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Character Education at The
Summit Written by Mary Foss Brinkmeyer, Assistant Head “Wise
societies since the time of Plato have made moral education a deliberate
aim of schooling.
-Dr. Thomas Lickona Throughout the centuries schools have been educating for
character as every aspect of an educational program has the potential to
affect the development of one’s values. As an integral component of The
Summit’s mission, our Educating For Character Program permeates all that
we do. We strive to provide our students with the knowledge and skills
they will need to become people of good character and, ultimately,
productive members of society. We would like to share with you some “Second Quarter”
highlights of our Educating For Character Program. Kindness and Caring: Our school theme this year
is “Educating Leaders of Character” with an emphasis on Kindness and
Caring. We provide
opportunities to teach the meaning of these traits, to practice them, and
to engage students in leadership activities: - In their Montessori classroom, Mrs. Tilly Pfeiffer and Mrs.
Molly Tassone use the grace and courtesy lessons built into the practical
life component of the Montessori curriculum to develop a sense of Kindness
and Caring. These include helpful lessons such as ways to get the
teacher’s attention, respecting others’ work by walking carefully
around mats, and saying “excuse me” when necessary. Lessons are
presented and role-played for each topic and students discussed how to
resolve a social situation with grace and courtesy. - For Christmas, Mrs. Linda Moeggenberg’s class prepared
the manager for baby Jesus by adding a single piece of straw for every
kind act that they did during this season. - Several Primary classes feature a student each month and
classmates are encouraged to write kind comments about the student. These
statements are then presented to the student at the end of the month. - Through the Family Life Program conflict situations and
problem solving were discussed and practiced in the First Grade and Second
Grade classes by reading and discussing comedian Bill Cosby’s book on
ways to respond to teasing. - Mrs. Kerry Daus’ Second Grade class created a “Hand”
book. Students interviewed one another in order to learn more about their
classmates and designed the book by working in teams to write ten kind
things about each other. They then traced their hands and wrote a
compliment on each finger. The hands were placed into a book. If you lift
up the hands you find a picture of the student and his or her name. - “The Kindness Pledge” from The Hidden Power of
Kindness by Father Lawrence Lavasik was discussed with Second Graders
and they role-played various situations when kindness was either shown or
not shown. - Third Grade students studied and researched saints as role
models. They discussed attributes and traits that they can emulate in
their lives. - Third Grade students in Mrs. Joan Ryder’s class discussed
what it means to care, why is it important to be a caring person, how one
can be kind with words and actions, and how one can help others. After
this discussion the students made “I Care” books in which they
illustrated how they care for their family, friends, people who need help,
animals, and the earth. - Kindness and Caring was again the theme for a group of 60
Primary parents on November 21 as part of the Primary Visitation Program.
Articles and a bibliography of helpful books on this topic are available
in the Primary. - Dr. Meg Zeller, Assistant Professor of Psychology at
Children’s Hospital, presented an in-service program for Montessori and
Primary faculty on December 4. The presentation “Fostering Healthy Peer
Relations Within the Early Elementary School Classroom” focused on the
development of social skills and the prevention of social difficulties
through deliberate teaching, role-playing, discussion, and the use of
class meetings. We look forward to Dr. Zeller returning to The Summit for
the February 22 Primary Winter Coffee when she will speak with Montessori
Kindergarten and Primary parents. - To remember the Sisters of Notre Dame at Christmas time,
Fourth Grade Religion Classes made cards for them. They chose a title for
Jesus and a design on the computer in the Word Art program to decorate
their card. - During their study of Native Americans, Fifth Graders read
novels and created totem poles that depicted the story elements of the
plot, setting, and characters. They looked at the characters in the book
and identified what lessons they could learn from them to become a better
person. Currently they are reading a collection of short stories that
recall childhood events and the impact that the events had upon the
teller. This realistic fiction will be used in conjunction with
Inspiration Software to create story webs that will reflect events in the
lives of the students. This gave the students a chance to analyze some of
the reasons that cause people to behave in a certain manner. - Sixth Graders have been taking turns each week to sit at
lunch with “a new friend.” They shared Secret Santa letters with one
another and in them they wrote three positive statements about that
student. Letters were posted in the hall and each student found their
letter. In Mrs. Phyllis Mendel’s Language Arts class students wrote
“special letters” to the Sisters of Notre Dame about their experience
at The Summit and gave them to the sisters when they visited the convent. - In Mr. Jeff Tullos’ Seventh Grade Religion classes
students researched the attributes of Jesus and discussed how they can be
more like Him in their approach to others. - In Mrs. Katie Gregg’s Eighth Grade Language Arts classes
students read The Little Prince. One of its major themes is “The
search for the authentic self.” The class listed characteristics of an
authentic person, and came to the simple statement that “An authentic
person seeks the truth; is aware of himself and his world; and takes
responsibility for his words and actions.” -The Upper School, in conjunction with The Summit Parent
Association, hosted a series of career speakers in November and December.
