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What is Depth of Inquiry?
"
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
This last line of Tennyson's poem "Ulysses" calls to mind what it means to have a
depth of inquiry as a learner. Sparked by that initial sense of wonder, a student who inquires deeply does not stop at a first answer, does not rest at the surface of things, but exerts a visible effort
to follow through and persist in the search for truth where it leads.
In narrative student evaluations at Veritas, alongside the sense of wonder (see last issue of Humanitas), teachers look for this depth of inquiry. Wonder and inquiry are closely related--in fact, they reinforce each other.
Depth of inquiry prompts students to go deep, to delve into the foundations of things. This is not only a matter of their approach to inquiry and reflection; it also shows their emerging intellectual character. Are they becoming superficial thinkers or are they on the route to becoming profound? Depth of inquiry requires the right intellectual habits, and teachers want their students to develop these habits throughout the school year. Thus, the teacher looks at day-to-day classroom activities to see progress in depth of inquiry.
Ways to Show Depth of Inquiry:
Depth of inquiry takes the first inspirations of wonder to seek truth, and it keeps that impulse going with precise and persistent effort. Below are some habits that reflect depth of inquiry:
- Ask questions that go beneath the surface
- Be willing to follow up on those questions
- Inquire into the material, the topics, and the issues behind them
- Be persistent and precise in pursuing questions
- Apply energy in class to discovery
Teachers can best explain what depth of inquiry looks like in each class, and they are always happy to explain. Depth of inquiry requires not just attitude, but action: annotating all the way through a novel, giving more than a basic answer on a worksheet, listening and reentering a conversation more than once, following a thought to its conclusion. Talk with your teacher to find ways you can grow in this area.
This is the second in a series on what grading means at Veritas.
Next week's focus: Letter Grades at Veritas
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Speed Up Your Exit! Join the No-Left-Turn Brigade!
Click here if you can help out before or after school with traffic direction. Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt!
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Openings Still Available for Parent Seminar with Mr. Giles
Veritas Prep is proud to offer a new, quarterly series of faculty-led discussions for parents, the Lifelong Learners series.
The first seminar discussion, scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, is led by Veritas teacher Mr. Giles, and focuses on Homer's famous epic poem The Iliad, which our juniors read in Humane Letters. The seminar will focus on a reading of book one. Copies of the reading will be shared with all who enroll.
Session takes place in VPA's Evans Library, with entrance through the south courtyard gates.
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Study Skills Workshop, Sep. 9
Come learn and practice essential classroom skills, from note-taking strategies to organizational ideas. The workshop consists of a series of classes by veteran Veritas teachers, and takes place
Saturday, September 9, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM in VPA classrooms.
It is open to all students. Those in their first year at Veritas Prep are strongly encouraged to register. Since students attend the workshop along with a parent, it is also a great way for parents to learn how to support your student at home.
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Early-Bird Yearbook Purchases Due October 6
Interested in purchasing a yearbook this year? Hurry--early bird pricing will end the last day of quarter 1, October 6th! Yearbooks are currently $35 each.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER TODAY!
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Saturday, September 9
Study Skills Workshop, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
See below for more info.
Monday through Saturday, September 11-16
Spirit Week
See below for more info.
Friday, September 15
Early Release at 12:30 PM
Domesday and Homecoming Activities.
Saturday, September 16
Homecoming Dance
, 7:00 - 10:00 pm, in the Gym
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Spirit Week and Homecoming, September 11 - 16
The spirit of Spirit Week is one of
celebration and elevation. We elevate our appearance with well-chosen bows and bow ties, with a classy pair of socks--but most importantly with the spirit of building each other up in celebrating the home we share.
Click here for full Spirit Week info.
SET SAIL MONDAY:
Students will arrive to school Monday morning greeted by the gods and goddesses from Homer's Odyssey. A light breakfast will be generously provided by the VPSO in the courtyard starting at 7:00am. Student-athletes will be commemorated with a special recognition on their lockers, which may be displayed during Spirit Week.
TIE and BOW TUESDAY:
Celebrate the community that "ties" us together! Students may wear any colored or patterned bows in their hair, as well as bow ties or regular ties. Students may wear either a button-down Oxford shirt or the normal polo uniform shirt this day to accompany their ties and bow ties.
