In the seasons between, I’ve been privileged to see our students grow together. To work and play together. To make mistakes and learn from them together. What I’ve seen is an entire community—parents, students, faculty, alumnae and staff—inspire each other to be their best.

Whole School Photo

The other day I had lunch with our Prefects—I can’t think of a better example of caring, confident and compassionate young leaders. They set an example for the entire student body, inspiring them to reach their full potential. They embody Elmwood’s values of respect, innovation, collaboration, responsibility and integrity. They personify the Elmwood community—a community that I’m proud to be a part of.

I’m honoured to be Headmistress at this wonderful school.

Thank you to all who attended our Junior and Middle School ceremonies yesterday and this afternoon—I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow evening at our Senior School closing.

Cheryl

With age, children obviously become more independent (as I’m sure you can attest). They have more capacity to think for themselves; they become more assertive and test boundaries. The flip side is they can also doubt themselves more. They may learn to avoid situations, providing a degree of short-term relief; but in the long-term, this practice only hinders them from reaching their potential.

Sometimes, we need to give them a little push.

Getting back to our story, the parent decided her daughter needed that push to go underwater at their next swimming lesson. The time came and she protested—but in her mother’s arms, down she went. The result? She surfaced, none the worse for wear. After realizing what she had done, a little smile appeared on her face. She whispered:

“Mommy, I did it.”

The parent tells me her daughter is still a little hesitant at times to go underwater, but she’s not afraid—and with each passing week, she becomes more and more confident.

This story reminds me of a video that another parent shared with me this week. It describes “The Push” as being the greatest gift you can ever give your child.

As parents and educators, when we know our children and students are ready, we have a responsibility to give them a push. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle reminder; sometimes we need to be stern. Sometimes, we just need to let go. By doing this, you allow them to fly—soaring beyond the heights of their imaginations.

And they will always have you to thank—for encouraging them to reach their full potential.

Cheryl

This past week alone, we’ve held our Senior Sports Banquet, Middle School Sports Assembly, Spirit Afternoon, Duke of Edinburgh Award Ceremony and the PFAC Volunteer Breakfast. On Friday, we honour our graduating class with a special presentation prior to the Senior Rose Ceremony and Strawberry Social. Celebrations culminate with our Closing Ceremonies later on this month.

Celebration and recognition are important parts of the Elmwood community. By acknowledging our success, we affirm our bond and investment in each other.

Celebrating Spirit Day

Behind every scholarship recipient is a parent, a mentor, an encouraging friend. Behind every championship team are coaches, teammates and supportive fans. Behind every event is a custodian setting up chairs, or an office administrator processing forms.

At the next celebration you attend, take a minute and think of all the people involved in your daughter’s success. Thank one of her teachers, coaches or friends. Thank a coordinator, receptionist—thank yourself. As a parent, your influence trumps all, exerting a gravity—that lasts a lifetime.

But most of all, thank your daughter. An entire community can create the conditions to inspire her, but in the end, she is the one who assumes the mantle of responsibility. To be a leader and activist, to be caring and compassionate, but most importantly—to be herself.

Cheryl

As we approach the end of the school year and prepare for our Closing Ceremonies, I wanted to highlight the difference made to the School through your philanthropic contributions.

Grade 1 exploring new SMARTBoard

As a charitable organization, Elmwood School does not receive any government funding, relying on tuition and donations to provide your daughters with the highest quality education. This is the same at all independent schools—in Elmwood’s case, philanthropy has been part of the school fabric since its founding almost 100 years ago. Each girl at Elmwood is a beneficiary of contributions in some way—whether it be a bursary or scholarship recipient, a student having the benefit of a SmartBoard, access to world-renowned guest speakers, the latest in technology, team uniforms, or science and music equipment.

Charitable donations are received in several ways—through Annual Campaign contributions and the incredible Elmwood Gala, organized each year by a dedicated and creative group of Elmwood parents. In addition, we’re fortunate to have generous donors that help support Elmwood’s longer-term future through initiatives such as the establishment of endowment funds, support of our bursary and scholarship programme and major investments in technology and infrastructure.

The recent success of the Elmwood Gala, which raised $135,000 and our Annual Campaign, which is very close to its $150,000 goal, has allowed us to purchase several items that will benefit our students immediately—we plan to carry out several exciting projects over the summer as a result of our fundraising success.

