Strategic Plan in Action
 River program Makes a Splash
St. Margaret's always has focused many of its courses and activities on the river, but to paraphrase one alumna, "It was something you found out after you got here." That's already changed as a result of the school's new strategic plan, which called for the creation of a signature, interdisciplinary program focused on the river.

"We have something that very few schools can claim, and that's a riverfront location," said Headmistress Margaret R. Broad. "It only makes sense to capitalize on that and promote it as one of the important differences between SMS and other independent schools."

Creating the River Program was one of the first steps that faculty and administrators took to implement the strategic plan after its approval by the Board of Governors in April 2000. The school applied for and received a $20,000 grant from Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia, which allowed five teachers to spend two weeks last summer developing program goals, structure, and content.

The group, led by biology teacher Andrea Robinson, included leadership teacher George McDowell, history teacher Grace Rhinesmith, Dean of Faculty Cathy Sgroi, and English teacher Tobey Taliaferro.

The result of the their work, Mrs. Broad said, is a program that both complements St. Margaret's college preparatory curriculum and strengthens its mission of educating young women for life.

"Learning from the river, students discover the rich interrelationships between science, history, and culture," she said. "The River Program also helps girls build confidence through outdoor adventures, encourages them as they explore environmental science careers, teaches them water sports they can enjoy for a lifetime, and shows them the value of volunteer service.

The program integrates such staples as the back-to-school River Day and classes in marine biology, ecology, and environmental science with expanded curricular and co-curricular offerings - and those options continue to expand.

Here's a sampling of what students have done so far this year:

  Overnight trip to Jamestown

  Kayaking, canoeing, and sailing on the Rappahannock River

  Clean Virginia Waterways days on the Mattaponi River and Belle Isle State Park

  Bluebird box cleaning and tree planting at the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

  Town Meeting presentation by Cathy Owens, RRVNWR resident manager

  Town Meeting presentation by environmental scientist and SMS board member Heather Wood '87

  Water sampling along the SMS shoreline prior to rip-rap placement








"The River program... helps girls build confidence through outdoor adventures, encourages them as they explore environmental science careers, teaches them water sports they can enjoy for a lifetime, and shows them the value of volunteer service."




Academic Program Goal

St. Margaret's, as a college preparatory school, will provide and enhance an academically excellent liberal arts curriculum which supports the needs of the individual student.

The academic program will provide for educational experiences beyond SMS, integrate technology, examine and expand existing programs to include partnerships and affiliations, and develop a signature program focused on the river.
Students navigate this sea of choices with the help of their advisors, Ms. Robinson explained. Each girl receives guidance in selecting courses, community service projects, student activities, and recreational options to develop an individualized river program plan.

A student who's interested in a potential career as an environmental scientist might take marine biology, spend most of her service hours in water-related work, and do a senior internship with an organization like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Virginia Institute for Marine Sciences.

Another girl, who likes sports but prefers humanities, might join the crew team, use the school's expanding fleet in her leisure time, volunteer with the local history museum, and use her independent study to explore the role of rivers in history.

"The great thing about our program is that it's flexible," Ms. Robinson said. "It helps prepare students to be what they want to be, whether that's a marine researcher, a businesswoman who kayaks, or a mom who can help her kids with their biology homework."

The River Program now is being promoted to prospective students and families through a color brochure, advertisements, and descriptions in a variety of secondary school admissions guides.

Alumnae, parents, and friends are invited to participate in the program by sharing their knowledge of maritime history and culture at an SMS "Town Meeting," hosting a student intern in their water-related business, or by supporting additional watercraft purchases. For more information, contact Ms. Robinson at arobinso@sms.org or 804-443-3357.