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Art Seminar Explores Animal Cruelty
Seniors in Heather Teets' Art Seminar course are exhibiting artworks this week in the Wood Room exploring issues related to animal cruelty. "Mokita: The truth we all know but refuse to talk about" includes works examining animal testing, poaching and the plight of endangered species like the white rhino, and the effects of human waste (particularly plastic debris) on marine animals like the blue whale. The goal of the exhibit is to help educate visitors on these important topics.
A centerpiece of the exhibit is an interactive artwork that serves as a survey that visitors can complete using various strings to answer questions about the works in the show. We invite you to join us in the Wood Room this evening at 5:30 p.m. to view the works and talk to the artists.
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| | A student completes the interactive survey in the Mokita exhibition. |
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Seeking Board of Directors Nominations; Deadline is January 15, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016 is the deadline to nominate potential board members to the Park Tudor Board of Directors beginning with the 2016-17 school year.
The Governance Committee of the Board is seeking candidates who possess strong leadership skills and strategic-thinking abilities, who have the ability to take a broader school view over their own self-interest, and who have demonstrated commitment to and/or involvement at Park Tudor. Candidates may include parents with children in the various divisions, alumni, non-parents, grandparents, local business leaders and educators. Nominees will be considered for three-year terms beginning in July, 2016. The Governance Committee will conduct a review of all current board members in an effort to complement their skills with those of potential candidates who offer broad and specific skill-sets. The committee also will review and conduct an initial screening of all nominations received by the January 15 deadline; meet with a select number of nominees to further discuss the process in greater detail and to determine their interest; will prepare a short list of candidates for discussion by the Executive Committee of the board; and will prepare a final slate of candidates for recommendation to the full Board of Directors. The Board will vote on the final slate of directors and trustees at its May, 2016 meeting. If you would like to nominate one or more candidates for consideration, please complete this online nomination form by Friday, January 15, 2016.
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Connecting Classroom, Campus and Community: Global Opportunities Abound at Park Tudor
By Amy Kerr, World Language Department Chair and Assistant Director of the Middle School
Global opportunities abound at Park Tudor. Students can volunteer with a local group of non-English speakers, they can take part in the prestigious IU Honors program, they can travel to other countries to partake in their culture and language, or they can correspond and become pen friends with students living over 8,000 miles away. As part of the Peace Corps' World Wise Schools initiative, eighth grade French students have been paired with same-age children in the small rural village of Dichoeung, in the province of Limpopo, South Africa. According to the Peace Corps volunteer living in Limpopo, "There is a pent-up demand on the part of the learners to learn about America, the people and the culture." Through the after school English Club, these students are improving their language skills by writing letters to their Park Tudor counterparts. Upon reading the first batch of letters from Dichoeung, our students have embarked on a journey of cross-cultural exchange. They immediately notice the differences in the two schools. The Mpelegeng Matlala Primary School has only 350 students, and the sole functioning computer sits on the principal's desk. All students wear uniforms and must pass an English proficiency exam to graduate. Textbooks are few and far between, and those that they use are out of date. Students walk to school, and the study of agriculture is an important part of their curriculum. However disparate the differences, the similarity between the students at both schools makes for an immediate connection. Our friends in Dichoeung like sports (netball and soccer), and they dislike homework. They love their families, and they have dreams about being doctors and social workers. They want to travel, and they enjoying listening to the music of Niki Minaj, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. I find myself wondering who benefits most from this exchange? Certainly, the students in Limpopo province learn and grow in their knowledge of the English language and American culture. However, equally of value is the opportunity for Park Tudor students to learn that distance and culture aside, adolescents share similar desires for a successful and peaceful future for our world. As our new friends in South Africa say, "Sepela Gabotse" (Go well).
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A Word on Wellness: Become a "Possibilitarian"
By Lisa Picha, School Psychologist
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| | Artwork by Kellie Rae Roberts |
I enjoy the work of Kellie Rae Roberts. I am struck by the fact that a few words capture such a BIG idea. During the holidays people have a way of coming together. They also tend to reflect on life circumstances. Recent events around the world have caught our attention, so I felt that it would be appropriate to discuss the possibility of all of our Park Tudor family acting within and beyond our school environment in becoming a "possibilitarian." There is no formal definition or one needed. Simply envision that all things are possible, that we can all promote compassion and understanding and acceptance of all people.
