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Upper School Students Elect Student Council Officers
The Upper School recently elected Student Council Officers for the 2016-2017 school year. Congratulations to:
President: Noelle Enkema
Vice President: Hana Shafique
Secretary: John McClain
As the newly elected Student Council President, Noelle will bring greetings from the student body to the class of 2016 during this year's Commencement ceremony on May 22.
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A Word on Wellness: I.Q. vs. E.Q. and the Predictor of Long-Term Success
By Lisa Mercurio, School Psychologist
I recently heard a story on NPR that really resonated with me as it was about an observation I've made over the years in my work with students, but now there is research to support it. One aspect of my job is to predict the success of a student based on test results; however, testing alone would never be the only source of information. I also believe observation is an essential tool. Over the course of my career, I've found myself in many kindergarten classrooms. There were students that quickly learned to read, spell, do simple math, and demonstrate amazing memory skills. We assume these learners will be successful as they get older.
Additionally, I observed students that were great problem solvers when it came to working with a friend and would naturally mediate when there was a conflict. How successful will those students be later in life? Well, new research published in the American Journal of Public Health has tracked children from kindergarten into young adulthood, and it's found that the most important predictors of long-term success are not intellectual skills but social and emotional ones, such as sharing, cooperation, following directions, and resolving peer problems.
After following these children for 13 to 19 years, the researchers found the children that demonstrated these types of skills were more likely to experience success later in life by finishing college and getting a good job.
This study can be used to inform early childhood education programs. It would suggest that the real value is less on boosting cognitive skills like reading, writing and math and more on fostering/teaching interpersonal social and emotional skills. Researchers are finding that more executive functioning skills like self-control, perseverance or conscientiousness are building blocks that you need throughout life. Without them, you can't be a good student or hold down a good job.
Lastly, there's been a lot of work that suggests that these skills are teachable in the event you have a child that isn't naturally inclined. There are many things you can do with your child. Encourage him to play socially to develop interpersonal skills. Try role-modeling these kinds of pro-social behaviors and remember, according to the research - nice kids finish first.
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Musical Theatre Students Wow the Crowd with a Cabaret Performance
Students in Lamonte Kuskye's Upper School Musical Theatre class performed for a packed house at the Cabaret at the Columbia Club last Thursday, April 14. The students sang many popular show tunes and other selections, impressing the audience with their musical and performance skills. Throughout the semester, Shannon Forsell, the Artistic Director for the Cabaret at the Columbia Club, worked with the students during several class sessions. The students also traveled to New York over President's Day weekend to see a variety of shows and work with performers. The students who performed were Thomas Bamforth, West Clark, Kylie Clouse, Michael French, Nick Gehring, Samantha Hogshire, Sarah Klotz, Natalie Long, Lindsay Lucas, Michelle Redifer, Sally Root, Claire Toomey, and Maya Voelkel.
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Revisiting the People of Color Conference
 By Joyce Tucker, Assistant Director of Admissions
My first article for the PT Times last December coincided with the NAIS People of Color Conference/Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Tampa, Fla. Eleven faculty and staff members and six Upper School students attended. It is hard to believe the conference was four months ago!
We always request feedback from participants soon after their return while they are still in "conference save the world" mode. Now that everyone has returned to the classrooms and has had time to reflect, I thought this would be a great time to follow up with students and adults for their lasting impressions.
Following is some interesting feedback I've received from students, faculty and staff (paraphrased slightly):
Students
"There have been plenty of times for me to exercise what I learned and I have done so. As a facilitator of a group, I overheard a student making fun of a phrase. My initial attempt to convey that it was not a joke was not successful. I was able to explain how the joke he made was completely insensitive to the struggle and a very real fear of an ethnic group. The student later apologized - and not simply because he felt bad. He understood the weight of his joke and how it belittled someone else's struggle."
"Before when I heard a micro-aggression or something offensive, I would ignore it and just tell my friends. But SDLC has taught me it is okay to politely correct someone who made an inconsiderate or offensive statement (and sometimes correct them historically)."
"I have come to terms that my feminism only focuses on issues that I deal with as a white female and overlooks the struggles of female minority groups."
"I learned that the way I present my opinion has a great deal to do with how people receive it."
"The MLK Assembly provoked great discussion in many classes. I realized many people had never really thought about the things we were now talking about."
"I have found myself defending others where previously I would have agreed with the majority."
Faculty/Staff
"I definitely have a heightened awareness and I look for this concern when working with student-student and student-faculty conflicts."
"I am a little more conscious about how I am presenting material in class. If I catch myself wandering towards some alternative perspective on a class concept, I don't censor that idea. I have been able to reference a lot of my students' other classes and make quite a few connections to social injustice/controversy. I probably would have skipped over these otherwise."
