Sunday, December 22, 2013

Holton Students Unite on the Ice!

For the third year, Rebecca Chan (Grade 9) has choreographed a holiday ice skating routine for her fellow Holton students. This year, Nina Sebastien (Grade 5) and Colleen Curto (Grade 6) were the lucky ones who got to skate to Rebecca’s choreography! Set to Britney Spears’ “My Only Wish”, Nina and Colleen wowed the crowd during their performance at Cabin John Ice Rink on December 21.



Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Give A Little Thanks

The Holton-Arms community gathered before the break for one of our favorite traditions - the Thanksgiving Assembly! The assembly opened with the three division choruses singing Now I Walk in Beauty by Gregg Smith.

Next, Head of School Susanna Jones, along with a student from each division, shared thoughts on gratitude followed by the community sing-a-long. Songs included All the Good People by Bob Zentz, Give a Little Thanks by Middle School Instructor Steven Cutts, and This Land is your Land by Woody Guthrie. Happy

Thanksgiving everyone!






All The Good People - Class of 2014 Tribute

Holton faculty and staff led the sing-a-long at our recent Thanksgiving Assembly and Upper School History Teacher Bob Tupper did what he has done for as long as he can remember - write a verse in honor of the graduation class. Happy Thanksgiving Class of 2014!


Thanksgiving Assembly - Now I Walk In Beauty

At The Scene we get so excited for the Holidays. There are so many things to be grateful for...school, friends, family, and the voices of these angels. This is just the beginning of the performing arts that await us in the coming weeks. Be sure to check the arts calendar for upcoming performances and join us on campus for a holiday treat.

Happy Holidays!


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Grade 10 Community Outreach



The Scene just received this letter from Parent Association Grade 10 Parent Rep Noel Bradley to the Class of 2016 on a job well done on their recent community service.

Dear 10th grade students,

Congratulations on the success of your community service projects last Wednesday!

Your enthusiasm, hard work, organization, creativity and can-do attitude were extremely impressive!  You should be proud of yourselves.  It was several jobs well done!

I’ve attached a few photos, including those that show the living room at Stepping Stones Shelter piled with your donations – which filled 3 vans! -- many boxes full of toiletries, housewares, and mens, womens, childrens and baby clothing.  Our delivery team also dropped off a HUGE bag filled with your colorful children’s birthday and holiday cards.

This week, I’ll mail out the 150+ holiday cards you made and decorated for wounded warriors – to be distributed by the Red Cross Armed Services Division to U.S. military men and women who will be spending their holidays in hospitals.

I hope you found participating in the process worthwhile.

It was a joy to work with you!

Mrs. Bradley
 
Great job ladies! We are so proud of the good work you accomplish!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Veterans' Day Upper School Assembly

Veterans' Day Assembly: Honoring Vets and Life Lessons
By Upper School Division Director Lisa Pence
 
Today we welcomed Navy Lieutenant Samantha Dugan and former Air Force Captain Kelley Jessee, who captivated the Upper School community with their wit, wisdom, and insights into their respective educational journeys and military careers. Lieutenant Dugan currently specializes in US Navy Women's Policy while Ms. Jessee works as a Research and Development Engineer for the Department of Defense.
 
First they explained ways in which we can honor those who serve our country on an ongoing basis: always show respect to the symbols of our country, say a simple "thank you" whenever the opportunity presents itself, send care packages to vets overseas, and participate in the Wounded Warrior Foundation or other veteran-focused organizations.
 
Lt. Dugan and Ms. Jessee then addressed a number of questions posed by the girls, from how they have confronted stereotypes, to the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, to sexual harassment, to their most touching moments while in service. In each case, their responses came from a place of honesty and authenticity that was not lost on the girls, who were hanging on their every word.
 
In conclusion, these smart and engaging women shared with the girls their "Top 10 Bits of Wisdom." I am honored to pass them along so that we can reinforce the messages and perhaps benefit from them ourselves!
  1. BE POSITIVE -- positive energy is powerful & contagious!
  2. Be true to yourself -- you are amazing and unique!
  3. Your peers are not your enemy -- learn mutual respect and treat others well.
  4. Self-esteem is a building block for life – cultivate it in your peers by telling them their strengths.
  5. Be flexible -- when plans are changed it doesn’t mean failure! Make the best of a new opportunity.
  6. Teamwork matters – learn to work well with others.
  7. Be well-rounded personally – academics, athletics, and arts!
  8. Never stop learning
  9. Identify what you are passionate about and let that guide you.   Your heart knows happiness.
  10. Learn to love YOURSELF!
 
