Categories
College Readiness

College Visits

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School

Having recently returned from visiting four colleges in Utah and five colleges in Massachusetts, and knowing that many families travel for the holidays, I thought that College Visits would be a timely topic to write about.

I highly recommend visiting colleges if time and money allow. Visiting a few colleges before a student submits an application is beneficial because a student can see what the campus is really like and can better imagine themselves there. The experience becomes real. Brochures and guidebooks tend to make most campuses indistinguishable from one another. Experiencing the campus in person and talking to students and faculty help bring a college’s personality to life. With all other factors being equal, many students have reported that “how a campus feels” is what made them decide to apply and attend or not.

So, how does one visit a college? Students should go online to the college’s website and search under admissions/visits. All colleges have an online visit request system. It is important to register online at least two weeks in advance or more, especially if you are visiting during popular school breaks, as tours will fill up. Please also note that some colleges will not be open on national holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Most visits will include a one-hour information session and a one-hour tour. You can often request to sit in on a class, eat lunch with a student, meet with a specific academic department, or tour facilities not on the general tour, such as fine arts spaces or athletic facilities. Some colleges will have an Open House where the faculty and staff from a variety of departments are available all day in sessions and workshops, in addition to a tour and information session.

Before your trip, confirm your visit time and map out where you are going. Sometimes colleges will arrange discounts at local hotels if you are visiting campus or they may have a lodging facility on their campus. Arrive ten minutes early to check in. Some colleges will separate parents and students on the tour, but most will combine them. If it is a large group, the tour guides will introduce themselves and you can pick which one to go with–so if a guide is from your hometown or state or shares your major, that would be the person to follow.

When on tour, note the buildings, classrooms, interactions between students, evidence of school pride, notices on bulletin boards, etc. If you don’t get your questions answered on the tour, be sure to ask your guide or an admissions officer after the tour while it is fresh in your mind. If you are visiting several campuses at one time, details will run together, so be sure to take notes on what you like and don’t like about a campus and note interesting facts. It is recommended that you visit no more than two college a day to avoid college visit burnout. If you are spending a day or two in the area, experience the shops and restaurants around campus and try out the transportation systems if available. Campus life often extends beyond the actual campus.

Also remember that even if you cannot travel far, there may be campuses in your city that you can visit any time. You may discover a hidden gem in your own backyard!

Happy Visiting!

Categories
Community Uncategorized

Kindness is Alive and Well

By Kaye Hauschild
Head of Middle School, Lakehill Preparatory School

Kindness in Middle School is not the mythical creature that most people assume it is. It is shy, preferring to exist behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.

It has a quiet voice, as if something very loud would take away its magic. It has the ability to grow in its reach, power, and impact if allowed the space and encouragement to do so. It can also be contagious, infecting friends and acquaintances.

Living as I do in a middle school world, I am used to hearing the generalizations about the negative side of our age. But I am proud to be witness to the kindness that students show to each other when someone is sad, overwhelmed, or feeling misunderstood. I am happy to provide opportunities for them to share their gifts and talents with those less fortunate. I am excited to help when they reach out during a problem in our neighborhood or a far away disaster.

Kindness is alive and well and growing and giving in our Middle School – and I am happy to be a witness!


 

Categories
STEM

Rover Ruckus: Lakehill Students Prepare for Lift-off in Robotics

By Jennifer Herta, Robotics Teacher/Computer Science Chair
Lakehill Preparatory School

It is now almost cliche to say “computers are everywhere.” But what might not be as readily noticed are the numerous computer-connected devices that can be set to complete tasks  autonomously. Internet-connected lights, locks, and air conditioning can run routines that you prescribe. Once only dreamed of in The Jetsons, an iteration of Rosie the Robot Maid exists in the form of robot vacuum cleaners. Autonomous cars are being tested on our roads. Recently, engineers at Google created an AI that could beat the top Go players in the world–a feat thought impossible a few years ago (check out the documentary AlphaGo, it’s a treat!). In the film Jurassic Park, the raptors’ ability to open doors is shown as a leap of intelligence. Boston Dynamics recently achieved this seemingly simple but quite difficult feat by creating a robot that can open doors. Artificial intelligence is a field with much buzz surrounding it.

 

In a world where the existence of robots and AI will continue to become routine, the students of Lakehill can benefit from the exploration of these fields by incorporating robotics into their studies. For this reason, we have started our inaugural year of Lakehill Robotics by competing in FIRST Robotics First Tech Challenge. I chose FIRST because it is an organization that not only fosters students’ appreciation and abilities in STEAM fields, but also fosters a sense of ethical responsibility–which is quite important when determining the trajectory of future AI and robotics technologies. FIRST subscribes to two trademark philosophies. The first is Gracious Professionalism®, which entails the idea that “fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions.” Second is Coopertition®, which is a portmanteau of cooperation and competition. Yes, we will compete fiercely, but we will help each learn and grow along the way.

