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The Episcopal Identity of Holland Hall
Geoffrey C. Butler
Interim Headmaster
On the front entrance to Holland Hall is the inscription “an independent college preparatory Episcopal school.” I wonder sometimes how completely all who travel through that entrance understand the fullness of that phrase. The term independent means that the school is mission driven and self-governing. It also is financially independent of public funds and, therefore, self-sustaining. Of course, everyone knows that Holland Hall is designed to prepare the students for college.
But, what is that Episcopal identification all about? Does that mean that only Episcopalians go to Holland Hall? Is it Catholic light? Is it a Christian school that seeks to proselytize? Is it some vague identification that really doesn’t mean much? The answer to each of these questions is no. The Episcopal identity of Holland Hall is not immediately evident. So, what does it mean to have an Episcopal identity and how is that reflected at Holland Hall?
First, it is important to know that Holland Hall was not originally an Episcopal school. Though the school was founded in 1922, it was not until 1959 that if became affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Therefore, rather than the Episcopal identity being in the school’s DNA at its creation, it has grown over time.
While Episcopal Schools are committed to the core of belief in God as seen through the life and death of Christ, they do so in a manner that respects the beliefs of other faith traditions. “Episcopal schools have been established … not solely as communities for Christians, like a parish church, but as ecumenical and diverse ministries of educational and human formation for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Episcopal schools are populated by a rich variety of human beings, from increasingly diverse religious, cultural and economic backgrounds.” (NAES, “What Are the Principal Qualities that Distinguish a School as Episcopal?”)
Along with the affiliation with the Episcopal Church came the visible expression in the presence of school Chaplains and a Chapel built in 1978. A Religion Department, which teaches Biblical history, comparative religions and ethics, is also an important part of the program as well as weekly chapel. In keeping with the Principals of Good Practice for the Study of Religion in Episcopal Schools, the goals of the academic offerings are several. They are intended to give a solid grounding in Judeo-Christian history and tradition as well as exposure to a wide variety of religious traditions and perspectives. We want students to gain understanding and appreciation for religions other than their own, believing that through that exploration, understanding of one’s own religious faith can become more complete.
Episcopal schools throughout the United States embrace a wide range of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, which contributes to a greater understanding of the increasingly complex world. The global events of the past decade, which have been driven or exacerbated by religious conflict, serve as compelling reasons why we must educate our children to communicate and connect with those whose beliefs and faith interpretations are different. Our children do not and cannot live in a world of Christian isolation.
On a day-to-day basis at Holland Hall, being an Episcopal school means that we not only talk about, but we model care, concern and love for those who are like us and those who are not. We attempt to reach out in an effort to understand those with whom we may not have a natural affinity. Our efforts are not just to be nice or to minimize conflict. Our reaching out and our commitment to inclusiveness is based on the knowledge that we are all created by God. No one of us is more important in that creation. Humility in this knowledge is at the core of understanding our relationship to others.
When I first arrived at Holland Hall, the Episcopal identity was not as obvious as at many Episcopal schools where chapel is more frequent and often more liturgically formal. However, it is present in the school every day in the relationships, in the genuine search for understanding, in the numerous acts of service, and in the quiet care shown for each individual.
As I leave Holland Hall at the conclusion of this year, my greatest wish is that we will grow in our appreciation of our Episcopal identity that defines much of who we are, how we view our being in this world, and how we develop a more full spiritual life.
Building a Strong Foundation
Jo-An Vargo
Head of Primary School
The topic of this month’s article was inspired by two disparate events. Our entertaining and very successful Holland Hall auction was attended and enjoyed by many people who had not previously visited the renovated Primary School. One parent of a graduate remarked that not only is the renovation a beautiful success, but the current academic program is an excellent model of instruction for our young learners. Then, within a few days of the auction, I rediscovered a CD with photos of what I fondly call our “Extreme Makeover”. My thoughts returned to the year of construction, complete with images of steel beams being raised to begin construction on the new preschool three-year-old/junior kindergarten/extended day building, the library, and the gym. A connection began to emerge … our three-year-old program is the strong-as-steel foundation of our Primary School. Why invest in an early childhood educational experience at this age? Is it worth the value of tuition? Our opinion is a resounding YES!
Brain research has identified the time from birth up to age four as the most critical period with the most rapid growth of synaptic connections between neurons. This is the time when the brain uses the most energy (glucose) as it makes those connections. The period between age four to ten years is termed a sensitive time frame for optimum brain development because the brain maintains these very high levels of glucose, using over twice as much as that of adults. Only after the age of ten is there a gradual decline in these levels. Scientists call this neural “pruning”, which helps the brain refine its circuitry, thereby making it more efficient. What is the implication for education? READ MORE>>
Healthy Habits: Managing Springtime Stress
By Linda Christensen
Coordinator of Health Services
Linda Christensen, Coordinator of Health Services was asked by Joel Bicknell to write an article on the prevalence of behaviors in the Spring that indicate high levels of stress. In the following article, she focuses our attention on how to effectively manage this time of the year.
