| MIDDLE SCHOOL RENOVATIONS
Prep’s Middle School quad has been a hive of activity for much of this past summer. First, the heating system for the classrooms has been upgraded to increase energy efficiency and to provide balanced heating in each room. This was a particular challenge given the construction of these classrooms and required installation of new ductwork and venting to address problems of the old heating system.
But that’s not all: the quad itself received a much-needed facelift and more! Although we adore our climate, exterior wood and stucco take quite a beating in Santa Fe. All the wooden columns, beams, doors, and window frames under the portal have been repaired and re-stained. The tower at the entrance to the quad is in the process of being patched and stuccoed. And the well-used but not well-loved wooden cubbies for the middle schoolers are being replaced with 110 new metal lockers. The quad’s previous dark brown color has been updated and lightened for a much improved and cheerier aspect.
Landscaping has also brightened the quad with flagstone paths and terraces, bright flowers, grasses, and trees. Many thanks to Kendall McCumber and McCumber Fine Gardens for their vision and execution. Boulders provide additional gathering places for students. You can take a walk through the Middle School Quad and see for yourself!
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Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, room 5 has been renovated as a model for planned renovations
to all quad classrooms. These include updating classroom technology to improve wireless access, as well as installing an entire whiteboard wall with an interactive projector. The old fluorescent lights have been replaced with state-of-the-art ultra-efficient LED lighting, and two skylight tubes have been added for improved lighting in this north facing classroom. New carpets, chairs, insulated window shades, a recycling post, teacher’s desk and filing cabinet with refinished student tables will contribute to a much improved aesthetic and, hopefully, functionality. The model classroom and its appurtenances will be evaluated in the coming year by teachers and students to pinpoint problems and suggestions prior to the school renovation.
The Prep community extends a heart-felt thank you to parent Elizabeth Bradley, who has been instrumental in orchestrating these wonderful renovations. We also thank Facilities Director Todd Kurth, Head of Maintenance Melesio Gonzales and the maintenance team, parent Peter Brill (Sarcon construction), Heather Van Luchene (HVL Interiors), and parent Kendall McCumber (McCumber Fine Gardens)--all have contributed significantly to this renovation project.
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PARENTS' ASSOCIATION NEWS
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Welcome Back from the Parents' Association! Based on your feedback, we are alternating our monthly PA meetings between mornings and evenings to give parents more options to attend. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, September 3rd at 8:15 am in the Prep Library. You can access the entire meeting schedule via the Prep website calendar.
The monthly PA meetings are a great way to stay in touch with what's happening at the school, to ask questions and raise concerns, to meet and mingle, and to nosh on some delicious baked goodies prepared by our returning PA president, Margaret Hennessey. We have a superb team of parent grade reps who signed on last spring to help with activities and communications, so check the PA page on the school website for updates and contact info!
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Congratulations to Prep senior Gabriela Romero, who earned top honors in the youth division at Santa Fe’s 63rd Annual Traditional Spanish Art Market. Gabriela won first place in straw appliqué and also took home the Craftsman Award for overall mastery of skill and detail in her work. Santa Fe’s Spanish Art Market is dedicated to the preservation of the traditional arts and culture of the colonial period of Spanish New Mexico.
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| A shout out as well to Katie Broyles '15 who was featured in the Teen Profile section of the Santa Fe New Mexican this summer. “When you are involved in a hobby, you do it to pass time, to create something for personal entertainment or [for] others,” she said. “When it has become a passion, it becomes necessary [for] your survival, something that you could never see your lifestyle without.
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Jim Heidenberger
attended robotics training at the National Robotics and Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University this summer as a prelude to teaching the seventh grade robotics class with James Taylor this year. According to Jim, "It was awesome!"
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Austin (York) Reilly '00, Peter Reilly 01, Robert Weiner '12, Melissa Carl and Coco Rae spent time abroad together this summer.The group was participating in a Life of Alexander the Great Seminar in Ohrid, Macedonia hosted by Curious Oyster Seminars LLC.
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| NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION
Come to campus on Wednesday, August 20th from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm to jump-start the transition into Santa Fe Prep. Parents will hear from Head of School Jim Leonard, and students will gather with advisors or deans to get those last-minute questions answered, receive academic schedules and planners, find lockers, and make sure they know how to find their classrooms. We hope all new Santa Fe Prep students and parents can join us!
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| DWIGHT YOAKAM CONCERT
Act now! A Dwight Yoakam Concert benefiting Santa Fe Prep’s Tuition Assistance Program is coming up on Thursday, August 28th, 7:30 pm at The Santa Fe Opera. Don’t miss this grand finale of our 50th Anniversary!
Click here to buy tickets.
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| ¡QUE VIVA!
Santa Fe Fiesta Royalty will visit Prep on the Upper School Quad on Friday, August 29th at 9:30 am.
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| SPEECH & DEBATE
The Speech and Debate Team is having a Parent Meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd, from 5:15 to 6:30 pm in the Founders' Room.Plans for this meeting include an overview of the tournament schedule, a discussion of expectations for the year, and sharing lots of exciting news for 2014-2015. Current and prospective members and their parents are encouraged to attend if they plan on competing this year. Please bring your calendars. Light refreshments, helpful information and gentle enthusiasm will be provided. You can email Tom Cork with any questions.
Also, be sure to check out the team's new dedicated S&D website!
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"Back to School" means back to rhythms that have been suspended for the summer months. Parents, here are some tips to set your student up for a successful transition:
- Make sure they get enough sleep. Ten hours is recommended for middle school students. Nine hours for high school students.
- Low lighting and limited electronics a half hour before bed will help them get sleepy. Bright or high lighting in the morning may help them wake up and get moving!
- Get school work packed into backpacks before bed.
- If your student brings lunch, you can cut up veggies over the weekend, store them in a tupperware with a little water, and take what's needed each day.
- Pre-made breakfast or lunch burritos also freeze and thaw nicely for families on the go.
Look for monthly tips from Wellness Watch to help your child have a successful school experience!
- Mikahla Beutler,
School Counselor
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