 

We recently attended our first kick-off event for FTC Robotics. The event revealed the details of this year’s theme: Rover Ruckus. Each year’s theme has some real-world correlation. This year, our intrepid explorers will be tasked with creating a Mars rover that will launch from the lander and collect samples of gold and silver unobtanium. At the event, the students were a bit intimidated by the fervor of their competitors–but I am certain with a few “wins” overcoming the obstacles of creating our robot, they too will have that same level of excitement. In addition to the STEAM concepts the students will learn, the most important lessons will involve teamwork, problem solving, and grit. It is imperative for our students to learn how to experiment, fail, and persevere. I look forward to learning these important lessons with my students this year in FTC Robotics.

Categories
Giving Uncategorized

Sharing Support and Smiles

By Julie Riggs,
English Chair, Lakehill Preparatory School

I love North Texas Giving Day and look forward to it every year.  There are eight or ten institutions I like to support, including my own dear Lakehill Preparatory School. The bargain-hunter in me enjoys knowing that I can give more than I otherwise might since the Communities Foundation will boost my little gifts, and the occasion gives me a special day to be a philanthropist and patron of the arts in my own small way.

I recently heard a radio report about people who choose not to register because they believe their votes make no difference, and it would be easy to rationalize that my minute contributions make no discernible difference in the vast ledger of need and opportunity– I may personally never see evidence of a single benefit arising from my gifts.

But giving makes a difference to me. My heart sings while I deliberate on how to distribute my support and smiles with contentment when the deed is done. But even more important, giving itself makes a difference. With so much generosity in the air, cynicism and greed themselves must give ground, and the world truly becomes a brighter place.

 

Categories
Giving

Why do we need an Annual Fund?

By Lacie Kuhn
Lakehill Preparatory School, Director of Development

Most people don’t realize that at any private school, tuition only covers part of the total cost of educating each student. An Annual Fund is essential to closing that gap. Each year we look to our supporters for donations that have an immediate and meaningful impact, keeping Lakehill the unique campus we know and love.

But what, exactly, does the Annual Fund, well, fund?

  • The student experience—it makes possible the athletic teams, clubs, extracurricular activities, and academic teams that give students a well-rounded, complete experience.
  • Faculty support—it allows the school to offer competitive salaries, benefits, and facilities, making Lakehill more able to attract and retain qualified, passionate leaders.
  • Safety—it ensures students are safe from drop-off to pick-up every day, by maintaining security presence at both campuses.
  • Advanced training—it gives every faculty and staff member access to the latest seminars and training materials, ensuring they can stay current in their field.
  • Curriculum support—it provides the resources to research and maintain an updated curriculum, and add in new class offerings in response to student interest, as well as to stay ahead of current academic trends.
  • Financial aid—it helps bring extraordinary student talent to Lakehill.
  • Technology and Resources—it creates flexible and collaborative learning spaces for students and faculty to work in, including helping to provide current research and technical materials.

The Annual Fund Campaign is the most popular and important vehicle through which our supporters give to Lakehill. Your donation goes to work immediately, helping to ensure that one more Warrior achieves their ultimate goal of becoming a Lakehill graduate and attending the college of their choice.

We are proud of Lakehill’s reputation for being a “Small Place where you can do Big Things.” That applies to the Annual Fund as well. Your gift will make a Big Impact – I encourage you to look around at our students and see for yourself who the Annual Fund supports. It’s an investment in the leaders of tomorrow.

If you have questions about the Annual Fund Campaign, why to give, or any other questions about donating to Lakehill, please contact Director of Development and Alumni Relations Lacie Kuhn, at lkuhn@lakehillprep.org.

Categories
Back-to-School

Welcome from the Headmaster

Dear Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year at Lakehill Preparatory School. We are grateful that you have chosen our school for your children’s education, and we are committed to having a positive impact on their lives. Education is a life-long endeavor, and we are honored to work with you and your children during this stage of their development.

As I walked through the halls this week, I have been energized by the enthusiasm of our teachers, the excitement of our students, and the opportunities available to all of us at Lakehill. This is a particularly special year for me, as my granddaughter Kennedy joined us for kindergarten.