Spring, the time of year when April Showers bring May flowers, winter gives way to sunny skies and warmer weather and Bermuda grass returns to lush shades of green. A time when young people long to don flip-flops and shorts and spend lazy days outside soaking up the sun (with SPF 50, of course). Yet in a school setting, spring is accompanied by second semester demands, pending deadlines and “dreaded” finals. Students find themselves torn between the need to be consistently present in the academic setting and the desire to be outside having long awaited fun. While spring ushers in new beginnings, hope and excitement, in middle school students it is often accompanied with stress, anxiety and frustration. READ MORE>>
Lessons Learned from Performing and Competing
Dennis L. Calkins
Head of the Upper School
As the end of the school year approaches, it is not unusual for our seniors to begin counting the number of class days remaining or the number of days until graduation. Our seniors also realize that for them, a number of experiences are taking place for the last time. Two recent events — the ISAS Fine Arts Festival and the Spring Sports Tournament — have come to symbolize the end of our seniors’ experiences in the arts and athletic programs. As I witnessed our students working on the stage, in the studio, on the field and on the court, not only was I impressed by what I saw and heard, I was also struck by what our students learned about themselves — the lessons learned by performing and competing. These lessons reinforce my belief that experiences in arts and in athletics are crucial components of a liberal arts education. Three lessons come to mind immediately — lessons that may not always be taught in the academic classroom. READ MORE>>
Volunteer Appreciation Brunch and Parents’ Association Change Over Meeting
In recognition of their invaluable contributions throughout the year, Holland Hall invites all volunteers to the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. The Parents’ Association Change Over meeting will also take place during the brunch.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Holliman Gallery, Walter Arts Center
Please RSVP to Erin Yancy by calling (918) 879-4738 or email eyancy@hollandhall.org.
Holland Hall Announces Members of Board of Visitors Group
Holland Hall is pleased to announce the members of the inaugural Board of Visitors group, which comprises 28 prominent individuals residing nationally or internationally. The group is charged with engaging in macro-level discussions to further the mission of the school regarding its curriculum, facilities and operations. By engaging new leaders, Holland Hall can continue to build and create a strong future for the school, as it serves the Tulsa region and beyond. The Board of Visitors shall be invited to a joint meeting with the Board of Trustees once per year, with the first meeting held Friday, May 6. The term limit is 3 years with the option to renew for an additional three years. The group is co-chaired by Ken Busby ’85, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa and Dr. Holbrook Lawson ’82, of Holbrook Campbell Lawson, LLC. READ MORE>>
Holland Hall Thespians Present Theatre Night
Holland Hall Thespians will present Theatre Night on Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. in the Newman Theatre of the Walter Arts Center. The evening will consist of scenes and monologues from the intermediate, advanced and super advanced acting classes. As well, we will recognize outstanding commitment and performances in the Theatre Department. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Gary Sweeney at Ext. 332.
Must See - "Don't Give" Video Blooper Reel
In November, members of the Holland Hall community encouraged support of the Holland Hall Annual Fund in a funny, persuasive and polished way. But did they get it right on the first try? Click the link below to watch the video:
http://www.hollandhall.org/invest/annualfund/dont-give-annual-fund-video/
Dutch Weekend on Saturday, May 7
Dutch Weekend will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Petroleum Club of Tulsa from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Dutch Weekend is a formal event for Upper School students featuring a spectacular DJ and lighting, a delicious dessert buffet, and a fun photobooth. The ticket price of $35 includes a t-shirt, the dessert buffet, soft drinks and valet parking. The Petroleum Club is located at 601 S. Boulder and the event will be held on the 15th floor. Enter the Petroleum Club on Boulder Avenue. Tickets can be purchased by check or cash. Checks should be made out to Holland Hall and payment delivered to Amy Cauthon in the Upper School by Wednesday, May 4. Holland Hall security will also be provided.
Book Buyback
For comprehensive step-by-step directions on selling back books online click here.
College Counseling Announcements
Dear Parents of 9th, 10th and 11th Graders: Student who have recently finished Biology, Chemistry, Physics, upper level Spanish etc. and wish one day to apply to a competitive school may want to register with the College Board to take an SAT Subject Test. This Friday, May 6, is the last day to register online for the June 4th final SAT test date this year. (A student may not take both the SAT and Subject Tests on the same test date.) Remember that state schools and most private schools do not require any Subject Tests; it is only the more competitive colleges and universities who generally require two or three of these tests. Should you have questions about the need for this testing please call Ronda Cooper at extension 230.
For a list of schools that require or recommend Subject Tests go to www.compassprep.com/admissions
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Dear Parents of 11th Graders: If your daughter or son is planning to play college sports for a D-I or D-II program, it is time to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The fee is $65. The NCAA code for the ACT or SAT is 9999, test scores are only accepted from the test agency. NCAA does not accept test scores from a high school transcript.
Registration is simple go to:
eligibilitycenter.org/
Once registration is complete, have your student print, sign and deliver a Transcript Release Form to the college counseling office. To locate this form open the website, click on Resources in the header, then click Forms, then click Transcript Release Form and print. Feel free to send your student to the college counseling office if she/he has any questions.