There can be a natural reaction to local and international acts of violence to want to lash out, punish or alienate people, concepts or things that a person does not agree with or understand. People who are angry or frightened may feel the ability to "fight back" puts them in control and may lessen their sense of outrage. While anger may be a normal response felt by many, we must demonstrate diligence to ensure that we do not compound an already difficult situation and react against innocent people with vengeance or hate. Everyone must work together to avoid stigmatizing people who are perceived to resemble perpetrators because of their race, language, religion, or way they dress.
Children can be especially vulnerable because they may need support in channeling their feelings and are particularly sensitive in picking up on negative cues by adults around them. Adults can support children and our young people by setting an example and reinforcing the importance of treating all people with dignity, and by making a determination about the actions of individuals, not entire groups of people. "Most importantly, adults must model compassion and acceptance of difference in their words and behavior."
I hope that you will all join me in this endeavor and consider being a "possibilitarian," working toward acts that are positive and the idea that all things are possible.
Food for Thought:
1. Violence and hate are never solutions to anger.
2. America is strong because of its diversity.
3. All people deserve to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.
4. We are in this together.
5. History shows us that hate causes harm.
6. We need to work for peace in our communities and around the world.
7. A cceptance is a lifelong endeavor.
This article is adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Handout: Promoting Compassion and Acceptance in Crisis. The full handout is available online here.
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PT Competes in FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Robotics
Three PT FIRST LEGO League Robotics Teams (Grade 4-6) competed at the regional FLL qualifying tournament on Saturday, December 5 at the downtown Indianapolis Central Library. During the competition each team had to give three presentations (a robot / programming presentation, a core values presentation, and a project presentation) as well as run their robot through the various challenges.
This year's project, titled "Trash Trek," required teams to choose a piece of trash and identify a problem with the way it is currently handled. Team members needed to look for problems with the way we make, transport, store, or turn trash into something new. Then they researched what is being done to solve the problem. Finally, the team had to design an innovative solution to the problem and share it with others.
The three teams have been working hard to prepare for the competition since early September and are coached by Lane Waters and Jamie Salatich. The teams were the Pizza Bots - Leighton Christian (4th), Hannah Loewen (5th), Thomas Allen (4th), David Mokaya (5th), Sahith Gangireddy (5th), Zarrar Khan (5th), and Catherine Niculescu (5th); the Robotics Ninjas - Jathan Pai (4th), Tucker Hawkins (4th), Taban Kahre (5th), Max Kemper (5th), Mahir Siddiqui (5th), and Bahraam Mirza (5th); and the PT Robocops - Harrison Davis (6th), Peter Dubie (6th), Ian Harris (6th), Maddie Hoskin (6th), Sophie McGinnis (6th), and Humza Raza (6th).
Congratulations to the Pizza Bots for winning the Team Spirit Award and to the PT Robocops for winning the Robot Design Award as well as the Runner Up Award, making them eligible for the State FLL Tournament this Saturday, December 12 in Fort Wayne. We wish them well!
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30-Day Coding Challenge Continues in the Lower School
Lower School students are continuing to come up with challenges for the 30-day Coding Challenge. Recently, students in Mrs. Fox's class created a mini coding maze on the stage in the LS Library during Digital Design. And, they made a video with instructions on how to use the maze.
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* Juniors Lacey Marsh and Brianna Bangert will perform in "The Nutcracker," presented by Ballet Theatre of Carmel. Lacey will be Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse Queen, and Brianna will be Clara. Performances are Saturday, December 12th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 13th at 2:00 p.m. in the Dale E. Graham Auditorium at Carmel High School (520 E Main Street, Carmel).
* The Madrigals gave a terrific holiday performance on Sunday, December 6 at Highland Country Club for the Daughters of the American Revolution.
* Our new Middle School Speech and Debate team experienced many successes during its inaugural meet at Brebeuf on Saturday, December 5th. Sixteen PT middle schoolers competed against 415 students from 22 schools. Liz Odmark, who started Park Tudor's Upper School team in 1992, is reprising her role as advisor, with the help of current coaches Tam Tudor and Sarah McDaniels. Our team entered three speakers in Radio Broadcasting and they dominated: Jack Button (grade 7) and Carly Wiegel (7) were co-champions, and Garrett Reamer (6) came in 2nd place overall. Arjun Kubal (7) earned 5th place overall in Roundtable Discussion. Nandini Mathavan (6) and Vanessa Xiao (6) both earned first place rankings in individual rounds of Roundtable Discussion. Adelaide Benoit (6), Stella Friskney (6), Clara Skovronsky (6), Kyle Xu (7), Andrés de Dios (7), Ava Townsend (7), Henry Wolfla (7), Ella Eskenazi (8), Sophia Ling (8), and Kaelie Paugh (8) also participated. Our team earned a 9th place team trophy.
