1

January - 2012

In this issue:

From the Head of School – pg. 2

Upcoming Events – pg. 3

Headlines – pg. 4

Arts – pg. 6

Athletics – pg. 7

WAPA Notes and News – pg. 9

For the College Bound – pg. 10

Healthful Hints – pg. 11

Links

School Calendars

Scenes from School

2

From the Head of School

Dear Westchester Families and Friends,

As an English major who has spent much of the last twenty years

teaching literature, I can identify with Mark Twain’s observation about

numbers. “Figures often beguile me,” he wrote in “Chapters from My

Autobiography,” “particularly when I have the arranging of them

myself.” Twain follows with what has become something of a famous

quotation about our propensity to lean too heavily upon numbers to

make our case: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and

statistics.”

Despite my skepticism about statistics, I thought I would share with you

a numerical portrait of Westchester Country Day School. Far from the

kind of disingenuous misuse of numbers about which Twain wrote, these

numbers offer a glimpse into our extraordinary school and the remarkable achievement of our

Wildcats. I hope that you will see in them what I see: documentation of our mission in action.

Hours of service given by Middle School students in the 2011 calendar year: 800.

Average number of AP courses taken per student in the class of 2012: 3.2.

Number of books wrapped and donated to

local public school students by the

Westchester student body: 400.

Number of Lower and Middle School students

who performed at the December piano, violin,

and guitar recital: 49.

Percentage of the Lower School student body

competing on an Odyssey of the Mind team

this spring: 32%.

Percentage of juniors and seniors who are taking at least one AP class: 66%.

Number of AP courses made available to members of the class of 2012 during their four-

year high school career: 14.

Percentage of parents who participated in the 2010-2011 Annual Fund: 46%.

Percentage of parents who have participated in the 2011-2012 Annual Fund so far:

77%.

Cobb Atkinson Photo by Photo Innovations

3

Number of Westchester students who performed in or assisted with this fall’s production

of The Wizard of Oz: 73.

Number of families who contributed to WAPA’s Holiday Teachers’ Gift: 101.

Percentage of students who have played on a school sports team so far this year: 63%

(MS), 60% (US).

Percentage of the class of 2011 who are

playing college athletics: 20%.

Percentage of the class of 2011 who

received scores of 3 or higher on three or

more AP Exams: 20%.

Percentage of the class of 2011 who were

offered non-athletic, merit scholarships: 55%.

Number of international exchange students

in Middle and Upper Schools: 8.

Percentage of students in the last three graduating classes who began their

educational careers in Westchester’s kindergarten: 37%.

Average years of teaching experience of WCDS faculty: 17

Cobb Atkinson

Head of School

4

News of Note - Upcoming Events

Homecoming/Hall of Fame Weekend

On Friday, January 6, our basketball teams will take on Carolina Friends, our Homecoming

court will be presented, and we will honor our 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Keith Moser

’84. (See full schedule on the athletics page):

Spirit Week Dress-Up Days:

Tuesday, Jan. 3 - Stars and Stripes Day

Wednesday, Jan. 4 - Neon or Camouflage Day

Thursday, Jan. 5 - Pajama Day

Friday, Jan. 6 – Blue/White Day

Lower School will participate only on Thursday and Friday.

Senior Class Fundraising Dinner

Join the seniors for a warm chicken sandwich, bag of chips, and cookie, all for only $5.

Saturday, January 21, from 5 until 8 p.m., in Finch Center, Room 606

Next Step Meetings

Thursday, January 19

5:15 – 6:30 p.m. – Grades K – 4

7:00 p.m. – Rising Middle and Upper School Meetings

Next Step Meetings are an opportunity for students and parents to visit the grade they will be

entering for the 2012-2013 academic year.

5

News of Note - Headlines

WCDS Explores Pre-Kindergarten Program

We are excited to announce that we are exploring a pre-kindergarten program for the 2012-

2013 academic year! If you have an eligible student, or know someone who does, please

have them call or email the Admissions Office for more information and to apply! An online

application is available under the “Apply Now!” tab under the Admissions link on our website.

Operation Smile Works Toward Goal

On December 7, 2011, Westchester's very own Operation Smile Club had a bake sale with the

intention of raising at least $240, the amount

needed to cure one smile of cleft lip/palate. We

raised $127.50, a little over half of our goal, and we

expect to complete our task in January, putting a

full smile on a child's face. Special thanks to Daphne

Foster, Kaitlyn Shapiro, Busra Guner, Kristine

Chukwuma, and Kimberly Watson for being

committed to their positions as members of this club!

On behalf of the whole Operation Smile Club, we

thank Future Business Leaders Club for providing

Grins and everyone who supported such a good

cause during that bake sale!

