The Upper School took on a number of scary things this week: carving pumpkins, decorating ghoulish balconies, designing freighting doors, and completing the PSAT/SAT. To the best of my knowledge, no one was harmed in the process. In earnest, this week, short as it was, reminded me of so much of what is good about SDS. It was the final week of the quarter, so there was a renewed focus on study sessions, completing work, and preparing for tests. As arduous as this can be, that sense of determination is worth celebrating as a college preparatory school. In a single day (Wednesday), we engaged in a range of activities that highlighted the balance that is a hallmark of an SDS education. Grades 9-11 sat for the PSAT and SAT, seniors prepared college applications and essays, the Upper School community listened to our annual Honor Council Address, and we prepared for the SDS tradition of Halloween.

As noted in previous messages, we know standardized testing has limitations, and we are fortunate, as an independent school, to have the autonomy to teach beyond those limitations. While many universities announced they will be test-optional for some period of time, very few are test-blind. If our students did their best, and standardized testing illustrates a strength in education and admissions file, we certainly want to build off of that piece of information. 

Standardized testing does not reveal our students’ talents in areas like music and art; they do not highlight their character, curiosity, work ethic, sense of humor, or any number of other aspects in which we know there to be great value. The process of working with seniors on college essays is one that does highlight some of these factors. I was thoroughly impressed with writing that revealed the importance of a student's cultural heritage, a student's sense of humor in retrieving a towed car, a student's commitment to helping those with physical disabilities, and a student's investment in restoring a neighborhood pond. These are but a few examples of the character of our students. They really are amazing!

After lunch, the Upper School community heard from the founder of Contec, and former SDS parent, Jack McBride, who gave this year's Honor Council Address. As Mr. McBride stated, "Honor codes are meant to give you an introduction to soft skills as you grow into a productive and valued member of society. Living by the Honor Code is one of the first steps toward developing your reputation that will ultimately define your professional character." Working from the understanding that lying, cheating, and stealing are obvious violations of honor, Mr. McBride then highlighted that to act honorably extends further to acknowledging "to whom much is given, much is expected" (a lesson learned from his parents). Of particular importance is Mr. McBride's ability to illustrate these practices in his professional life. On the surface, Contec is a manufacturer of wipes, pre-saturated wipes, disinfectants, and mopping
systems used in cleanroom environments and in healthcare, and it has been tremendously successful in a business sense. However, the power in Mr. McBride's address came from the examples of honorable decision-making that has established a productive culture at Contec. Financially sustaining all of their employees during the pandemic, creating a culture of inclusion for all employees, and promoting from within the company based on commitment to their core values provided anecdotes that support the notion that honorable decision making is also an action, and not merely an avoidance of that which is wrong.

And lastly, after the seriousness of testing and honor, we began our earnest play. That seems like an oxymoron-- earnest play-- but as you will see over the next couple of weeks, as Ms. Phillips loves to say, "Go big or go home!" I hope these pictures reveal a bit of that fun.

Go, Griffins!

Kevin Weatherill

kevin.weatherill@sdsgriffin.org

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennis Wins; Advances to State Finals!

 The Varsity Girls’ Tennis Team beat Hilton Head Christian in their semi-final match this afternoon to progress to the state final tomorrow at noon in Sumter, S.C.! Congratulations to the Coach Allsbrook and the girls. Go, Griffins!

Varsity Swimming Competing in State Championship

The boys’ and girls’ Varsity swim teams compete in the state championship meet tomorrow in Charleston! Go, Griffins!

Note on Quarter 1 Report Cards

Quarter 1 report cards will be available via RenWeb by 5:00 on Friday, October 23^rd. Progress reports and report cards are meant as a form of “internal” communication between teachers, advisors, and families. A student’s official transcript (an “external” communication) includes course titles and final grades (for most courses, an average of first semester and second semester grades). Progress reports, quarter and semester grades, attendance, student behavior, etc. do not appear on a student’s official transcript. 

 

The Week Ahead…

 Monday

*A Day (Math: Morning MAC)

Tuesday

* E Day (English: Morning MAC)

5:00 JV Volleyball (Away at SCA)

6:00 Varsity Volleyball (Away at SCA)

Wednesday

*All Classes Meet (Science: Morning MAC)

10:30 Conversations that Matter (Ann Marie Wesneski and Kevin Weatherill)

*A virtual event hosted by the Parents Community.

Thursday

*A Day (History: Morning MAC)

*Cross Country at Region Championship (Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park)

Friday

*E Day (World Languages and Fine Arts: Morning MAC)

 

Upcoming Dates

October 16                  End of First Quarter

October 21                  Upper School Parents Community Chat (10:30 via Zoom)

October 23                  First Quarter Report Cards Available via RenWeb

October 30                  Halloween Celebration

November 1                Day Light Saving Time Ends (fall back)

November 11              Veterans Day (Flag the Lawn)

November 13              2^nd Quarter Progress Reports Available

November 14              Interact Yard Sale (for information: susan.owens@sdsgriffin.org)

November 23-27         Thanksgiving Holiday

December 14-18         First Semester Exams

                                   

Monday: English (morning) and Latin (afternoon)

                                    Tuesday: History and Spanish, French, German

                                    Wednesday: Science and Exam Conflicts

                                    Thursday: Math and Exam Conflicts

                                    Friday: Make-Up Exams