Please take a look at some pictures of numerous initiatives that directly result from the generosity of many Elmwood supporters, especially parents. We will continue to update these pictures as projects and items come to fruition.

If you would like to help us surpass our fundraising objective, you can still make a contribution at elmwood.ca/give.

Your gift helps each girl reach her full potential.

Cheryl

P.S. Just a friendly reminder that invitations for the Closing Ceremonies have been sent out and the RSVP deadline is June 11. I look forward to seeing you there.

What art offers is space—a certain breathing room for the spirit. ~ John Updike

Elmwood develops well-rounded individuals who excel in and appreciate all aspects of student life, be it academic, athletic or artistic. In celebrating our commitment to the Arts, students have organized a bevy of activities May 25 – 28 for Arts Week. This evening’s Arts Night will showcase our students’ creative talents through theatre, dance and written works.

In keeping with the theme of artistic celebration, I wanted to share some of our students’ recent accomplishments with you.

Welcome to the Jungle

On Wednesday evening, Senior Kindergarten – Grade 3 students gave a rousing performance of Welcome to the Jungle—a thoroughly entertaining production. The quality of our young performers’ showmanship is astounding; I marvelled at their joy and confidence on-stage.

SK – Grade 3 students performing Welcome to the Jungle

Elmwood Theatre

Three of our students have been nominated for Cappies awards, for their riveting performances in Love & Work Enough…and More.

Grade 10 student Maka Ngwenya garnered a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Grade 10 student Erin Chapman was nominated for Best Comic Actress and Grade 9 student Rebecca Boucher was recognized in the Creativity category for Musicianship.

Young at Art

For the City of Ottawa’s Young at Art competition, over 30 pieces from Elmwood students were selected and on display at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans. Five Elmwood students won special recognition.

Maya Wilson won the AOE Arts Council Award for her piece titled “Keen Sandal.” Isabel McCarten received the Bertoldi-Pederson Award for Abstract/Non-Objective Art for “Wedding Dress.” Devan Vasile also won for her version of “Wedding Dress,” taking home the Ottawa Mixed Media Artists Award. Julia Cork won the Ottawa School of Art “Recognizing Potential” Award for “New York Photos” and Sahar Salari took the School of Photographic Arts Ottawa (SPAO) prize for “Maple Taffy.”

I feel one of our Arts Programme’s greatest strengths is developing our students’ skills while instilling an appreciation for the Arts—be it theatre, music, writing or fine arts. Our girls carry this appreciation with them throughout university and beyond, offering a counterweight to the frenetic pace of modern life.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Arts Night this evening—special thanks go to Arts Prefect, Nimrat Obhi and the entire Arts Council, who’ve worked all year to organize this special event.

Cheryl

P.S. I just got word that our Rugby team has won the National Capital A/AA Championship Final with a resounding 50 – 10 victory over Mother Teresa. The team now advances to the OFSAA provincial finals on Sunday in Sarnia. Congratulations girls!

She inspires her peers.

Serving as role models to the entire school, prefects must balance their own busy schedules, filled with academics and co-curricular activities, with advocating for the student body and organizing countless community service and school spirit events.

Elmwood Prefects plaque

An even greater weight is thrust upon the Head Girl and Senior Prefect—they are charged with the responsibility of leading a group of leaders. I liken their jobs to captains of an all-star team—every single prefect is a capable leader herself; the challenge is inspiring each person to think “team first.” And every single year, the Prefect team rises to the occasion.

I’m pleased to tell you our student body and staff have elected Juliet Caragianis as Head Girl and Sarah Frodsham as Senior Prefect for the 2010 – 2011 academic year.

Juliet and Sarah will represent the Elmwood student body with passion and integrity. I’m excited about Juliet’s commitment to environmental activism and Sarah’s pledge to maximize student involvement with all the different clubs, sports, community service opportunities and events here at Elmwood. These two young women now join a proud history of prefects—I’m sure alumnae, such as Juliet’s mother, Sarah Murray, will attest to the strong tradition of leadership at our school.

On Friday, students and staff will elect the rest of the 2010 – 2011 Prefect team. The campaigns have been exciting—online discussion zones are filled with student-generated topics ranging from meeting and talking with prospective families, to facilitating connections between the Junior and Middle/Senior Schools.

