Collegiate joins National Day of Writing
This fall, Charleston Collegiate School participated in the National Day of Writing, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English.
Erica Woodward, assistant to Head of School Dr. Robert J. Shirley, explained that this fall, the U.S. Senate declared an official National Day of Writing. On Oct. 20, Collegiate celebrated all things written.
The event provided an opportunity for schools nationwide to present works from their students in a national online gallery, Woodward said. Students of various ages displayed their work in the Charleston Collegiate Writing Gallery (http://galleryofwriting.org/galleries/222285).
"The reason I felt it important to get CCS involved in this historic national event is because writing is an integral part of everyday life for all Americans, whether as a text, e-mail, blog, poem or even a novel," she said.
All divisions of the school had a chance to participate in the National Day of Writing through bulletin boards that had been installed on the wall in the Lower, Middle and Upper schools. The bulletin boards provided two pages each for the student body to work together to write a story. Students could add a line to the story on their way to and from class.
Comedy project school's fall play
Charleston Collegiate Fine Arts Director Randy Neale presented "Isabella's Madness" on Oct. 23 and 24 in the school's gymnasium.
This year's fall play was written and directed by the student actors, Neale said. "Isabella's Madness" starred Upper and Middle School students who volunteered to dedicate a large part of their afternoons for several months in order to rehearse.
"Isabella's Madness" was inspired by the cast's improvisations of a commedia dell'arte scenario called "The Fake Madwoman." The actors improvised for several weeks on the themes and archetypes in the scenario, bringing a modern twist to the 16th-century comic situations.
Neale developed a new set design for the play. Seating was inspired by an arena or stadium and set up in a circle around the stage. Audience members also sat on the stage.
The actors performed in the area directly in front of the platform stage.
Volunteerism at Collegiate School
A new requirement has Upper School students performing four hours of community service with a focus on one particular project or organization. For example, junior and senior boys are helping Habitat for Humanity, and junior girls are participating in Toys for Tots.
The Lower School also is showing the spirit of service. Esta Farmer, head of the Lower School, said students in grades 2-5 are working with the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Students in the Lower School are learning to give back to their community through their participation in the Backpack Buddies program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Trident Area, she said.
Head of School Dr. Robert J. Shirley said he thinks it's important for all age groups to become involved with community service, whether students work with charitable organizations or create their own volunteer events.
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