 | | Senior Named Conservationist of the Year | |  Since June St. Andrew’s senior Malika Shettar has been serving the Mississippi Wildlife Federation as the Fish and Wildlife Services Youth and News Media Ambassador, a paid one-year internship for high school seniors and college students. In the last 6 months she has: - participated in the Entomology Camp with elementary students at MSU in June helping with the activities;
- completed a Fishing Rodeo Outdoorama in September with Ms. Connie Dickard, Fish and Wildlife Services Public Affairs Specialist, where she helped kids fish and assisted with training skills of archery and riflery;
- over the Thanksgiving break (and in the summer), she accompanied Paul Hartfield, field biologist with FWS, to the Mississippi River to study the numbers of shrimp at different growth stages, including some gravid, to see the impact of the recent oil spill;
- accompanied Matt Hinderliter to Camp Shelby to help with radio telemetry on the gopher tortoises;
- photographs at all FWS activities she is involved in and writes blogs about these local activities to keep youth updated;
- participated in monthly conference calls with other YAP (Youth Ambassador Program) members in other parts of the southeast region of the US to discuss our various activities.
For all of these reasons Malika has been selected as the Mississippi Wildlife Federation Youth Conservationist of the Year, which is among the state’s most prestigious awards for conservation efforts. Congratulations, Malika! | | | |
| | Winter Choir Concert | |  The St. Andrew’s Choirs presented their annual Winter Concert on Thursday evening for family and friends and Friday morning for the student body. The concert began with a mass choir performance of “We Need A Little Christmas”. This was followed by each choir presenting a separate segment of the concert. All choirs gave outstanding performances as the audiences enjoyed hearing new selections and old favorites.
The 7th grade favorite was “Pat-a-pan” performed to flute accompaniment by Mrs. McGuire. Singing in French and English, the 8th grade choir gave an outstanding rendition of “Noel, Noel” which combined “Noel Nouvelet!” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”. The two middle school choirs combined and entertained all with a great arrangements of “Believe” and “Jingle Bells Rock”.
The St. Andrew’s Singers performed several selections including “Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy” and their signature Christmas song, “Santa Baby”.
The Chamber Choir opened their part of the concert with “Various Themes on “Fa-La-La” and sang traditional favorites “Jesse’s Tree” and “Still, Still, Still”.
The concert finale was “The First Noel/ Pachelbel’s Canon” with Julia Kirk accompanying the choirs on violin. Photos from the concert are here. | | | |
| | 1st Grade Christmas Play | | The first graders performed their play, A Christmas Story with Angels, Lambs, Ladybugs, and Fireflies, for appreciative parents Thursday, December 8. The little creatures in the play helped gather the other animals and led them to Bethlehem to see the new born baby, Jesus. Their message is that everyone is important and that God sent his son for everyone, even the smallest animal. Our young students sang, skipped, and fluttered their way across the stage as the beautiful Christmas story unfolded. Photos from the production are here. | | | |
| | Lessons and Carols | | ...and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
Middle and Upper School students celebrated the coming of Christ in their annual services of Christmas Lessons and Carols on Thursday, December 8. This traditional service has been observed in Christian congregations worldwide since 1880, recalling through scripture and song the story of God's saving and redeeming love from the time of creation through the birth of Jesus, who is called Emmanuel, God-with-us. Many of our saints served as readers and musicians for these services, sharing their gifts with our community even as we celebrated the gift of God's coming among us.
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| | Toys for Tots | | Our Lower School students continue to be good neighbors toward those in need as they finish up a new Christmas service project, supporting the Toys for Tots program of the United States Marine Corps. Many students have brought new, unwrapped toys to donate to needy children in our local communities. Their generosity and joy in giving has been an inspiration, and we are grateful for their goodwill. The last day to bring toys is Tuesday, December 13.
