THE heraldVOLUME 6, ISSUE 2, FALL 2019

FALL PLANTING: GRANDPARENTS AND SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGEby Dr. Ann McLean

“While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

This fall our students have had several opportunities to explore agriculture and marvel at some extraordinary gardens. Thanks to some dedicated grandparents, they even got to create their own! At our “Field Day of the Past” field trip in September, students saw lumber being sawn into planks, corn being ground off the cob, agricultural products such as cotton, tobacco and sorghum being processed. On October 1st, Hunter students traveled to Charlottesville, to visit the home of Thomas Jefferson, “Monticello”. Students walked along “Mulberry Row” and saw our founder's neatly organized beds of squash, cabbage, peas and other vegetables, as well as the lovely flower garden and fish pond. Finally, on November 20th, our students were able to do their own gardening thanks to the newly formed Grandparents Club.

The culmination of much planning by Bank and Sue Greene (grandparents of Rebecca, 3rd, and Jack, 1st), the Grandparents Club came to fruition to benefit HCCS. Several Grandparents met in October on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Greene’s home to discuss ideas for enhancing our school through experience, and sharing knowledge of crafts and skills accumulated over a life-time. Helping to beautify the grounds of DBC/HCCS was one of the most well-received ideas proposed. All agreed that getting the students outside to plant was a terrific way to show our gratitude to Dover.

Bank Greene’s leadership was invaluable as he reached out to invite local grandparents, purchased mothballs (the secret ingredient for success in planting pansies) and hundreds of bulbs, primarily tulip and narcissus, which will beautify the grounds this spring. He brought trowels and equipment and supervised the planting of bulbs in the beds beside the education building. Melody Gordon's (2nd) grandfather, Mr. Jean Eyrolles, was also instrumental to the success of the gardening project. He purchased pansies and rich potting soil, provided shovels and other tools and coordinated the best place to plant the flowers with Dover’s exterior committee.

The flats of purple, yellow and white pansies went into the ground on a warm and sunny Wednesday afternoon. Linda Cosier (Everett Clarke, K) and Jerry Stevenson ( J.J., 2nd, and Hartwell Wolfson, K) joined Bank and Jean to help supervise all grade levels in planting. These dedicated grandparents divided students into two groups, one for planting bulbs in front of the education building, and one for planting pansies along the breezeway. Mr. Eyrolles tilled the soil next to the breezeway, assisted by students with hoes and shovels; and Mr. Greene tackled the bulb-planting. Continued >

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Continued from page 1 > Rebecca Greene and her brother Jack, as well as other students placed bulbs the right side up, and showed classmates how to dig the proper depth and cover the bulbs appropriately. Grandparents guided the children on best planting techniques. Students rolled their sleeves up, listened, helped one another, and eventually all the bulbs and pansies were placed in their proper places, covered with rich soil. Jean Eyrolles watered the pansies; Bank Greene worked until almost every blub was planted. What a feeling of satisfaction!

Just like the seeds of learning which our teachers sow into the hearts and minds of student in their classrooms, patient effort will ultimately bear “fruit” to the benefit of the community. The stuff needed for gardens — hard work, patience, planning, diligence and prayer — has many corollaries for academic learning in the classroom. How blessed HCCS is to have a new group to support our learning: loving family members who give of themselves to help the eventual harvest be rich and bountiful. Those who plant the seeds of learning may not see the immediate fruit of their labor, but they know with the proper tending, all will benefit. That takes trust as well! The cultivation of learning and generous giving are celebrated daily at our school. H

“The Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him” (Gen. 26:12)

HCCS WELCOMES SPECIAL GUESTS — LT. COL. GARDNER & MRS. SUE GREENEHCCS invited Lt. Col. Victor Montgomery “Corky” Gardner, to speak at Chapel on Veteran's Day, November 11th. Lt. Col. Gardner taught the students about the origin of America's Armistice Day, the day the peace treaty was signed to end World War I, and how eventually President Eisenhower changed the celebration of Armistice Day to include all veterans of all wars, giving us the day we celebrate as Veteran’s Day on November 11th. Lt. Col. Gardner, a Naval Academy graduate who served in the Marine Corps, had the distinction of flying American Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush all over the nation as a helicopter pilot. His skill, good judgment and dependability was evident as he answered questions from students on topics ranging from the invasion of Normandy in WWII, to “what is the Purple Heart?”, to coaching the Navy football team and teaching Ethics at the Naval Academy. Thank you, Lt. Col. Gardner for coming to visit and for your great service to our country!