Please ask your daughter about this wonderful assembly, as I am sure they will not soon forget it -- nor do we want them to!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Holton-Arms Admission Videos!

Our new admission videos premiered this week and we are delighted with the response from our faculty and students. Now it's your turn. Watch your division's video (or all three) and share them, like them, tweet them, and pin them...but most of all show them to friends and family who would like to learn more about this amazing community!

http://www.holton-arms.edu/page.cfm?p=8184

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

PJ Day!

What could be more fun than playing and studying with your best friends? Studying and playing with your best friends...in pajamas!
Holton-Arms Spirit Week continues and the girls took full advantage of PJ Day! Flannel, footie, cotton, and velour...they enjoyed a little time out of their typical plaid skirts and jumpers to celebrate being a panther!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Go Blue! Go White!

It's SPIRIT WEEK at Holton-Arms and even though it's a long-standing tradition, nothing can prepare you for the scene in the dining room on Blue/White day! The entire Holton community represents their team color by dressing in blue or white and celebrates with a fun-filled lunch.  A deejay, dancing, laughter, and enough blue and white iced cupcakes to satisfy over 600 screaming girls...it's quite a party. Ask your daughter about it tonight at dinner, but don't be surprised if she busts a move at the dining table.
>>View the Blue/White Day media gallery

Friday, September 20, 2013

A hAPPy bunch of girls!


Look who got their iPads today! The Holton fifth grade students were giddy with excitement as they awaited their new iPads.

The students have been waiting patiently and after several lessons covering the basics, including digital citizenship and the care and keeping of their new devices, they are now ready to receive this fabulous little nugget of technology genius. Have fun girls! And remember...with great technology comes great responsibility (or something like that).

And parents don't forget all of the resources we have for you on the parent portal including links to helpful articles from Common Sense Media - one of the best resources you can have raising these little digital natives of ours.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Pedals with a Purpose

Lower School has just completed its donated bikes collection for Bikes for the World.  They donated over 25 bikes to other kids around the world who can use them to change the momentum of their lives. Lower School Division Director Patrick Bane and Lower School Administrative Assistant Helen Poon showed this video to the girls during LS Gathering to inspire them to make a difference in the lives of someone else simply by donating the bikes they have outgrown. 


Mr. Bane and Ms. Poon also gave bike lessons in exchange for a $10 donation to help defray the cost of shipping the bikes overseas. They were able to contribute $80 to go along with the 25 bicycles. Way to go Lower School!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Find a Snack or Make One!

Did you know that The Panther Pantry has grown quite a bit since its inception last year! In fact, it’s literally taken off...The Panther Pantry is now mobile!

Keep an eye out for them at athletic events and on the car pool line. The mobile Panther Pantry is freshly stocked with snacks and ice cold drinks daily. Come check it out. We’d love to see you!

In other Panther Pantry news, they are now serving soft serve frozen yogurt daily in the pool lounge at the original Panther Pantry. Top it with strawberries and agave and voila...a snack that is delicious and nutritious!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Best. Day. Ever.

LS teacher Carol Baker and her reading celebration group.
The Lower School Reading celebration proved to be just that...the best day ever. In fact, Lower School Counselor Julie Rodriguez had this to share with the staff at the Scene:

The girls were so proud they were able to get everybody’s observation into writing.  They thought it was very important that everybody’s name was mentioned not only since each person contributed to the team and the success of the day, but also because it will be in each of their memories forever.

I had so much fun working with the group throughout such a variety of interactions.  The girls had so much fun throughout the day and enjoyed pulling it together in their own writing piece. (See below.)


My favorite quote was, "This was the best eyes-on learning day ever.  I am an outdoor kind of person and I wish we had more of these eyes-on types of activities with all the grades, lots of talking and outdoor cooperation.”


“THE BEST DAY EVER”
Twisting and turning around many plants;
Would have been a good thing if we had worn pants.

Slowing down for wobbly rocks;
Paying careful attention to avoid wet socks.

Girls laughing with faces towards the sun;
Everybody working together to get the job done.

Slippery rocks must be passed along;
To build a path that seems a mile long.

Keshini, Tess and Zada too;
Must lead the way to avoid the goo.

Sarah and Isabel stray away;
To find sea glass that has come from the Bay.

