Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, giants of American musical theater, created legendary Broadway musicals in the 1940s and 50s and initiated what is widely considered the “golden age” of musical theater. The composers were geniuses at weaving challenging thematic issues into romantic love stories shared through dance and song. Consider The King and I, Oklahoma, South Pacific, and Carousel, all musical theater chestnuts that carry a powerful social commentary punch.
With their original production of Café Carousel, the Ashley Hall Theater Department, under the direction of Director Maida Libkin, created an evening to celebrate and examine the work Rodgers and Hammerstein through the lens of social justice. The team crafted the show’s poignant narrative through meticulous research of the musicals and by working closely with Upper School humanities faculty who teach classes such as Human Rights and International Law, American Studies, and Race Class, and Gender for historical and social context. Café Carousel proved enormously successful giving audiences of all ages much to think about.
Taking their efforts one step further, the Café Carousel cast and crew generously donated a portion of ticket sales, $2,000, to the local Charleston non-profit, My Sister’s House, which provides services and resources to empower victims of domestic violence and their children to live free of abuse. Brava to all!
A heartfelt “thank you” to all of our families and alumnae who supported the Chicora Elementary School gift-giving campaign. This morning in North Charleston, 568 bags filled to the top with new toys, books, school supplies and uniforms, were distributed to our young friends at Chicora. Over 20 cars acted as “sleighs” behind the big Ashley Hall activity bus which was packed to the ceiling with gift bags. A huge PQV to EEC Director and Santa’s special elf, Dana VanHook, and her team of incredible volunteers who pulled this huge effort off seamlessly for the 17th year. The best part of the visit—seeing the children’s faces light up when seeing Santa Claus and a gift bag with their name on it! We believe! Do you?
Ashley Hall is pleased to announce the addition of its new school-based Health Center led by Director of Ashley Hall Health Services —and alumna!—Tiffin Dowling Lamoreaux ’01. “Think of it as Ashley Hall’s Urgent Care Center,” says Tiffin. Research shows that more students return to class after visiting a school-provided nurse practitioner versus a school nurse. There are many medical conditions that may have previously required a parent to take their child to their primary care provider that can now be managed on campus thus allowing the child to remain at school. Tiffin will work closely with primary care providers to ensure that there is continuity of care. “With a focus on preventive care and health maintenance, the goal is to keep our students healthy, so they can thrive in class.” The benefits of a school-based health center also extend to faculty and staff. By providing routine and preventative health maintenance as well as acute care, Tiffin can reduce faculty and staff related health-related absences and see lower out-of-pocket medical costs. It’s a winning proposition campus wide.
The 2015-2016 Loyalty Fund
Ashley Hall closed out a very successful Loyalty Fund year on June 30, 2016. It is with deep gratitude that we report the following:
Stellar Growth
The $1,075,000 goal was not only met, but surpassed for a total of $1,133,210.
In addition, participation from current Ashley Hall parents hit 66%, an increase of 11% over last year.
Strong Participation
- 100%: Board of Trustees
- 100%: Faculty and Staff
- 100%: Senior Class of 2016
- 66%: Current Parents
- 76%: Parent Participation from the Class of 2016
- 87%: Parents’ Association Board
- 26%: Grandparents
- 27%: Alumnae
- 100%: Alumnae Association Board
Reunion Giving
Top Reunion Class giving came from the Class of 1966 at 64%, Class of 1971 at 54% and Class of 1976 at 43%.
The Class of 1976 lovingly created a scholarship for a deserving student in honor of their beloved classmate and Ashley Hall faculty member of 15 years, Mary B. Webb ’76. Class members and friends of the Class of 1976 raised $28,521 to create a scholarship in Mary’s name. PQV Class of 1976!
On behalf of the entire Ashley Hall community, we extend a heartfelt thank you. Your Loyalty Fund gift supports every student, every division, every faculty member, and every program at Ashley Hall.
The Loyalty Fund
In support of self discovery, scholastic excellence, service and sisterhood.
Self Discovery
The Early Education Center’s Reggio Emilio Curriculum
Lower School Student Driven “Center Based” Art Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Athletics Needs – field upkeep, uniforms and equipment
Scholastics Excellence
Enhanced Robotics Program
Junior Internships and Senior Projects
Model United Nations
Curriculum-Based International Travel Programs
Service
Kindergarten Sea Turtle Hospital Partnership
Lower School Bee Cause Program
Intermediate School Clean Water Ways Initiative
Compass Rose Partnership with Meeting Street Academy
Sisterhood
Big Sister/Little Sister Events
Championship Athletic Programs
Intramural Purple and White Activities
Alumnae Life-Long Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
Future chefs in the making! Ashley Cook’s 6th Grade class carefully prepares three meals from their organic garden. Everyone agreed that their vegetables, fruits and herbs taste better than at the grocery store!
In her tenure as Head of School, which began in 2004, Jill Muti has overseen the transformation of Ashley Hall’s program and facilities strengthening its position as the premier independent girls’ school in the south and one of the top schools in the country. Continuing to elevate Ashley Hall’s stature on the national level, Mrs. Muti was recently nominated to the Board of Trustees of the National Coalition of Girls School, the national advocate for girls’ education and leadership. She also is an active board member of the Headmistresses Association of the East and serves as a council member of the Heads Network, which is dedicated to advancing girls and womens’ leadership in independent schools across the nation. PQV to Mrs. Muti for her leadership and determination to establish Ashley Hall as a national leader in purposeful education for young women.