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Arts and Athletics
Geoffrey C. Butler
Interim Headmaster
One of the ways we describe the Holland Hall experience is with the slogan of the four A’s: academics, arts, athletics and atmosphere. As a college preparatory school, the academic preparation is paramount. At the same time, the artistic and athletic dimensions to each student’s education are enormously important. The arts and athletics are not competitors to academics, but pursuits that provide additional enrichment and discovery. While many public and independent schools provide offerings in the arts and athletics, a relatively small portion of the students really have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in both programs. At Holland Hall, we believe that every student needs the opportunity to develop his or her artistic senses and each student should experience the challenges of athletic competition.
Through creating art, singing or playing music, acting on stage and dance, boys and girls grow in the creative process, which is a critical component in intellectual development. Many of the artistic endeavors require working cooperatively in ensemble performance. While developing individual talent is valuable, students must also learn the importance of collaboration in order to create a first-rate performance. As they develop their talent, they also grow in confidence and self-knowledge. Anyone who has seen the marvelous performances and displays of our students can testify to the level of proficiency and pride that their work exhibits. And unlike many schools, our students are not typed as artist or athletes. They all have the opportunity to do both, and many do. In fact one of our challenges is to create schedules that will enable those who want to “do it all” that opportunity as much as possible.
Athletics have an equally important role in the Holland Hall education. The benefits of team sports are many. The development of and need for teamwork is not just a cliché. The observation that “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton,” while an overstatement, does make the point that teamwork and leadership fostered in a competitive arena are valuable. The trend in education to create more cooperative learning environments is not new. There is very little in life that any of us can achieve alone. Both the ensemble experience in the arts and the need for teamwork in sports provide that important opportunity. Boys and girls learn that it often takes different talents and skills coming together to achieve success both on the field and the stage.
Both sports and the arts require individual discipline. Each individual has a responsibility to the team or the orchestra, chorus or acting company to give his or her best effort. No performer, artist or athlete can fully develop without perseverance over time.
Over the 44 years that I have spent in independent schools, I have had the joy of watching countless numbers of boys and girls grow in confidence and ability through their involvement in arts and athletics. It is also reassuring to see the way that they learn to appreciate each other’s talents and support their peers in their endeavors. Frankly the best part of any day or week is when I get to watch our students at all levels compete and perform.
The worth of a Holland Hall education cannot be measured by test scores or college placement alone, though those are important. It must be measured by all the experiences that contribute to each boy’s and girl’s individual development that provide a real foundation for life-long learning.
How We Raise and Educate our Children: What’s in the News
Dennis L. Calkins
Head of the Upper School
As we turned the page from 2010 to 2011, parents and educators in the U. S. have been bombarded with issues that have sparked conversation and debate across the country. Much of what we might believe about how we raise and educate our children has been called into question by concerned parents, educators, writers and columnists. Let me briefly describe three of those issues. READ MORE>>
A Great Time to be a Middle School Student
Joel Bicknell
Head of Middle School
I’ve spent a lot of time this year talking about the value of a Holland Hall education, specifically a Holland Hall Middle School education. While we do point to the mission of the school and the practices that reinforce that mission as indicators of that value, you throw a spotlight on the value proposition when you consider the curricular and co-curricular activities our students engage in throughout the Middle School. READ MORE>>
Heart Healthy, Happy Bodies, Boosted Brainpower
Jo-An Vargo
Head of Primary School
It’s so important to encourage an active lifestyle and foster an appreciation for fitness at an early age. Our preschool and primary grade physical education activities provide our young students with opportunities to develop a wide range of aerobic activities, specific skills for various athletic activities, increase endurance and oxygenate our brain cells. Therefore, our regular physical education program helps our students learn at their optimum level in all academic areas. READ MORE>>
It's Book Fair Time! Volunteers Needed!