* Last weekend the Park Tudor Middle School VEX team 6842, made up of Zach Phelps, Jeremy Tian & Brian Zhu, won the tournament's Robot Skills Challenge - scoring the most points in a one minute of competition - beating 70 other MS & HS teams. This win earned them a place in the U.S. Open Robotics Championship Tournament in Des Moines, IA in April.
* On Saturday, December 5th, Park Tudor juniors Elizabeth Niculescu, Emma Norris, and Thomas Bamforth participated in the 39th annual Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow's Leaders at the University of Indianapolis. The day began with a keynote speech by Mr. Lugar, the former mayor of Indianapolis and the very distinguished (now retired) senator who is the longest-serving member of Congress in Indiana history. The afternoon sessions included lectures and debates regarding topics such as American leadership, terrorism, climate change, energy independence, and free trade. Accompanying them to the symposium was Joseph Fumusa, Upper School teacher of US Government and Political History.
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Coed Swimming: Senior Clare Chandler was recognized by the Indianapolis Star as an All-USA Indiana Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22 - 28 for swimming.
The Lady Panthers fell to the Clinton Central Bulldogs by 15 points (122-107) last Saturday, but beat Lafayette Central (107-68). It was another close meet for the team and kudos to Jillian Miller for stepping up to the 500 free challenge and finishing in first next to Margherita Firenze who got second. Lily Erickson also stepped up in the 100 fly and swam a seasonal best time, taking first place.
The boys team fell to the Clinton Central Bulldogs (143-78) but beat Lafayette Central (78-56). With one victory under their belt, they definitely started the season with some action-packed races. Leading the way was Alex Gregory who won both of his events. Peter LaBarge also contributed with a first place finish in the 200 free. Kudos to Benton Wiegel (200 free) and Ian Wallentine (200 IM) for swimming the longest events of the day, which can be grueling.
| Individual highlights: | | Alex Gregory- 50 free- 1st | | Alex Gregory- 100 fly- 1st | | Peter LaBarge- 200 free- 1st | | Jillian Miller- 500 free- 1st | Lily Erickson- 100 fly- 1st
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Girls Basketball: The Lady Panthers put together an impressive string of wins last week. In a hard fought JV game on Monday, the Lady Panthers defeated the Rockets from Broad Ripple 45-40. They then took on the Trailblazers from University High School Wednesday evening in a JV match up, and after playing well and leading most of the game they could not hold onto the lead and lost by four points. The ladies had to turn around the next night to travel to George Washington for a varsity contest. The girls played one of their best games of the year, earning a 83-39 road win. Everyone in the lineup contributed to the impressive win, with each player recording at least one field goal. The Lady Panthers were led by sophomore Kamryn Sarratt, who posted an impressive season-high 32 points from the paint. She was followed by freshmen Taylee Nibbs with 19 points and junior Abbi Plewes with 17 points. The Lady Panthers have continued to improve their game and are an exciting group of girls to watch. They travel to Lutheran on Saturday (12/12) for a 1:00 p.m. conference match up, so please come out and support your Lady Panthers!
Hockey: Your Central Indiana Knights-A hockey team, which is Park Tudor's club, had two games last weekend. After a tough loss to Penn on Saturday evening, the Knights rallied late for a 3-3 tie against the Columbus Icemen on Sunday. Panther Adam Gottwald played goalie against the Icemen.
The Knights travel to South Bend for several games this coming weekend. Come out to cheer on the Knights for their next "home" game on Friday, December 18, at 9:30 p.m. against Zionsville at the Fuel Tank at Fishers.
Boys Basketball: The Park Tudor Varsity Boys' Basketball team continued their successful start last Friday by beating Roncalli 69-47. The JV Red Panthers lost a tough game against Roncalli 48-41. The JV White team lost to Roncalli on Monday 55-40. The Panthers play at Beech Grove and Tri-West this Friday and Saturday respectively. Saturday's game will be played at 11:30 a.m. at the historic Southport Fieldhouse in the Forum Credit Union TipOff Classic. Tickets are on sale in the athletic offices.