Hailey turns around to wave;
Please come join her in the darkest cave.

Paige and Priyanka strongest from the end;
Quiety lead the way around the last bend.

Mrs. R’s group loving their observation;
Feeling that today was the very best invitation.

Read the complete Lower School Reading Celebration story on our Holton News page.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Hit me with your Best Shot!

Good luck getting that song out of your head. (Sorry, we couldn't resist such an easy Pat Benatar reference on a Friday afternoon.) 


Eighth grade students spent the day learning how to hit and heal while the seventh grade students were away at outdoor education. Middle School Health Teacher Carrie Braun and Middle School Counselor Kristen Edma brought in Defend Yourself - a local company committed to empower girls to recognize, prevent, and/or defend against a possible attack. The girls learned that they always have a choice...in fact they have five.
  • Run
  • Yell 
  • Tell 
  • Hit
  • Go Along 
Those all sound like good choices to us at Scene headquarters and don't worry - go along just means to give the attacker the purse or phone or whatever item it is the s/he wants...it doesn't mean to go along with the attacker. (Which we all know from watching Oprah that you should never go with an attacker to a second location.) 
After the lessons in self defense in the morning the girls were trained and became certified in First Aid by Rescue One Training for Life in the afternoon. Wow, what a day! Good to know that these girls are prepared no matter what comes their way. 


The Five Choices of Self-Defense:




Thursday, September 12, 2013

A History Lesson From Mrs. Jones

The Class of 2023 was in for a special surprise today as they received a history lesson about Holton-Arms from Head of School Susanna A. Jones in the Simms Reception Room. 

Third grade is such a special year for so many reasons, but one is the unique interaction they get to have with members of the Holton community. This history lesson remains a favorite of the girls as they learn that they are part of something much bigger than themselves. They are now part of a community of students and alumnae with amazing stories that span over 112 years of finding a way or making one.   

POP QUIZ: Do you know what Mrs. Holton wanted the School to resemble when she worked with the architect who designed 2125 S Street? Watch this short clip to find out!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

In Honor of 9/11

From Mr. Kenny Bryson:

"In honor of the Twelfth Anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the Holton-Arms Community will recognize this solemn day by flying our flags at half-mast. This is also a National Day of Service and Remembrance and we proudly acknowledge the efforts of our Lower School girls and other community members who are supporting this special day of recognition."

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Oh no, they didn't...

Oh yes, they did!

No, you are not seeing things and yes, those are Middle School faculty members in Holton plaid. Well, not in plaid the way we are supposed to see it, but dressed as "over-the-top" Middle School students in their highly-acclaimed, annual "What Not to Do" skits. MS Counselor Kristen Edma explained, "Each year, we demonstrate our acting genius and review the handbook for the students by basically 'breaking all the rules.'" The performance is happens during Middle School study hall and is a one-time only engagement. Mrs. Edma went on to share that the faculty "dress up in Holton 'uniform' (out of uniform), talk back to the teacher, come to class late, forget our homework, chew gum...you get the idea.  The girls LOVE it!"


Friday, September 6, 2013

Sixth Grade Hits the Trail!

The sixth grade went out on a limb this year and planned the first Outdoor Ed experience for the first week of school at Adventure Links at Hemlock Overlook. Lower School Director Patrick Bane said, “This trip is a wonderful way to begin the year as the entire grade has a common experience to launch them into an amazing year ahead.”

The girls most definitely had a blast while they tackled various challenges as individuals and as groups and accomplished the goals set forth for them by the Hemlock Overlook staff which included:
Develop group values, problem solving tools, individual reflection and goal setting
Leadership development
Targeted challenges that optimize your team’s effectiveness
Taking appropriate risks
Stepping outside of the everyday comfort zone in a supportive, healthy environment

The most important question we asked the sixth grade class was "did you have fun?" And, though exhausted, we got a resounding "YES!" And they had a question for us, as well. “Is the Panther Pantry still open?” Holton girls...they love their adventures and their snacks.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The Scribbler has a fresh online presence

Editor-in-Chief of the The Scribbler Susannah Bane '13 and her staff spent the summer building a beautiful new website to serve the students of the Holton-Arms School. In a recent e-mail to the community, Susannah explained, "Now you can access your favorite Scribbler articles anywhere you want and also enjoy extended slideshows and polls."