Lakehill Preparatory School has an impressive history that spans 47 years of creating opportunities for our students. While we are small by design, our close-knit community provides many possibilities for involvement. Lakehill students can find themselves immersed in the arts, athletics, academics, leadership responsibilities, and community service. Our students are fortunate that our size strongly dictates involvement over exclusivity so that everyone has their moment to shine.

These moments teach our students the life skills necessary to be successful in school, in their family lives, and in their future careers. They are able to attend the colleges of their choice while simultaneously being athletes, performers, writers, scientists, artists, and community leaders.

Each of us wants to be part of a strong, secure, and caring community, one in which we are valued and supported. Our goal is that every student and adult in the Lakehill family will have a safe, small place to accomplish big things.

Our faculty members continue to set the standard with their experience and innovative teaching. We are joined by seven new faculty and staff members, and I look forward to introducing them to you. We have 48 new students, from around the city and around the globe, and we welcome them each to our school.

Our dedicated faculty has been busy this summer, taking advantage of a variety of professional development opportunities to better serve our students. The Lower School faculty attended “Capturing Kids Hearts” training. This program will enable them to have a consistent vocabulary and methodology across grade levels to guide our younger students in appropriately handling their daily social interactions. We will benefit from new classes and curriculum in all divisions, including Engineering and Design for Upper School, LEGO Robotics for Middle School, and Wonders Language Arts curriculum for Lower School, while maintaining our strong, long-standing academic, fine arts, and athletic offerings.

We are grateful for the generous gifts from the Parent Faculty Club (PFC). These gifts range from furniture in the Student Commons and GaGa Ball Pits for the Lower and Middle Schools to new and improved technology and a generous contribution to the endowment fund. Thank you to the many parents who give so generously of their time, energy, and financial resources. All gifts, regardless of size, impact the lives of our students.

Thank you to all of you who weathered the storm with us at the Back-to-school Picnic. Despite the wild weather, it was wonderful to have our Lakehill family back together. I hope you will make plans to join us on September 6, for Parents Open House and on September 14, for the annual Tailgate Party and football game.

As a school community, we have much to celebrate. It is going to be an exceptional year in many ways, and I can hardly wait to join you for the exciting journey we are about to embark on together.

Lakehill is a small place to do big things.

Sincerely,
See more pictures from the first day of school.
Categories
Summer Camps

I Wish I Were a Kid Again

By John Trout
Lakehill Preparatory School
Director of Summer Programs

It’s that time of year again, when the school year is winding down and summer camps are getting ready to launch. I’m such a kid at heart, and poring through the camps catalog always makes me wish that I were a kid again! There are so many camps that young Johnny Trout would have loved!

When I was in lower elementary, I would have been really excited about “Royalty Rules!” and “Eek! Bugs!” I was always building forts and castles where knights (usually my friends or younger cousins) would serve the king (me of course!). I also enjoyed learning about the past and how things were back in the “olden days,” though it didn’t even occur to me that what that really meant was that I enjoy history. “Royalty Rules!” would have been perfect blend of these two interests! And, when I wasn’t building forts, I was digging in the dirt for bugs. The natural world has always fascinated me, and a camp devoted to our multi-legged skittering friends would have been right up my alley!

In late elementary, I discovered two things: I really enjoy cooking, and superheroes are awesome! So, I would have been making tracks to “Simply Snacks” camp and “Mutants, Marvels, and Superheroes.” I love the empowerment of cooking camps; I remember being quite pleased when I made a treat that someone else enjoyed as much as I did, and I still enjoy cooking today. And, though I loved reading comics and enjoying comic book characters, I always wanted to take it to the next level by creating my own characters and stories, and making my own fantastic worlds come to life. These camps would have been perfect for me!

In middle and upper school, I discovered that I love making things. The “Advanced Puppetcraft Workshop” camp would have been perfect for me. The emphasis on sewing technique and well-planned designs means creating and constructing a puppet that is fun, meaningful, and built-to-last. I also discovered my love of the English Language throughout the centuries. “Summer with the Bard” camp would have given me the chance to practice my best Elizabethan Shakespeare accent while doing something else I simply didn’t do enough when I was growing up: performing in front of a crowd! I had horrible stage-fright until I was an adult, but Shakespeare and the company of friends would have helped me shake that much sooner!

These camps and more still have seats available this summer, but time is running out to sign up! If you think your child would love any of these camps as much as I would have, sign up today. If you wait too long, you might find that I took the last seat myself!