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| | Physician Alumni Give Back | | The Middle School’s sixth grade was so pleased to host returning alumni Dr. Mildred Ridgeway and Dr. John D. Adams as we discussed the changing bodies of a pre-adolescent. Drs. Ridgeway and Adams graciously gave back to their alma mater during meetings with each gender group Monday, December 12. Dr. Ridgeway spoke to the girls and Dr. Adams met with the boys. They were able to enlighten the kids to the physiological growth they are experiencing, reinforce good hygiene habits, and provide a forum for students to ask questions they might feel uncomfortable asking their family physician. The sixth grade is grateful to Drs. Ridgeway and Adams for their service to the students and willingness to partner with us as we navigate this unique time in the life of children.
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| | 7th and 8th Grade Christmas Dance | | On December 2, SAPA turned the North Campus Commons into a Winter Wonderland as it sponsored the Christmas Dance for our 7th and 8th grade students. Led by Paula Tauzin, parent of 8th grade student Darden Pilkinton, the parent group spent the better part of a week organizing, desigining, and putting together the decorations for this end of the year event. The Christmas Dance, which is semi-formal, gives our students one more chance to relax and cut loose before review week and exam week. Photos from the dance (by SA dad Tom Beck) are here. | | | |
| | Senior Named Community Service Leader | | Senior Patrick McKee has been selected to serve as a Community Service Leader for Ole Miss, and will ultimately be a part of the Ole Miss Community Service Day in Jackson. Over the next few months, Patrick will have the opportunity to work with peers from various schools in the Jackson-metro area, help make decisions about the Ole Miss Community Service Day, and participate in some very fun projects and fundraising efforts that will benefit the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.
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| | Saints Name Shakespeare Finalist | | Sophomore Angus Harper was chosen to represent St. Andrew’s at the annual National Shakespeare Competition sponsored by the English-Speaking Union. Angus was selected by our teacher judges for his recitation of Puck’s monologue from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Alternates are Lee Schmidt and Cara Keyser. The state competition will be January 28.
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| | | St. Andrew’s Launches AIM Process and Calls for Nominations | | This school year there will be a comprehensive self-study of diversity at St. Andrew's called the Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism (AIM) which is sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools. This audit will take a broad view of diversity, addressing how the school deals with many kinds of "difference."
As part of the AIM process, there will be a schoolwide survey in January, and in addition there will be a convening of small-group AIM Discovery Committees in February and March to explore ten different facets of St. Andrew's (e.g., admissions, governance, teaching, student life, alumni involvement, etc.).
We are asking all members of the school community to nominate (including self-nomination) the parents, faculty, alums, students, and other members of the school community who would be strong participants in the small-group conversations on the AIM Discovery Committees.
Please click here (PDF) for more details about the AIM process and contact Dr. Chris Harth, Director of Global Studies and the school’s AIM Coordinator, with questions or nominations.
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| | Debaters Get Results at Longhorn Classic | | This past weekend, thirteen students traveled with the Speech and Debate Team to the University of Texas for the Longhorn Classic. Here are the results from students who did well.
- Chris Steere '13 - 2nd in Prose Reading
- Vineet Aggarwal '13 - 5th in Student Congress
- Pontus Andersson '13 and Samantha Ong '14 - Semifinalists in Impromptu Speaking
- Danielle Robertson '14 - Semifinalist in Original Oratory
As a result, Danielle earned a qualifying leg to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (you need two to qualify), which will be held in San Francisco in May. Vineet earned his second leg in Student Congress to the Tournament of Champions (that TOC is for debate-related events only), which will be held at the University of Kentucky in early May. Go Saints!
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| | Contracts are Coming | | It's enrollment time again and we are excited to announce that this year you will complete your student's 2012-2013 re-enrollment contract ONLINE. Watch the mail for a letter (mailed January 6, 2012) with more details.