The staff at the Scene is excited to see more Holton publications going digital. Susannah also reminded the community that they can visit the Scribbler on their smartphones. (By the way...does anyone use their phone to make calls any more?)

Congratulations to the entire Scribbler staff! Check it out today!


What did you do over summer break?

Science Research interns present their findings each fall.
It's the number one question heard all over the Holton campus the first few days of school. What did you do? Did you read any good books? Go on any adventures? Learn anything new?

We really like to ask questions around Holton and most of all we like to be together as a community, so when we are apart you better believe we are going to ask a plethora of questions when we are reunited. Like the Alma Mater says, Be we far or nigh...

So...to answer the question for a large part of our senior class they probably either participated in the Holton Science Research Internship Program or a Junior Journey - the culminating travel experience in our Global Education Program. We know these young ladies are preparing to make a difference in a complex and changing world when they graduate, but it looks like these students started by leading from where they are. Like the Director of Global Education Melissa Brown often states, "In order to change the world, we must first let the world change us."
Over half of the class of 2014 participated in a Junior Journey.


Want to learn more? Check out the impressive list of the Science Research Internships and peruse the Junior Journey and Language Immersion blogs completed in the summer of 2013!

Language Immersion Trip Blog:

Junior Journey Blogs:

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Let the School Year Begin!

Welcome to the 2013-14 school year at Holton-Arms. We can hardly contain the excitement at Holton Scene headquarters, as we know that with each new school year comes a fresh energy that is almost palpable. The girls arrived in their Holton plaid, carrying their new bags, and all I could think about was that I wanted to give them all bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils. Of course, the Class of 2014 cheered us on in grand style as parents, students, faculty and staff drove past. (Don't be alarmed if this is your first "first day" of school at Holton...the seniors won't be doing this every day, but the senior class will do it every year.)

After settling in, the girls gathered by class to march across the famed bridge to the amphitheater for our community-wide convocation. We did a little research at the Scene and discovered that former Head of School Charlie Lord began the tradition of convocation as we now know it in 1989. Thanks, Mr. Lord for beginning a cherished tradition for us at Holton. Be sure to check out the full story of convocation including links to the speeches from students, faculty, and our Head of School Susanna A. Jones. Happy New (School) Year everyone!

>> Photo gallery of the first day

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Celebrating the March on Washington


Even though our students are not in school yet, our faculty and staff took a moment out of the day to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington that occurred fifty years ago today. Lower School teachers Mike Hannam and Toni Henderson took turns ringing our bell fifty times at 3 p.m. to unite with bells around the nation as they remind us all to 'let freedom ring'.

Read more about the March on Washington through the eyes of a member of the Holton-Arms class of 1937.

Monday, August 19, 2013

It's the most wonderful time of the year...


Today is the day when our Upper School athletes come back to campus for preseason (check out our media gallery) and we know in just a few more days all three divisions will be back on campus and life will be as it should be...one, big, happy Holton!

The athletes back on campus fill us with joy as we prepare for the most wonderful time of the year! Do you remember that Staples commercial from a few years ago? We have been dancing gleefully in the halls of Holton-Arms humming this tune as we prepare for the girls to come back to school in fifteen more days! (But who's counting?)





Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Impromptu Bollywood Dance Lesson


 
Lower School Morning Gathering is typically fun and informative...but the girls were especially delighted with a Bollywood dance lesson from a featured guest on Monday. Yamini, a cousin of a Holton fifth grader, is visiting from Bangalore during her summer vacation and presented a lesson on traditional Indian culture.


Following her presentation, she kicked off her shoes and performed a modern Bollywood dance. After catching her breath, she asked if any of them would like to give it a try and in true Holton fashion the girls jumped to their feet and were ready to go. (As if there was ever any doubt they would want to dance?)

Take a look and see if you can catch on as quickly as they did. 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Oh Rats!

All in the name of science...

Our 9th grade biology students spent a little time with a bunch of rats recently. Some of the girls had mixed feelings about dissecting the furry little varmints, but after the initial shock of their magnitude was over (yes, they were that big!) then the students focused on their role as scientist. Several of the groups were surprised to uncover that their rat was expecting. Below, a 9th grade student explains exactly what we are looking at in the reproductive organs of a pregnant rat.

Enjoy...

 

ARCHIVE: April 18, 2013

At "The Scene," we are all so excited to finally get outside and enjoy warmer weather and the beautiful spring blooms. And even though the warm weather was a little slow to arrive, we were certain that spring was on the way just because of the activity around campus. So that gave us an idea - let's create a uniquely Holton list of the...