Sports Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony
RSVP today for this year's new combined Sports Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, May 13, 2011 at the DoubleTree Hotel at Warren Place at 6110 South Yale Ave. This new format provides an opportunity to celebrate the great tradition of the Dutch and to recognize former and current athletes and their athletic accomplishments.
The following individuals will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame: Tom Foyil '77, Cheryl Kunkel Moore '77, Lynn Blocker '88, Kevin Klos '92 and Jeff Ferguson '97; along with Coach Joe Lowery Special Award recipient John Holliman '66 and the 1995 football team.
Student athletes and teams will be recognized for their athletic accomplishments during the 2010-2011 year. Student awards include Three Sport Letter Winners, Championship and Runner-Up Teams, Exemplary Accomplishments on the Field and other surprise awards.
This ticketed event costs $20 per adult and $10 per Upper School student, grades 9 through 12 only. Due to space limitations, this event is open to Upper School students and their parents and/or adult guests only.
Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be emceed by Channel 6 and OKBlitz.com's Sports Director John Holcomb.
Please RSVP online by clicking the link below:
http://www.hollandhall.org/alumni/athletic-hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-sports-awards-ceremony/
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Yancy (918) 879-4738 or eyancy@hollandhall.org.
Annual Fund Grade Challenge Winners!
Annual Fund parent participation percentages have been calculated for each grade and the winners determined. At 78%, 3rd Grade had the highest participation rate in the entire school and wins the Free Dress Day for the Primary School. Coming in just behind 3rd Grade, at 77%, is 7th Grade, winners of the Free Dress Day for Middle School. In the Upper School competition, 9th Grade had the highest parent participation rate, at 65%. When dates are determined for each grade’s Free Dress Day, grade coordinators will notify parents and students.
Thanks to all the parents who have supported Annual Fund this year and are helping provide the very best education available anywhere for our students. If you haven’t made your Annual Fund gift this year, it’s not too late. Please visit hollandhall.org and click on the “Invest in Holland Hall” link to make a gift online, or call Beth Goddard, Director of Annual Giving, at 918-481-1111. All donations made by May 31, 2011 count towards the 2010-11 Annual Fund campaign and will be acknowledged in the Holland Hall Annual Report.
Final Standings
3rd Grade - 78%
7th Grade - 77%
6th Grade - 75%
2nd Grade - 73%
4th Grade - 73%
JK/Kindergarten - 70%
5th Grade - 70%
PreSchool - 66%
9th Grade - 65%
1st Grade - 63%
8th Grade - 63%
11th Grade - 58%
10th Grade - 56%
12th Grade - 53%
Spring SPC Wrap Up
Great weekend at Spring SPC! The athletes competed well and appreciate all the great support for all the teams.
Here is a recap of the weekend:
Softball: The defending two-time SPC champions cruised into the finals with a 12-0 victory over All Saints and a 13-3 win over Houston Kinkaid. In the finals, the Dutch battled a very competitive Fort Worth Country Day team that beat the Dutch in extra innings, 2-1. Though another SPC title is not added to the their accomplishments, it does not diminish the great success of the team this year. They outscored their SPC opponents 133 runs to 5 allowed.
Baseball: The baseball team avenged an earlier loss in the year, by beating Cistercian 12-2 in the first round game. In the semi final of Division II, the Dutch fell behind St. Mark's 10-2. In the bottom of the 5th inning the Dutch scored 4 runs. Heading into the bottom of the 7th inning and the Dutch trailing by four runs, they rallied with five runs to win an exciting baseball game. The Dutch dropped their third game vs. St. Andrew's, 10-6.
Girls Tennis: The girls tennis team lost a very close match to John Cooper, 3-2 in the first round. In their second game, the Dutch defeated St. Mary's Hall 5-0. The girls battled the #1 team from the South Zone, Kinkaid for fifth place, but fell short, 3-2. Senior Adele Beasley and junior Allie Johnson won all three of their #1 Doubles matches at SPC.
Boys Tennis: The boys tennis team lost to Kinkaid 4-1 in their opening match. In their second match of the day, they battled St. John's, but lost 3-2. The Dutch faced Episcopal High School in their final match and lost a tough, contested match, 3-2. Sophomore Sam Gray won all three of his matches on the weekend.
Track and Field: Both the boys and girls track and field teams had some great feats this past weekend. Freshman Micaela McGregor won the 200m race, finished 2nd place in the 100m race and third place in the triple jump. She broke the school record in all three events and earned All SPC in all three events. Junior Jenny Carmichael broke both the school record and SPC record in the discus with a throw of 136'10. She finished 2nd place in the shot put. Freshman Claire Reaves finished 2nd place in the 100m hurdles to earn All SPC. Senior Kwame Sexton earned All SPC in three events with a 2nd place finish in the high jump, third place in the triple jump and was a member of the 4x400 relay that finished 2nd place. Also earning All SPC as members of the 4x400 relay were sophomore Nathan Stewart, sophomore Phillip White and freshman Dalton Nonweiler.
Boys Golf: Congratulations to senior John Cassidy who finished 10th place at SPC, earning him All SPC for the third year in a row.