A Powhatan Day: Reflections On The First Day Of School
Headmaster John Lathrop kicked off the 2010-2011 school year by conducting his 19th New School Year Gathering at Powhatan School earlier this morning. This year marks the 62nd school year for Powhatan and spirits were running high as new and returning students greeted one another in anticipation of another outstanding school year. We sat down with Mr. Lathrop briefly at lunch to get a sense of how the First Day is progressing.
“This is the 40th time as a teacher that I’ve experienced the first day of school and it is always exciting,” began Lathrop; “the kids are thrilled, the parents are tearing, but everybody is eager and ready to go. It would be nice if you could bottle the first day and capture that magical feeling.”
Each school day starts at the drop-off line in front of the Carter House with a handshake from Lathrop or Assistant Head of School Sally Megeath. “From the first day of school we set the tone for the children. It’s a strong tradition,” says Lathrop, “it’s something I started here my very first day at Powhatan 19 years ago and it really reflects our theme of respect. It is the first thing they do before heading off to class.” The first day is a little different as many parents stop to see off their students. “It’s great because many of them take the time to come over and shake my hand along with their child, it’s the first day and they want to be involved. It’s great to talk to the parents and everyone comes out and says hello.”
For the new Kindergarten parents, the Powhatan Parents Association hosts the Kindergarten Coffee program to help acclimate the parents to their new surroundings while the students are off to Homeroom. Volunteers Kathy Kendall and Rev. Michael Kendall were on hand to welcome the new parents to the Powhatan community.
An annual tradition, the first Gathering of the school year is always held outside in Ibit’s Courtyard, located in the middle of campus. “We mirror graduation for the first Gathering,” says Lathrop, “all of the classes are in their assigned places. It’s an important traditional aspect of the first day.” The energy is visible and spirits are high as the Headmaster addresses the student body. “I always ask what kind of day it is, and the students all respond that it is ‘A Powhatan Day’. It’s wonderful for a small school to bring everybody together and start the year off right. We are in the business of educating our students and work starts immediately.”
“I’m looking forward to this year, it’s very meaningful to me.” The 2010-2011 school year marks the beginning of the 19th and final year at the helm for Headmaster John Lathrop, who will retire in June. During his tenure Lathrop has overseen a 50% increase in enrollment, the growth of the endowment, significant expansion of the campus physical plant, and recognition of Powhatan as the finest school in the Winchester area. “It has always been my goal to provide unequaled education for young people of the Winchester area,” says Lathrop, reflecting on his 19 years as Headmaster. “We do it through a rigorous academic program taught by caring and professional educators using the latest teaching techniques with the most up-to-date materials in fabulous facilities. It has been a labor of love.”
When asked about some of the things he is looking forward to this year, it didn’t take long for Mr. Lathrop to answer. “Our values are very important here at Powhatan, so I am looking forward to implementing our 2010-2011 theme, RESPECT, across all things we do. Our efforts in the NEAL program (Nature Enhanced Approach to Learning) and ‘C Spout Run’ with our local effort and our global initiative with College Catherine Flon in Haiti with Shenandoah University.” Lathrop continued; “But most of all I look forward to getting into the classroom with my students. That’s what I love.”
The first day ends with the annual 8th Grade vs. Faculty game at 1:45pm. Highlighting the special nature of the relationship between the class and Powhatan, the 8th Grade game also bookends the school year for the class. They play a final game against the faculty at the end of the year.
“We set a tone of happiness and enjoyment of school on the first day,” finished Lathrop; “but it is also one of rigor, patience, and respect.”