The program focused on the particular career of the presenter and we would
like to thank the following for participating: Dr. Gene Beaupre, Dr. Anna
Cash, Mrs. Crystal Faulkner-Cooney, Mr. Arslan El Guindy, Mrs. Melodie
Guinta, Judge Thomas Herman, Dr. Jan Knisely, Mrs. Mickey O’Brien, Mr.
William O’Brien, Mr. Christopher Payne, Mrs. Margo Ross, Mr. Samuel
Ross, and Mr. Joseph Shreve. - Illustrator Mr. C.F. Payne spoke to the Upper School on
December 6. He is a nationally honored illustrator whose work parodies the
current social/political scene in America. Working his paintings in an
exaggerated realist style, his characterizations capture the heart of
American consciousness with a unique blend of stark realism and cutting
edge humor. According to Mrs. Gloria Brinkman, Art Department Curriculum
Coordinator, “The result is a thought provoking look at ourselves and
our ideals.” His work appears regularly in Time, Forbes, Esquire,
Mad, New Yorker, and Money magazines. He spoke about the
importance of hard work, diligence, and the joy to be found in doing what
you love and doing it well. He emphasized that in any endeavor, be it
related to learning or to career performance, there is a distinction
between great work, good work, bad work, and work. - The Student Ambassador Program is in full swing this time
of year with Freshmen and Sophomores serving as hosts for prospective
students who visit the school, as tour guides, and as reception hosts.
They assist the admission staff when they visit schools to make
presentations about The Summit Upper School. - Each Freshman has been given a “Leadership Binder”
during their Formation Days. This binder will be used to gather a
four-year portfolio of activities and reflections of their personal
journey at The Summit. It will be “presented” formally to them at the
end of their Senior year. - Junior Philip Schneider is the Upper School representative
to the Northern Kentucky Leadership Program. He attends a full-day
workshop each month and says, “The goal of the program is to provide a
forum for students to meet each other, to meet adult leadership in the
Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area, and to learn more about the
issues impacting our regional community.” The topics covered so far have
been law and justice, the stock market, and economic development. - Each Monday afternoon Upper School National Honor Society
students conduct academic tutoring sessions for Middle School students.
