Lower School Art Teacher, Tina Hirsig, and Kristen Callahan, Director of Technology, Innovation and Education have teamed together to create several dedicated “tinkering” spaces around campus which feature unique collaborative installations. Tina and Kristen believe that shaping and reshaping the world around us through the process of creative play promotes, supports and fosters critical thinking, curiosity, collaboration, problem-solving, exploration, and self discovery.
Each installation—Earth Loom, Lego Wall, and Chalkboard Wall—incorporates our school Hallmarks: Worldly, Compassionate, Discerning, Creative, Intelligent, Purposeful, Collaborative which serve as guiding principles. Teachers bring their disciplinary knowledge to the installation in order to expand and elaborate on their curriculum. These spaces serve as an incubator for new ideas with emphasis on what is already being taught in the classroom. These interactive installations have the potential to extend what students are learning academically, socially, and/or creatively.
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.
Congratulations to Lower School faculty member and science teacher extraordinaire, Beth McCarty, who received the Daisy Barron Leland Award for Teaching Excellence during Monday’s faculty meeting. Named in honor of Mrs. Daisy Barron Leland, who taught mathematics at Ashley Hall for 22 years, the award is given in recognition for teaching excellence in mathematics, science, or use of technology in the classroom. PQV, Mrs. McCarty!
The Intermediate Program strings classes participated in their first masterclass with violinist, Ms. Tessa Lark. All 5th through 11th grade string players were invited to attend as part of the audience. Four students were chosen to play solos and receive feedback. Two Intermediate Program students, Chloe Ross and Leddy Scheurer, were honored for their hard work this year. They each performed a solo and worked with our guest in front of the audience of string players. Leddy is shown in the picture with Ms. Lark during her turn in the masterclass. Ms. Lark was on campus for the Performing Artists in Residence series and she provided wonderful playing tips and tricks for the girls to utilize in their own string playing.
Loyalty Fund Week is a time when the entire school community rallies together and shows support for Ashley Hall. Participation is the theme of this year’s campaign and we ask all Ashley Hall families to join in and participate in our annual fund on whatever level you feel appropriate for your family.
250 Participatory Gifts = An Extra $25,000!
This year, an anonymous donor has presented a challenge to us all. This donor has proposed a generous gift of $25,000 to the Loyalty Fund once 250 gifts have been received by the week’s end. This is why your gift, no matter the size, is more important than every!
Participate and give online now!