<p>The internet also shuts off at 12, so it’s not really possible to stay up all night on facebook.</p>
<p>Most other BS approach the freedom with responsibility over time, i.e. freshman have to study hall and lights out, but over the years at school some of those loosen up into more freedoms as long as they are responsible. Safety nets and guided help sound good, but it’s better not to get to a point where a teen is in that position in the first case. I would rather know that my D/S isn’t down a path of skipping classes EVER, as opposed to the school gives support if they trip up as a result of this. BTW, one could argue that SPS picks the kids who are best able to handle it, but this is not college aged kids–these are young teens still being molded. Yikes.</p>
<p>Kids can skip classes at ALL schools and do. There are consequences at SPS as there are at other schools, as stated by sailor_chica and others. SPS does not have the monopoly on kids sleeping through first period, etc.</p>
<p>* “Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.” * …Booker T. Washington</p>
<p>* “People think responsibility is hard to bear. It’s not. I think that sometimes it is the absence of responsibility that is harder to bear. You have a great feeling of impotence.” * …Henry Kissinger</p>
<p>You don’t really need much freedom to skip a class, you just dont go. SPS doesn’t give you freedom to skip classes.</p>
<p>mpizc, so how has the year been? Is it what you expected?</p>
<p>its been great, pretty much what I expected. Hate the school sometimes love it most of the time. Cant wait for spring break though</p>
<p>is spring break on friday march 5 for sps too? i know it is for pea and nmh…</p>
<p>Stay tuned tomorrow morning.</p>
<p>One reason why SPS beats all the other boarding schools–today in Chapel someone had left tons of candy on every chapel seat. No one knows who it is, but it was a fun surprise. :)</p>
<p>My daughter called to tell me about the candy. She thought it was cool. Winterset, is there a chance the bus will be pulling into Fairfield Saturday???</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me what time of day SPS posted admissions results last year?</p>
<p>Despite saying it will be posted by 3 pm, i think they do it much earlier. A couple years ago, my child’s notification was posted a few minutes after midnight. </p>
<p>Nice treat with the candy!</p>
<p>Winterset, you can be such a tease! ;)</p>
<p>Rad - SPS Spring Break starts 6am March 7.</p>
<p>Sorry, I was busy last night Rad, but Sarum covered it. If you want the full calender for next year, it is here: <a href=“https://www.sps.edu/ftpimages/36/download/Calendar%20Card%201011_%20rev2-10.pdf[/url]”>https://www.sps.edu/ftpimages/36/download/Calendar%20Card%201011_%20rev2-10.pdf</a>.</p>
<p>On decision times, you might want to look at this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/869968-can-someone-help-me-.html#post1064194586[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/869968-can-someone-help-me-.html#post1064194586</a> I posted a list of when people posted results last year (#29) for lots of schools including SPS. That is not the earliest some may have received results, or when they were suppose to, just when I saw their posting come up. Okay? It looked like about 6am. But see Creative’s post, maybe it will be earlier. One of us can ask the school if you want. </p>
<p>Sk8: “Saturday Fairfield”? Not sure I understand. The bus schedule was in yesterday morning’s reports. Should be Sunday. It stops in Hartford and Greenwich. I don’t think it stops in Fairfield, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Bus schedule (<a href=“https://www.sps.edu/ftpimages/36/download/Student%20Travel%202009-10.pdf[/url]”>https://www.sps.edu/ftpimages/36/download/Student%20Travel%202009-10.pdf</a>). How stupid of me. YES the Conn. bus does stop in Fairfield ( E. Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, and Greenwich). Sorry.</p>
<p>I imagine this is what Winterset was alluding to last night. Major, Major bummer. 
