On Tuesday, Ashley Hall’s Investment Group celebrated a successful inaugural year! Part of the School’s financial literacy efforts for students, the Investment Group gives members in tenth through twelfth grades the chance to be empowered and informed about finances and to gain some real-world, hands-on experience. “We took our own interests in the world and knowledge of current events and applied them to the stock market,” says senior LouLou Byars. Group advisors include Chief Financial Officer Mark Semo, Director of the Upper School Mary Schweers, Director of Student Life Carrie Singh, and Upper School faculty members Chris Frisby and Grant Vatter.
Since its inception date of October 24, 2017, the Ashley Hall portfolio has gained approximately $950 or 10.67 percent. In addition, the Group used the Russell 3000 as a benchmark; if it had invested the same amount of money on the same date in the Russell 3000, the Group would have gained $395 or 4.46 percent, thus beating its benchmark by almost 2.5 times. Says tenth grader Hannah Lipschutz, “In a male-dominated world, this gives women a chance to see the different functions of the stock market and how trading works.”
Attendees of this year’s String Fling at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul weren’t prepared for the heartwarming and emotional program that unfolded. In addition to performances by the Kindergarten and Pre-First Strings as well as the Lower School Orchestra and Fifth through Eighth Grade Orchestra, Upper School students played a superb rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and selections from the Lion King. Interspersed between the music selections, sixth graders served as emcees.
Particularly inspiring in their performance was the Senior String Quartet, and senior Loulou Byars gave a moving presentation to Head of School Jill Muti. As Byars said, “Fourteen years ago Mrs. Muti arrived at Ashley Hall and quickly became an important part of our family. The following year, the Class of 2018 entered kindergarten, and Mrs. Muti implemented the new strings program, a program that has had an immense impact upon my own life and the lives of countless others in the Ashley Hall community.”
Afterward, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church as Performing Arts Chair Liz Dinwiddie and the Upper School Chamber Ensemble played for the four graduating seniors of the Senior String Quartet. These girls have been a part of something special that Mrs. Muti started fourteen years ago and represent the limitless possibilities for everyone at Ashley Hall. PQV!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
presented by the Performing Arts Department
An Ashley Hall tradition, presented on the lawn in front of the Bear Cave!
Thursday, April 19 at 7:00pm | $5 performance only (online tickets for this performance are now closed, please purchase your tickets at the door)
Saturday, April 21 at 7:00pm | $5 performance only or $15 performance and BBQ
Shakespeare (the Bard!) returns to the lawn of the Bear Cave with the Ashley Hall Performing Arts Department’s lively production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Saturday’s performance will feature a pre-performance “BBQ with the Bard Picnic” on the lawn beginning at 5:00pm. Click on the button below to purchase your tickets.
Purchase Tickets
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
- 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.