-Katarina Terentieva, 11th Grader and President of Operation Smile Club

Seniors Selling Gas Card Raffle Tickets

The senior class is sponsoring a gas card raffle to raise money for their senior gift. The cards are

$5.00, and there are three prizes: $150, $100, and $50 gas cards. The drawing will be held at

halftime of the basketball game on January 21, 2012. The winner need not be present to win.

All seniors will be selling cards so buy a couple, support a great cause, and maybe win a

practical gift in the process!

Welcome New Wildcat

11th grade

Bruno Beca

Mr. Alen Beca and Mrs. Aida Beca

Milovana Gavazzija 9

Zagreb CroatiaHost family: Mr. Royster Tucker and Mrs. Donna Tucker

6

Book Delivery Brings Smiles

The fourth grade students joined

several of the tenth grade students to

deliver books and handwritten letters

to kindergarten, first, and second

grade students at Fairview Elementary

School. Our students were delighted

to see the Fairview students' faces

light up when each received a

book. After the students unwrapped

their gifts, WCDS students gathered

with small groups to help the children

read aloud their new treasures. This

was a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit of giving!

Mock Trial Readies for Competition

The Mock Trial team, comprised of Will Davis (Lead Counsel), Claire Councill, Bo Henley, Lewis

Miles, Cameron Raissi, Walker Rose, and Catherine York, will compete in a Regional

Competition on February 4. John Bryson, father of two Wildcats, serves as outside counsel.

Human Relations Collects Stuffed Animals

The Human Relations Club, under the leadership of Kristine Chukwuma, Sunam Dhakal, and

Kimberly Watson, collected four large bags of stuffed animals and delivered them to the

Salvation Army before the holidays. Some children received an extra "best friend" at Christmas

this year. Thanks to all students and parents who donated the stuffed animals.

National Honor Society Process Nears

At the end of the 3rd quarter, sophomores and nonmember juniors who meet the

National Honor Society scholarship requirement (3.5 cumulative and weighted GPA),

will be invited to be considered as candidates for membership in NHS. To be selected

for membership, invited students must submit candidate portfolios which demonstrate

their desire and eligibility for membership. When the time comes, portfolio materials

and instructions will be posted on Cheryl Cunningham’s website, and she will be

happy to meet with candidates to help them prepare their portfolios. Students usually

have two weeks, including two weekends, to prepare their portfolios. Once submitted,

the portfolios are reviewed by a faculty selection committee, which selects the

members to be inducted in May 2012. Membership is granted only to those students

who have met all NHS standards articulated in the national constitution. These

standards include not only the demonstration of outstanding performance in

scholarship but also in leadership, service, and character, all of which are explained

thoroughly in the WCDS Handbook.

7

Fine Arts News

Violin Troupe Performs for Retirement Community

Westchester’s Advanced Violin Troupe had its first off-

campus performance at Arbor Acres Retirement

Community on Thursday, December 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Students performing were (from left): Stephen McLean,

Anna Blackman, Hannah Sharpe, and Ryan Lim. They

performed solos as well as group selections for the

residents.

Italy Art Trip Interest Meeting

January 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library

We are exploring the possibility of an art-based trip to Italy for 10 days in June. The trip will be

open to Upper School students and their parents and will include visits to major museums and

architectural sites in Venice, Florence, and Rome. Please come if you are interested!

8

Westchester Athletics

Homecoming

Friday, January 6

4:00 p.m. – Middle School Boys – B vs. Burlington Christian

4:00 p.m. - JV Basketball vs. Carolina Friends

5:30 p.m. – Varsity Girls vs. Carolina Friends

In between games – 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction of Keith Moser ’84

7:00 p.m. – Varsity Boys vs. Carolina Friends

After the game – Homecoming Court

Wildcat Roundup

In the athletic world, the focus of the month of December

shifts to preparing for exams and spending quality time with

family, so the athletic schedule is a little quiet. However, a

highlight for the Westchester community was the visit of the

Australian Travel Team which played our JV and Varsity Boys’

teams over the holiday break. Our young Wildcats got a

taste of great basketball from the other side of the world, but

the group dinner after the games was the highlight of the

night!

The winter sports season will get off to a bang the first week of 2012 with lots of Wildcat action

and Homecoming on Friday (see schedule above).

After Homecoming weekend, the Middle School and Varsity schedules kick into conference

matches, which all of our teams have a chance to win! Our swimming program has the most

swimmers we have had in years, and our new Middle School team will have its first-ever middle

school only meet at the end of the month at the Hartley Drive YMCA.

During this holiday season and the beginning of 2012, I want to thank all of our Wildcat fans,

coaches, players, and teachers for all of the support throughout the year. The entire

coaching staff represents the values that are so important to everybody associated with

Westchester, and our student-athletes are striving for excellence in and out of the classroom.