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| | 8th Graders Lead Writing Workshops | | St. Andrew’s 8th graders Lauren Allen and and Tracy Rappai recently conducted two workshops at the convention center for teachers from across Mississippi who gathered for the Mississippi Reading Association's 2011 Conference. The president of the organization, Stacy Reeves, attended their first workshop, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, and was so touched that she asked if they would do a 3-minute presentation during lunch for all of the teachers who had been in other workshops. The girls’ 2nd workshop, in conjunction with Abigail Hardin, author of Look at Me; I Am Just Like You, was entitled Encouraging Young Writers.
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| | Upcoming Alumni Events | | Our St. Andrew’s alumni will gather to celebrate the holidays with several parties and events this December. All alumni are invited to each of the following, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!
Friday, Dec. 23 - Alumni Games (soccer, flag football, girls and boys basketball)
- McRae Science Center Open House
- Annual Alumni Holiday Party
For details and RSVP please click here.
Monday, Dec. 26: - African American Alumni Party
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| | 7th Graders Visit Hindu Temple | |  On a cold and misty Tuesday the 7th grade took a trip across Jackson to the Hindu Temple out on Old Fannin Road. A popular adage in the Hindu tradition states that, “there are as many paths to truth as there are people to perceive it.” This saying accurately reflects an incredible openness in the Hindu faith to discussions with other traditions. On this day, the St. Andrew’s community was welcomed into their temple to talk about the Hindu path(s).
The building itself is adorned with hand carved sculptures of Hindu symbols, gods, and goddesses. The interior, in addition to smelling of incense, is floored in marble from India. Shrines to many of the Hindu gods / goddesses each have their own unique dimensions. Students learned about the ancient history of Hinduism, and what it is like for modern day people to worship in this particular temple. They talked with a Hindu priest about the ways in which he facilitates individual worship, and the varieties of blessings and purity in this life.
Upon leaving, the temple community offered up plaques and a bronze depiction of the god Krishna. Mr. Alford was also given a necklace of flowers, as students were reminded that in Hinduism, teachers were viewed as gods themselves. All the teachers there agreed with that sentiment and the corresponding respect it would entail.
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| | Saints Equestrian Club | | The Middle School's Equestrian Club wrapped up their last, and coldest, riding lesson of the semester Tuesday evening. For the past three months Collins Cooke, Katlyn Garner, and Megan Weiss have been attending weekly riding lessons after school at Providence Hill Farm. The girls have been learning the basics of English style riding and developing confidence and leadership skills as they work with their horses. The Equestrian Club is open to all St. Andrew's Middle School students, boys and girls. Open enrollment will begin again in January. Watch your inbox for details about our Spring semester schedule after the holidays.
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| | Saints Help Madison Ark | | Sophomore advisee group (as pictured from left to right) Nao Wada, Sarah Gresham Barr, Darby Taylor, Kirsten Fowler, Seth Simmons, Jack Daly, Amelia Andersson, and Rodney Boss and their advisor, Ms. DeBeukelaer, had a bake sale which raised $90 for Madison Ark, the no-kill animal shelter in Madison that now depends solely on private donations. This cause is close to our hearts as Amelia has volunteered there weekly for years. For more information or to see the puppies, dogs, kittens and cats available for adoption, please visit http://themadisonark.org/ | | | |
| | 3rd Grade Visits Governor's Mansion | | St. Andrew’s third graders toured the Governor’s Mansion last week as part of their social studies unit on Mississippi. Although they will not begin this unit until the spring, they took the opportunity to see it decorated for the holidays. From 2008 – 2011, the Christmas decorations have celebrated the unique beauty of the land and spirit of the people in four distinct areas of the state. This year the Mansion paid tribute to the Mississippi Delta. The children enjoyed decorations made with cotton bolls and magnolia leaves, a painted horse named Delta’s Glory, an award winning Mississippi map quilt, and the beautiful antiques that furnish the Mansion. Each student received a Christmas cookie from Mrs. Barbour as a special treat.
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| | Middle School Art Murals | | The 7th and 8th grade art classes worked together in creating holiday words for display in the Commons. Once the words were penciled in on the drop cloth paper, the students cut from pages of old books to create these collages, then paint was used to outline each letter.
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