Happy Holidays from Wakefield School

Happy Holidays!!

"It Not Your Day"

All I heard about on Thursday was lunch detention. The penalty for a uniform violation is a lunch detention. There were at least 8 detention slips given in my literature class yesterday morning. It was "It is not your day" Day. Some of the detentions were forgiven later in the day.

The temperature hovered around freezing on Thursday. It was cold outside! Students were not in compliance to the uniform code not because they wanted to flaunt the uniform code; students were wearing outer coats because it was cold!!

Teachers fail to realize how cold it can get traveling from building to building on the campus because most of them do not have to make as many trips as most students. Mr. Constantine, for instance, almost never leaves the upper school computer room.

Thursday's action by the English faculty infuriated many students who did not receive a lunch detention. Most seniors received lunch detentions for wearing colored sweaters. Wearing a colored sweater is a senior right according to the uniform code. Apparently, the teachers were not aware of all of the rules.

Members of the English department, when questioned about the sudden increase in uniform enforcement responded, “Because the English department was the only one that did not give out lunch detentions, or enforce the uniform code.” Of course they would pick a day when the temperature sat near 32 F. Students need an alternative jacket that will comply with the uniform code and meet student desires for style and grace. The current options, as outlined in the handbook, do not really meet student needs at this point.

Students will continue to wear whatever keeps then warm, lunch detention or not. How hard is it for the school to find some sort of compromise with the students? Maybe a meeting is in order.

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Wakefield's Road to Accredidation

Wakefield was closely examined by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) over the week of November 12-15, 2010. The process began on Sunday November 12, 2010 with a reception and tour of the campus attended by the entire faculty. The VAIS team, made of independent school administrators and teachers from several disciplines,came to Wakefield's beautiful campus to do more than just to take in the view and look at the classrooms.

Representatives from VAIS sat in every class at least once, to gain a greater understanding of the Wakefield way. The VAIS representatives were on campus until Wednesday, November 15, 2010 meeting with various teachers and heads of the departments to truly soak up what Wakefield stands for.

This is a process that occurs every 10 years and is more than just a rubber stamp. The process gives Wakefield an opportunity to show other independent schools what makes us uniqiue. The visit was a overwhelming success and Wakefield continues to uphold its core values, making it one of the best schools in the state.

The Gift Giving Season

Now is the time to share with people. Be sure to listen for Service Club announcements and help in anyway you can by donating canned food. Be sure to extend your reach outside that of Wakefield and spend some time in your local community in service projects. If you have ideas for projects that you think the Service Club would be interested be sure to let Mrs. Wyrsch know. The Service Club has many projects coming up and they would love as much help as possible.

Macbeth

Wakefield Performing Arts has done it again! Macbeth took place on November 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the lower gym.The production was a huge hit selling out all three nights. The show required taking down the set and adding more seats for Friday's performance.

Thoreau Martin and Kate Crescenzo took the lead roles as Macbeth and his spouse and tackled them with great control. "For the first time being in a lead role I felt I did a great job, but it was no easy task because of the amount of lines I had to remember." said Martin of his performance. Sixth grader Cason Atkinson played Malcolm with stunning aplomb and maturity. The middle schooler's performance rocked the house. Freshman Crescenzo's memorable performance as Lady Macbeth promises to be the first of many great roles for the freshman on the Wakefield stage.

The whole cast of the production, including several faculty members, did a wonderful job performing in front of packed houses on all three nights. The play was an amazing production and showed what Wakefield Performing Arts can bring to the table. Director Tom Bazar added another feather to his directors cap with this show. If you missed this production of Macbeth, make sure to come out and see All in the Timing in December. Performing Arts is on a roll!

Kourtnee's Korner--Class Days

It’s my senior year and in most of my time here, enduring class days, has all been the same. I couldn’t even begin to tell the difference between what I did 6th grade year or 11th grade year. Why you ask? Because THEY HAVE ALL BEEN THE SAME!! Don’t get me wrong it’s cool to have a little buddy in lower school who looks up to you and all, but there is no bonding going on at all, which is supposed to be the point of Class Days. I don’t learn a lot from my buddies, because they either don’t talk, or I don’t find what they are talking about to be interesting. Having buddies would be fun if the activities were fun. A new set list of activities is needed. The same thing every year, going to the Corn Maze, games on the lower field, and capture the flag on the upper field, and calling it a day. Is it so hard to ask for something new to do every year?

Dig Pink Tournament

On Tuesday October 19th 2010, the Wakefield varsity volleyball team went to Highland to participate in the Dig Pink tournament. The Dig Pink is hosted every year by Highland in order to raise money for breast cancer. Highland raises the money by taking donations for every kill, ace, and block throughout the whole game.

The Wakefield volleyball team played one game against Highland for the best 3 out of 5. The volleyball team stayed strong and got to the fifth set against the Hawks but sadly did not prevail.The Owls first played the hawks in the beginning of the year and lost in the first 3 sets. It was a major improvement for the volleyball girls. The Wakefield volleyball team will play Foxcroft on their turf on Saturday, October 23rd. Come out and support your Wakefield girls!