All students are welcome. - Upper School Seniors Julie Eversman and Lisa Reddy,
co-editors of the Rostrum, The Summit yearbook, have been very busy
this school year training their staff and hosting yearbook editors from
other schools to meet with a graphic artist from Alabama to create a new
cover design. - The Upper School AYF (American Youth Foundation) Team
hosted a Compact Workshop for all compact teams in Cincinnati to review
and share their vision and goals for the school year. The Summit’s goals
are to promote servant leadership, to be a servant leader through positive
participation, and to act as peer educators. They have successfully
planned and led leadership workshops for Freshmen and Sophomores. - Ten Upper School students, Juniors Carrie Haas, Eric
McKinney, Jeff Thompson and Natalie Younger, and Sophomores Janelle
Beckford, Meredith Blowers, Andrew Evelo, Kate Gossman, Nick Kolentse, and
Andy Orta participate in the Metropolitan Youth Roundtable, which is a
human relations leadership program. It is a program of the National
Conference for Community and Justice and is dedicated to fighting bias,
bigotry, and racism. According to Junior Carrie Haas, “ The goal of the
Roundtable is to promote an understanding and respect for all people
through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education.” - Nine Sophomores, Alex Bien, Katie Cassidy, John Falconi,
Stephen Knoepfler, Kelly Leibold, Susie Overby, Alex Perez, Aaron Powers
and Tara Schueler attended Xavier University’s Leadership Conference on
November 14. It was led by Xavier’s Student Ambassador peer leadership
group and the students participated in various workshops, such as time
management and organization, how to deal with difficult people, how to
motivate others, and creative programming. According to Tara Schueler,
“The goal of the workshop was to learn how to organize school events and
activities.” - Twelve members of the Upper School P.R.A.I.S.E (Promoting
Racial Awareness in the School Environment) organization, Nicole Bailey,
Janelle Beckford, Trenita Brookshire, Megan Browder, Jason Carpenter,
Michanne Davis, Domonique Hardy, Elise Malone, Aaron Powers, Andrea Ross,
Ashley Terry, and John Terry, along with Admission Associate and Club
Moderator Mr. Walter McBride ’82 attended a workshop at Cincinnati
Country Day School on December 12 on “Succeeding in Radio Media.” The
keynote speaker was Edna Howell Parrish from radio station WIZF, 100.9 FM,
“The Wiz.” Diversity:
During this time of the year students study various holiday and faith
traditions from around the world and are treated to a number of cultural
presentations:
- Montessori
classes are learning about holidays and customs from around the world,
including Mexico’s Posadas, Hanukkah, St. Lucia Day, and Kwanzaa.
- In the weeks prior to Thanksgiving Montessori students
learned about Native American culture and the All-Day Montessori students
began their study with the “Little Deer” program, during which
students were told what it was like to be a Native American during the
1700’s. Stories, games, and artifacts were shared. They completed their
study of Native Americans with the annual Corn Festival. - Montessori Faculty member Mrs. Maggie Prinner gave
presentations on Australia to several classes. She visited Australia this
past summer and had previously lived and taught there for ten years. - Mrs. Elizabeth Stine, Madeline’s mother, spoke with Mrs.
Linda’s Moeggenberg’s morning class about Canada and she shared
Canadian money, pictures, and fruitcake with the class. - As part of the study on Christmas Around the World, Summit
parent Mrs. Kathy Schneider visited the First Grade to share Christmas
traditions in Puerto Rico. Christian Service: The holidays are always a busy
time for outreach projects: - Montessori students collected Christmas presents for needy
children who are served by the Santa Maria Community Services. As the
presents were collected they were placed under the Christmas tree in the
classrooms and the faculty spoke with the children about gift giving,
sharing, and kindness toward others during this special time of year. A
big thank you to the Montessori parents who delivered the gifts to the
center: Mr. Zaki Barakat, Mrs. Crystal Faulkner-Cooney, Mrs. Nancy Crace,
Mrs. Shawna Desimone, Mrs. Therese Kranz, and Mrs. Mary Lou Kurtz. - Children at Beech Acres received Halloween “treat bags”
from Third Graders and Christmas “gift bags” from Second Graders. - Primary students collected hats, mittens, gloves, and socks
for the needy of CAIN (Churches Active In Northside) during the Christmas
season. - Second Graders have been collecting small toys to be given
to the University of Kentucky Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
for young patients who are having a medical test administered to them.
These children select an item from a “Treasure Chest” which our Second
Graders have provided. Second Grade teacher Mrs. Kathleen Kane reports,
“The Second Graders have truly taken student ownership of this project.
