Mountain Classroom: Becoming Our Best Selves

Apr 28, 2022 9:55:37 PM

I closed my eyes and focused on my breath. The plane skipped up, sideways, down and seemed to popcorn around in the air. I gripped my armrest on the 50 seater with people silently reciting small prayers in their heads. Or that is what I imagined since that was what I was doing. I slowly opened my eyes to see snow capped mountains. Big ones. Excitement replaced fear, my eyes glued to the window. The snowy mountain tops blended into striated red rock mesas as we landed in Grand Junction after a stop over in Denver. 

Earth Day 2022: Using Our Voice for Good

Apr 28, 2022 5:07:14 PM

Human connection requires two parties to willingly step into relationship with one another. Nature, however, is always waiting with open arms. As we consider how we might better walk alongside each other as humans, we must spend time in nature to refocus and reframe how we live. Today, as a community, we stepped into nature’s embrace by celebrating Earth Day 2022. 

Proctor en Segovia: Learning Through Travel - Spain's Basque Country

Apr 26, 2022 3:05:25 PM

While Segovia is the home base for Proctor’s linguistic and cultural program in Spain, students travel on week-long excursions to at least two of Spain’s distinct regions. On the road, classroom learning about history, art history, and culture is made visible. Enjoy these student reflections their recent excursion to País Vasco (The Basque Country).

European Art Classroom - Parent's Weekend

Apr 25, 2022 10:51:39 AM

The week started off with a Monday of recovery from Paris. Because Sunday was Easter, we had class at the house instead of catching the bus into town.

Spring Family Weekend: Be Present

Apr 23, 2022 8:10:46 AM

With a busy schedule of advisory breakfast, assembly, conferences, immersion blocks, more conferences, and games on tap for Spring Family Weekend, Head of School Brian Thomas shared a simple piece of advice to visiting families: be present with your child over the next 24 hours. 

Proctor en Monteverde: A Day in the Life

Apr 21, 2022 3:07:22 PM

Last week, Proctor en Monteverde director Brooks Bicknell ‘77 visited the six sophomores currently studying abroad, meeting the group on the trail as they emerged from their three day stay at the San Gerardo Field Station deep within the Cloud Forest, guided by renowned naturalist and writer Mark Wainwright. 

Spring Family Weekend: Together Again!

Apr 21, 2022 8:06:40 AM

Spring Family Weekend is upon us and the weather later this week looks beautiful!  We cannot wait to welcome many of our families to campus starting Thursday night and throughout the day on Friday. Read below for details about the weekend!

Mountain Classroom: All the Moods of the San Juan

Apr 20, 2022 1:31:20 PM

No two days are alike on Proctor's Mountain Classroom program. Whether it is climbing the tallest peaks, driving the windiest roads, or rafting down the San Juan River, the lessons learned on Mountain occur through the experiences themselves. Take a seat beside Ada '22 and Hays '22 as they raft the San Juan River alongside eight of their best friends and four river guides. The lessons of the river are powerful. 

Hays Speaking Contest: Bravery Personified

Apr 19, 2022 7:21:56 PM

Bravery, like leadership, comes in many forms, with each individual finding their own way to demonstrate their courage when needed. For the seven finalists of the 23rd Annual Hays Speaking Contest, we saw that bravery on display Monday evening as they delivered their speeches in front of a packed Norris Family Theater. 

European Art Classroom: Paris, Spring 2022

Apr 18, 2022 2:19:20 PM

Four weeks in and I can tell you France is nothing like South Dakota. Having the opportunity to travel, experience new foods and take part in a completely different culture has been both eye opening and inspiring.

The Journey: To Be Happy and Safe

Apr 15, 2022 9:01:43 AM

Today’s journey is different from the others. In a survey sent to students earlier in the week, I asked them to tell me where they felt the happiest and where they felt the safest on campus. 28 students answered while 21 of them allowed me to share their answers.

