Vol. 11, No. 6 Tappahannock, Virginia, January 2009

Dear St. Margaret's friends and families,

Happy New Year! At no time in the school year is the appreciation for living in a mission-driven community here at St. Margaret’s more vividly felt. All of us have taken time to be away from school with family and friends. All of us have joyfully set aside our responsibilities for two full weeks while we shared seasonal traditions. All of us have felt the forces of change sweeping through not just our economy and government, but also through our own lives.

Now, back at school, we have returned to familiar routines, clear expectations, and goals we’ve set ourselves. We have picked our responsibilities back up. We know what is expected of us and what we expect of ourselves. Here we enjoy the gift of a small community of individuals supporting each other in achieving our goals. Our teachers have always lived this larger commitment. For our students, these are once-in-a-lifetime years. These are precious certainties in very uncertain times.

In our first week back, our community gathered together for events large and small - Christmas and Epiphany chapel services, a candlelight dinner, a town meeting with returning alumnae, a very close basketball game. But it is in our daily routines rather than the events that our sense of community is most keenly experienced – teachers and students together asking and answering questions in a multitude of settings. As Elise Bailey ’09 commented recently, “During my first choice college’s open house, the Dean of Admission commented that I was the only student in the room who seemed comfortable talking with adults.” How similar this is to the observation of Michelle Burch ’08, “Even in a lecture class of over 500, my teacher knows my name because I always make a point of going to faculty office hours.”

Eleanor Roosevelt noted, “What you are in life results in great part from the influence exerted on you over the years by just a few people.” Formally and informally, here at St. Margaret’s we become part of each others’ lives and learn from each other. Some of our mentors are teachers, some coaches, peer leaders, prefects, club and class leaders, advisors, classmates and friends. As I look out over the St. Margaret’s School community, I am always proud of the individuals we have gathered together; some leading, some following, all learning, and all guided by sound values and grounded in their commitment to this mission of educating young women for life.

Sincerely,
Margaret R. Broad,
Head of School


 

Invest in Education:
A St. Margaret’s education yields lifetime returns.......

Math Students Reach Their Potential:
Math Team places first in a local competition.......

Young Alumnae Return:
Students learn about college life......

Rest Up:
New winter schedule provides a late start.......

Admission:
Winter Reminders, Visits, Financial Aid, Applications.......

Alumnae News:
Class Notes for the Thistle .......

Alumnae Events:
Join your friends for these events .......

THE CURRENT

Here’s what current parents have to say about St. Margaret’s:

“The girls are encouraged to develop with attention to the whole person-- mentally, physically and morally. My daughters have had opportunities for academic growth and leadership that would not have been available to them in public school or even in many private schools that I can name. The opportunity to develop friendships with other girls from around the country and around the world has broadened their understanding of themselves as members of a global community.” -E. Allen Joslyn, MD, father of Betcy Joslyn ’10 and Martha Joslyn '08.

“From the time we started researching boarding schools to the present, St. Margaret’s has been a positive in our lives. Whether its fostering academics, athletics, spirituality or social grace, St. Margaret’s has always supported what is being taught at home. This has allowed our daughter to mature into a confident young lady who is developing a true sense of self.” -Greer Silliman, mother of Pepper Silliman ’10.

“St. Margaret’s has provided our daughter with an exceptional secondary school experience. The small class environment has allowed her to flourish academically and her participation in the school’s Peer Leadership Program has provided her with confidence and invaluable experience dealing with faculty and students.” -Franny Beasley, mother of Lindsay Beasley ’09

THE FORECAST

Important Dates

	February:	March:
	13-15.....Closed Weekend 18-20.....Exams 20..........Second Trimester ends 23..........Minimester begins	6-22........Spring Break 14...........SATs 23...........Classes Begin 27-29......Closed Weekend

      Link: School Calendar for the Year

ADMISSIONS Winter Reminders from the Admission Office: Join us for a visit on Saturday, February 7. Prospective families, spend the morning on campus and learn more about SMS. Call the Admission Office today at (804) 443-3357 or register online at www.sms.org/rsvp Contracts for returning students will be issued in early March. Your contract must be returned before your daughter can choose a roommate or participate in selection/election of 2009-2010 leadership positions. Contracts and reservation fees are due by April 10. Financial aid applications for both new and returning students were due January 15. If you have not completed your application, please do so immediately at nais.org/financialaid/sss Mail or fax a copy of your complete 2007 tax return to the admission office immediately and submit your 2008 returns by Feb. 15.

ALUMNAE Keep us in the Loop New job, baby, marriage, graduation? Class notes for the 2009 Thistle Magazine are due May 31. There are several ways to submit your notes: Visit the alumnae section of www.sms.org Email Mavora Donoghue at mdonoghu@sms.org. Mail the information to us: St. Margaret’s School Attn: Mavora Donoghue P.O. Box 158 Tappahannock, VA 22560

ALUMNAE Please Join Your SMS Friends for Upcoming Events Alumnae Council Meeting Saturday, February 21 at noon Lewis-Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond Join the Alumnae Council members for lunch. Golden Thistle Society Luncheon Wednesday, March 18 at noon Westminster-Canterbury in Richmond This event will honor alumnae who graduated 50 or more years ago. Reunion Weekend June 5-7 St. Margaret’s School Come back to campus for a weekend of fun and friendships.