Parents Weekend 2007 was a smashing success. Over 493 family members of current Groton students registered to attend a weekend filled with academic, extra-curricular, and social activities. Parent-teacher conferences provided parents with the opportunity to check on the progress of their children and to meet the teachers who daily challenge and inspire them in the classroom. To further glimpse the daily life at Groton, parents and family members had the option to attend an open rehearsal of the fall play Metamorphoses, a dance program demonstration, and a Choir practice, to witness firsthand the hard work that goes into making each performance such a success. continued
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Technical Expertise
Sixth Former and Tech Crew Head L.A. Creech has learned a thing or two about carpentry, lighting, and actors in his five years at Groton School. The first two demand precision and concentration; the last one relies upon them.

L.A. became enchanted with theater beginning in his second form year when he played the role of Morpheus in a spoof of the popular Matrix movies in the One Act Play Festival. While he enjoyed his acting turn, it was during the following year that he found his niche in the Groton School Theater Department. continued

From the Desk of the Deans: Nancy Hughes
It was a pleasure to have a chance to meet so many new parents over Parents Weekend and to catch up with returning families. At the Friday evening reception for those new to Groton School, Rick Commons acknowledged that the School’s history and traditions—and perhaps even its formidable edifices—might lead newcomers to imagine that we are wholly confident about how to approach all matters of school life and, thus, are not interested in hearing suggestions from new members of the extended school community. Mr. Commons went on to assure those gathered that Groton School is indeed eager to receive feedback and suggestions from those with fresh eyes, and I am delighted to have this opportunity to reiterate his point to all community members, new and old. continued

A "Moo-ving" Experience
It is not often that Groton students offer to take a weekend away from the Circle knowing that they will be getting up at 4 am to clean barn stalls and shovel manure. But in early October Lila Wilmerding '09 and Julia May '10 raised their hands to accompany faculty member Ellen Rennard to Pat Chase's farm in Whitefield, Maine. Inspired by Ms. Rennard's Chapel Talk in which she shared her own farm summer experience, the two students jumped at the chance to visit a working dairy farm. While on the farm, they hand-fed baby calves, cleaned pens, and raked manure and wood shavings from the expansive barn floor, all daily jobs for Farmer Chase and his family. continued

Making Groton History on the Soccer Field

Students and Mentors:
the School Aide Program
What would you do with almost two hours free in an afternoon? Chill on the Circle with buddies, catch up on work, take a quick nap, maybe? While all good options, many Upper School students choose another route. Under the guidance of Sarah Webb, Groton Community Service (GCS) faculty leader, this fall 27 students have opted to become school aides at local public schools where they help in classrooms and in school libraries. Unlike at Groton where class sizes are routinely 12 - 14 students, the classrooms that the Groton aides assist in have as many as 23 children to one adult.

Greenwich Admission Reception
On Wednesday, October 10, Rick Woolworth '70 and his wife Jill held an admission reception for prospective students from Fairfield and Westchester counties. Rick is a trustee and alumnus, but perhaps what best qualifies the Woolworths as hosts of such a gathering is their status as the parents of three Groton graduates: Jocelyn '01, Virginia '04, and Helen '06. The Greenwich reception typified the new approach Groton has taken to such gatherings. Yes, Headmaster Rick Commons was on hand along with Director of Admission Ian Gracey and Director of Alumni Affairs Will Webb '93. But the real stars of the show were the four young alumni who wowed the crowd. continued

Expanding the Circle: Reflections on Diversity
In the spring of 2007, a group of Groton graduates met in New York City with the goal of creating an alumni group that would support Groton’s efforts to promote diversity. Led by LeRoy Watkins ’70, the group includes Stephen Hill ’80, Justin Ifill ’02, and Kristen Carter ’02.

Out of this gathering arose several initiatives, the first being the creation of a video that focuses specifically on students of color. continued