road-map-to-revolution/.

The Digital Age has transformed our world so quickly and in the classroom teachers have to change with the times. With new digital tools popping up daily to use in and out of the classroom, teachers gain more opportunities to tap into new ways of doing the tried and true. I look forward to trying to meet the needs and interests of my digital native students through the use of more digital tools.

Categories
Family and Community

Giving Thanks

By Roger L. Perry
Headmaster, Lakehill Preparatory School 

As we race toward the Thanksgiving season, it seems the time is right to share with you the story of one of Lakehill’s greatest friends and supporters over the first forty years. Mr. Charles J. Wyly, Jr. was a great friend of the school. He shared his wonderful insights about the world and his philosophy about the importance of education for all people. He was a pillar of the Dallas community and was very generous with causes he believed in, especially our school.

Some of you may know that for the first eighteen years of our school’s existence we rented our current building from the Lakewood Baptist Church. In 1989 the Board of Directors voted to purchase the building and the 5.6 acres we now occupy on Hillside Drive. In order to buy the land and building, the school needed to raise gifts to make the purchase a reality. The first gift came from Mr. Wyly and it set the tone for the success of the fund drive. The goal was $2.5 million and he provided the first $250,000 toward that goal. The largest gift in the history of the school, prior to his wonderful gift was $30,000.

His leadership and generosity made it possible for us to ultimately raise all the funds and to own the land and buildings free and clear. Over the years, I’m sure Mr. Wyly has given cumulative gifts in access of $1,000,000 toward our efforts to provide a quality education here in East Dallas.  Mr. Wyly loved people and to the best of my knowledge, he attended every holiday luncheon we held and truly enjoyed the interaction between our students and the senior citizens. This year’s holiday luncheon will be a little different for me, because Charles will not be here enjoying the “Spirit” of the holidays, as he passed away this summer in Aspen, Colorado.

He will truly be missed, and I am so grateful to have known him as one of those rare individuals who helped build a foundation for an outstanding prep school called Lakehill. He was a good friend and mentor and one of the most generous men I have ever known. My life and the lives of thousands of young people are better because Charles Wyly crossed each of our paths and shared his can-do spirit with all of us. Lakehill Preparatory School is very thankful to have been fortunate enough to have a great friend in Charles Wyly.

Categories
Family and Community

Lakehill Perks

By Victoria John
Middle School Latin Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School 

It’s Monday morning. Still tired, I drag my rolling bag through the parking lot up the inclined sidewalk and into school. The enticing smell of coffee jolts my senses. Then I remember – the Commons.

As I weave my way through the Upper School hall, I see former students chatting at their lockers. I hear the early morning buzz of a new day mingled with excitement. I feel my cheeks lifting in a smile and hear my voice saying, “Good morning!”

Connor Cumpton comes up to me to share his latest skating success. I pass Emily Allton and congratulate her on her state cross-country victory. Jackson Vickery turns with his signature friendly smile and says, “Hi, Ms. John.”

I’m grateful to be teaching at a school where I know most of the students. Grogginess has given way to renewed energy. It’s not the caffeine but the feel of community that awakens me.

Lakehill has a brand new gathering place – the Commons. It has now become our own neighborhood coffee house filled with students, teachers, and parents.

I get many perks from this. It forces me to leave my home in the Middle School hall. It begins my day by reminding me why I love teaching at Lakehill – it feels like a home. It gives me the chance to get reacquainted with previous students. Once they move on to Upper School, graduation comes quickly. While I see them on the stage or the playing field, I don’t always have a chance to interact.

How lucky we are to have this new addition to Lakehill. It gives the students the opportunity to practice their entrepreneurial skills while welcoming the rest of the school. In serving us, they build community.

Hudson Trent is there every morning. I see Hudson’s involvement all over Lakehill. Whether in sports, Homecoming, or offering advice to another student, Hudson epitomizes Lakehill. He is a genuine example of what makes Lakehill tick, what gives us that sense of being part of something larger than each of us.

In my twelfth year here, I still find ways to appreciate the gifts Lakehill offers. Let’s give a big hand to Bob Yttredahl, Jamie Thorne, and sophomores Emily Allton, Sydney Firsching, and Hannah Cavouti for starting this new tradition and for creating a common ground for sharing a cheerful “Good Morning.”

Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister’s eyes,
Into your brother’s face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
“Good morning.”

     – Maya Angelou