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This year's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Lunch will be held on Friday, February 19. Please see this link for volunteer opportunities and donation requests. We appreciate your help and support in making this an important event for the PT faculty and staff. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jessie Friskney (jessiefriskney@hotmail.com) or Melanie Martin (melanie.martin1110@sbcglobal.net).
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Throwback Thursday History: Art at PT
TBT continues its look at The Arts within Park Tudor's history. Traditionally, curricular offerings are coupled with co-curricular activities to present something for everyone's skill level, interests and aspirations. Art History was offered as far back as Tudor Hall. Both Park and Tudor offered drawing and painting classes. Park Tudor began to expand on those offerings by adding Ceramics, AP Art History, Graphic Design, Photography, and Art Seminar. Art Clubs offered both girls at Tudor and boys at Park an outlet to express themselves outside of class. Students contributed then as they do today to the set design of plays, the posters for musicals and plays, layout in the yearbooks, and cover designs for the literary magazines. Lower and Middle School students explore their world expressing their perceptions on paper or canvas. With a full curriculum as the foundation, a Visiting Artist program, The Leffler Gallery and Seminar Room to display student and professional work, Park Tudor builds on its tradition of honoring the arts.
Here are examples of our students' art then and now; we invite you to view more current students' artwork now on display in the Wood Room as part of the Art Seminar exhibition.
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| 1921 Chronicle drawing of a Tudor Hall basketball player by Elizabeth Sheppard '23.
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| | Art students at work on the Monarch Butterfly mural in 2015. |
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3rd Grade Holiday Program
Tuesday, December 15
6:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Ayres Auditorium
4th and 5th Grade Holiday Program Tuesday, December 15 7:15 - 8:30 p.m. Ayres Auditorium SK, 1st and 2nd Grade Holiday Program Thursday, December 17 10:00 a.m. Ayres Auditorium Grades JK - 5 dismissed for Winter Break at end of program, 11:00 a.m. Grades 7-12 Exam Make-Up Day; Winter Break Begins Friday, December 18 Winter Break Monday, December 21, 2015 - Friday, January 1, 2016 Classes Resume Monday, January 4, 2016
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Last Chance to Get
Your "Ugly" Holiday Sweatshirt at the LockerShop!
If you have an "Ugly Sweater" party to go to this holiday season, the LockerShop has something for you to wear. "Ugly" holiday PT sweatshirts are now available! The LockerShop will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. through Friday, December 18.
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Middle and Upper School Exam Schedules
The exam schedules for students in grades 7-12 have been posted to the parent and student portals on parktudor.org.
As a reminder, sixth grade students are dismissed at 12:45 p.m. each day during exam week (Dec. 14 - 17).
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2016-2017 Overview Calendar
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It's Not Too Late: Advertise in the 2015-2016 PT Chronicle!
The yearbook staff is hard at work on the 2015-16 edition of The Chronicle - the 111th edition. In order to publish the Upper School yearbook in full color, the students must raise additional funding. While they have several fundraising events planned throughout the school year, they are seeking additional assistance from the Park Tudor community. One of the ways families can help is by placing an advertisement in The Chronicle. More than 400 recipients of the yearbook will see your ad and it's a great way to reach new customers. A page sponsorship is a very popular way to support the yearbook. With a contribution of $50, your name will be featured on a two-page spread of your choice. Click here for the ad order form; forms are due by Friday, December 11. |
December Statements Now Available
Your current statement is now available for viewing in your Park Tudor My Backpack account. Payment is due by Thursday, December 31.
To determine if you have a balance due, click on the "Account Summary" tab. To see details of your balance, click on the "Statement" tab. Past statements also are available for review, and statements are printable from this screen. You may pay online by clicking on the "Pay Online" option in the lower left corner of the statement screen and completing the electronic payment information, or send payment by mail to:
Park Tudor School
P.O. Box 6069 - Dept. 105
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6069
Please call 415-2800 if you have any questions regarding your student's account. If you need assistance with My Backpack password or login, please call 415-2710 or email support@parktudor.org.
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Park Tudor School Mission
To create an inspiring college-preparatory learning environment, with exceptional educators and extraordinary opportunities, that prepares and motivates students to become balanced, confident, and resourceful lifelong learners.
Editor: Cathy Chapelle '87
Editorial Staff: Cassie Dull
Graphic Design & Layout: Stefanie Dean '05
The deadline for submissions to the Times is Monday at 9 a.m. for publication on Thursday. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee publication in the same week, but date-sensitive information will receive priority.
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