A student in one 2nd/3rd grade class explains what he learned about chemistry through his Project Power research.

What Do Space, Bees, Chemistry, Egypt, Cars, and Volcanoes Have in Common?
 
Can you guess what Space, Bees, Chemistry, Egypt, Cars, and Vesuvius have in common? They are all topics that one class of 2nd/3rd grade students have chosen to explore as part of Project Power. This student-driven learning started three years ago when teacher Katie Huffner encouraged her students to explore what interested them. That first group of students really enjoyed the freedom to select and explore their topics, so Huffner has continued Project Power in her classroom since that time. This year, she co-teaches with Kate Stoessel in the Flaming Origami Dragons class.
 
"High Meadows values lifelong learning and gives students an opportunity to seek out knowledge and information related to their interests and curiosities," she said. "Through Project Power, the students have the power to take charge of their learning and what speaks to them."

One student chose to learn about Pandas.
Students Select Topics To Explore In-Depth
The stud ents select a topic that interests them, explore it, and share their learnings with classmates. They can work individually, in pairs, or in groups of up to three people. They can also choose to learn about multiple projects a year or focus on one that lasts all year.
 
Once students identify their topic, they develop five research questions to guide their learning, Stoessel said. They typically work on their projects one to two mornings a week. They may conduct research in the class library, use the school's online non-fiction search tools, or conduct interviews with experts on campus such as librarians and art teachers.

After students have explored answers to their questions, they brainstorm how to share their learning.
 
"Project Power is a great way to let kids show their different skills come through and use talents in different ways," Huffner said. "They get to practice research, collaboration, public speaking, and organization skills."
 
They have been very creative in how they present their knowledge, she said. One student made a space suit, and another made a volcano model. One group created a theatrical production, and one produced a video. Last year, after one student explored bees and shared how important they are, the entire class decided to take action to help save the bees. They planted bee-attracting plants on campus.
 
Second grader Waylon C. explored Flight and Space.
Waylon C. is a 2nd grade student in the Huffner/Stoessel class this year. He chose to learn about Flight and Space.
 
"We had free time to research and read about our topic in books in the classroom, from the library, and on Epic on the iPads," he said. "I read about the Wright Brothers and the first airplane flights and how they crashed, but they kept trying. And, I read about the Milky Way and how there's something like 100 billion stars or more in our galaxy. It was just something I wanted to learn about, just for me."
 
Student-driven learning is an important part of the High Meadows education philosophy. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, High Meadows follows principles that develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. Project Power is one example of how teachers and students are putting those principles into practice.
Focus on High Meadows' Guiding Principle: Engaging with the Natural Environment

We engage with the natural environment consciously, respectfully, and purposefully. This empowers us to appreciate and inhabit the earth responsibly.

Join Us For Retirement Celebration Honoring Pat Wolf
 
Pat Wolf
High Meadows is a school built and nurtured by dedicated educators who care deeply about children. Middle Years Principal Pat Wolf is one of the most visi onary and influential leader who helped shape High Meadows into the school it is today. With more than 30 years of service in multiple roles at the school, Pat's connection to our community runs deep. As her relationship to High Meadows begins a new chapter, we are excited to celebrate her contributions and years of service. Join us in honoring Pat on at the Spring Family Picnic on May 10 at 6 p.m.

Middle Years teacher and alumna Anne Lovatt will speak on behalf of our community, but we know that there will be so much more to say. This is where we need your help. We will be presenting Pat with a memory box made of wood from campus trees. We will fill this box with love and memories from her High Meadows family. Please consider contributing a story, favorite memory, letter, picture, or other small token for the box.

Send in your sentiments by May 6 to any of the following people:

If you would like to mail something for inclusion, please send it to:
Angela Lockard
High Meadows School
1055 Willeo Road
Roswell, Ga 30075

Staying Connected: Experiencing High Meadows From Both a Student and Teacher Perspective 

Anne Lovatt and Issac Wolf both attended High Meadows as children and now teach in the Middle Years program. Below, they share some of their favorite memories about High Meadows and what they love about it now. 
 
Anne Lovatt, 6th/7th Social Studies Teacher and Camp Counselor
 
Student Stats: Attended High Meadows from PreK - 6th grade, went to The Galloway School in 7th grade, and returned for 8th grade because High Meadows was where she wanted to be.
 
Ca m p Connection: She attended camp for many years and earned the coveted Knight  designation. She became a counselor at age 14, returning each summer through  high school and college. 
She continued her studies and traveled some years, but always found a way to stay connected to Camp. This summer marks her 20th year as a counselor.
 
Teacher Time: Began subbing and chaperoning class trips at High Meadows in the 2006-07 school year, then became a Middle Years 6th/7th grade Social Studies teacher in August, 2007.
 