We just explained the need to them, did not even send a note home to
parents, and daily the toys have been arriving. This is what student
leadership is all about.” - Primary students were involved with a food drive for the
Little Sisters of the Poor at Thanksgiving. When the sisters came to
collect the food items they were particularly impressed by the students’
politeness as well as the artwork the students had on display. At the
request of the sisters Third Graders are making holiday placemats and tray
favors for the residents. - “What a truckload of treasures we carried home last night
when we picked up the canned goods and other food items you brought to
help the poor at Thanksgiving time…it was a special gift to see the
enthusiasm, energy, and joy of those students who helped load the
truck.” said the Sisters of Mercy as they thanked the Middle School
community for this Holiday Food Drive organized by the CAT (Christian
Action Team) leaders. - On Friday, October 27, the Middle School participated in
its fourth annual “Make a Difference Day.” Over 500 people, including
Middle School students, faculty, staff, and parent volunteers,
participated in this day of service. The day began with a Prayer Service
during which student representatives announced where each group was going
for the day. The Summit community volunteered for seventeen different area
agencies including Common Ground Ministries, CAIN Ministries, Parish Nurse
Ministry, Norwood Head Start, St. Francis Seraph Parish School, Woodland
Altars, Rowe Arboretum, Earth Connection, St. John’s Social Service,
Bethany House, Deupree Terrace, Manor Care Nursing Center, Ronald McDonald
House, People Working Cooperatively, Walnut Hills Soup Kitchen, Nast
Trinity United Methodist Church, and Matthew 25 Ministries. After their
day-long activities students reflected on their experiences within their
advisement group. A big thank you to Mrs. Amy Mitchell, Seventh Grade
faculty member, for orchestrating this tremendously successful event. - Middle School students received names and addresses of
military personnel abroad and are writing them holiday letters. - The entire Seventh Grade collected 2875 packets of hot
chocolate and 2500 were donated to the Red Cross for senior citizen gift
bags and the other 375 were donated to The Summit Food Drive. Eighteen
students assembled the bags that were distributed to senior citizens in
the Metropolitan Housing District. The Red Cross complimented the
students’ hard work. The Summit was the only school to participate in
this effort. - Seventh Graders collected videos, video games, and craft
kits for children who are in the hospital for long-term care. - Seventh and Eighth Grade student CAT members continued
their volunteer efforts in the community this quarter by: unloading
donations from the dock and sorting them in the warehouse at Matthew 25
Ministry, an organization which ships needed supplies to the poor in
Guatemala; packaging first aid kits at the Red Cross; separating toy
donations at the Free Store Food Bank; and decorating hallways and doors
at Communicare of Clifton Nursing Home. - The Upper School collected Thanksgiving dinners for
thirty-three families from Washington Park School. A big thank you to Mrs.
Vetter’s freshman advisement who delivered these baskets of food. The
Winter Goods Drive in the Upper School was a success with the collection
of many winter clothing and goods for the Drop-Inn Center Shelterhouse in
Over the Rhine. - The “PB and J Saturday” Program in the Upper School is
a grand success. This is a new program which is student-organized and
student-led. Students meet at school on Saturday mornings to make peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches and they go to Washington Park to distribute
them to the homeless. Each week over twenty students participate in this
program - all are welcome - just meet at school at 10:00 a.m.! - Forty pints of blood were donated to the Hoxworth Blood
Center from the school’s November 14 Blood Drive-the most ever donated
from our annual blood drives! - Both Middle School and Upper School students organized a
“Giving Tree” for students who would like to participate. They choose
an ornament indicating a suggestion for a gift. The Middle School project
was organized by the CAT leaders and gifts were donated to CAIN (Churches
Active in the Northside) and Upper School gifts were distributed to
children at St. Francis De Sales School. Spiritual Development: In preparation for the
holiday season there have been many liturgies and special events:
- The four divisions celebrated Thanksgiving with special
liturgies. Montessori students held a prayer celebration at their annual
Thanksgiving feast. Primary students celebrated a “We Give Thanks”
Mass that was planned and led by First Grade students. Middle School
students invited their grandparents to spend the morning in classes with
them after celebrating a Thanksgiving Mass in the Chapel. During their
Formation Days, Upper School students celebrated Thanksgiving liturgy
during the retreat experience. - Montessori through Middle School Campus Minister Mr. Mark
Friedman conducted “Summit Chapel Lessons” during which Middle School
classes learned about the history, traditions, and symbolism contained in
the Chapel. Students participated in activities to find specific items in
the Chapel, such as carved symbols and relics of saints. - Upper School English faculty member Mr. Patrick Kelly gave
a presentation to Mrs. Mary Humpert’s Montessori classes on the “Women
of the Chapel.” He spoke about St. Julie who founded the order of the
Sisters of Notre Dame and about the sisters who founded The Summit. - On November 20, 21, and 22, all Upper School students
participated in Formation Days. The Freshman and Sophomore experience
consisted of: a Day of Challenge during which students were offered the
opportunity to work with the Camp Joy team to strive toward meeting their
personal goals and assisting other students; a Day of Retreat during which
students met together as a class to reflect on their relationship with
God, self, and others; and a Day of Service during which each advisement
was assigned to provide assistance at a service agency in Cincinnati.