If you need help with your tie, stop in before school at the lunch room today for a "tie check-in" with faculty! Ties must be standard size (at most 2.5" high, 5" wide) and can be worn with EITHER a button-down Oxford shirt or the normal uniform polo.No lights or attachments. No logos, brands, or pop culture references.
CLASSY SOCK WEDNESDAY
:
Classy Sock Day! Students are
welcome to show their school spirit with a variety of colors and patterns on their favorite socks. Students are encouraged to represent their house by wearing the color of your house! See house colors below. The house that is the best represented will win house points!
Socks are the only uniform exception; no other hosiery included. Sock color must be in accord with the house to which you belong. Socks must be no higher than the knee. No lights or attachments. No logos, brands, or pop culture references. Other uniform rules still apply.
Joan of Arc: Black
Newton: Purple
Homer: Teal
Washington: Maroon
Charlemagne: Navy (Dark Blue)
Da Vinci: Green
SPIRIT-WEAR THURSDAY:
Celebrate our student athletes!
Students may wear Veritas spirit wear with their school uniform today. See dress code below:
Spirit wear shirts must be white, black, blue, or grey only. Shirts must be tucked in and other uniform rules apply. Game day jerseys are reserved for game use; please do not wear today.
FRIDAY - DOMESDAY:
At the start of Domesday, each new student will be called to membership in a particular House, dedicated by name to a historical figure who embodied particular virtues. On this day, students may wear the 2017 Homecoming Shirts!
(
Note that shirts must be tucked in and other uniform rules apply. Regular uniform shirts must be worn if not wearing a Homecoming shirt.)
FRIDAY HOMECOMING TAILGATE (5:00 PM) and GAME (7:00 pm)
:
All ages welcome! Food trucks, crafts for the kids, and more. Alumni and student-athlete recognition at halftime.
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Homecoming Dance, September 16, 7:00 PM
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Attention, Seniors: Graduation Info Assembly:
Thursday, September 14, 11:00 AM
In the Lund Center
Seniors will be hearing from our representative from Balfour about graduation
cap & gowns
,
announcements
, and more, as well as class rings.
Students should plan on eating lunch before this event.
Parents are welcome to attend, if interested.
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Sectio Discipulorum: Students' Section
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Student Accomplishments and Features
We love to recognize the good work our students do in the classroom and beyond. In future issues we will be featuring
- Student poems
- Student artwork
- Short essays
- Honors and recognitions
Teachers will be referring student poetry and artwork. If you would like to offer a submission, please send us a note here.
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Great Hearts Children's Business Fair!
Calling all entrepreneurs! We are so excited to be a part of America's largest entrepreneurship event for kids. Our students will get to create real businesses, sell real products, and earn real cash ($250 average).
What: Children's Business Fair - 150 kid businesses, and 750+ community members (buyers)
When: Sat, Nov. 11th from 10-1, with up to 5 weekly Bootcamp classes after school on campus leading up to the Fair.
Where: Arcadia Park
Cost: $75 for Bootcamp + Fair; scholarships available; K-8 only
Step 1: Watch the Video above and Apply to the Great Hearts
Step 2: Start thinking about a product or service to sell at the
Fair (Bootcamp days are TBD, put on by local business owners)
Step 3: Tell your friends! Find more info on Social Media
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New to this? Don't worry, the Bootcamp will help each student develop an idea, create a product, build a marketing strategy, and learn their pitch for the Fair. Parents will need to help students purchase inventory to make their products for the Fair (as a loan to be paid back after the Fair).Questions or comments? E-mail us at azchildrensbusinessfair@gmail.com
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Find the club for you!
Click here for this semester's extracurricular catalog. We hope you will find a club or activity that fits your interests! For questions on clubs, you please email club advisors.
Since last week, more clubs have been listed or updated! See the catalog for info on the following activities:
- Middle-School Writing Workshop
- Toastmasters * see above
- Baking Club
- Chess and Strategic Games Club
- Drama Club
- Jazz Lab Band
- Robotics
- Middle-school choirs
- And many more!