 About Lakehill Summer Camps
Lakehill Summer Camps are unique in offering quality, teacher-led camps at an affordable price, with FREE before-camp and after-camp care available every day. Half-day, week-long camps are just $240 per week, while full-day, week-long camps are priced at just $315 per week. Mix and match from a variety of camps to create your perfect summer!
Find out more about Lakehill Summer Camps.
Lakehill Summer Camps – Voted Best Summer Camp by the readers of Lakewood, Lake Highlands, and Park Cities Bubblelife!
Categories
Retirement

A Fond Farewell

By Kaye Hauschild
Lakehill Preparatory School
Head of Middle School

For a whole lot of years, I have been privileged to work with our Assistant Headmaster, Lara Gajkowski. She is retiring at the end of this month.  

Here are a few of my favorite things about Lara:

  1. She is a true educator, ready to support forward thinking in all disciplines.
  2. She is a problem solver who uses her creativity to address a challenge, whether it is creating a workable schedule or finding staffing for an event.
  3. She is dedicated to working however long it takes to get things right.
  4. She has the ability to envision positive change and then make it into reality.
  5. She opens up her home to all of our middle schoolers so they can experience a day in the country with their friends and teachers.
  6. She is willing to have the difficult conversations when necessary and model and support others as they face difficult conversations of their own.
  7. She listens to opinions that are different than our norm and is amenable to change when it is right and good.
  8. She is a family person at heart, bringing us our tribes and our Grandparents Day celebration.
  9. She cares deeply for the well being of our students, families, teachers and staff.
  10. She loves our school as much as I do.
  11. She is my mentor, cheerleader, and friend, and I will miss her.

Categories
Teaching

Imperfection

By Tamra Badgett
French Teacher, Lakehill Preparatory School

Nelson Mandela said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

Each year, I like to tell my beginner French students a story, one whose message applies specifically to them and one that proves true Mandela’s wise words. Let me share it with you.

While living in Toulouse, France, I had an experience that transformed my perspective on language learning. One day, I stood in the plaza gazing across at a bank of brick buildings. My GPS had falsely said that the electric company, which I desperately needed, should be exactly where my eyes now found nothing but apartments and store fronts. Helpless, I glanced around at the confident citizens of the town, intimidated at the idea of having to converse with one of them to solve my dilemma.

Although I spoke French, according to my bachelor’s degree, I didn’t. My type A personality had convinced me that I had no business speaking the language if I couldn’t do so with near perfection, so I listened, I read, I wrote, and I avoided speaking whenever possible.

Nearby in the plaza, an older gentlemen stood seemingly waiting for someone to join him. Of all the individuals hurrying this way and that, he looked the most friendly. Tap, tap. “Monsieur, je suis désolée mais pouvez-vous me donner de l’information?” The man looked at me kindly but motioned to his ear and shook his head. I began to repeat myself, more loudly this time. The gentleman stayed my gesturing hands with his own, smiled almost wistfully, and again shook his head. With hesitancy, I bent the fingers of my right hand into the word, “Aidez?” The gentleman’s countenance brightened and his eyes grew round. I had spoken in his own language–not French, but sign language. With my extremely basic ASL, I asked the man if he knew directions to the electric company. To match my basic finger spelling, he answered in simple terms and phrases.

What I learned that day, and the message I share with my beginner French students, is that “the basics” of a language are all that are needed to form a connection and to show compassion and respect for someone. I met the gentlemen in the plaza where he needed with my ASL and he met me where I needed with simple, slow French.

It is my belief that I don’t teach French at Lakehill just so my students can add another skill to their college resumes. No, I teach French so they are equipped with the means to live out our Lakehill mission which states that our students serve with compassion. Armed with just the basics, they can, in fact, form connections and help others in our ever more globalized and diverse society. Visit my beginner French class and you will surely overhear incorrectly conjugated verbs, franglais, anglicismes, and bizarre circumlocation. You will hear the students learning to connect with others, and I think that is a beautiful sound indeed.

Categories
Student Perspectives

Ready to Bloom

By Shelby Britton
Lakehill Preparatory School
Marketing Intern, Class of 2019

To be nervous about something means, to me, that I care about it. I want to see it bloom and grow into something beautiful.

Therefore, when I say that college makes me incredibly nervous, it’s a good sign. After all, it’s something completely new and foreign that comes with deadlines every week, application after application, and–just when you think you’re done and that the downpour of responsibility is over–you realize you have to do it all over again with scholarships.

But, it’s not all doom and gloom. I will admit, at first, I was dreading applying to college. I had no clue where to even begin, much less where to apply, but that feeling is actually a blessing in disguise. Sure, I am nervous about college and moving out of my wonderfully comfortable home, away from my family and friends, and leaving behind the places where I have made my memories.

But, now, in this time of emotional turmoil and last-minute applications, I know ahead of me lies fresh ground to plant my roots, and I know that if I’m nervous, I’m about to bloom.