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Diana Meadowcroft helped found Cedar Tree Classical School 27 years ago, where she currently serves as Upper School Academic Director. She has taught across multiple disciplines, developed numerous student traditions, and continues to serve on ACCS accreditations and mentor teachers. With degrees in communications and Christian education from Western Seminary, Diana is passionate in encouraging the next generation of classical Christian educators. She and her husband Bill have three adult children who grew up at Cedar Tree and are delighted that two of their five granddaughters are now students there.
This workshop outlines the what and the why of limited and targeted activities that become part of the ethos of a school over time. Based on experience leading student ministry and class trips as well as in-class and outside-of-class traditions, lower and upper school leaders will have principles as well as examples of what can be developed in their schools over time.
Leaders will see and hear the value of culture-building activities that can be sustained over years through the example of Cedar Tree’s K-12 program that serves 240 students. You don’t have to be large to intentionally enrich your culture and program.
Examples: Annual senior trip from West Coast to DC in the Fall that depends upon public transit and hostel style living; bi-annual high school ministry trip to Baja Mexico during spring break; Upper School Retreat; Senior Retreat; Sr. Thesis night; annual Reformation Day celebration put on by the upper school houses for the lower school students; class service days, annual cross-grade field trips like 3rd/10th grade visit to a monastery; weekly reading buddies between Kindergartners and 6th graders; and limited upper school co-curriculars like spring drama, Mock Trial, and cross-country teams.
Principles to practice:
a) Enrichment outside the classroom matters, but goals must reflect the school’s Portrait of the Graduate, curriculum guide and core values.
b) Teamwork creates the best on-going traditions—not a one-man show, and thus sustainable over time.
c) Traditions can be cross-grade activities as well as grade activities.
d) Trips cost can be reduced through hot lunch program.
e) Trips are student funded which means parent communication and buy-in is critical.
f) Success breeds trust and more success.
g) Less is more as a school calendar can fill up quickly.
h) You are known by what you celebrate.
Diana Meadowcroft helped found Cedar Tree Classical School 27 years ago, where she currently serves as Upper School Academic Director. She has taught across multiple disciplines, developed numerous student traditions, and continues to serve on ACCS accreditations and mentor teachers. With degrees in communications and Christian education from Western Seminary, Diana is passionate in encouraging the next generation of classical Christian educators. She and her husband Bill have three adult children who grew up at Cedar Tree and are delighted that two of their five granddaughters are now students there.