School holds 'Green Week'
Charleston Collegiate School's "Green Week," held April 19-23, grew from the increasing environmental awareness level at the school. Anti-litter activist and Keep Charleston Beautiful mascot "Clean City Clara" spoke to students that Monday, followed by an environmental organization representative with a live alligator on Tuesday.
One aspect of the week for the Middle and Upper School was Project Learning Tree's GreenSchools! Program. Students in this program are charged with educating other students in their classes about nature. Throughout the week, the Project Learning Tree team presented ideas about our influence on the environment to the whole school.
"I think it was challenging to address the whole student body, but overall I think they became more aware of the environment, and how a simple thing such as turning a light switch on is not so simple," said Stuart Bowers, one of the high school students in the project.
One activity involved scavenger hunts with the aid of Brian Wilson, a team leadership expert who works with students in the school's Outdoor Education Center.
The Upper and Middle School students were told that if they could reduce the amount of lunchroom trash that week, they would be able to participate in a kickball game Friday against teachers. The incentive worked, partly in thanks to the composting initiative of Middle School Science teacher Bobby Hemingway.
On April 22, the school had a Science Night. Events included the firing of potato projectiles, biology experiments and observing turtles and other marine organisms in a touch tank.
The Lower School also held a camp out, when 45 students and parents stayed in tents overnight. Faculty members took the student/parent crowd on a hike through the trails in the outdoor classroom.
Students take part in 'Winterim'
CCS gave students a chance to gain knowledge during "Winterim," March 22-26.
According to the school website, Winterim is "an educational experience beyond the classroom" with on-campus and off-campus offerings. Among this year's options for high school students were travels to South American isles, college sports prep days or a large cooking project.
Jean Pendleton, one of the organizers of the program, said, "Whether they are traveling to exotic locations like the Galapagos, hiking in the mountains of North Carolina, sailing on the Spirit of South Carolina or exploring cooking or arts on campus, students have a chance to experience something entirely new during Winterim."
The Lower School also was able to have a Winterim of its own this year. It took each day of the Winterim week to learn about springtime holidays of various countries. The second and third grades learned about the Chinese New Year; Holi, an Indian Festival; the Japanese Kite Festival; and the Dubar Festival of Ghana, Africa.
They enjoyed games, spent time hearing cultural tales and ate foreign foods.
New sailing team ready for season
Last fall, a new sport appeared at Charleston Collegiate.
Senior Liz Howell said, "In transferring to Charleston Collegiate, I was unable to sail." Her determination to continue sailing landed her the seat as student captain of the school sailing team.
Adult advisers are Upper School economics teacher Teddy Turner and business manager Kendall Reilly.
Student team members are Stuart Bowers, Chet Wood, Sean Pendarvis, Liz Howell, Scott Adams, Chase Schaeffer, Savannah Odum and Hunter McCoy.
Turner said sailing is inherently difficult, and it takes a well-seasoned mate to be able to sail and race with other boats simultaneously.
He said, "We are a brand-new team. We're competing against very established teams. With that in mind, we're coming along very well. We have big hopes for next season."
The boats and docks are provided by Charleston Community Sailing.
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