Top Ten Signs that spring has arrived at Holton-Arms!
10. Our fifth graders rocked the ropes course at their spring overnight to Camp Sheridan last week.
9. Global Education journeys are finalizing their details just in time for their life-changing experiences in June!
8. Mini-mester courses engaged our Middle School girls as they explored interests that could lead to a new found passion.
7. Award season is in full–swing# Scholars, photographers, writers, and athletes, oh my!
6. Lower School students are creating hatcheries for shad. Hey, some schools hatch chicks, but we hatch shad! (More details about this local engagement project soon.)
5. Students, faculty, and staff have been spotted around campus training for the upcoming Panther Scamper 5K race. Lace up your shoes and join the fun!
4. The campus is in tip-top shape thanks in part to our Spring Community Service Day.
3. New family events are in full-swing! And we are delighted to meet our newest Holton girls!
2. The campus is all abuzz with spring sports. Which, by the way, have you heard the buzz surrounding the great article in "The Gazette" about senior LAX player, Anisa LaRochelle? It’s fantastic!

And the number one reason we know spring has arrived at Holton...two words
REUNION WEEKEND!

We can hardly wait to reconnect with our fantastic alumnae! Remember...there is still time to register!

Have a great week (and spring) everyone!






ARCHIVE: March 20, 2013

The staff at the Scene has spring (break) fever! But before you head out for a well-deserved break, we want to tell you a couple of cool things that happened at Holton this week!


Around Campus
The first thing to tell you about was in the making for a few months and we enlisted Lower School Chorus Director and Music Department Chair Ann Vaughn to tell us more:
Together with the Washington Middle School for Girls, we have developed a pilot program to bring the two schools together in a collaborative experience involving the arts in Ghana. This project came about as a result of strategic initiatives on the part of both schools to forge meaningful connections with other schools in the Washington area.

On Tuesday, March 19, the two schools shared what they learned over the last six weeks, and families from both communities were honored guests. We had an art exhibit and short music performance at the Washington Middle School for Girls location at THEARC, a beautiful building in Anacostia that also houses branches of The Corcoran, The Levine School of Music, and The Washington School of Ballet. WMSG students visited Holton as well on February 12 and had lunch, got to know each other, and shared some arts experiences.

Both WMSG and Holton-Arms share overarching fifth grade themes of exploring individual identity and the place of the individual within a community of others. This is a rich theme with so much to consider, from the unique character of each individual student, to two distinct school communities, to the diverse communities of Anacostia and Bethesda within our larger Washington community, to the place of the arts in creating strong communities and bridging global cultural divides.

Thanks Ann for that report. We can’t wait to see what you all do next!

An integral part of the Holton experience is for our students to make meaningful connections – sometimes with others or sometimes with themselves - and both were happening in Middle School during Mini-Mester. Students spent the last week taking a risk and exploring something new in a class of their choice. And what could possibly be riskier than conducting a blind taste-test of baby food with a fellow Middle Schooler? These students explored the anatomy of the human brain and how we use our senses to learn about the world around us in the Mini-Mester course – MindFind. You may be thinking – what does eating baby food, blind-folded have to do with the mind-body connection? But as the students explored they learned how to transform individual interests, ideas, and attitudes into long-term, memorable learning experiences!

The 10th grade students had a memorable learning experience over these past few months as they conquered a long-time Holton rite of passage – the 10th grade term paper and then celebrated with s’mores in Centennial Garden. The paper is a major project demonstrating writing and research skills, but the awesome aspect is that each girl is allowed tremendous flexibility to explore any topic of interest to her. Some of the titles this year included: Organ Trafficking, Autism, Puppy Mills, The Cultural Revolution of China, Assisted Suicide, Birth Order, Princess Diana and the Evolution of her Fashion Sense, Interpretation of Dreams, Steroids in the Olympics, Muppet Diplomacy, and The Impact of Rent on Musical Theater. Talk about some interesting beach reads for the break...

Speaking of spring break, have a great one! Be safe, have fun, and enjoy some time with friends and family.

See you all back on campus on April 2!

ARCHIVE: March 7, 2013

It is our favorite time of year! Don't let the snow yesterday trick you, Spring is right around the corner...we know this because it is time to WELCOME our new Holton families! We are thrilled you are joining our community and we look forward to seeing you around campus soon. Enjoy your first edition of The Scene.