The rest of the winter season is going to be filled with many memories and some exciting

championships, but the relationships that are built among teammates and coaches will last a

lifetime. May all Wildcats have a happy and healthy 2012!

– Coach Schwartz

9

Soccer Standout is 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Keith Moser, a standout athlete from the Class of 1984, will be

inducted into Westchester’s Athletic Hall of Fame during the

school’s Homecoming on Friday, January 6, at 6:45 p.m.

“Westchester has been fortunate enough to graduate several

of the Triad’s greatest athletes, who have left our halls and

gone on to make amazing accomplishments in their sports, and

we are thrilled to have this opportunity to recognize one of

them this year,” says Adam Schwartz, Athletic Director at

Westchester Country Day School.

Moser was a standout soccer player at WCDS, earning both the

MVP and Athlete of the Year awards in 1982 and 1983. He was

named All-Conference, All-Region Team – Honorable Mention, and Conference Champion in

1983. He received a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he

was an NCAA National Champion in 1985 and 1986, Dixie Conference Champion in 1984,

1985, and 1986, and Dixie All-Conference in 1986. He received honorable mention in the

NSCAA South Region All-American in 1986, and was a member of the Clemson Tournament of

Champions All-Tournament team in 1988. UNCG was ranked first in the country in the NSCAA in

1984, 1985, and 1986.

Moser has made a career of coaching soccer and is currently the head men’s soccer coach

at Marymount University, a position he has held since 1990. He has also served as head

women’s soccer coach at Marymount, Virginia Olympic Development Coach, Maryland

Olympic Development U19 Women’s Head Coach, assistant coach at UNCG, and JV coach

at Page High School.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame were solicited from all Westchester alumni. Criteria for the

award included an athlete, coach or friend of WCDS who has been out of high school for at

least five years, and who has demonstrated excellent athletic achievement, defined by but

not limited to earning All-State and/or All-American status while at WCDS and/or

collegiate/professional participation. The final selection was determined by a committee

comprised of alumni, faculty and staff, and members of the athletic department.

10

WAPA Notes and News

Letter from the WAPA President

As incredible as it seems, the first half of the school year has passed, and I would like to thank

all our volunteers who have helped to make the different events WAPA sponsors successful.

Without our wonderful volunteers we would not be able to host events such as Blue/White Day,

Back-to-School Dinner, and the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon. This year the faculty

and staff enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Pepper Moon. The donations from our

generous parents allowed us to give each staff member $100 at the luncheon.

I would also like to send a big thank you to all that purchased Hubs peanuts this school year.

The money raised helped meet our goals in connection with the events listed above as well as

assisting with teacher mini-grants, school grounds, decorations and hospitality functions. Jaree

Todd, Mark Sharpe, and all their Hubs volunteers did a great job!

Please join us for our next WAPA meeting on January 12, at 8:15 a.m. in the library. This

month’s speaker will be Betty Flythe, Westchester’s Academic Dean, Upper School Math

teacher, and College Placement Advisor. This will be a meeting you will want to attend

regardless of your student’s grade – parents of Lower, Middle, and Upper School students will

benefit.

Sincerely,

Gay James

Book Club

The WAPA Book Club meets on January 10 at 8:15 in the library. We are reading Cutting for

Stone by Abraham Verghuse. All parents are welcome.

11

For the College Bound

Parents of sophomores and juniors should expect their students’ PSAT score reports to come

home by Thursday, January 12. Information on these reports is invaluable in helping students

assess areas of weakness, and information available online through the feature My College

QuickStartTM

can offer students suggestions about how to improve in these areas. While one

should view PSAT scores as indicators of performance on the SAT, it is important to keep in

mind that these scores generally rise over time, especially when the student makes a

concerted effort to improve vocabulary, reading comprehension, and math skills. Please feel

free to contact me with questions or concerns about PSAT score implications. Sophomores will

take the PSAT again next October as part of the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Juniors should plan to take the SAT Reasoning Test twice before the end of this school year,

once in the winter and once in the spring. The SAT test will be administered again on March 10

(registration deadline is February 10), May 5 (registration deadline is April 6), and June 2

(registration deadline is May 8). Juniors who plan to apply to the very selective schools should

take the SAT Subject Tests on June 2. Juniors may also want to consider taking the ACT on

June 9. Registration materials and information are available in my office.

