Wow! Almost 400 photographs entered this year, with 236 selected to be shown this Saturday night. Students from the following 22 schools and teachers have works being shown...
Academy of the Holy Cross, Martha Schlabs and Mrs. Hoffman
Albert Einstein High School, Amber Carroll
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Jerry Eisner
Clarksburg High School, Lynn Galloro
Earle B. Wood Middle School
Edmund Burke School, Allen Jackson
Gaithersburg High School, Stephen Walker
Green Acres School, Victor Stokoll
James Hubert Blake High School, Sarah Hartenstine
John F. Kennedy High School, Ms. Ingersoll-Gilbertson
The Nora School, Dave Mullen
Paint Branch High School, Emily Aumaitre
Poolesville High School, Nori Thorne and Shannon Heaton-Pembleton
The Potomac School, Elizabeth Kupersmith
School Without Walls, James Cunningham
Sherwood High School, Deborah Bernhardt
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Mary Battaglia
Washington Waldorf School, Barbara Bancroft
Watkins Mill High School, James Wu
Westland Middle School, Mr. Ritter
Winston Churchill High School, Michael Foo
The exhibition begins at 7:30 pm, with the awards ceremony around 8:15pm.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Dan's revenge
The same kid who moaned and groaned while hiking and backpacking all the way through scouts, ten years later can't wait to show his mother and me the peak of Camelback Mountain... 1.5 miles straight up. Nice views of Phoenix from here, but it may take weeks for our knees to recover. Karma!Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8
Friday, April 08, 2011
Interesting questions from Rabbi Mitelman
I just read an interesting article on Huffington Post by Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman posing the propositiong that the question "Do You Believe In God?" is profoundly uninteresting. In Mitelman's view, those who ask the question generally believe that the answer is "yes," while for those of whom the question is asked the answer is generally "no" or "I don't know." The question itself, being closed ended, invites little dialog, and is often purposely provocative. The more interesting questions that Mitelman proposes we ask "How can we bring more kindness and justice into the world?" and "When have we felt moments of deep connection?" Interesting to ponder, and interesting to see what's left out. A link to the full article is here.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan and US
From Mike Johnston at "The Online Photographer" blog...
"I worry about my own country; it seems natural at this time to think "what if." We are far less well prepared than Japan for such an event... Our government has been weakened by systematic antagonism from within, our economy made fragile by the irresponsible behavior of the greedy. Our response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was far less adequate than our response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and things aren't getting better: just days before the disaster in Japan, the newly elected majority in the House of Representatives passed a bill gutting the funding of, among many other things, California's tsunami early warning system—yet another irony in a dispiriting parade of ironies in America. Japan, with a far more homogenous population and greater political unity, arguably as much wealth, and far better preparation, is reeling terribly. How would we do?"
Could not be said any better.
"I worry about my own country; it seems natural at this time to think "what if." We are far less well prepared than Japan for such an event... Our government has been weakened by systematic antagonism from within, our economy made fragile by the irresponsible behavior of the greedy. Our response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was far less adequate than our response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and things aren't getting better: just days before the disaster in Japan, the newly elected majority in the House of Representatives passed a bill gutting the funding of, among many other things, California's tsunami early warning system—yet another irony in a dispiriting parade of ironies in America. Japan, with a far more homogenous population and greater political unity, arguably as much wealth, and far better preparation, is reeling terribly. How would we do?"
Could not be said any better.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Good Habits
With far too much attention given in popular media to teenagers making bad decisions, it was delightful to see our students beginning what I hope will be a lifelong habit of donating blood to the Red Cross. I first gave blood in college, around 1976 or so, and have been doing so ever since. It costs me nothing, as it's pretty nice to have an hour of uninterrupted reading time, and I imagine that someone, somewhere, is being helped by this act. Our kids were fantastic, as were the several teachers who set such a great example. I hope that they're all still giving in 35 years. I hope that I am as well!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thomas Edison Plays Basketball (or could have)
Tough week, four basketball games in five days, ice skating, late nights, wild NonValentines Party going on here at Nora as I write this. Our team has had a tough season, but they keep playing hard and consistently display great sportsmanship
. Courtney has done a great job keeping enthusiasm high even as three players went down to injury this week. Patrick's first aid kit has come in handy as well. Scott stepped in today to help Eric coach, and Mara, Chris, Norman, Hedy and many other teachers have made it to games this winter. Today is the birthday of Thomas Edison, who once said that "genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Especially true for those who struggle in the face of daunting odds... Edison held over 1,200 patents when he died. He once said that he hadn't failed in 10,000 attempts to create an incandescent bulb, but had successfully found 10,000 ways that didn't work. Good things to think about in a time of adversity.
