On Tuesday, WLPCS parent Diana Bruce addressed the faculty about the issues for schools surrounding the LGBTQ community. Bruce is the Director of Health and Wellness for DCPS and has over 20 years of experience in working with adolescents. She spoke about language and identity and changes that can be put into place to make schools more welcoming and inclusive of all students. Bruce is also the ninth grade parent rep on our school’s PFA.
Eight Latin middle school students participated in the George Washington University Model United Nations Conference Saturday. Eighth grader Sheridan Easterling was recognized at the Closing Awards ceremony for his participation in the Government of the British Raj on the topic of the rebellion by the people of India against the British government. Easterling also served with sixth grader Tommy Portilla-Marchiori on the Crisis Committees. Portilla-Marchiori served on the New York Police Department committee and debated the topic of pandemics and its effect on the security of the citizens of New York City and the bordering states. Meanwhile, eighth grader Henry Cohen and seventh grader Liam Murphy served on the Disarmament and International Security Council (DISEC) debating the topic, “North Korean Escalation” with sixth grader Ganesh Bhojwani and seventh grader Oliver Anderson. Seventh grader Isabelle Charles and sixth grader Annika Jobanputra served on the UN Women committee debating the topic, “Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda,” which was the focus of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
On Tuesday, several juniors visited the Aspen Institute with Mr. Hagerty to listen to Robert Dallek talk about his new biography of Franklin Roosevelt. The trip was organized with help from English teacher Ms. Collins. The Aspen Institute is a nonpartisan forum for values based leadership and education. Dallek is a historian specializing in Presidential History.
Junior Ava Tiller and sophomore Nora Butler participated at the All National Honors Ensembles Festival in Florida this week. In order for a student to make it into the All National Ensemble, students must begin their application process in October of the previous year, learning a piece of music as prescribed by the National Association for Music Educators. This piece of music is usually quite difficult and students must perform their application without any help except their music. If they are admitted to the local level, they participate in that celebration and can audition for the next level, states. If they can make it into states, they can then audition for the regional level. If they qualify for the regional level, they participate in that concert and celebration and can then audition for the national level.
Several dozen people joined Parent Faculty Association members gathered at the Hill Center on Capitol Hill to discuss the Classical Curriculum. The event featured Latin and Honors Humanities teacher Mr. Clausen, who spoke about the roots of Greek and Roman philosophy and how it impacts our school’s curriculum.