"I am more and more comfortable talking about 'the elephant in the room.' I will reference my attendance at POCC to qualify my statements and questions. Students have had conversations with me later, basically saying 'I have that opinion' or 'I have wondered about this but thought I was one of a very small group who thought this.' Now I see how people attending the conference have learned how to speak up and not be afraid."
"I feel empowered and obligated to discuss micro-aggressions and biases on all levels."
"I have woven my POCC experience into a few parent meetings when I am dealing with a child's behavior and social issues."
As you can see, the POCC/SDLC experience has had an unquestionably affirming and positive influence on students and faculty/staff. "Empowered" is a word I hear repeatedly! I also think about some of the key goals from the PT2020 Strategic Plan as I reflect on feedback from the Conference, for example: "Empowering today's learner for tomorrow's world"
"Wide lens. Deep focus"
"Fueling student purpose"
"A view of the world"
"Learn from the wisdom within"
It is exciting to witness the growth of students and faculty/staff in a short time. Change is necessary, but sometimes uncomfortable. Change is growth and Park Tudor is making an effort to developing and empowering all who walk through these doors. We are hopeful that when individuals move on from PT they will carry this knowledge and passion to their next endeavor.
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Sophomores Visit Trevon Bluiett '14 at Xavier on College Bus Trip
Each spring, the Park Tudor sophomore class visits college campuses of various sizes to begin to gain an understanding of different college environments and start to understand the college admissions process. This year, the sophomore class divided into three groups, with one group visiting DePauw and Indiana University, a second visiting Purdue and Butler, and the third traveling to Cincinnati to see Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati. While visiting Xavier, the Park Tudor group was lucky enough to meet up with Trevon Bluiett '14, relaxing after finishing a successful season as the leading scorer on the Xavier Musketeers basketball team!
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Vanessa Xiao Advances to National You Be the Chemist Competition for Second Year in a Row
On Saturday, April 16, 33 students in grades 5-8 from across Indiana participated in the 5th Indiana State You Be the Chemist Challenge. After winning in a tiebreak round, sixth grader Vanessa Xiao (one of only two girls in the competition) was declared the champion and will advance to the 2016 National You Be The Chemist Challenge in Philadelphia. Vanessa was also the 2015 Indiana State You Be The Chemist Challenge Champion and is excited about being able to represent Indiana and her school again at the 2016 National You Be The Chemist Challenge. Vanessa has been coached by Park Tudor faculty members Marilyn Weiss and Cammy Dubie to prepare for this competition. |
LS Students Take Part in Patriot Run/Walk
On Friday, April 15, 123 fourth- and fifth-grade students donned their most patriotic garb and participated in the annual 2-mile Patriot Run/Walk.
Top finishers:
Boys
1st-Henry Hasselbeck
2nd-Cason Ritz
3rd-Marcus Kennedy
Girls
1st-Sopia Kennedy
2nd-Mary Emma White
3rd-Rowan Pearl
Best dressed
Sela Larman
Gabby Kraft |
* Senior Bobby Crossin is Park Tudor's recipient of the Daughters of the American Good Citizens Award as an outstanding school citizen and student of history, as well as the winner of the DAR's Jonathan Jennings' Chapter competition for best essay and introspective application. The essay about a historical topic had to be written over a two-hour time period without references or knowledge of what the topic would be beforehand. He was recently honored for this achievement at a luncheon at Meridian Hills given by the Jonathan Jennings Chapter members.
* Thanks to student leaders and athletes Trace Arbuckle, Brian Li, John McClain, TyraRose Nibbs, Julia Schacht and Lindsay Williams who represented Park Tudor at the ICC Conference at Lutheran High School on April 14. US Director Sarah Webster, Athletic Director Courtney Whitehead and Counselor/Student Council Sponsor Joan Grinkmeyer also attended the event.
* Park Tudor computer science students competed in the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) high school computer science contest at Purdue University on Saturday, April 16. In this contest, teams of two students work together to write software to solve as many problems as they can within a four hour timeframe. Teams are scored based on the number of problems they solve and how quickly they solve them. Alex Gu and Andrew Wu won the contest, earning 1st place, and Siddhu Peri and Rena Li placed 3rd overall. Both of these teams correctly solved all the problems within the allocated time and they each received prizes for their top three finishes. Alex and Andrew received Microsoft Surface Pros and Siddhu and Rena received Pebbles Smart Watches. Additionally, Nick Conterno and Ammar Athar were awarded the Mental Attitude Award by the contest supervisors. Congratulations to Ammar Athar, Max Bott, Aaron Chai, Michelle Chen, Nick Conterno, Alex Gu, Rena Li, Jonathan Moore, Siddhu Peri, Arunabh Sinha and Andrew Wu for their participation and accomplishments in this contest.