Students volunteered at the Special Olympics, the Freestore, Habitat for
Humanity, Washington Park School, and People Working Cooperatively. The
Junior experience consisted of the Kairos Retreat, a four-day, three-night
experience during which participants are offered the opportunity to
honestly reflect on their lives through prayer, story, and ritual. Those
Juniors wishing to practice and utilize leadership skills participated in
special training at Camp Joy to lead the Freshmen and Sophomores during
those days. The Senior experience consisted of either participating in the
Kairos Retreat, being a Kairos leader, or traveling to the Appalachian
Mountains to work with the people of Harlan, Kentucky. Once a month Upper
School students will gather to have “4th Day Meetings” to reconnect
with and continue the formation process within their advisement groups.
These meetings are meant to instill in the students the idea that their
retreat experience is not over when they go home-it has just begun. During
these meetings students will listen to a “witness talk” given by a
fellow classmate and then meet with their advisement groups for
discussions. In December most advisement groups reflected on relationships
during the Holidays. - To begin the Advent season, over 125 Summit parents and
students came together on Tuesday evening, November 28, for the annual
“Advent Wreath” Family Night. The families received an Advent booklet
with information about this religious season, made Advent wreaths, and
attended a candlelit prayer service at which the wreaths were blessed. - The Primary held a series of three Advent Progressive
Banner Prayer Services with each grade taking a turn to lead the service.
Each week students added a character of the Christmas story to the banner. - Middle School students celebrated the beginning of the
Advent season with a special Mass on December 21. - During Advent season Upper School students began the day at
the morning assembly with prayers written by students and the lighting of
Advent candles. Each Tuesday there was a scripture reading and reflection. - The Blessing of the Crib is an annual event at The Summit.
All-Day Montessori students joined the Fourth Grade in the vestibule
outside the chapel to hear the story of the First Christmas performed by
Montessori students in costume. - First Grade students invited Montessori All-Day students to
join them in a Mass celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6.
The students collected gently used toys to donate to the Children’s Home
and St. Joseph’s Orphanage. - Primary classes are discussing the idea of Peace on Earth
and are writing their own booklets about peace. - On December 7, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade students in
Mr. Bruce Bowdon’s chorus group and Miss Sarah Nowlin’s band classes
visited with the Sisters of Notre Dame. On this annual visit students
performed selections from their Christmas concert, had lunch with the
Sisters, and joined in a prayer service with them. Sister Agnes Immaculata,
who graduated from The Summit in 1916 and who is 103 years old, greeted
the students and wished The Summit community a blessed holiday season. - The Feast of The Immaculate Conception was celebrated with
an All-School Mass on December 8. - On December 20, the Seventh and Eighth Grade Choirs, the
Upper School Chorale, and The Summit Camerata presented the fourth annual
“Lessons and Carols” Service in the Chapel. The service began with a
candlelit processional and featured Advent scripture lessons read by
Summit students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents. The lessons
were interspersed with congregational carols and selections by the choirs
and ended with a candlelit recessional. - All-Day Montessori students in Mrs. Linda Moeggenberg’s
and Mrs. Karen Koch’s classes performed in the annual Nativity Play
before Christmas break. This student performance has been a lovely Summit
tradition for many years. - Each year The Summit community celebrates Christmas Eve
with a beautiful Christmas Vigil Mass in The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Chapel, with over 600 people in attendance this year. Please mark your calendar:
On February 1, 2001, Dr. Thomas Lickona, author of Educating For Character and a nationally acclaimed
speaker, will visit The Summit for a day. He will meet with students and
faculty during the day and be the evening’s keynote speaker at The
Summit Parent Association Winter Dinner Meeting.
Dr. Lickona’s work in character education is the foundation of
The Summit’s Educating For Character Program. We
sincerely hope you will join us that evening!!!!! |