Mrs. Stein invited a special guest to share experience in the field of chemistry and chemical research: Mrs. Sue Greene. Mrs. Greene, grandmother of Rebecca and Jack Greene, and wife of Bank Greene, taught school and worked in chemical research for many years. She has recently tutored upper level Math and Science to high school students. Early in November, she visited the third graders to give a lesson on polymers using colorful paper clips to demonstrate the linking of the structure of molecules. She plans to return for a junior-version of this lesson for the second grade. Thank you, Mrs. Greene! H

HCCS CHESS CLUB Mr. Ken Willoughby of Championship Chess has thoroughly enjoyed teaching the HCCS Fall Chess Club, which has met the past seven Tuesday afternoons from 3:15 pm until 4:15 pm in Heritage Hall. Hunter students participating in Chess are: Tucker Burgess, Liberty Gibbs, Olivia Royall, Liam Michalski, Peter Schmalzbach, Lincoln Seredni and Joe Schmalzbach. Chess strategy, proper movement of each piece, gamesmanship and sportsmanship are part of what Coach Ken worked on with the students.

FIELD DAY OF THE PAST

PARENT LEAGUE POP UP STOREBe sure to get your HCCS “swag”! There are four items available for purchase at the Lessons & Carol's Reception on Dec. 19th, (before if you contact Candice Royall and Kendall Wolfson): a navy embroidered baseball cap; a white “Corksicle”; a plastic cup; and a navy tote. H

LATIN PROJECTS FOR FALLby Magistra Bruce

Students in Latin completed their fall projects this past month with the 3rd graders producing a family tree using the Latin terms for their family members (pater – father; mater – mother). Each student designed a “tree” using any pattern they wished to illustrate their family. Some used bark on paper and some actually made a free-standing tree! The upper grades (4th – 7th) were digging into Roman architectural styles, specifically the innovations of the arch, dome and vault that the Romans used to create such beautiful works as the aqueducts (which still move water over vast distances), the gorgeous Pantheon in Rome and the catacombs under the cities of Rome and Paris. These Roman innovations enabled them to rule the known world not only militarily but also aesthetically. Students had to research the process of each innovation and describe and then construct an example of the innovation of their choice. One dome was even edible! A great time was had by all as we study how Latin impacts our modern world in both language and design. H

STUDIO ART Ms. Berry has been bringing vibrant pastel pumpkins and multicolor Fall leaves, as well as color wheel turtles, and pinwheels to the HCCS Hallway gallery. More is soon to come: the secret skill of gridding to ensure proportions are correct will be applied to Toy Soldiers and stained glass Christmas scenes of the Christ Child and manger scenes. H

NEW BOARD MEMBERS ASSIST WITH “CARDS FOR A CAUSE”

Mr. Mike Brady and Mr. Chris Greene, both fathers of Hunter students, have joined the Board of Directors since the summer. Both gentlemen

bring specific expertise as well as a spirit of cooperation to the governing of HCCS. Mr. Brady's legal training from Liberty University and the University of Texas, and his practice at McGuire Woods law firm assists the Board with regulatory matters. Mr. Greene’s background in Economics at the University of Virginia, his teaching at Blair Academy, his upbringing as the son of a Head of School, and his career as an entrepreneur/small business owner provide important skills to the school as well. Both men joined forces with Doug Albertson, Frank Bell and Jonathan Wolfson, to lead the “Cards for a Cause” fundraiser (“friend-raiser”) at the Commonwealth Club on November 9th. The evening was a great success thanks to the efforts of many. Former Hunter P.E. instructor Mark Busser rallied his coterie of card dealers to the delight of over 20% more attendees than last year. Great work, gentlemen! H

MUSIC Mr. Taulbee has been working hard on Lesson & Carols, as well as exposing students to rhythm, percussion and guitar. The Hunter students will once again share their Lesson & Carols program with the residents of Cedarfield on Thursday, December 12th. Be sure to attend our service of Lessons & Carols on December 19th at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary.

