NewsUpper SchoolPre-K to 8
School Shifts to Goals 2000
Aug 1, 2000 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Darlington will implement changes designed to enhance communications and improve student life, fostering a stronger sense of community for both day and resident students at the beginning of this academic year. President David Hicks outlined the reorganization in a letter sent to all parents this summer.
Parents and students will have access to records of student grades, schedules, attendance, assignments, and comments via the Internet. Communication is moving away from the printed medium, with grades only being mailed home at the end of each trimester. E-mail will be sent to students and their parents when records are updated.
This service will allow parents to stay abreast of their children’s routines and regularly informed of their progress. “Hopefully, this will strengthen Darlington’s sense of community. Our expectation is that parents of resident students will find this tool particularly valuable since they lack the benefit of daily contact with their children,” said Stefan Eady, director of web development.
While technology will increase the efficiency of communication, especially between parents and teachers, other changes within the Upper School will have the strongest impact on students. As previously announced, every student will be a member of one of six houses and a house senate will execute student government. Prefect positions, designed to assist faculty heads of house, have expanded leadership role opportunities. “Students will have a greater voice because prefects will function as representatives of their houses,” Greg Griffeth head of Griffeth House said.
“I had twenty-six students apply for the six appointed positions in my house,” Reba Barnes, head of Barnes House, said. “That was an affirmation that we had a good idea here.”
House loyalty and community will be tempered through friendly competition between the houses. “Change is difficult, and at first people were naturally anxious,” Barnes said. “Day students’ parents were anxious that their children would be made to participate in house activities. Day student involvement is optional, but exciting. Based on their response, the day students want to participate.”
Lori Harris and Walt Steadman, heads of house for Harris and Steadman Houses respectively, implemented a few of the changes during the summer session.
“Summer Session 2000 has been a transition of sorts into the new house system,” Steadman said. “We’ve adjusted the way study hall was structured, and this has been met with positive feedback from the students. We’ve also had many activities taking place on campus, including open houses and cookouts, which have been well attended by the students. Most of all, our residential staff has responded impressively by taking very active and positive roles in planning and participation.”
In order to accommodate the move to the new house system, changes have been made to the traditional weekly assemblies and Chapel services. A house meeting will be held for each of the six houses during break on the first Monday of each month, instead of assembly. On all other Mondays, traditional assemblies will be held.
Parents and students will have access to records of student grades, schedules, attendance, assignments, and comments via the Internet. Communication is moving away from the printed medium, with grades only being mailed home at the end of each trimester. E-mail will be sent to students and their parents when records are updated.
This service will allow parents to stay abreast of their children’s routines and regularly informed of their progress. “Hopefully, this will strengthen Darlington’s sense of community. Our expectation is that parents of resident students will find this tool particularly valuable since they lack the benefit of daily contact with their children,” said Stefan Eady, director of web development.
While technology will increase the efficiency of communication, especially between parents and teachers, other changes within the Upper School will have the strongest impact on students. As previously announced, every student will be a member of one of six houses and a house senate will execute student government. Prefect positions, designed to assist faculty heads of house, have expanded leadership role opportunities. “Students will have a greater voice because prefects will function as representatives of their houses,” Greg Griffeth head of Griffeth House said.
“I had twenty-six students apply for the six appointed positions in my house,” Reba Barnes, head of Barnes House, said. “That was an affirmation that we had a good idea here.”
House loyalty and community will be tempered through friendly competition between the houses. “Change is difficult, and at first people were naturally anxious,” Barnes said. “Day students’ parents were anxious that their children would be made to participate in house activities. Day student involvement is optional, but exciting. Based on their response, the day students want to participate.”
Lori Harris and Walt Steadman, heads of house for Harris and Steadman Houses respectively, implemented a few of the changes during the summer session.
“Summer Session 2000 has been a transition of sorts into the new house system,” Steadman said. “We’ve adjusted the way study hall was structured, and this has been met with positive feedback from the students. We’ve also had many activities taking place on campus, including open houses and cookouts, which have been well attended by the students. Most of all, our residential staff has responded impressively by taking very active and positive roles in planning and participation.”
In order to accommodate the move to the new house system, changes have been made to the traditional weekly assemblies and Chapel services. A house meeting will be held for each of the six houses during break on the first Monday of each month, instead of assembly. On all other Mondays, traditional assemblies will be held.