Thank you to all candidates who ran for a prefect position—each of you has displayed leadership, initiative, courage and confidence in standing up and expressing your opinion.

Cheryl

If yours was anything like mine, you probably recall rows of desks, chalkboard dust and sharpened number 2 pencils. Step inside Elmwood’s Grade One classroom today, and you’ll find that things are decidedly different!

Just under two weeks ago we launched an exciting one-to-one iPod touch pilot program. Our students will be using the iPod touch and apps specifically designed for education to improve reading, fluency, and mathematics performance. From now until the end of the year, the students will be using the devices to support their understanding of the curriculum and enhance their learning experience.

The iPods will be used in many different ways, both to replace classroom tools, and more importantly, to create experiences that would otherwise not be possible. The integration of mobile technology into the classroom will help students to increase their I.C.T. literacy, as well as provide them with an even more engaging and exciting learning environment.

You may recall that one of the values we outlined in our recent Strategic Plan was innovation. Elmwood is committed to exploring and implementing new, creative and effective ways of doing things. It is through pilot programs such as this that we can evaluate whether the technology can integrate into the classroom and enrich the learning experience. We believe that this kind of innovative teaching and learning is the key to providing our girls with the tools they need to reach their full potential and succeed in the 21st century.

After only a short time with the iPods the girls are already demonstrating an impressive grasp of the capabilities of the technology. They are using higher-level critical-thinking skills to tie together concepts in ways that a number 2 pencil never could.

We look forward to sharing more about this program over the coming months. In the meantime, I invite you to watch a short video of our students using their iPods in the classroom.

Cheryl

Students have engaged in a six-week long journey, engaging in collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry leading them to identify, investigate and offer solutions to real-life issues. The preparation they have undertaken is rigorous, relevant, exacting and exciting. Within the framework of “Sharing the Planet,” students selected the issue of “Water Resources” and have conducted independent research into their respective areas of interest.

Elmwood Grade 5 student Sarah Jackson’s journey led her to team up with Watercan, a charity dedicated to helping the world’s poorest people gain access to clean water and basic sanitation. As part of her Exhibition project, Sarah organized a bracelet and bake sale this past Tuesday, to raise funds for Watercan—the local CTV evening news profiled the event. Elmwood students, like Sarah, exemplify compassion and engaged global citizenry through their service to community—recognizing a shared responsibility to society.

If you haven’t planned to already, and are looking for something intriguing to do this evening, stop by the Junior School Multi-purpose room and see for yourself what Exhibition is all about. Some topics presented will include:

• Human rights and the accessibility of clean water
• How water quality impacts humans
• How oil spills affect animals and underwater ecosystems
• The creation and purpose of the St. Lawrence Seaway
• Coral reef systems and the threats against them

You will be impressed at the quality of research and the depth to which our Grade 5 class communicates their ideas.

Cheryl

This one word alone describes Elmwood’s 21st annual Gala evening, held Saturday, April 24. Themed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” our premiere event of the year transported Elmwood family, friends and prominent Ottawa business and community leaders to a fantastic Oz-like world, complete with the requisite lions, scarecrows, tin men, witches, and my personal favourite—munchkins!

Apart from the fabulous “Ozzian” environment, what struck me most was the hard work, creativity, laughter, enjoyment and fun modelled by our Gala Committee. Chaired by Arlie Mierins, her team has worked tirelessly since the summer planning every single detail. An incredible amount of preparation goes into staging an event like this—cultivating relationships with sponsors and donors, sourcing auction items, coordinating contractors and suppliers, physical transformation of the school—the list continues indefinitely.

Throughout this sheer amount of work, the Gala Committee has carried itself with a spirit of camaraderie, respect and dedication, exemplying how parental support can bind our community and enhance the Elmwood experience for our students.

Gala proceeds will be directed to three areas:

• Athletic and play enhancements for indoors and out: Highlighted by the surround sound system for the gym—a project initiated by students; their hopes can now be realized.
• Completion of the auditorium refurbishment that began last year.
• Our bursary programme: Enabing Elmwood to enroll capable students who might not otherwise be able to attend the School.

Congratulations to the Gala Committee and a heartfelt thank you for a magical event. Your vision is now becoming reality, and our students’ dreams really can come true.

Cheryl