Congratulations to senior McKelvey Bump who has been named a semi-finalist in the

Morehead-Cain Scholarship competition at UNC Chapel Hill. McKelvey will interview at the

regional level in January. Other seniors offered scholarships to date include Ben Bruggeworth

(Campbell University and Lenoir-Rhyne University), Jonathan DiIanni (Purdue University), Kristen

McDowell, Caroline Muir, and Jessi Stockinger (Roanoke College), and Davis Tucker (Averett

University). College acceptances as of December 14 include the following:

Chris Anderson – Coastal Carolina University Dan Goldman – East Carolina U

T. J. Baber – UNC Greensboro Kristen McDowell – Roanoke College

Ben Bruggeworth – Campbell University Caroline Muir – Roanoke College

Lenoir-Rhyne University Julia Muir – High Point University

Wofford College Adam Niner – UNC Charlotte

McKelvey Bump – Georgia Tech Jessi Stockinger – Roanoke College

Matt Crooker – Siena College Mattie Strickland – East Carolina University

Will Davis – College of Charleston Davis Tucker – Averett University

East Carolina University

UNC Wilmington

Jonathan DiIanni – Purdue University

Betty Flythe, College Placement Advisor

12

Healthful Hints from the School Nurse

The Health Room can be a fun place. There are always a few giggles that are worth sharing

by this time of the year and I want to share one or two.

A Lower School student came into my office this fall and complained that his feet hurt. I asked

him to sit down and take off his shoes so I could look at his feet. When he did, approximately

1/2 cup of sand poured out of each shoe. His feet looked fine so we put the shoes back on

and he said, "That feels better."

A second grader came to me because he had an earache. I asked him, "Which ear is it?" and

he replied, "2011." We WILL check his hearing in January.

Last year I had a Lower School student come into the health room with a scant nose bleed

and cleaned him up, applied some Vaseline to the outside of his nostrils due to them looking

chapped. Later that day when school was out I received a call from his mom and she said

that "Johnny" came home and told her I had put gasoline in his nose…we laughed together…

oh the things children say!!!

I want to also list a few things that I have learned from my students over the years and some

things that my students have learned.

Rub hand sanitizer on your hands for 20 seconds; don’t just coat your hands.♥ Don’t stick your

finger in your eye after applying hand sanitizer.♥ Sometimes you just need a little break in your

day.♥ Feeling cold may mean you really have a fever.♥ Not all sore throats are strep throats.♥

Eat a good breakfast.♥ If you don’t eat a good breakfast, you can get a headache before

lunch.♥ If you get a headache before lunch because you didn’t eat breakfast, you can go to

the nurse’s office and she will usually give you a little snack. ♥ Be nice.♥ Love others.♥ There are

actually different kinds of smart.♥ Don’t put things in your nose, especially your fingers.♥ Wash

your hands.♥ Pinch your nose if you have a bloody nose.♥ Legos do fit inside a first grader’s

nostril.♥ An ice pack can solve many problems.♥ Give, give, give, serve, serve, serve.♥ Always

wear your seatbelt.♥ Don’t quit until you find the answer.♥ The zig zag path of the characters in

Family Circus continues into Upper School - boys excused to go to the bathroom from math

class will dawdle on their way back up the hallway, stopping at the water fountain, looking in

classrooms to see if they know anyone in that class, then the next class, then the next class.♥

Bringing a friend with you to the nurse’s office is a trend that continues through Upper School.♥

There are actually different types of beautiful.♥ If you twirl around 20 times on the playground

you will throw up.♥ Rainbow sandals do not give toes protection when confronted with heavy

doors.♥ Pretty high heeled shoes give you blisters.♥ Most Upper School students will come to

school sick if they have a test that day.♥ Sometimes you have to take the test before you are

finished studying.♥ A hug goes a long way.♥ If your mom gives you Tylenol for a fever in the

morning and says you can still come to school, you can’t.♥ If you threw up all night and into

13

the morning and your mom says you can come to school, you can’t.♥ Be caring.♥ If you are

near a bathroom and you hear the toilet flush, then hear “Uh oh,” it’s never a good sign. ♥You

really can laugh until you cry.♥ If your boyfriend broke up with you during 2nd period study

hall, you can go to the health room and decompress.♥ Middle schoolers are genuinely funny -

not necessarily cute funny or sweet funny, but funny funny.♥ If you think you broke your hand in

last night’s game but you had the “tough act” on, you can go to the health room the next

day for ice and an opinion.♥ The health office always has music playing.♥ The school nurse will

always LOVE her students even if they are at their WEAKEST moments.♥ Sometimes a bottle of

water works better for a cough than a cough drop.♥ Band-aids come in 100 different sizes.♥

This is a good place to grow up.♥ A nurse understands what a child does not say.♥

Thank you for sharing your children with me!

Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year!

If you have any questions, please call me at school (ext. 288) or at home (336) 769-9669.

Beth Kennedy, Director of Health Services