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
- Classics Department Panel Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Hoshall Room, 3rd floor)
- Modern Languages Department Presentation and Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Room 300)
Session II | 7:00pm–7:25pm
- History and English Departments: Grades 8 through 9, Harkness Discussion (Rivers Library, 2nd floor Conference Room)
- History and English Departments: Grades 10 through 12, Harkness Discussion (Jenkins Hall, Room 302)
Session III | 7:30pm-7:55pm
- Classics Department Panel Discussion (Hoshall Room, Jenkins Hall, 3rd floor)
- 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.
Part angel and elf rolled into one, Dana Van Hook has spearheaded the Chicora Gift-Giving Project at Ashley Hall since 1999 and has helped share the spirit of this special season with approximately 3,000 Chicora Elementary students over this 18-year period.
The Chicora Gift-Giving Project features a carefully assembled gift bag given to each student by Santa Claus himself at a special assembly at Chicora. The bag includes approximately 10 gifts: a new school uniform; toiletry items; new books based on the student’s reading level; and a special toy. Most importantly, the bags also include a personalized note from Santa with help from Ashley Hall students! “There is no agenda to the program and absolutely no overhead. 100% of everything is donated and comes from our amazing Ashley Hall community. The gifts given to these precious children takes pressure off their families during what is, for many, a financially challenging time of year. It fills my heart with a refreshed sense of joy every year,” said Dana.
This special holiday service project is embraced by students, faculty, parents, and Ashley Hall alumnae alike. Lively gift-giving assemblies are held in the Lower and Upper School with girls sharing presents and alumnae bring gifts to their Holiday party to contribute to the cause. Dana supplements contributions by shopping sales throughout the year, including buying Christmas cards the day after Christmas from the Dollar Store! Beginning the week prior to Thanksgiving, a special warehouse is donated for sorting of the inventory and bagging. Approximately 80 volunteers are involved in the bag assembly including Ashley Hall faculty/staff, 25 Upper School students, Chicora faculty members, and friends. Bags will then be transported to Chicora Elementary by bus—the large Ashley Hall 40-seater bus and 20 personal cars.
Thank you to all, especially Dana, for sharing your hearts with the children of Chicora Elementary School each December!
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
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.