. Courtney has done a great job keeping enthusiasm high even as three players went down to injury this week. Patrick's first aid kit has come in handy as well. Scott stepped in today to help Eric coach, and Mara, Chris, Norman, Hedy and many other teachers have made it to games this winter. Today is the birthday of Thomas Edison, who once said that "genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Especially true for those who struggle in the face of daunting odds... Edison held over 1,200 patents when he died. He once said that he hadn't failed in 10,000 attempts to create an incandescent bulb, but had successfully found 10,000 ways that didn't work. Good things to think about in a time of adversity.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
How to get your teenager's attention
If you like this graph, you'll love the "My Parents Joined Facebook" website. A sign of our times, alas, and as with so many things, can be used for good or ill.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Are things turning around?
Hopefully this means that our Great Recession is coming to an end. Conventional wisdom that employment is a lagging indicator, nonetheless the turnaround beginning with Obama's inauguration and the passing of the first stimulus would seem to be reflected in this chart. It will be nice when the highs soar as high as the lows of Dec08/Jan09 dip.
Friday, January 14, 2011
A Few Study Tips to Help With Semester Exams
Yes, you've heard this all before, but that's because it's TRUE! Good luck on semester exams next week... be like a boy scout and "Be Prepared."
1) Set aside scheduled time for yourself to study. Make this appointment something that can’t be changed or interrupted.
2) Take a (short) break every 20-30 minutes...get up, stretch, walk around...after 5 minutes get back to studying.
3) Set aside a space that is free from distractions (ie. TV, computer, stereo, kid brother, etc.).
4) Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food, drink plenty of water.
5) Practice! Complete all review worksheets, re-take old exams and quizzes (where do you think your teachers are getting their questions from?), go back to Chapter Tests and Reviews. Just like learning a musical instrument or improving a sports skill, you must practice the skills you’ll need on the exams, particularly in math and science.
6) Ask Questions of your teachers, particularly during review days and during the Reading Period.
7) Create a Study Group with a few classmates to meet at lunch, after school, and during the Reading Period. Find a Study Buddy to review with at home or on the phone.
8) Take notes during teachers’ review periods...and ask questions when you don’t understand something.
9) Make flashcards to review foreign languages, unfamiliar science terms, and other unique vocabulary.
10) Ask your teachers what will be on the exam. They’re not trying to surprise you ... in fact, they want you to do well!
11) When reviewing English and Social Studies, visualize events and people that occur in your readings.
12) When a teacher permits the use of notes or notecards, make them and use them!!!
13) Re-write or type your old notes to separate what’s important from what isn’t. Write important events, people, facts, vocabulary on notecards. The physical act of writing the information is one way of reviewing it.
14) Review what’s on old tests and quizzes...your teachers are likely to recycle many of these questions.
15) Read your notes aloud into a recording device and put it on your I-Pod to listen to as you ride to school.
16) When you take the test, do the easy questions first, then go back and tackle the tough ones.
17) When writing on an essay question, take a few minutes to outline your thoughts before you begin writing sentences.
18) Read all questions carefully and thoroughly, to be sure you understand what’s being asked.
19) Go back and review the questions on the exam. Often, a question you answered on the last page will spark a better answer on the first page.
20) When you feel stressed, take some deep breaths, get a drink of water, use the restroom, and start again.
1) Set aside scheduled time for yourself to study. Make this appointment something that can’t be changed or interrupted.
2) Take a (short) break every 20-30 minutes...get up, stretch, walk around...after 5 minutes get back to studying.
3) Set aside a space that is free from distractions (ie. TV, computer, stereo, kid brother, etc.).
4) Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy food, drink plenty of water.
5) Practice! Complete all review worksheets, re-take old exams and quizzes (where do you think your teachers are getting their questions from?), go back to Chapter Tests and Reviews. Just like learning a musical instrument or improving a sports skill, you must practice the skills you’ll need on the exams, particularly in math and science.
6) Ask Questions of your teachers, particularly during review days and during the Reading Period.
7) Create a Study Group with a few classmates to meet at lunch, after school, and during the Reading Period. Find a Study Buddy to review with at home or on the phone.
8) Take notes during teachers’ review periods...and ask questions when you don’t understand something.
9) Make flashcards to review foreign languages, unfamiliar science terms, and other unique vocabulary.
10) Ask your teachers what will be on the exam. They’re not trying to surprise you ... in fact, they want you to do well!
11) When reviewing English and Social Studies, visualize events and people that occur in your readings.
12) When a teacher permits the use of notes or notecards, make them and use them!!!
13) Re-write or type your old notes to separate what’s important from what isn’t. Write important events, people, facts, vocabulary on notecards. The physical act of writing the information is one way of reviewing it.
14) Review what’s on old tests and quizzes...your teachers are likely to recycle many of these questions.
15) Read your notes aloud into a recording device and put it on your I-Pod to listen to as you ride to school.
16) When you take the test, do the easy questions first, then go back and tackle the tough ones.
17) When writing on an essay question, take a few minutes to outline your thoughts before you begin writing sentences.
18) Read all questions carefully and thoroughly, to be sure you understand what’s being asked.
19) Go back and review the questions on the exam. Often, a question you answered on the last page will spark a better answer on the first page.
20) When you feel stressed, take some deep breaths, get a drink of water, use the restroom, and start again.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Happy Holidays
A bit melancholy during services tonight, as this was my mom's favorite time of year. Can't help but think of Ariana's family, and I'm missing my oldest son (happy in Arizona), but joy nonetheless with those I'm with. Another year with too little peace and too much war,but if we all do a little to make another person's life better then there's hope.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Astronomers Find First Evidence Of Other Universes
Not from the National Enquirer or World News Weekly, but from MIT...
"Our cosmos was "bruised" in collisions with other universes. Now astronomers have found the first evidence of these impacts in the cosmic microwave background."
See the full article here.
Isn't science wonderful!
"Our cosmos was "bruised" in collisions with other universes. Now astronomers have found the first evidence of these impacts in the cosmic microwave background."
See the full article here.
Isn't science wonderful!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sam Smith, '07
Sam Smith, '07, star of a couple of Nora School Photography Class videos, now appears in his own show here. Now studying at the Art Institute of Chicago, he goes by the name of Harvey Moon.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Gettysburg
Walked the Gettysburg battlefield this weekend, camping with some old friends. Yes, it was 14 degrees Friday night, but nonetheless good for my soul (if not my cough). On a quiet Saturday in December it's hard to imagine the scene 147 years ago when thousands fought and died on these fields. The nature of warfare was so different from today, yet young men and women still fight and die so that others may enjoy a better life. If only we civilians living comfortably behind the front lines were willing to make some type of sacrifice in their support. Instead, we fuss about our taxes and the price of gas.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Giving Thanks
From our pre-Thanksgiving alumni/student/faculty dinner today...
May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May all beings be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow.
May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless.
May all live in equanimity, without attachment or aversion, believing in the equality of all that lives.
May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May all beings be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow.
May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless.
May all live in equanimity, without attachment or aversion, believing in the equality of all that lives.
- Traditional Buddhist prayer
I hope that you and your family have a happy and restful Thanksgiving weekend.
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Mirror
Our Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Accreditation Team is here this week, looking at the self-study we've conducted over the past year and our plans for the next seven years. Looking at ourselves in the mirror has, as always, been invaluable in terms of analyzing our strengths and weaknesses and planning our work on the latter. The team will give us fresh eyes on the work that we do, and will hold up the mirror for us, and help us see ourselves more clearly. We're grateful for their time, thoughtfulness, and hard work.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Mr. Happy
No, not about the election, but about all the kids who made the honor roll this quarter. (I think I'll be focusing closer to home over the next two years.) Almost half our students had all A's and B's, and four of these had all A's. Running an analysis of homew
ork completion vs. GPA for the first quarter, it's notable that of those who completed 90% of their homework (averaged across all classes) all had a GPA above 3.0. Of these, 17 of the 21 had GPA's above 3.5. Conversely, of those who did less than 80% of their homework, all had a GPA lower than 2.5. We're having nice lunches at Vicino Ristourante next door with the honor rollees and their advisors, all of whom worked very hard over the past two months to reach this academic accomplishment.
ork completion vs. GPA for the first quarter, it's notable that of those who completed 90% of their homework (averaged across all classes) all had a GPA above 3.0. Of these, 17 of the 21 had GPA's above 3.5. Conversely, of those who did less than 80% of their homework, all had a GPA lower than 2.5. We're having nice lunches at Vicino Ristourante next door with the honor rollees and their advisors, all of whom worked very hard over the past two months to reach this academic accomplishment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
