That Doonesbury strip, written back in the 70’s during the height of the still nascent Women’s Movement, is one of my all time favorites. At that time, the character, Joanie Caucus, ran the local daycare center where she watched over, among other 3 and 4 year olds, young Ellie. Joanie was also a new and […]
Read More (Young) Women RisingRecently, Notre Dame Prep launched a new Capital Campaign under the banner, Honor Tradition, Value Change, Fund Her Future. As prelude to the campaign, I conducted separate interviews with quite a few members of the greater NDP community about what Notre Dame means to them and why they think it’s important to assure her future. Those […]
Read More NDP: One of a KindAs prelude, please indulge me in a brief, personal, history of the book bag: In first grade, I carried my books (all two of them) in a nifty little scotch plaid satchel that went quite nicely with my green, velveteen winter coat. In third grade, I traded up to a handsome, chestnut colored, leather (OK, […]
Read More Today’s Bookbag: Form Follows FunctionThose involved in the nurture, training, and education of children sooner or later refer to the concept of a child’s potential: ‘Every child has great potential.’ Or, ‘Every child should be given opportunities to reach his or her full potential.’ It’s a noble concept and a worthwhile goal. But it has echoed out there for […]
Read More Girls and Science: Fully CapableIn 2006 I had the distinct honor of delivering the commencement speech at Notre Dame. In preparation for the event, I spoke with a few of the graduates-to-be about their NDP experience and the road ahead. One of those young women was Chas Dunnaville, undeniably the brightest of stars in an exceptional class. While at […]
Read More The Person You’ve Become; The People We AreNDP senior, Sydney Tommins is delightfully and blissfully ordinary, which is meant to be taken as the highest of praise. In an era where teenagers are depicted – at least by the mass media – as overly experienced and world weary, jaded and full of sullen ennui, it is heartwarming to meet someone like Sydney […]
Read More One Story: Sydney TomminsIt made sense at the time. Interview a group of 6th graders towards the end of the school year and find out how their first year at Notre Dame went. There were several flaws in the plan, however. For one thing, I dropped by to conduct this hard-hitting bit of investigative journalism on a day […]
Read More The Class of 2019: Going Up!Not long ago, Notre Dame alum, Bette Ellis O’Conor (’46) and her husband, Jim, approached NDP with an idea. In keeping with the college preparatory mission of the school, the O’Conors wanted to establish an academic program that would open the girls’ eyes and minds to the interconnectedness of coursework as a way to better […]
Read More Oh! The Humanities!Senior Jamie Watson comes bounding down the hallway towards me, her hair bouncing sideways, left to right and back again, in rhythm with her gait. Only Perky Girl hair bounces like that. Jamie is perky. Jamie has the opposite stride of a runway model; in this case, a good thing. Runway models lead with their […]
Read More One Story: Jamie WatsonDon’t hold onto words or gestures as if they were realities. They are hints. The way I can point my finger towards the moon. My finger is not the moon. To look at the moon, it is necessary to gaze beyond the finger. Ancient Proverb On Monday, May 6th at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Daily […]
Read More On Leadership: Sr. Patricia McCarron