AROUND CAMPUS
It may not have happened on our campus, but recently our Holton 7th graders ventured over to Landon for a friendly competition in physics - the Landon/Holton Egg Drop. A tradition in the Middle School, this curricular collaboration gives our students an opportunity to work as a team, problem solve, and create a vehicle for an egg to descend safely from the top of a ten foot ladder to the concrete floor below. The students were given masking tape, drinking straws, paper, and 20 minutes to prepare their egg for its downward journey. Holton Middle School Director Tony Shawe and Landon Middle School Director Doug Norry had the honors of "ceremoniously" dropping the eggs from atop side-by-side ladders. Mr. Shawe reported, "There was definitely some training in the off-season, but in the end, the winning team relied on brains, not brawn to get the job done."

Has your 4th grade daughter been asking an inordinate amount of thought-provoking questions? It is probably from the Q&A training she received in Lower School. The 4th grade students prepared thoughtful questions about protecting endangered animals in order to engage in a rich dialog with an expert panel on Tuesday. The event was in conjunction with their "Animals on the Edge" research project inspired by their Social Studies curriculum. The girls were most interested in how animals are affected by environmental issues, how they could help, and baby sea turtles. (Because, really...who doesn't love baby sea turtles?) Ultimately, they learned that in order to protect endangered animals, they must protect their habitats. Get ready to see some new habits forming - saving water, recycling, composting, and don't be surprised if she asks you not to idle in the carpool line.
Thanks to our panel of experts!
  • Glynis Lough, Chief of Staff, National Climate Assessment
  • Macara Lousberg, Director, Water Policy Staff, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Karin M. Krchnak, Director, Freshwater, World Wildlife Fund
  • Ted Sears, Senior Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Debra Zeyen, Senior Director Marine Communications, Global Marine Division of Conservation International
Don't think it was all serious, environmental business...the girls did have a break for an energizer and even the experts got in on the action. Check out the moves at the end of the video...rock the mullet!

In Upper School 9th and 10th grade students learned some cool, new moves on their graphing calculators during flex time on Monday. The math department put together activities that integrated mathematical modeling with graphing calculator skills. The girls in the Algebra 2 and Trig classes looked at and modeled data on the number of hours of daylight for several cities around the globe. The goals of this activity were to fit models to data, make predictions, and think about periodic functions. After learning more about the functionality of the graphing calculator, the girls in Algebra 1 and Geometry conducted an experiment with a spring apparatus and weights. By adding weights to a suspended spring they were able to write a mathematical equation that modeled the length of the spring for a given weight added.
Did you catch all of that? If so, bravo! If not, no worries...rumor has it that seven precalculus students added their experience and expertise by serving as teaching assistants. Perhaps they can tutor those of us who need a refresher.

Have a great week everyone!

ARCHIVE: February 20, 2013

AROUND CAMPUS
At Holton-Arms we are all about sharing the love! And even though Valentine’s Day and Happy Birthday Holton-Arms has passed, the girls are still finding ways to show they care and what better way to show you care than to demonstrate your love for animals, friends, and interpretive dance?
That’s right…dance! The Holton Dance and Drama Department is excited to present the Upper and Middle School Orchesis dancers. In their upcoming performances the dancers are ready to share their passion for dance and this year 11 of the dancers took on the creative task of choreographing a routine. Perhaps they were inspired by their work with guest artist, Amy Marshall, who is a choreographer from New York City or perhaps they were inspired by something they learned in class. No one really knows where inspiration comes from, but one thing is for sure…these young ladies LOVE to dance and it shows!

When you think of what you love, what do you think about? Family? Long walks on the beach? Dark chocolate? Well, ask any of the Lower School girls and besides Holton, of course, their favorite things tend to be of the four-legged kind. And really, who could resist these two furry little friends? Meet the newest members of the Holton Community - Signore Valentino and POTUS (Piggy Of The United States). These little piggies came all the way from a shelter in D.C. on Monday and have found their forever home in the Lower School. Stop by for a visit, but be sure to bring fresh parsley (their favorite snack) and a clear agenda since POTUS is all business. (As he should be.)

If you ask any of the girls in the Middle School what they love, they will tell you Holton teachers, food and their friends! And sometimes they are lucky enough to take part in an activity that involves all three! Like these past few weeks…MS students have collected spare change to raise money for a cause near and dear to a fellow classmate’s heart – Pennies for Patients. Each cent deposited in the boxes in the MS gathering area counts as a “vote” towards a specific “prize” from faculty members and whoever has the most pennies in his or her box at the end of the competition will have to indulge the rest of us.