Holland Hall's 51st Book Fair is coming up fast on February 26 and we need volunteers. If you are interested, please fill out the online form here:
http://www.hollandhall.org/invest/fundraisingevents/book-fair/volunteer-opportunities/
Shift Opportunities:
Wed. Feb. 23 thru Fri. Feb. 25: Book Fair Set-up
Anytime between 8:00 am to 3:00 pm all three days (lunch served)
Saturday, Feb. 26th:
Shift A: 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Shift B: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Shift C: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
All Day: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
HOLLAND HALL BOOK FAIR JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Book Hold - Watch over unpurchased books
Purchase Hold - Watch over purchased books while customers continue to shop
Multimedia Tidier - Tidy up the multimedia
Book Straightener - Tidy up the tables
Cashier - Count/Total purchases
Children's Books - Tidy up the tables
Games / Animals - Keep area neat
Marshal - Direct foot traffic; answer questions; take admission at entry
Porter - Help patrons to carry purchase to car; help marshals
Rare Books - Assist in sale of rare book
Volunteers may work any or all shifts. Lunch and snacks are provided for workers. If a volunteer does not specify a job and/or time, he/she will be assigned to the areas of greatest need.
Book Fair Preview Party: RSVP Online!
The Holland Hall community members and friends who love books are invited to this special pre-sale event, allowing you to browse the sale before the general public. The event features hors d'oeuvres and adult beverages.
Book Fair Preview Party
Friday, February 25, 2011
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
$25 per person. Book limit of 25 per person. Reservation required. Must be 21 years or older.
To register online for the Preview Party CLICK HERE or contact Erin Yancy at 879-4738 or eyancy@hollandhall.org
51st Holland Hall Book Fair
The 51st Holland Hall Book Fair will be Saturday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This Holland Hall tradition attracts thousands from Tulsa and the surrounding region. It features tens of thousands of used books with a huge selection of rare books, children’s books, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, CDs, videos and DVDs.
The fair will be in the Middle School building on the Holland Hall campus at 5666 E. 81st Street, between Yale and Sheridan. Admission is $1 per adult, children are free.
Preparations for the Book Fair are ongoing throughout the year, with volunteers spending long hours sorting, labeling and pricing items for the sale. Over 200 volunteers are on hand the day of the event to assist with sales.
For more information about the Book Fair, please call 918-481-1111 or visit www.hollandhall.org.
An Evening with the Deans
This year's Deans’ Night on Monday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hollimon Gallery, brings together two highly regarded Deans of Admission. Dr. Kathryn Napper with George Washington University is certainly an expert on her school as she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees there. George Washington is an annual favorite of Holland Hall students as is Indiana University, which will be represented by Mary Ellen Anderson. Ms. Anderson, likewise, received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Indiana University where she now heads the admission office. Both ladies bring with them a wealth of information about their specific institutions as well as good advice for the college selection process in general. We look forward to a great evening of questions and answers with these two fantastic deans. Please plan to attend.
Students will participate in sessions with the Deans during the school day. Parents are invited to the evening session. Refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP via e-mail to lvance@hollandhall.org
Annual Fund Grade Challenge
It’s time once again for the Annual Fund Grade Challenge! The 2010-2011 Annual Fund campaign is going very well but we need everyone’s participation to make it a complete success. Gifts to the Annual Fund ensure that Holland Hall continues to provide the most challenging, inspiring and life-changing educational experience available anywhere.
The goal for parent participation this year is 75%. Giving percentages for each grade will be calculated throughout the campaign and the winning grades in each division rewarded with a worthwhile prize in the spring. Winners last year were 2nd Grade (Class of 2020), 5th Grade (2017) and 9th Grade (2013). Can they be beat this year? Already two classes have pulled away from the pack.
Percentage of parents who have given to Annual Fund 2010-2011
Grade 2: 65%
Grade 7: 65%
Grade 3: 63%
Grade 6: 61%
Grade 5: 56%
Grade 9: 55%
Grade 4: 53%
Jr K/Kindergarten: 50%
Grade 8: 50%
Grade 11: 49%
Preschool: 43%
Grade 10: 40%
Grade 12: 38%
Grade 1: 36%
Overall Parent Giving: 48%
Charitable foundations and grant givers consider parent support of Annual Fund when deciding whether to support Holland Hall with a gift. A gift of any size makes a difference…a $50 gift moves the percentage needle just as much as one ten times the size. If you haven’t already made a donation to Annual Fund, please support the teachers, your children and all our students with a gift of a size that’s meaningful and appropriate for you. Our students are counting on you! Please click here to give . Please click here to pledge.
2011 Winter SPC Schedule
To view the latest information on Winter SPC athletics, CLICK HERE.