Mr. Matthews and his wife, Marcia, are amazing people.</p>
<p>AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE RECTOR</p>
<p>Dear Members of the St. Paul’s School Family, </p>
<p>In 1966, when I was hired at St. Paul’s School as a 23-year-old classics teacher, I was aware that a stroke of great fortune had come my way. But only with the passing of years did I come to realize just how lucky I was. The reason, of course, was the friendship, support, and exceptional character of the men and women, adults and teenagers who worked, played, and prayed together in this very magical place, and of the alumni and parents who care for this School. When I spoke in Chapel this morning about my retirement in 2011, it was with the full knowledge that leaving St. Paul’s will likely be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.</p>
<p>But the time will be right. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together in the five years I have served as Rector. And I look forward eagerly to the next year and a half – with all the challenge and promise these months will hold. I intend to continue giving this School my full attention, energy, and love. It is good for a school like this to renew its leadership from time to time, and although I feel I still have much to give to this place I love, I want to welcome a new Rector to St. Paul’s School knowing that I have done all I can, up to the last day, to fulfill the responsibilities of this office and to leave the School in its rightful place of leadership in independent secondary education.</p>
<p>For Marcia and me, this has been home for the better part of our lives, and I don’t think we can fully anticipate the difficulty of leaving so many friends and colleagues, even as close as we will be, up the road in Maine. What I think I am most proud of in my years as Rector is the renewed emphasis on leadership through service that I have tried to encourage among our students. In that spirit, bot h Marcia and I intend to devote our time in retirement not only to our family, but also in doing our part to serve the community where we live and other causes that have drawn our attention and affection over the years.</p>
<p>To the SPS Board of Trustees and its presidents, Douglas Schloss and the late Jim Robbins, I will always be grateful for allowing me this opportunity to serve as Rector and for their tireless support and collaboration.</p>
<p>Marcia and I will remain close friends of St. Paul’s School, and of the many who live and work here. But for now, much remains to be done, and I look forward enthusiastically to serving the School I love in the months ahead.</p>
<p>Very truly yours,
Bill Matthews '61</p>
<p>No allusion. I was saying I did not have time to answer the various questions in postings and PM’s about spring break, the calendar, buses and admissions notifications, FwR, etc. and that I would do it in the morning. So I did it 1st thing this morning.</p>
<p>FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES</p>
<p>To the St. Paul’s School Family, </p>
<p>The phrase “the right man for the job” was never more appropriate than when Bill Matthews accepted the role of Rector of St. Paul’s School in 2005. Now, five years later, St. Paul’s is stronger and more vital than ever because he was willing to serve.</p>
<p>In his years of exemplary leadership, with Marcia at his side, Bill has done more than anyone else to define the character of this institution for the twenty-first century and to reunite the SPS family after a period of struggle and uncertainty. Bill has been our moral anchor, with an influence that extends throughout our community. His is a highly ethical approach to decision-making. I and other Trustees have frequently sought his counsel over the years, and his answer is invariably about the right thing to do, rather than the easy thing.
In a spirit of openness, Bill has led the School in adopting and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan. He has strengthened our commitment to environmental responsibility and diversity and has tirelessly promoted the value of student service. During his tenure, the School has become even more aware of, and responsive to, its place in the global community. While his heart is always on the grounds with the students, he has traveled widely to build support for the School. He was a driving force in the recent campaign to plan for and fund our new mathematics and science center, and was, in his unassuming way, a major reason for its success.</p>
<p>Bill and Marcia Matthews will be missed by us all. Personally, it has been a great pleasure for me to work with Bill and his incomparable partner; I sleep better knowing that they are watching over the St. Paul’s family.</p>
<p>Drawing on the broad wisdom of this community, however, we will find and appoint a new Rector of St. Paul’s School with the experience, wisdom, and moral compass to lead this remarkable institution.</p>
<p>Jim Frates ´85, president of the Alumni Association, has agreed to chair a search committee, whose work has already begun. James Houghton ´82 and the Reverend Peter Cheney will serve as vice chairs. The search will be very broad and as transparent as possible, inviting input from the entire St. Paul’s community. Jim will have more details to share in the coming weeks. We expect to welcome a new Rector before the start of the 2011-12 School year.</p>
<p>While Bill’s retirement is a great loss for the School, it is also an opportunity to celebrate his years of remarkable service and to dedicate our energies to finding a worthy successor.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
Douglas Schloss '77</p>
<p>Wow, that was a surprise. Wish they were staying for another three years.</p>