Formerly known as Lunch and Learn, the Family Forum series, designed for parents across all divisions, offer a fresh perspective on a timely topic or deeper insight into Ashley Hall’s dynamic program. Please note new time: Based on feedback from our families, all Family Forums will begin this year at 8:15am and held in the Dining Commons Conference Room on the second floor. 

All Family Forums for the 2017-2018 school year have been completed. 

Grab your boots and join us for Square Dance at the Hall, hosted by the Class of 2018! Festivities will include live music, dancing with a caller, and more! A dinner of chili, mac-n-cheese, corn on the cob, and cornbread will be served. All students, parents, alumnae, siblings, and friends are welcome! Bring your whole family down to Ashley Hall and celebrate with the senior class! In case of rain, the event will be held in Davies Auditorium. 

Online sales are now closed for this event. Tickets will available at the gate.

An evening designed to educate parents about Ashley Hall’s humanities curriculum spiral and the teaching philosophy used at Ashley Hall to deepen critical thinking, foster language appreciation, and enhance cultural perspective.

Event Schedule:

Check in (Smith Street Gate) | 5:40pm-6:00pm 
Welcome and Evening Overview (Dining Commons) | 6:00pm-6:25pm

Welcome, Carolyn Newton, History Department Chair
The Ashley Hall Learning Spiral, Dr. Nick Bozanic, Assistant to the Head for Academic Affairs
The Student Experience, Natalie Smith, class of 2018

Early Education Center (EEC) and Lower School, (Pardue Hall) | 6:30pm–7:55pm

EEC Director, Dana Van Hook, and Lower School Director, Polly Rainey, introduce the manner in which literacy, language, and social studies are explored and studied in their respective divisions. After the overview, guests will have the opportunity to visit student- led stations showcasing projects, experiences, and techniques.

Upper School: Grades 7 through 12 featuring the History, English, Modern Languages, and Classics Departments, (Jenkins Hall) 

Session I | 6:30pm–6:55pm

1. Classics Department Panel Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Hoshall Room, 3rd floor)
2. Modern Languages Department Presentation and Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Room 300)

Session II | 7:00pm–7:25pm

1. History and English Departments: Grades 8 through 9, Harkness Discussion (Rivers Library, 2nd floor Conference Room)
2. History and English Departments: Grades 10 through 12, Harkness Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Room 302)

Session III | 7:30pm-7:55pm

1. Classics Department Panel Discussion (Hoshall Room, Jenkins Hall, 3rd floor)
2. Modern Languages Department Presentation and Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Room 300)

Departure | 7:55pm

Please be certain to leave your comment card in the baskets provided in Jenkins Hall or Pardue Hall. Thank you to all of the students, faculty, staff and parents who have contributed to make this a special evening of sharing and learning, and thank you to all of our guests for your interest in Ashley Hall.

As one school year ends, plans are well underway to help strengthen and support our Ashley Hall parent engagement in the upcoming year. From volunteering in the classroom to welcoming new families into our special community, there are countless ways to become involved. When you share your time and talents with our school, you join us in our ongoing mission to “produce educated women who are independent, ethically responsible, and prepared to meet the challenges of society with confidence.” We are looking forward to next year!

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?