The Program
Our speaker, Jennifer Warren, J.D., is associate head of The Hague School, a new college preparatory high school located in the old Unitarian Church in Norfolk, adjacent to the Chrysler Museum of Art. A co-founder with her husband, Paul, and Headmaster Michael Spencer, she told us that the school – which opens this fall – will be a small one with a focused mission, personalized instruction, and unique student opportunities.
Specifically, The Hague School will enroll just 24 students per grade, in two sections of twelve students each. Grades 11-12 will offer an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and students will receive instruction in a conference-style environment where they are seated not in desks, but rather around tables to stimulate greater student engagement. Jennifer says this method improves:
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Interpersonal Skills
What’s more, Jennifer promoted The Hague School as one of only four schools nationwide that will offer both an International Baccalaureate Program and conference-style teaching. In addition, the school will leverage nearby community assets such as the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Nauticus, NOAA, and the Chrysler Museum of Art to augment instruction. Among its many goals, she says, the school seeks to promote deeper thinking, not just identifying the “what,” but also the “how” and “why” regarding any given topic.
The Meeting
There was a rousing start, with Rotarians singing Happy Days are Here Again and God Bless America, led by John Cameron with President Pam on the piano. Jim Baker led us in a thoughtful invocation. After we recited the pledge of allegiance and Four-Way Test, Joe New presented the visitation report, featuring an update on Bob Latimer. Bob is still laying low at home and experiencing some difficulty with speech and breathing. Joe assured us, however, that Bob would love to see anyone who would like to come by and visit.
Ed Ware and Jeff Wells received their blue badges.
Pres Pam announced that the meeting would conclude a bit earlier than usual, to accommodate those wishing to attend Martha Lee McCoy's funeral at Christ & St. Luke's, which would be starting at 1:30.
Bill Moore used the Rotary Minute to bring us up to date on the William A. Hunton YMCA kitchen renovation project. Optimistic about receiving $25,000 in District Designated Funds from RD7600, Bill said we already have the $500 "ante" from each of the five area clubs engaged in the project. Noting the generosity of a few in our club with gratitude, Bill encouraged more, saying that we still need approximately $7,000 more in donations to cover the projected $35,000 renovation budget.
Introduction of Guests:
- John Cameron introduced his first-born son, J.B., who will be joining him soon on a trip to Mongolia to visit his second-born son.
- Pam Tubbs hosted her Navy shipmate, Ann Stencil.
- Jeff Wells was joined by his wife, Sherri.
- Jim Sell brought his wife, Ellen.
Happy Bucks:
- Pam Tubbs – $100 in gratitude for her year as president; she earmarked the happy bucks for the YMCA project.
- Lorna Cochrane – for her birthday, the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA title, and as an expression of gratitude for the club sending her to Rotary’s International Conference. She says she has never been prouder to be a Rotarian!
- Gary Boswick – $20 for the great job Pam Tubbs did as president.
- Jay Kossman – an end-of-Rotary-year donation, and in anticipation of missing a number of meetings due to his planned shoulder surgery.
- Jack Frost – for his 87th birthday and his 62nd wedding anniversary.
- Jos Hekking – fond farewell bucks as his military duties at NATO are concluding, and his family is returning to the Netherlands.
The Drawing
Tom Ambler drew the winning ticket from the drawing, but not the winning card, so the pot continues to grow.