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Boys Golf: The boys golf team has had a great start to their season. On Saturday the boys got up very early in the morning to travel to the Van Pelt/Cross Richmond Invitational. After an hour and a half drive the team warmed up and got a good feeling for the speed of the greens. It was a perfect day to play golf and it turned out to be a perfect day for the team. They shot a tournament best 317 and won the invite by 12 strokes. The team was led by sophomore Stephen Kocerha who shot a one-over-par 71. Not even the pressure of being late to prom could stop this team. The momentum continued Monday when they traveled to Pebble Brook to play Guerin Catholic. Guerin Catholic is a top 20 team in the state and PT brought home another victory defeating them 147-150. Low man was again Sophomore Stephen Kocerha who shot an even-par 34. This early success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication the team put in over the winter and in the start of the season. Upcoming events are the Noblesville Invite at Fox Prairie this Saturday and the Marion County Tournament on Monday, April 25 at Winding River.
* Athletic Signing: Senior Haley Zimmerman signed her letter of intent to join the equestrian team at Southern Methodist University.
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Upcoming Events
Upper School Instrumental Concert
Thursday, April 21
7:30 p.m.
Ayres Auditorium
Enjoy musical selections from all of Park Tudor's Upper School instrumental groups.
PTPA Spring Social Friday, April 22 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wood Room Join the PTPA to socialize with fellow parents and toast to the parents of our senior class!
Dance Recital Sunday, April 24 2:00 p.m. Park Tudor dancers of all ages will perform in their annual recital.
 First Annual Pantherfest Booster Club Fundraising Dinner
Sunday, April 24
5:00 p.m.
Clowes Commons
Join the Booster Club and keynote speaker Yogi Ferrell '12 for a fundraising dinner in support of the Park Tudor athletic program. Yogi is a 2012 Park Tudor graduate and currently leads the IU Hoosiers basketball team. Yogi has been selected first team all-Big Ten, he is IU's all-time leader in assists, and is a candidate for the John Wooden Player of the Year award. There will be a meet and greet with Yogi prior to the dinner. Enjoy a buffet catered by Ruth's Chris featuring favorites like filet bites, chicken breast, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and cookies. All ages are welcome! Purchase tickets online. Several sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Doug Allen (dallen@parktudor.org or 415-2780) for more information.
Upper School Spring Choral Concert
Thursday, April 28
7:30 p.m.
Enjoy musical selections performed by all of Park Tudor's Upper School choral groups, including the Journeymen, Girls Ensemble, Park Tudor Singers, and Madrigals.
Alumni Weekend 2016
Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30
Alumni Weekend is rapidly approaching, and includes many events:
Distinguished Alumni Dinner
Friday, April 29, 6:00 p.m., Woodstock Club. All are invited to join us as we honor this year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Susan Batchelder Plimpton '61
50-year Reunion Luncheon
Saturday, April 30, 11:00 a.m., Woodstock Club
Tudor Hall Tour
Saturday, April 30, 1:15 p.m., 3650 Cold Spring Road
Red and Black: Park School Recollections - Saturday, April 30, 3:30 p.m., Park Tudor Lecture Hall
Distinguished Friends of the Arts Induction Ceremony honoring John Williams
Saturday, April 30, 4:30 p.m., Park Tudor Ayres Auditorium
Alumni Reception
4:30 - 7:00 p.m., Park Tudor Clowes Commons
Our Mr. Chips: A Tribute to Jim Foxlow - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Park Tudor Wood Room
Click here for more information and to register for all events.
Park Tudor Scholarship 5k Fun Run
Saturday, April 30
Another event during Alumni Weekend for the entire Park Tudor community is the Park Tudor Scholarship 5K Fun Run.
8:30 a.m. timed race: Prizes awarded to Top 3 overall, Top 3 Faculty, Parents, Alumni and LS, MS, US students
9:00 a.m. fun walk/run: Dogs welcome - Find the stuffed animals on the trail to keep!
Proceeds benefit PT Scholarships. Sponsored by the Park Tudor Student Council.
Register online by April 25 to get a t-shirt. Registration will continue up until the race begins on 4/30! Register here.
LS Mothers' Morning (SK-Grade 5)
Friday, May 6
8:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Mothers and special friends of students in SK through grade 5 are invited to spend the morning with their students, to experience life in the Lower School.
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2016 Scholastic Book Fair Coming May 2-6
The Park Tudor Scholastic Book Fair takes place May 2-6 in the Upper Commons, and all proceeds directly benefit the Lower School Library. On the mornings of May 4 and 5, dads are invited to bring their kids to shop for books during Donuts with Dads.The fair opens at 7 a.m., and donuts, juice, and coffee will be provided. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Moms can shop with their kids on Friday, May 6 during Mother's Morning. Fair hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday. Students in grades 1-5 will visit the fair to purchase books during the school day as well. Titles not available at the fair can be purchased online and will STILL benefit PT. To order books through Scholastic online, visit this link. All proceeds directly benefit the Park Tudor Lower School Library. If you have questions about the fair, contact Katherine Dill at katherinedill@yahoo.com. |
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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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