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October 25th, 2017 is PSAT Test day at Veritas!
On Wednesday, October 25th, all Veritas Prep students in grades 9-11 will take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), a practice college admissions test. Scores from the PSAT/NMSQT are never sent to colleges. However, for juniors, the scores are used to determine whether a student qualifies for the National Merit Scholarship program.
For freshmen and sophomores, the test is only practice and allows students to gain exposure and experience with standardized testing for college.
College Visit Season
College Visits are in full swing at Veritas Prep! A weekly schedule of all Veritas visits will be posted on the College Counseling bulletin board and at the Front Desk. You will also find posters on our bulletin board detailing each upcoming college visit. Sophomore through Senior class students should sign up in Naviance for visits they are interested in. Students in the Sophomore or Junior class who have not registered in Naviance will receive an email with instructions to do so this week. For our college visit list as of 8.25.17 see the attachment - Upcoming College Visits.
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Upcoming College Counseling Events - SAVE THE DATES!
Saturday, September 30 - Great Hearts Barrett Honors Day (ASU - Tempe Campus)
Open to Great Hearts SENIORS ONLY with ONE PARENT
Session One: 10:00 - 11:30 am (40 seniors can register) --- Information Session followed by a campus tour
Session Two: 1:00 - 2:30 pm (40 seniors can register) --- Information Session followed by a campus tour
Registration will open on Wednesday September 6 at 10:00am - details forthcoming.
Tuesday, October 4 -- Selective College Night (Lund Center at VPA)
Open to Great Hearts 9th - 12th graders
, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Three admission officers from highly selective colleges will present on different trends and topics in admissions for highly selective admissions
Saturday, October 21 - Great Hearts College Symposium
Open to Great Hearts JUNIORS ONLY and ONE PARENT
Program details forthcoming. Will include workshops and a college fair with approximately 60 colleges in attendance.
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Courtesy of Grand Photography.
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Dear Families and Friends:
What a great start to the 2017-2018 athletic year at VPA! Four games and four victories! Thank you to everyone who has come to cheer and support our wonderful athletes.
I wanted to clarify our
gate/field fee and entrance protocol for HS athletics at VPA.
To come and watch any game/match in our gym, you must enter through the breezeway entrance. The side doors are for exiting only and will be locked during game time from the outside.
As for home games on our field for football and soccer, there will be a table set up between the Bleachers to collect your entrance fees.
Your hand will be stamped to allow you to get back into the venue if needed.
Fees:
Adults $5.00
Students and Under 18 $3.00
Families up to 4 members $10.00
Student athletes who are participating in a VPA sport during the same season may enter at no cost.
Family and student passes are available on line. The door monitors will have a list if you have a pass.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Best,
Andrew Mayer
Athletic Director | Veritas Preparatory Academy
3102 N. 16th Street, Suite 100 | Phoenix, AZ 85018
P: 602-236-1128 ext. 421 | C. 602-390-0332
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Free Money for Our School!
Did you know that you can
double or even
triple your Community Investment and Tax Credit donations to Veritas Prep? Many companies will
match your donations to our school through their Corporate Gift Matching Programs.
Simply click on this link, type the name of your employer in the "Matching Gifts" tab, and hit submit to find out if your company offers a Corporate Matching Gifts Program. If your company does have a Matching Gifts program, please submit the appropriate paperwork to your Human Resources department. Please contact Sarah Marbach at smarbach@veritasprepacademy.org or 602-396-0276 with any questions.
Having your gift matched is an easy way to increase the impact of your donations to Veritas Prep without any additional cost to you. And your support will provide our faculty and students with the resources they need to learn and thrive. Thank you!
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Inspirational Evening with Jason Schechterle
Veritas Prep and Archway Veritas are hosting an evening with Jason Schechterle, a Phoenix Police officer who was severely burned in a car accident in 2001.
Through a series of miraculous and fateful circumstances, Jason survived the crash and ensuing physical and emotional catastrophe. He suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks we often take for granted.
Jason's journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished.
Inspirational Evening with Jason Schechterle
Thursday, September 21st
6:00-7:30pm
Lund Center for Performing Arts
Cost $12 per person
*Appropriate for ages 12 years and older
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