New Academic Initiatives at Hewitt
The Hewitt School is a member of the Black Rock Forest Consortium, a 4000-acre facility for scientific research and education located in Cornwall, New York. Classes at all grade levels visit the Consortium’s forest, research facilities and retreat center to engage in scientific, artistic, and team-building activities against a backdrop of natural beauty and ecological interest. Other members of the consortium include The Browning School, Columbia University, The Dalton School, New York University, and The Spence School. For more information, visit the Black Rock Forest website.
On November 19, 2011 Hewitt students will host their second TEDxYouth@Hewitt with the theme “BREAKthrough.” Over one hundred students and adults attended the first TEDxYouth@Hewitt last fall. Students from sixteen area public, independent, and parochial schools gathered to learn how they can “Be the Change.” The three speaker slates, “Giving Voice,” Becoming Leaders,” and “What Next?” featured educators, activists, lawyers, and journalists. Please visit www.tedxyouthathewitt.org to watch video clips of last year’s event.
Hewitt has integrated the Responsive Classroom program to kindergarten through fifth grade and Developmental Design in sixth through ninth grade. These character education programs focus on the social and emotional well-being of students as integral to their sustained academic confidence and growth. All homeroom teachers and advisors have received training in the programs and implement the community-building activities on a daily basis. For more information, visit http://www.originsonline.org/rc_index.php.
Hewitt is introducing a social justice curriculum in kindergarten through third grade. The curriculum is inspired by Kerry Kennedy’s book Speak Truth To Power and the resulting STTP project of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. Hewitt strives to educate our youngest students about human rights and encourage them to take action. In connection with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our faculty developed a multi-disciplinary curriculum that integrates human rights with social studies themes and community service experiences. Issues range from free trade and environmental activism to fair working conditions and the right to education, clean water, and healthy food. For more information about the existing grades 6-12 Speak Truth to Power curriculum visit http://www.rfkcenter.org/sttp/about.
This year will mark the start of a student-run Community Service Board in grades 8-12. The board was initiated by students who want to find a way for their peers to take more ownership for finding and participating in service learning opportunities. The girls also help choose service opportunities for the whole school and lead our community during all school events. The board includes two co-chairs and representatives from grades 8-12. The board is enthusiastic about collaborating with other student-run groups, such as Hewitt’s social justice club ACTION, and the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). A week-long focus on The Girl Effect (http://www.girleffect.org/) this past spring was the result of one such collaboration.