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News & Photos
"Read with US" is a Winner
Every Upper School student and teacher had something in common to talk about on the first day of school. Each had traveled the United States, Germany, and Japan, and been stranded on a raft in the Atlantic with Louis Zamperini, the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling narrative Unbroken, the book selected for McDonogh’s first “Read with US” program.
“Our goal was to bring the community together as a whole,” said librarian Jersey Frederick, who spearheaded the project with librarian Dawn Stellman. “It is about students talking to teachers, students talking to other students, and teachers talking to teachers.”
That is exactly what happened on the first day of school. The entire upper school gathered in the Ceres M. Horn theatre for a special assembly dedicated to “Read with US.” First on the agenda was an entertaining home video, with commentary from students, teachers, and administrators about Unbroken. Then, the crowd divided up into small, “book club” style discussion groups to talk about the novel.
Seniors, who had completed facilitator training during the summer, led the groups that included students from every grade and a couple of teachers. The discussions about Zamperini’s experience as an Olympic runner and his story of survival in World War II revealed that most people thought the book was inspirational and did not think it was a chore to read.
Sophomore Jacob S. admitted, “At first, I was frustrated that we had to read an extra book, but it ended up being one of the best books I’ve read.”
Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Steve Birdsall agreed, “Unbroken is one of my all-time top five favorite books.”
Upper school librarians and the committee of students and teachers who chose the book are pleased with the response. “We tried to pick an adult-level book that would connect as many people as possible; one that would appeal to adults, teens, boys and girls,” said Frederick.
Alysa D. ‘12 hopes the program will continue after she graduates. “It gives students a chance to be with people they might never be with and talk about something in common.”
Senior facilitator Emma W. believes that the program was a great opportunity for freshmen to meet people and open up. “It helped them feel part of the upper school right away.”
Plans are underway to survey the entire upper school to get more feedback on “Read with US.” Librarians are hopeful that the program will become an annual event.
On December 6, the upper school community will continue the discussion that started on the first day of school when WWII veteran Gilbert Sandler visits campus in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Every Upper School student and teacher had something in common to talk about on the first day of school. Each had traveled the United States, Germany, and Japan, and been stranded on a raft in the Atlantic with Louis Zamperini, the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling narrative Unbroken, the book selected for McDonogh’s first “Read with US” program.
“Our goal was to bring the community together as a whole,” said librarian Jersey Frederick, who spearheaded the project with librarian Dawn Stellman. “It is about students talking to teachers, students talking to other students, and teachers talking to teachers.”
That is exactly what happened on the first day of school. The entire upper school gathered in the Ceres M. Horn theatre for a special assembly dedicated to “Read with US.” First on the agenda was an entertaining home video, with commentary from students, teachers, and administrators about Unbroken. Then, the crowd divided up into small, “book club” style discussion groups to talk about the novel.
Seniors, who had completed facilitator training during the summer, led the groups that included students from every grade and a couple of teachers. The discussions about Zamperini’s experience as an Olympic runner and his story of survival in World War II revealed that most people thought the book was inspirational and did not think it was a chore to read.
Sophomore Jacob S. admitted, “At first, I was frustrated that we had to read an extra book, but it ended up being one of the best books I’ve read.”
Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Steve Birdsall agreed, “Unbroken is one of my all-time top five favorite books.”
Upper school librarians and the committee of students and teachers who chose the book are pleased with the response. “We tried to pick an adult-level book that would connect as many people as possible; one that would appeal to adults, teens, boys and girls,” said Frederick.
Alysa D. ‘12 hopes the program will continue after she graduates. “It gives students a chance to be with people they might never be with and talk about something in common.”
Senior facilitator Emma W. believes that the program was a great opportunity for freshmen to meet people and open up. “It helped them feel part of the upper school right away.”
Plans are underway to survey the entire upper school to get more feedback on “Read with US.” Librarians are hopeful that the program will become an annual event.
On December 6, the upper school community will continue the discussion that started on the first day of school when WWII veteran Gilbert Sandler visits campus in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.