Here is what is on the line...
  • Tony Shaw will wear a panther costume for an entire day.
  • Gail Whitley will bake cookies for the entire Middle School.
  • Julia Grandison will wear a mismatched outfit.
  • Christopher Wilson will die his hair neon green.
  • Julia Walthall will bake cupcakes for the entire Middle School.
  • Tucker Sowers will wear a Holton uniform to school all day.
  • Alyce Dillion will dress like Princess Leia.
  • Graham Westerberg will perform an interpretive dance and jump in the pool fully clothed.
  • Kristen Edma will dress up like an 80s chick to school.
  • Nicole Mahr will straighten her naturally curley hair.
This competition isn’t just for Middle School students; feel free to rock the vote with your pennies by Friday, February 22.

UPDATE: Tucker Sowers box had the most money!  Be on the look out for a Middle School math instructor in Holton plaid!


Hot Topic
It only happens once a year and it will be here in just a few short days! The Holton-Arms Spring Gala will be on Friday, March 8 and promises to be an evening filled with dining, dancing, and delights! Our beloved Gala committee knows how excited you are so starting this Sunday, February 24, you can preview all of our fabulous auction items on our auction website! Mark your calendar for 5 p.m. on Sunday to be the first to bid! (But check back often because as we all know that it's fun to be first, but it's the last bid that counts!) Make sure to read the online auction instructions so you’ll be ready to place your bids!

ARCHIVE: January 23, 2013

AROUND CAMPUS
It may look like Saturday Night Fever, but the girls above are blowing off some 'mid-term exam steam' during a much-needed session of Zumba. The Upper School students were treated to a study break last week that included activities to nurture their bodies and their spirits. Holton faculty and staff offered this break from studying for exams as a way to teach the girls a balanced approach to studying. In addition to Zumba, activities included pool games, yoga, a walk around campus, and guided meditation. (Because really...can you think of a better way to find your moment of Zen than by meditating in the Simm's Reception Room?)

Sixty-eight Lower School students and family members found themselves making sandwiches as part of the Lower School Day of Service on Monday. In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., the girls gathered in the dining hall and under the guidance of Mr. Bane and Ms. Poon made hundreds of sandwiches to be delivered to Martha's Table - a local non-profit dedicated to creating positive outcomes in the lives of others. (Sounds like our kind of place!) Last week at morning gathering the girls learned that Dr. King's definition of greatness is to serve others and we have to say...you all definitely achieved greatness on Monday!

Have a great week and stay warm.

Oh! And if you are looking for something fun to do indoors this weekend why not create a piece of artwork for Mosaic - they are due Monday.

ARCHIVE: December 12, 2012

Five...four...three...two...one! What could we possibly be counting down in mid-December? No, not New Year's Eve. (Although these ladies at the Upper School Holiday Ball look ready to ring in the New Year.) We are actually counting down the last days of school in 2012! Can you believe it? Only five days of school left until we head out for a long winter's break! So, let's get this Scene started!

AROUND CAMPUS

At first glance, you might just see a group of girls baking cookies. But take a closer look. As these 4th grade girls make Rain Forest Cookies in class on Monday, they are working as a team, using measurements and mathematical concepts, and exploring ingredients from Latin America - the region they are studying in social studies. Wow! That is one incredible cookie curriculum!

Because, really? Who doesn't love a good collaboration...especially when it involves a rockin' guitar riff? The Middle School students were treated to a visit from musician and novelist, Mary Amato during assembly and several music classes last week. Mary spent time with the girls sharing her secrets to writing a great song. 1. Brainstorm 2. Find a Chord 3. Choose a tempo 4. Develop the "hook". And voila...they will be well on their way to Grammy greatness! (Or at least, well on their way to exploring a new passion for songwriting.)






Hot Topic
Lace up your Skates!
Everyone knows that Holton is all about inspiring girls to lead lives of positive influence. And did you know that the kind of influence we are talking about can be as simple as sharing your passions with those around you? It's true! And the Panther Hockey team is doing just that on Monday! The players and their coaches will share their passion for hockey with an open skate for the entire Holton community at the Cabin John Ice Rink. Check out the Facebook event page for all of the details and bust out the leg-warmers. (Oh yes, they're back!)
Have a great week and we hope to see you on campus soon!

