Notes from Kate - Archive
This page contains the archive of the notes from the Head of School, Kate Brannum.
November 2, 2006:
Well, we made it through another hurricane. I am so thankful that we were able to reopen after only three days. I’m even more thankful that we were able to invite siblings and friends from other schools to join us until their schools reopened. Our students know that community service isn’t just about formal class projects, but also about taking opportunities to share with their families and their neighbors. They really demonstrated this after the hurricanes.
Dr. Kate Brannum
Head of School
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October 4, 2005:
Part of our mission at Batt Private School is to educate our students to be responsible leaders. This year, we will be having leadership seminars, bringing in guest speakers, and including leadership themes across our curriculum. One of the most important ways we can motivate our students is simply to share our expectation that they will develop into responsible leaders. At the school I attended, Sacred Heart, the sisters always emphasized how important higher education was. They were constantly talking about their own graduate studies and having us plan for ours. I remember Sister Johnette very explicitly stating that women should earn graduate degrees. She said that the education would be important even if we never used it in a career. The sisters probably could not have spotted a flicker of interest on my adolescent face, but I internalized that belief. Going to graduate school just seemed like the natural thing to do. In this same way, I want our students to internalize the belief that they are meant to be leaders. If they hear it at school and at home, they will begin to believe that they can realize their leadership potential.
Dr. Kate Brannum
Head of School
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September 29, 2005:
One of the best things about the new school year is being reminded of just how wonderful the Batt kids are. Last week, I was able to watch three-years-olds who were determined to be brave, kindergarteners who were willing to share their snacks with anyone who looked even remotely hungry, and fifth graders who were selling ice cream for hurricane victims. In the upper school, I watched a sixth grader determined to be attentive despite the lure of the window, a group of eighth graders working together to make sure everyone in the room understood the math problems, and upperclassmen teaching pre-algebra to middle school students. Just watching them day-to-day confirms my belief that we are succeeding in our mission to guide our students to become good citizens, kind and honest human beings, and responsible leaders.
Dr. Kate Brannum
Head of School
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August 23, 2005:
Welcome back!
It was wonderful to see everyone at our open house. I enjoyed hearing about the kids’ camps, trips, and summer programs. I’m so glad that they are excited about the school year beginning. We have many new things planned for them.
We have homework posted on the web for both the Lower School and the Upper School. Homework will be posted weekly. However, teachers reserve the right to change homework when necessary.
We have joined the International Studies School Association. ISSA is a national network of K-12 schools dedicated to improving students’ understanding of the world.
As part of our emphasis on international studies, I am going to be teaching a politics course in the upper school. I will also be doing social studies workshops in the lower school. The first ones will focus on the concepts of civil rights and human rights. Don't worry. They will be age appropriate. There will be no discussions of torture with seven year olds.
We plan on continuing our tradition of community service. This year, each lower school grade will have a community service project to work on throughout the year. The upper school kids will work together and as individuals on a variety of projects. They are already making plans to raise money for the Yarnell Scholarship Fund.
Outerwear is now going to be available through Metro Embroidery in Jupiter. Metro will be providing a variety of hoodies, zippered sweatshirts and pull-over sweatshirts. They will be college style with either Batt or BPS embroidered on them. If students are going to wear sweatshirts or sweaters in school, they must be uniform ones.
Metro Embroidery is located at 300 N Old Dixie Hwy Ste 105, Jupiter, FL 33458. Their phone number is 747-9100. Their email is metro9100@aol.com.
Dr. Kate Brannum
Head of School
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