New Circumstance, New Faces, New Traditions
Over the course of High Meadow’s 36-year history, numerous back-to-school traditions have evolved – some brought by past teachers, staff, and parents, some born out of specific groups of students and their interactions with the campus. We take pride in upholding these traditions and honoring our roots. While this year may look different, and some of … Read More
Our Teaching Staff for the 2020/21 School Year
This summer has required more planning and idea-juggling and outside-the-box thinking than any other school year preparation of my 40-year career. The fact that I am doing that work here at High Meadow, in the service of bringing this community back together, imbues the complex and sometimes painful work with immense value. Knowing the work … Read More
What Are We Celebrating Right Now? Campus Improvements!
We have some truly amazing people doing some truly amazing work on campus right now. Leading our illustrious team of Campus Improvement Rockstars is Ann Ganter (mom of Tallulah in 5th grade and August in 6th grade). We caught up with her to find out what projects are in the works; here is her report: … Read More
Sticking Together Through the Uncertainty
As we continue to monitor all the information available to us around COVID-19 and School Reopenings, we want to be as transparent and clear as possible. We understand how challenging this is for everyone – school leadership, teachers, parents, and kids alike. Answers to your questions, and any “decisions” that we make could be changed … Read More
A Message from The Board of Trustees
This year has been an uncertain and challenging time for the country and our school, and despite that, we hope you have had some moments of respite and peace. Dr. Susan Paynter and the administrative staff have had to rapidly envision a new educational strategy, and we have all had to adapt to the new … Read More
A Year to Remember
In January, I smiled at the idea that this was the year 2020, a year of 2020 vision and clarity. Then in early March, we zoomed in…. We zoomed into one another’s homes. We saw one another’s dogs, cats, gardens, and couches. We saw our own images staring back at us from the screen and … Read More
Responding to Racism and Police Violence
I know this message reaches you amidst news of ongoing state violence against Black Americans. And as thousands have taken to the streets in protest, some have been met with further violence at the hand of police. Members of our community are responding in many ways, by attending protests, reading and learning, taking up difficult … Read More
Timeline of High Meadow School’s Response to COVID-19
Updated April 27, 2020 “I am grateful in this confusing and complicated moment to be a member of such an extraordinary community, and I am confident that we will do all we can to support one another.” —Dr. Susan Paynter, Head of School, via email to all High Meadow families on March 13, 2020 And so … Read More
Campus Sustainability at High Meadow
You might be surprised by how far HMS has moved toward sustainability in the past few years! Guided by the work of Buildings and Grounds Manager, Ann Ganter, the largest reduction in our carbon footprint has been in energy consumption for the Main Building, where last year, two boilers consumed 2586 gallons of fuel oil. … Read More
High Meadow Students Represent at YESS!
Six of our 7th- and 8th-grade students recently participated in the first annual Youth Environmental Sustainability Summit (YESS!) at The Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. YESS! is a global climate solution and leadership summit for young people who are ready to change their lives and their communities by working towards climate resilience. The three-day event was … Read More
High Meadow Alums: The Data Is In!
An Update from Head of School, Dr. Susan Paynter Our HMS high school alumni are thriving and are leading the way in academics, school governance, and the arts. This year, in the Roundout Valley School District (where half of our students are registered), an HMS alum is the 9th-grade class president, and two of our alumni … Read More
Environmental Science in Action
This month, 8th Grade Science received two visitors from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Amanda Higgs, fisheries biologist, and Rebecca Houser, of The Hudson River Estuary Program. The subject of their presentation? Sturgeon! Amanda talked about her hands-on work with this ancient and endangered fish, vital to the Hudson River ecosystem. Two species … Read More
Education Researchers Visit from China
This month, three researchers from the Innovation Platform for Children’s Foreign Language Education at Chongqing University of Education in China visited High Meadow to observe our early childhood classrooms, part of a dual degree program with SUNY New Paltz. The visit was organized by HMS alum Aiko Pletch, who attended in the early years of … Read More
Finding Gratitude All Around Us
We believe children flourish when they are allowed to explore nature, the outdoors, and their relationships within their community in a safe and supportive environment. To foster this exploration, before breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday, cross-grade Reading Partners took part in a new tradition, the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt, searching far and wide on our campus … Read More
Reading Partners and Cross Grade Learning
Each Friday, our older students join the younger ones for Reading Partners. They read together, make art, talk, and play, before walking together to our all-school Gathering. If you have a child at High Meadow, perhaps you’ve heard what a special time of the week it is for all ages. While Reading Partners certainly encourages … Read More
Our Students ARE Scientists
High Meadow 8th graders, led by science teacher Gian Ascione, had another opportunity to BE SCIENTISTS this month, participating in a regional project to collect and exchange scientific measurements from a 150-mile portion of the Hudson River, from NY Harbor to Troy Dam. The student-gathered data will be compiled to create a “day-in-the-life” snapshot of … Read More
Meet PE Teacher Sean Whalen!
This month, Sean Whalen joins our growing physical education program as PE Teacher for all grade levels. Sean grew up here in Stone Ridge, attending Marbletown Elementary (where his father teaches math) and Rondout High School. At Rondout, he was captain of the lacrosse team, and also played soccer. Sean continued his education at St. Bonaventure … Read More
Spotlight: Fall Electives
At High Meadow, we believe providing students with choice + voice along their educational paths helps prepare them to be decision-makers in their lives and communities. This kind of student-driven exploration promotes “21st-century skills” such as independent thinking and connection making, and allows students space and time to identify what they’re truly passionate about. Last week, students selected from 29 elective … Read More
Exploring Natural Materials through Art
This month, Kindergarten and 3rd Grade students in Kimberly Carmody’s art classes used materials they found on the High Meadow nature trail to experiment with mark-making in ink. (In this case, the ink was watered down, washable tempera paint!) Kimberly says she chose this project in support of our mission to engage students’ “intrinsic curiosity in … Read More
Thank You to Hungry for Music!
For 25 years, Hungry for Music has been providing donated instruments to music students across the country and around the world. Last year, the non-profit donated seven violins to jump start our new program; we now have enough for the entire 2nd grade! This year, we received three trumpets, two clarinets, and two alto saxophones to support our growing wind instruction … Read More
Report Out: All-Staff Equity Training
This week, teachers and administrators convened for a conversation focused on equity and inclusion at High Meadow. New HMS art teacher, Kimberly Carmody, facilitated the session, an extension of her work at Berkeley Carroll school in Brooklyn. Staff members were invited to consider their own varied “indentities”, including aspects of self related to gender, sexuality, race, disability, and religion, among others, … Read More