ARCHIVE: November 28, 2012

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Can you remember what you were doing at 3:28 a.m. on Saturday, November 17, 2012? More than likely you were sleeping, but these Upper School girls along with some very brave teachers and administrators will always remember what they were doing at that exact moment. They were huddled together on the Holton track gazing at the sky and watching an annual astronomical event known as the Leonid meteor shower. This "star-studded" event started around 10 p.m. with telescope lessons, planet spotting, and a vivid display of the Big Dipper. And in case you don't recall, the temperature dipped below freezing that night. Thankfully, the girls bundled up and were warmed by the sheer excitement of spotting meteors as the Earth passed through debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle.
Our visitors from Spain aren't just passing through...they are committed to experience all that Holton has to offer. These students and teachers visiting from Colegio Mirabel in Madrid, Spain are attending classes in a variety of subjects and arts disciplines, as well as engaging with our World Language students. If you are thinking, 'this is so cool. I would love to learn more about all of the things Holton does on a daily basis', then you should most definitely follow Holton-Arms on Twitter. Just in the past 24 hours we have tweeted about our visitors from Spain, an expert panel on the recent election, Frock Frenzy, and Grandparents Day photos!
So go ahead, follow us! It's a great way to be engaged in the community and could also be some good fodder for dinner conversations with your daughter.





Hot Topic
Winter Concerts
‘Tis the season for beautiful music and the beloved Holton-Arms Winter Concerts will be here before you know it...literally. Everyone has been busy preparing for all of the upcoming performances and Holton’s Chamber Orchestra had a distinguished guest at their rehearsal last week - Baltimore Symphony Orchestra cellist, Chang Woo Lee.
Instrumental Music instructor Jon Hansen reported to The Scene, “Ms. Lee challenged and inspired the girls to reach for a high level both technically and musically. I know her work will contribute to a memorable performance of the Mozart Symphony 40 and Piano Concerto 21 on our December 6 concert.”
The staff at The Scene is giddy about the next few weeks and we know you feel the same! So be sure to stay tuned to HASNews and the Holton website for dates, times and locations.
Have a great week and we hope to see you on campus soon!

ARCHIVE: November 7, 2012

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Holton's Young Democrat and Young Republican clubs hosted an assembly for the Upper School last week on varying political views and how the media can impact public opinion of candidates through parody. Following the assembly student leaders hosted round table discussions about the power of media and tried to foster an awareness for the responsibility we have as media consumers.

With all of that in mind, the Middle School hosted a mock election for the entire school yesterday and we received these results from our field reporter, Middle School History Teacher Steven Cutts:

Bethesda, Maryland. Nov. 6 - Elections officials of The Holton-Arms School Presidential Election released results just after 5:00 p.m. EST this afternoon. 763 ballots were cast among 843 potential voters#.President Obama received 527 votes and Governor Romney 200 votes. No constituency among the electorate gave the Republican candidate a majority of popular votes, so all of Holton’s electoral votes would be cast for Mr. Obama. The Libertarian slate attracted ten votes, and the Green Party garnered twenty-two; there were four write-in votes (Including one for favorite-daughter Yolanda Keener.) There seemed to be no voting irregularities in spite of the first-time use of touch-screen voting. Elections officials credited the Middle School Model UN Club and Mrs. Liz Gouldman for helping to total up the votes so quickly.

Thanks for that special report, Steve! We hope everyone is getting some rest today after the busy election day.

The Panthers have also been busy...busy winning ISL titles! Holton-Arms Varsity Tennis and Varsity Volleyball have both brought home championship trophies! An emphasis is most definitely placed on the triple threat at Holton - we want girls to explore academic and artistic and athletic interests in order to find their passions. And you better believe it was this passion that pushed these teams to victory! (Is that a great photo, or what!?!)




Hot Topic
Faster, Friendlier Carpool
Have you noticed Middle and Upper School carpool moving a little faster this week? We hope so! Our illustrious Administrative Team is out in full-force to not only keep carpool moving along, but to also greet girls on their way to class! It is all part of an initiative to keep students safe, parents happy, and River Road free from traffic jams. (Hey...we can dream, right?)
Carpool Tip of the Day: Have your daughter's belongings next to her in the car and avoid the trunk at all costs. For more information on how to keep carpool moving along, be sure to check out this week's edition of HASNews.
Have a great week!