Anne Lovatt, on left, as a High Meadows student.
Student Memories: "My preschool teacher was Jean Hunter, who is my teaching colleague now, which is crazy and wonderful. Ms. Wolf, Mr. Engbritson, and Dr. Babiar were also my teachers at different times. As a student at High Meadows, we did a lot of hands-on projects in all grades, which I loved. One project I particularly remember was writing, illustrating, and publishing our own books. We also got to do Living Museums, which Ms. Wolf started with us when I was in 3rd grade. It's a wonderful way to learn about a time period through the experience of a specific person. You got to research them, dress up, and eat food from that time period."  
 
Family Facts: Anne and her two younger sisters attended High Meadows School for 10 years each. Their family was part of the group that bought the school from the founders and established it as non-profit. Anne, all of her sisters, and her mom have been High Meadows Camp counselors.
 
What I Love About High Meadows: "High Meadows gave wonderful gifts to me as a person, and I felt compelled to give back. The trust and mutual respect between teachers and students is remarkable. As I got older, I became aware that while grown-ups at High Meadows treated me with respect, not all adults work that way. Over the years, the trust and respect relationship has remained, and I am grateful for that. Kids deserve a place like High Meadows."
 
Isaac Wolf, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher and Middle Years Debate Team Coach
 
Student Stats: Attended High Meadows from preschool-8th grade.
 
Teacher Time: He helped coach the High Meadows soccer team while he was in high school. While in college, he taught a Debate mini-course two to three days a week for Middle Years students. He expanded into teaching Debate and some 6th/7th grade Social Studies classes part time while he was in graduate school. Once he got his master's degree, he joined the school full time teaching 8th grade Social Studies and continued to grow the Debate program.
 
School Memories: "Teachers gave us freedom to play and explore the forests and meadows, all of which seemed a bit magical as a young child. As a first grader, I made a documentary of the school using our teacher, Mrs. Magee's, personal video camera which we thought was an amazing piece technology at the time. We also "published" lots of books-once or twice a year, Share would print and bind stories students had written and illustrated during the school year. It was quite exciting to see your story come back from the "press". I was a student for the first Emphasis, the topic was "whales." We built a to-scale model of a blue whale which included a Volkswagen Beetle. In Middle Years, each Wednesday, students planned a meal for the whole middle school, set a budget, made a shopping list, went shopping, and cooked. I loved the Living Museums where I got to research and become a historical figure. I was Thomas Jefferson in third grade, Hippocrates in fifth grade, and Robert Kennedy in 7th grade."
 
Family Facts: "My sisters Rachel and Rebecca also attended the school through sixth grade, which was the highest grade at the school at that time. Pat Wolf, my mother, began the Middle Years program at High Meadows. My father, Ted, was a frequent presence, cooking hotdogs at Fall Festival or helping judge at debate tournaments. High Meadows even helped me meet my
The Wolf Larsen Family
wonderful wife Jennie. It was at High Meadows Alumni Katie Gainer's wedding where we met. Now, my daughter Avery is in PreK at High Meadows, and my son Collin will go to preschool there in the fall. Having been a student at High Meadows, it's a privilege to be able to share that experience with my own children. Avery is in the same classroom I was in as a student. She's also in the same class with fellow alumni Sarah Bobbit's daughter Claire. It's fun to watch it all come full circle."
 
What I Love About High Meadows: "High Meadows is a powerful place. It has a wonderful community full love and connections between people. As a teacher, I appreciate teaching in a progressive school, having autonomy in the classroom, feeling the energy for learning, the close-knit community, the collaborating with amazing colleagues, and the student-centered focus. We meet students where they are and provide the space and opportunity for them to learn and grow."
Rain, Rain, Go Away! We Still Held Our Earth Day!


Even though High Meadows celebrates our earth every day, the school held its much-loved annual Earth Day celebration on April 19 - a day on which Mother Nature showered Roswell with rain! Students created Earth Day class flags, paraded them around the Community Center, and presented them to the school community. Associate Head of School and Lower Years Principal Margaret Jones gave out the coveted Blue Bird Awards which rec ognize individual students, staff members, groups, or whole classes who have taken positive action towards the environment at any point throughout the year. Then, each c lass worked on their Earth Day projects, which ranged from planting flowers to learning about how bees help our planet.
Explore High Meadows
Limited Openings Available for 2019-2020 Enrollment

Still exploring school options for the 2019-2020 school year?  High Meadows has limited openings in select grade levels for the 2019-2020 school year. Contact our Office of Admission to learn more about space availability and the application process at [email protected] or 678-507-1170.
 
Group Tours - Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Fridays at 9:00 a.m.
Register for a tour to observe classes in action , learn about their daily schedule and curriculum, and connect with teachers and principals.  RSVP through the Ravenna system or call the office at 770-993-2940. 
OUR MISSION

The High Meadows community celebrates and perpetuates each individual's quest for knowledge and skill, sense of wonder, and connection to the natural environment. We empower each to be a compassionate, responsible, and active global citizen.

(770) 993-2940 | www.highmeadows.org
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