posted on March 18, 2011 12:27
Dear Highlanders, Families and Friends,
Reflecting on the National Association of Independent Schools’ conference, which I recently attended, I was amazed at the amount of progress and movement taking place in independent school education. The annual conference provided me with the opportunity to benchmark LHPS with the other leading institutions throughout the United States and to reaffirm our excellent standing among these schools.
The theme of the 2005 Conference was Educating for Sustainability. This conference not only provided me with an opportunity to interact with educators throughout the country, but also helped me measure and evaluate where we are going as a middle school. Information from the NAIS Conference, along with the administrative and faculty review of the strategic plan, will provide LHPS with a road map which will guide us through our transition onto the new middle school campus. It will also define the culture of our middle school as one of meeting the needs of the whole child in an academically challenging environment.
As you glance through this edition of the Tartan, I encourage you to reflect on what your goals are for your young adolescent. Are your goals to ensure a smooth physical, intellectual, social, and emotional experience for your child as he/she travels through the middle school years and prepares for the challenges of high school? Or, is it to place your child in an environment that fosters respect, understanding, and acceptance of differences? Is it your goal for your child to learn to make responsible choices and understand the consequences of their actions? Many of you are probably answering…all of the above! How can we be all things to everybody? We can’t, but we can work to maintain the programs already developed and to make a commitment to monitor and build upon these programs if they will enhance the academic, social, emotional, and physical growth of the child. To educate for sustainability in the middle school at LHPS, we must:
Continue to hire and to retain highly qualified teachers who are passionate about their subject and compassionate about the students they teach.
Promote increased student achievement through innovative methods, differentiated instruction, and accountability for high standards.
Build student character and leadership skills by broadening our best practices beyond the classrooms.
Partner with parents to affirm the mission and vision of Lake Highland Preparatory School through education and communication.
By looking at the middle school happenings on the next few pages of the Tartan, it will be evident that LHPS is a special place. We will sustain and enhance the education program which is designed to nurture relationships and develop the well-rounded child.
Sincerely,
David Bernatavitz
Middle School Director