Afternoon Program Spotlight: Woods Team

Apr 14, 2022 8:46:07 AM

Since the 1940s, Proctor students and faculty have spent time together managing Proctor's land. Originally set up as a "Campus Improvement Squad", Proctor's Woods Team has evolved over the years alongside the acreage (now 2,500) the school stewards. Each fall and spring, a hearty group of students join faculty in the maintenance of trails, splitting of fire wood, maple sugaring, and diving into any other task needed at the time. 

The Power of Voice: Using, Listening, Exploring

Apr 13, 2022 9:09:17 PM

Last Friday evening, we welcomed Phil Kaye of Project Voice to an all-school assembly where he shared his powerful spoken word poetry. Phil joined English classes on Saturday morning as well, empowering students to share their own voice through poetry. Phil’s visit to campus reminded us of the importance of hearing and seeking out varied voices within our community. 

European Art Classroom: Unique Monique

Apr 11, 2022 8:57:07 AM

Bonjour! Nous sommes des étudiants et artistes américains, vivant à Vauvenargues, France. This is what we’ve learned this week in French class with Jen! This week was filled with baguettes, crepes, oil painting, exciting excursions, and many Johnnie quotes added to the ongoing list of “Johnnie quotes”. 

Proctor en Segovia: A New World of Food and Family

Apr 8, 2022 9:15:43 AM

A group of ten Proctor students live and learn in Segovia, Spain during all three academic terms. They learn the Spanish language and culture through immersion in life with a Segovian host family. Academic class curriculum takes full advantage of place-based, experiential learning, both in Segovia province (Castilla y León) and while traveling to at least two distinct regions per term. In this first post of the spring 2022 term, Proctor en Segovia students reflect on one of the quintessential elements of any culture, cuisine and culinary traditions. Read on for a mouth-watering account of what their Segovia host families have been preparing during their first week and a half studying abroad.

The Journey: Spring Reflections

Apr 8, 2022 8:09:59 AM

On my way to the library in the twilight hour earlier this week, I passed a group of students outside the back of Rulon-Miller Dorm in the dark sitting in Adirondack chairs just chilling and chatting. They were senior boys getting their wings, deciding what evening study hall will now look like for them as they transition to Senior Projects, last rites of the school year, and what post-graduation might hold as they begin to chart their own courses.

Challenge and Support, Accountability and Trust, and the Dichotomies of Proctor

Apr 7, 2022 5:08:12 PM

We feel more fragile than we did two years ago. We worry our children are more fragile, too; their childhood upended by a global pandemic, school interrupted, screens trying in vain to replace the human interaction that we know fuels their soul. And yet, as we step into the bright light of a post-pandemic world, squinting our eyes against the flood of “how it was before”, we must realize it is through challenge that our children are strengthened. 

Mountain Classroom: Superstition and Wisdom from the Trail

Apr 6, 2022 8:59:48 PM

Proctor Academy's spring Mountain Classroom students are off and running (or hiking) on the adventure of their lifetime. For the next eight weeks this group of ten students and two instructors will criss cross the American west, winding their way back to New Hampshire through Colorado and the Great Plains before eventually pulling onto campus, parking in front of Maxwell Savage Hall to sprint the rotunda stairs and ring the bell. As Stewart '22 and Alana '23 share in their beautiful prose below, it is the journey itself where students grow, stretch, and evolve as young people. Enjoy this window into the Mountain Classroom experience. 

Proctor en Monteverde: Spring 2022 Reflections

Apr 4, 2022 10:27:25 PM

Proctor en Monteverde affords a small group of sophomores the opportunity to study abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica during the winter and spring trimesters. This spring, Boo ‘24, Will 24, Lisle ‘24, Kiefer ‘24, Riley 24, and Ben ‘24 continue with their regular sophomore classes while exploring all that the incredibly biodiverse Monteverde Region has to offer. 

European Art Classroom: Spring in Provence

Apr 4, 2022 8:20:00 AM

Throughout our first week of being here in Vauvenargues, France has been extraordinary. Our group has gotten so close within a short period of time and the memories we have made so far are enlightening.

 

 

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