The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has recently developed Principles of Good Practice for Environmental Sustainability stating: Schools committed to environmental sustainability emphasize an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to fostering the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to build a sustainable world for present and future generations.
For almost a decade RPCS has continually pursued ways to increase and improve environmental sustainability. The School became a Maryland Green School in 2003 and a member of the Green Schools Alliance in 2008 at the Climate Steward Level. Since then, RPCS has been working to “reduce its carbon footprint over time” and has lowered its total greenhouse gas emissions by 10%. The RPCS Solarbration held last week was our tribute to Earth Day. We celebrated our partial conversion to solar energy and the importance of renewable energy in protecting our own health and the health of all living things. Students and employees alike participated in demonstrations and activities harnessing the power of solar energy.
NAIS has also developed Principles of Good Practice in Educating for Global Citizenship stating: Twenty-first century independent schools must prepare students to be knowledgeable, compassionate citizens and effective leaders within a rapidly transforming world. This objective requires an understanding of one’s own culture while extending well beyond the boundary of the nation where instruction occurs. RPCS is also committed to bringing unique learning opportunities to our students, and we are excited to announce three initiatives that will certainly prepare our girls for global learning beyond our walls: an international boarding program, an online learning opportunity and an eLine library option through our own RPCS Faissler Library!
RPCS is developing an international boarding option to bring Chinese students to our school who will enrich our student body in many ways as they gain the many benefits of an RPCS education. Applications have been steadily coming in, and Upper School Head Ereni Malfa, the Admissions staff and I have been holding Skype interviews with each candidate. We currently have 6 Upper School students from China who will attend RPCS in the fall: two girls each for ninth, tenth and eleventh grades. We have offered admission to two other tenth grade applicants, but as of today they have not made a decision. Because 6 to 8 international boarding students was always our goal for 2012-2013, we are not interviewing any additional students. However, I am really very pleased and excited about the Chinese students who will be attending RPCS in the fall. They are interesting, talented and seeking to broaden their own horizons! We are still working out the boarding logistics, but we do know that we will be seeking “friendship families” – RPCS families who would like to take this new students “under their wings.” If you would be interested in this opportunity, please let me know at your earliest convenience as we are already making plans to welcome these students as Roland Parkers.
While the international boarding program is a new initiative, for the past several years we have had a partnership with Landrat Lucas Gymnasium, a school in Germany. We host several German students each fall for a three week exchange. We also enroll two of their students, one for first and one for second semester. We are also in need of families who might like to host a student for a three week period or a semester. Please see the All-School News section for more details on this long-standing global RPCS program.
RPCS has recently joined the Online School for Girls, a group of over sixty girls’ schools from across the country who offer courses via the internet. In 2011-2012 girls from eighteen states, Australia, Korea, and China took high-quality online courses offered through the Online School for Girls. We are pleased to be part of this consortium.
Online education is the fastest growing segment of education today. More than one and a half million high school students and more than four million college students took an online course last school year as part of their curriculum at their face-to-face schools. We know that these numbers will only grow in the future as more and more schools and professions look to online education and training. Given the current numbers and additional research, it is a fair to make the assumption that all of our current high school students will at some point take a class online. This is one of the reasons that we are so pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to our students.
We also know that online education is particularly well suited to girls who are independent, motivated, and mature. Taking an online course requires the ability to manage time well and to stay on top of tasks. In addition, we hope that girls interested in taking courses will also be excited about the possibility of trying something new and meeting girls from around the world. The Online School for Girls offers a variety of courses that will engage and challenge your daughter. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Ereni Malfa, Upper School Head.
We are excited to announce the launch of the RPCS eLibrary - a new, free reading service providing digital books. The collection is an extension of the Middle and Upper School Faissler Library, providing 24/7 online access to audiobook and eBook downloads. It’s convenient for students to check out titles anytime, anywhere with no worry about misplacing a book or running up late fees - these digital titles automatically return at the end of the lending period.
To use the RPCS eLibrary, students install free software on their tablets, browse the secure website, check out their selections, and then download to their computer. Titles can easily transfer to supported mobile devices such as the iPod and eBook Readers. Go to the Library Homepage beginning on May 1 for more information.
I would like to extend a personal Thank-You to the RPCS Parents’ Association for the wonderful ways in which appreciation of the RPCS employees is visible during this first week in May. Each of us at RPCS is so fortunate to have such involved and grateful parents as partners in the education of our students.
I look forward to seeing you on campus for the many concluding events of the 2011-2012 academic year and at the Red Hot Run on May 20 at 8:30 am! Please check the All-School News section for registration information.
Jean Waller Brune