Glenholme Students Are on a Roll!

Congratulations to all of the young Glenholme scholars who were recognized at this quarter's Honor Roll Assembly.

We are so proud of you. Keep up the good work!

Let's give 'em something to (blog) about!

The Glenholme blog was created in order to provide Glenholme families and friends, old and new, with a glimpse into student life and a first hand account of the services we provide. The campus is always full of activity and excitement, and we love having a forum that enables us to share it with you!

More than anything, we hope that this blog will serve as a resource for our readers. We envision it as a place where you can receive up to date campus news, stories, pictures, and, most importantly, ask any questions you may have! Whether you are a parent, relative, friend, or simply a reader who is interested in the daily musings of the school, our goal is to provide the answers.

If there is a certaom topic you would like to read more about, or if you have any questions regarding our services, please leave a message in the comments section!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Come to the (Glenholme) Cabaret!

On Thursday evening, a group of talented students presented the 2011 Summer Vocal Cabaret in The Center for the Arts. Glenholme students never fail to impress staff, family, and friends with their amazing performances, and the Vocal Cabaret was no exception.

 

Congratulations to all of the students and staff who participated in making the Vocal Cabaret such a pleasure to watch! Your hard work and effort certainly paid off.

Want to learn more about The Glenholme School's phenomenal Arts program?

• For an overview of the Arts at Glenholme, visit: http://www.theglenholmeschool.org/newsite/html/thearts.html
• For a rave review of Glenholme's 2010 production of Beauty and the Beast, visit: http://www.theglenholmeschool.org/press/2011/beast/beast.html
• To read about Glenholme's new Center for the Arts, visit:  http://www.devereux.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=31125&news_iv_ctrl=1769

Also, be sure to stay tuned for more information about the upcoming summer musical production, The Wizard of Oz!

Glenholme, Sweet Home

It's impossible to walk around Glenholme without feeling enraptured by the vast beauty that the campus offers.

From the minute details...

...to the vast landscapes and massive stone buildings.

Glenholme provides a picturesque atmosphere that truly makes students, staff, family, and friends feel right at home!

Learn more about Glenholme's gorgeous location, as well as nearby restauraunts, accomodations, and other points of interest by visiting our website: http://theglenholmeschool.org/newsite/html/info.html

Marley and Me: A Visit from an Old Friend

At Glenholme, we teach students to demonstrate respect, kindness, and friendship to everyone they encounter. While they practice these values on a daily basis with their staff and peers, the students proved yesterday that their compassionate nature extends to furry four-legged visitors as well! 

At lunch, the students were able to spend some time with Marley, an adorable Springer Spaniel who visited Glenholme once before in 2009. The students wasted no time rekindling the friendship that they had forged with him two years ago.

Marley enjoyed some of the wonderful cuisine offered on campus, compliments of Glenholme's Executive Director, Maryann Campbell

Thanks to Marley for making the students' day extra special. You are welcome on campus any time!

Glenholme 2011 Summer Olympics!

Check out these pictures of Glenholme's All-Star athletes participating in the 2011 Summer Olympics!

 

Congratulations to all of the students who participated!

What Makes Me a Leader?: Leadership Challenge, Day Four

Glenholme’s week long Leadership Challenge culminated on Friday with an opportunity for the students to reflect upon their growth as individuals, and as leaders. 

During the first activity, each student was recognized and commended by his or her peers for the positive qualities he or she possesses. Interestingly, the part of the activity the students seemed to most enjoy was not being praised, but having the opportunity to praise others. According to one incredibly mature and compassionate student, “It felt great to say nice things about other people.”  However, the “nice things” that the students were saying about one another far surpassed the generic or impersonal responses one might expect to hear. Instead, one student called his peer “a hero” who “gets things done,” while another praised her peer for “seeing the good in everyone.”

Following the activity, the students were asked to revisit an exercise that they had attempted a few days prior. The students had previously struggled to accomplish the exercise, as it challenged their communication skills, patience, and ability to work together. The second time around, however, the students were calm, positive, and encouraging to one another. The difference in the group’s attitude speaks volumes about the transformation that each student underwent during the past week.

The final activity was for the students to write letters to themselves. In the letter, the students were instructed to list things they could do in order to continue to be effective leaders. Each student then promised that he or she would follow through by doing the things on his or her list. The letters will be returned to the students in the fall, to serve as a reminder of their commitment to the Leadership Challenge, to Glenholme, and most importantly, to themselves. 

The program ended with an awards ceremony, during which each student was provided with a certificate for having completed the Leadership Challenge. 

As the students listened intently to their instructors’ kind and uplifting words, their faces shone with self-satisfaction and confidence. The students were proud of their accomplishments over the past week, excited about the tight bond they had forged with their fellow leaders, and optimistic about their ability to make a difference - both at Glenholme, and in all of their future endeavors.

Why Can't We Be Friends?: Leadership Challenge, Day Three

Day Three of the Leadership Challenge focused on strategies for overcoming conflict. Utilizing the skills learned in previous sessions, the students practiced formulating solutions to address difficult situations in which they may find themselves.

During the first exercise, the students were divided into groups and provided with a variety of hypothetical problems, such as “two students of different races confront each other by calling out racial slurs,” and “a teacher confronts a student with an accusation that a paper written by the student was plagiarized.” Each group then performed skits about the hypothetical situations they had been given.

Within the skits, that the students were asked to develop solutions to address the different conflicts. While conveying the tensions between “two students of difference races,” one group even broke out into song, performing their rendition of “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

If only it were that easy.

After presenting their skits, the students reconvened. They discussed what they believe are the most serious issues facing teenagers today, and came to the conclusion that bullying is the primary source of teenage conflict. However, one student remarked that he does not think bullying is as much of a factor at Glenholme because, at this school, “everybody has a chance.”

Following the discussion, the young leaders were asked to think of an activity that could be done on campus to address bullying and other difficult social issues. As they developed their activities, the students were told to consider all of the details, such as who they would have to go to for approval, who would be involved in organizing the activities, and what types of resources they would need. In other words, it was not enough for the students to say they would promote acceptance on campus. Rather, they needed to be proactive, work together to achieve a common goal, and speak up for what they believe in. 

One  activity that the students proposed is the "human knot." According to the rules, a group of individuals links hands with their arms crossed and, by communicating and working together, must figure out a way to uncross their arms without letting go of each others' hands. The students were able to complete their task successfully!

Throughout the day, the students enthusiastically brainstormed thoughtful and creative solutions to any problem they were given. Their hard work reflects their eagerness and ability to evoke change and create a more positive environment for themselves, and for their peers.

After all, as the old saying goes...  “There are no problems, only opportunities.”