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All-School eNews | February 22, 2019
FEATURED STORY:
Everyone Has a Voice at the Harkness Table
By Korin Visocchi and April Wilcox, Upper School educators
As a teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than sitting around the Harkness table watching all 15 of your students actively and collaboratively engaged in a conversation about the previous night's reading. Student-led discussion and inquiry is what our Upper School students experience when using the Harkness method in the classroom.
The Harkness table and method were first used at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and named after Edward Harkness, who had given Exeter a gift in 1930. He wanted to change the classroom from a traditional lecture style to one of communal discourse. Traditionally, Harkness classrooms are furnished with an oval table ensuring that all students can see one other. Here at Academy of the Sacred Heart, faculty have arranged desks to be circular and inviting. Being able to see one another makes the conversation more direct and meaningful.
The Harkness method of teaching aligns with Sacred Heart practices. A Harkness class is more than just sharing ideas, answering a question or memorizing facts. The instructional method gives everyone a voice at the table to critically think about and defend their thoughts, listen carefully to one another without interruption, and discover new ideas by conversing with their peers. As leaders in all-girls education, Harkness is especially important for young women at Academy of the Sacred Heart. We want our young women to be self-reliant and independent thinkers. The opportunity to actively participate through deep listening, questioning and reflection fosters a powerful voice with the ability to instill change.
This past summer, as part of the interdisciplinary humanities program, we attended a Harkness conference at Phillips Exeter Academy that put us in the role of a student at a Harkness table. Shifting from facilitator to student gave us empathy for what ASH girls experience. The conference reinforced that, as educators, we guide the learning process of our young women by providing meaningful text and essential questions.
Alumna Shannon Carroll '16 explained that her years in the ASH Harkness classroom "definitely helped me learn how to have strong academic conversations in other classes and helped me learn the etiquette for how to conduct those kids of conversations."
Senior Ava Szott commented that Harkness discussions "don't make me nervous to share my opinions. It's a collaborative effort."
Sacred Heart education and the Harkness method doesn't have to be limited to the classroom, as it is easily adaptable to use at home. After you visit a museum, watch a movie, or read a book with your child, provide time for discussion. You can begin with a question such as "What does art mean to you?", or "How did this movie connect with you?", then allow space for each family member to share.
Editor's note: Mr. Hermann's column will return in March. Thank you to our guest contributors for sharing their insights on the ASH Difference.
"A Fighter Since Day One"
This week, Fox 2 Detroit aired a story about sixth grader Maya Proctor, who was able to attend class remotely while receiving cancer treatment, thanks to cutting-edge technology. As shared in the video, Maya has now finished her chemotherapy and everything is looking good. Paying it forward, the Proctor family has raised $10,000 to buy two more robots for other patients to use. View the news story here.
Upper School Hockey Players in the News
During a ceremony on February 13, senior Kelly McCullough (pictured seated, above) signed a National Letter of Intent to play ice hockey for Lake Forest College. Kelly is a forward on the 19U Little Caesars AAA Girls team. Congratulations!
This week, junior Rayla Clemons (above, far right) was one of five athletes profiled in NHL.com's article, "New wave of black players ready to make impact on hockey." Rayla juggles a full-time honors curriculum with full-time ice hockey - in Pittsburgh! As the article explains, she is a center on the Penguins Elite Under-19 Team. During the week, she supplements her Penguins practices by skating locally with the Little Caesars AAA Under-18 Midget Majors boys team. Congratulations, Rayla, on this recognition!
Ski Team Places Second in Catholic Leagues
Congratulations to the Upper School ski team on their second place finish in Wednesday's Catholic High School League Championships. The entire team had a great afternoon, beating both Marian and Mercy. Good luck to senior Rachel Williams as she skis in the State Finals next Monday.
Register Today - "Surviving the Social Jungle" & "Teens Empowered" Conferences to be Held at ASH on March 2
Academy of the Sacred Heart will host the "Surviving the Social Jungle" and "Teens Empowered" Conferences on Saturday, March 2. The conferences are sponsored by Kids Empowered and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Parents, educators and students in Grades 3-12 are invited to attend these informational, interactive conferences. The morning conference is for students in Grades 3-8, parents and educators. The afternoon conference is for students in Grades 8-12, parents and educators. View the event flyers using the links above or visit survivingthesocialjungle.com or teensempowered.org for details and to register.
Plan to Attend "Empty Bowls" on March 6
Begin your Lenten observance at Sacred Heart on Ash Wednesday, March 6, with an "Empty Bowls" meal and a prayer service and distribution of ashes in the Chapel. The Empty Bowls symbolic meal of soup and bread will raise money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.
Two seatings will be offered, 5:30 and 7 p.m., with the prayer service taking place between the seatings at 6:15 p.m. A cash donation of $20 per family ($10 each for additional bowls to take home) is payable at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit.
Save the Dates! Documentaries "Angst" & "Like" Coming to ASH
Mark your calendars and plan to bring a friend - ASH will host screenings of two important films, Angst and Like, on March 12 and April 9, respectively. Both screenings will begin at 7 p.m. The first film, Angst, raises awareness about anxiety and provides "tools and resources and above all, hope." The second film, Like, explores the impact of social media on our lives, with the goal of inspiring viewers to self-regulate.
These documentaries provide timely, relevant information about how to raise successful, resilient and confident children, and are offered as part of ASH's "Heart of the Matter" speaker and film series. Watch for more details next week!
ADVANCING ASH
The Secret Garden Gala is Saturday, March 9! Are You Coming?
Several learning community leaders will be hosting a table for families in their grade levels. If you are new or not sure who you will know there, they would love to sit with you and introduce you to other families. And, the advancement team is happy to help you find friendly faces for the seated portion of the evening. Please just note on your response card which learning community you would like to sit with.
Secrets are fun, but we can't keep this one any longer! Miner's Den Jewelers is making custom jewelry pieces for the Patron Party raffle. The first piece is a gold rose window pendant with diamonds, and the second piece is a pair of rose window gold cuff links. The best part? Patron Party tickets ($250 ea) include an entry into the drawing! Additional tickets may be purchased at the Patron Party for $100 each that night. This raffle is exclusive to the Patron Party. Look for more secrets to be revealed as we get closer to the event!
Purchase either Patron or Regular Gala tickets here, and we will see you there!
PAASH NEWS
Attention Dads!
Don't miss the DASH (Dads @ASH) breakfast gathering on March 6 from 7-8:30 a.m. in the gallery. This is a great way to start the day, and an opportunity to connect with your child(ren) and fellow fathers in a low-key setting. Mark your calendar today!
ENRICHMENT UPDATE
Summer at Sacred Heart Registration & More!
Registration for the 2019 summer camp season has started and many sessions are full. Themes and activities have been posted on ashmi.org/summer. NEW this year, lunch is included in the cost of tuition! You can reach out to Mr. Bob if you have any questions. Click here to register for summer camp.
Pop Up Event! - Movie Night at ASH is today - Friday, February 22, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Tonight we will watch a movie, eat snacks, and work our way through an obstacle course. Be on the lookout for more pop-up events throughout the school year as we explore new programming ideas and themes.
Fencing – You still have time to sign up for fencing. The Renaissance Fencing Club will be here each Tuesday and Thursday in March to teach the basics of this modern Olympic sport. Students will gain agility, balance, timing and reflexes. Equipment will be provided to use. This after school enrichment class is for middle school and up. Click here to register for fencing.
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ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART