News of the SchoolFROM THE HEAD’S DESK by Doug Jennings, Head of SchoolHead of School Doug Jennings atPark Tudor’s Habitat for HumanityBuild in August 2006.Gone are the days whenschools and collegesproudly described themselvesas “ivory towers” of learning.The best schools may be elite,but not elitist; and our leadinginstitutions understand thatsome of the most importanteducation takes place throughclose contact with the local–and worldwide–community.As Park Tudor School designsthe best education for successin the 21st century, it looksboth near and far for meaningfulexperiences.As you read in this issue aboutour latest Habitat for Humanityhome-building project, you willbe impressed by the commitmentand energy that wentinto constructing a new housein just six weeks. What maybe less evident, but every bitas significant, is the sincerity,humility and good cheer thatour students brought to theproject. They enjoyed workingwith the future home ownerand a variety of volunteers.They did not view their effortsso much as charity, but moreas an opportunity to learn andinteract.The same spirit is manifestedeach summer throughthe school’s partnership withthe Timmy Foundation. Overthe past three years, six to 12students and a faculty chaperonehave traveled to Ecuadorto assist teachers, students andfamilies in an impoverishedarea. Every year a numberof PT students combine communityservice with first-handinternational educational trips.In the planning stages is aservice learning trip to SouthAfrica for next July.When 19 Upper Schoolstudents travel to China thissummer on a new Park Tudorsponsoredtrip, they will spendpart of their time meeting withChinese high school studentsand staying at Beijing NormalUniversity. In preparation fortheir trip they will build onthe knowledge gained in theirNon-Western Civilizations classthrough a series of presentationson Chinese culture.The model of living withfamilies makes the IndianaUniversity Honors Programin Foreign Languages popularwith our students. Last summerseven PT students wereaccepted to this competitiveprogram and enjoyed stays inFrance, Spain and Mexico.Likewise, our families areeager to open their homes tointernational visitors. We participatein the ASSIST programwhich brings us studentsfrom Germany, Sweden andthe Czech Republic. Each falla contingent of young studentsvisits from the Scuola Italianadi Montevideo and interactswith our Lower School students.We reciprocate, and weare always impressed by theknowledge and understandinggained by our fourth and fifthgraders who spend 10 days livingwith families in Uruguay.Along with his faculty,Lower School Director Dr. JeffMitchell places great emphasison global education, saying“As citizens of the world, weNAIS head visits Park Tudorshare a home and we sharecore values. We have an obligationto teach our students tobe citizens of the world.”Emma Lanham ’08 spentlast summer in a home-buildingproject in a small villagein Vietnam. She adapted wellto different living conditions,food and culture. Emma said,“It helped me know myselfbetter, being away from everythingAmerican.”These hands-on experienceschange students in ways thata classroom experience cannot.By interacting with peoplewho are beyond the normalcircle of family and friends,our students learn appreciationand sensitivity that will carrythem far, home and abroad.Pat Bassett, president of the National Association of IndependentSchools, visited Park Tudor in September to lead sessionsat a planning retreat for the Park Tudor Board of Directors.Bassett leads the Washington. D.C.-based organization thatrepresents 1350 independent schools in the U.S. and abroad.His talk, “Road Signs along the Way,” highlighted five areason which independent schools must focus in the upcomingdecade: attracting students and faculty who reflect the diversityof the community, creating an environmentally sustainablecampus, educating students to become global citizens, developinga program that reflects the skills and values required forsuccess in the 21st century, and ensuring that a private schooleducation remains affordable.Head of School Doug Jennings and the board also reviewedPark Tudor’s five-year strategic management plan, “PT 2010,”which focuses on many of the areas addressed by Bassett, anddiscussed the role of the school’s trustees in continuing todevelop the school’s strategic plan.4 <strong>PARK</strong> <strong>TUDOR</strong> PHOENIX FALL 2006
NEWS OF THE SCHOOLHomecoming 2006picture-perfect fall dayA brought a special touch tothis year’s homecoming festivitieson September 29. Nearly500 parents, alumni and studentsattended the annual cookoutbefore the game, and thegym was packed with studentstrying their luck at games andattractions at the Park TudorMothers’ Association Carnival.Although the Panthers played anoble game against rival TritonCentral, they were defeated.Freshmen were into the homecoming spirit at the Upper School pep rally before the big game.Above: The prize booth was a popularattraction at the PTMA Carnival.Left: Panther pride was in full evidenceat the start of the homecoming game.FALL 2006 <strong>PARK</strong> <strong>TUDOR</strong> PHOENIX 5
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