ET CETERAHCCS BASKETBALL TEAMAn opportunity exists for interested 2nd - 5th graders to form our first Basketball Team. Games would be played Thursdays3:30-4:45pm in January and Febru-ary. Details to follow. Stay tuned! HARVEST HELPERS CANNED FOOD DRIVE AND CHAPELWed. Nov. 27th, Sanctuary, 10:45am, followed by Luncheon at 11:30am. Dress Uniform for students. Father Bart Gingerich of St. Jude's Anglican Chruch will be leading the service of Thanksgiving and canned good donations. THANKSGIVING BREAKWed. Nov. 27 - Monday, Dec. 2nd, school resumes. GREENERY ORDERSChristmas wreathes and garlandswill be delivered to campus, Dec. 4th. CEDARFIELD MUSIC CONCERTDec. 12th at 11am. All students will perform for the residents of the Hermitage at Cedarfield. Dress uniform required. LESSONS & CAROLS CONCERTDecember 19th at 9:00am in the Sanctuary. Traditional Christmas Reception in Heritage Hall following. Dismissal for Christmas Break. "POP-UP" STOREPurchase handsome Hunter gear from the Parents League. Sold at the Harvest Helpers Luncheon and Lessons & Carols Reception onDec. 19th. Great Christmas gifts! PARENT CHRISTMAS PARTYRachel and Adam Grossman are hosting a cocktail party for HCCS parents in their home Thursday, December 19th, 7pm - 10:30pm. Rejoice!

Hunter Classical Christian School’s mission is to challenge the mind, nourish the spirit, and develop the whole child in an atmosphere guided by Judeo-Christian principles.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Kendall Wolfson, Board Chair; Frank Bell, Vice-Chair; Doug Albertson; Wayne Hast; Mike Brady; Chris Greene;Ann H. McLean, Ph.D. Head of School The Herald Newsletter is a bi-annual publication.

Hunter Classical Christian School accepts qualified students without regard to race, color and national or ethnic origin.

FULFILLING OUR MISSIONThe HCCS faculty has been busy in many ways fulfilling their mission to “challenge the mind, nourish the spirit, and develop the whole child in an atmosphere guided by Judeo-Christian principles.” As part of this mission, the Homeroom teachers administered the first of three DIBELS reading assessments across all grade levels on Monday, November 25th. Teachers are assessing students’ phonemic awareness, reading comprehension and oral reading fluency. These tests will measure progress throughout the year and will be administered again in February and May. In the area of professional development, the Faculty will be reading Vigen Guroin’s Tending the Heart of Virtue; How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination (Oxford University Press, 1998). H

JOE LASSER ON JUDEO-CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAThis fall, it has been a treat to hear on a weekly basis from a new friend to Hunter, Mr. Joe Lasser. Joe presents Tuesday’s Chapel which is centered on our nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage. Topics covered have included Christian symbolism appearing on both sides of the $1 bill; the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and the Christian faith of this recently maligned explorer; and the first Thanksgiving which took place in Virginia — at Berkeley Hundred, a Plantation on the James River. Joe engages his audience with stories of adventure, and asks thought-provoking questions. He seasons his talks with reverence for our Creator and typically concludes his chapels with prayer. Joe has gifted the school two new Bibles, one for the girls (purple leather cover) and one for the boys (brown leather.) What is Joe's background? In his own words, Joe writes: “Originally from Chicago, I moved to Virginia in 1992, and I recently sailed into retirement from a 41-year career with insurance claims. I attend Dover Baptist Church where I became friends with the staff of Hunter Classical Christian School. It was their dedicated commitment to the children at HCCS that was clearly evident to me from the beginning. I quickly observed their excellence in setting high standards and morals that are exemplified daily. My goal is to follow these principles as I share with the students our fundamentals in the Judeo-Christian American Heritage History.” As always, parents and grandparents are invited to attend our 8:30am daily chapels, and are especially welcome for Friday's student Recitations. H