DS had follow up visit with doctor today. Incisions look great and knee’s healing is off to a good start. Doctor reiterated DS is to be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. So getting around campus will continue to be a challenge. Still 4-6 month recovery. Uggg.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, DS was elected/appointed as the 2016-17 Head Monitor. We are thrilled for him. However with this opportunity comes great responsibility. Next year is a transition year; end of a era with Headmaster Hershey, and the start of a new era with Headmaster Stilwell. Since seniors are away from campus on a month-long externship, the junior class is already practicing its leadership. DS is already addressing the school community and must sit next to the Headmaster in Chapel (3x/week). NO MORE GOOFING OFF! With DS’s appointment, I thought it was a good time to review the leadership opportunities that exist at EHS.
Unlike some schools, EHS does not have a traditional form of student government. There isn’t a President, VP, Treasurer, etc. of the class or student body. Instead EHS emphasizes leadership skills in all areas of student life. Student leadership has become a tradition at Episcopal that engages students at many levels, including formal opportunities, such as the Monitor System, the Honor Committee, and the Vestry, as well as multiple other roles where students can serve in a variety of student-run organizations.
Regardless of whether you serve in an elected or volunteer leadership position, EHS requires all students to participate in their Leadership and Ethics program. The L&E program is designed to support the final words of Episcopal’s mission statement:
“Episcopal strives to prepare young people to become discerning individuals with the intellectual and moral courage to lead principled lives of leadership and service to others.”
Through its curriculum, the Leadership and Ethics Program deepens the students’ understanding of the many facets of leadership and helps them develop an ethical foundation for making important decisions. While many students serve the community through elected leadership positions, all students are introduced to the concept of servant leadership, which presents daily opportunities to positively affect the world around them.
Freshman and sophomore workshops focus on developing the students’ understanding of what it means to live in a community as a responsible, empathetic, and productive citizen; the EHS Honor Code is a cornerstone theme in these discussions. Juniors and seniors devote their time and energy to developing the skills required to effectively lead teams of peers, learning how to make difficult ethical choices, and analyzing the many national and world leaders they are exposed to through the EHS Washington Program.
Each fall during opening weekend, about 70 student leaders gather for a leadership training retreat to receive formal training in skills such as team-building, communication, empathy, and mediation. The weekend concludes with each leadership group presenting its mission statements and goals for the year.
Here is a brief review of the major student led committees/councils which offer students a chance to affect and shape the EHS campus community.
**Activities Committee **- The student Activities Committee is a team of EHS students that work together, in conjunction with the full faculty activities committee, to plan and orchestrate various social activities that meet the needs and desires of our diverse population of students.
Cheerleaders - The EHS Cheerleaders promote pride through tradition. They strive to inspire students to encourage and support others on and off the field. The cheerleaders lead by example and create a legacy through positive actions. The Head Monitor is automatically a cheerleader.
Community Council - The Community Council is a student-driven organization dedicated to improving the student experience by acting as a liaison between the student body and administration and providing bonding opportunities for the entire community.
Discipline Committee - The Discipline Committee hears cases when a major school rule has been broken. Students work with the faculty advisors on the committee to help understand the facts of the case and to decide on a suitable consequence, which can range from restriction to dismissal.
Head Tour Guides - Each year, rising seniors may apply to become admissions Head Tour Guides. Seniors are then selected by an admissions committee to hold these leadership positions. Head Tour Guides are responsible for greeting families on move-in day, sending out tour requests, confirming tour guides on a daily basis, giving weekly tours, assisting with open house and revisit days, and giving Saturday tours to prospective families and alumni.
Honor Committee - The Honor Committee, which is composed of seven elected students and four appointed faculty members, promotes understanding of the Code and manages individual violations. EHS’s Honor Code is one of the oldest in secondary schools and reads:
“I WILL NOT LIE. I WILL NOT CHEAT. I WILL NOT STEAL. I WILL REPORT THE STUDENT WHO DOES.”
Monitors - On the basis of student and faculty nominations and an application process, the Headmaster appoints a number of seniors to be Monitors of the School. The group then nominates one to be the Head Monitor and two or more to be Senior Monitors. These students are expected to lead the rest of the student body “by precept and example,” and are also expected to help the faculty uphold school rules. To be appointed a Monitor is a mark of respect by the community, and the manner in which the Monitors carry out their dormitory and school-wide responsibilities affect the tone of the School.
Service Council - The Service Council facilitates and coordinates service opportunities for students. The council finds ways to reach out to both domestic and international communities and provides financial support to maintain lasting partnerships. In doing so, they challenge the student body to get involved and share in the joy of service.
Spectrum - Spectrum is a group of dedicated students who educate the EHS community and explore different viewpoints in order to broaden the collective horizon. The group strives to acknowledge and celebrate individuality. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, Episcopal finds strength in its differences. Spectrum values the radiance of each individual’s unique qualities and characteristics that collectively shine as one beautiful spectrum.