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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

03/31/10 Whitby School is a Shining Star in Greenwich

Photo: New York Ranger Hall of Fame goalie and Whitby parent, Mike Richter, emcees the school's Spring Benefit on April 10.

School Announces Its International Baccalaureate Accreditation. New York Rangers Hall of Fame Goalie, and Proud Whitby Parent Mike Richter to Emcee Spring Benefit on Saturday, April 10th.

Whitby, America’s oldest Montessori school, has always been an innovative leader in education and will be the first school in Westchester and Fairfield counties to integrate the International Baccalaureate (IB) program through both the primary and middle years. In fact, today the school announces, just in time for its upcoming community Spring benefit, that it’s accomplished a major portion of this goal. Whitby has received International Baccalaureate Accreditation, and is now an IB World School having been authorized for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) for grades 5 through 8. IB Americas has recommended authorization to the IB World Organization in Geneva for Whitby's Primary Years Program (PYP) for kindergarten through grade 4 as well, and a response is expected soon. As a leading private school in Connecticut, Whitby's exceptional approach motivates children to acquire the intellectual, personal and social skills that will ultimately distinguish them from their peers. The result is students who learn, live and succeed.

“With so many incredible accomplishments being achieved by the school this year, I’m thrilled to take on a higher profile role at this year’s benefit,” says Mike Richter. “I have seen my own children skip into the building each day, excited about what they are learning. The quality of their educational environment starts not only with the facilities and their teachers but also their peers. It’s wonderful to see the quality friendships they are forming with like-minded, curious learners. As parents, it’s gratifying to know our kids are happy and getting an education like none other, and one that will fully prepare them for their future.”

Mike adds, “I’m also very excited about attending the Spring Benefit, a chance to spend time with Whitby friends like my good friend Mark Messier.”

Richter’s former Rangers teammate and Hall of Famer, Mark Messier, says, “This is a very special school that we feel privileged to be a part of. Whitby provides the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.”

The aim of all IB programs is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, confident and caring internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

Headmaster Doug Fainelli, a respected educator in the community for over 30 years, opened the first IB Primary Years accredited school in New England, the International School at Dundee, in 2000. Following his retirement from 35 years of teaching and leadership assignments in CT, including an eight month role as Acting Superintendent of Schools in Greenwich, Fainelli led the team to launch the British International IB school in Manhattan. He strongly feels the IB approach offers a synthesis of proven best practices including much of Maria Montessori’s groundbreaking work. The IB/Montessori mission and roadmap for learning result in independent, highly skilled, confident and motivated learners with an appreciation of the many cultures in our world. Fainelli is proud to support a mission that in part produces graduates who understand that “people with their differences can also be right.”

He notes, “A Whitby education develops a skilled, confident and compassionate learner. Students benefit from a ratio of 1 teacher to every 7 students and a rigorous curriculum, all on a state-of-the-art campus equipped to support the most effective applications of technology. Uniquely, our students are not seen as having mastered the goals of the curriculum until they take action and apply them in their lives.”

He adds, “While the upcoming benefit is a night to celebrate how far the school has come, it’s also about recognizing how far we can go and grow. This community is filled with passionate and talented educators, students and parents, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

KEY BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF AN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

Proven successful with numerous studies on the performance of IB students, the standards of the IB program and the positive effect of the program on a school indicating that:

IB students outperform their peers on state assessments
IB Diploma students have higher acceptance rates to colleges
IB Diploma students perform better in post-secondary education than their peers
IB standards are aligned with best practices in education and support effectiveteaching practices
IB has a positive impact on the culture of a school
32% of Newsweek’s top 100 high schools in US offer IB

Research based teaching approach with curriculum options to meet differing needs at Primary and Middle school levels:

Best practices from around world...inquiry and interdisciplinary strategies focused on higher order thinking/problem solving
Children learn a second language from Kindergarten on and usually others
Immediate application of learning in student’s life and community

Clear aims and values that develop active, empowered learners who take responsibility for their learning:

A consistent Learner Profile across three age programs that defines what IB mission means in student behavior terms and unites students, parents, teachers and administrators with a common focus on the whole person and life-long learner
Emphasis on intercultural understanding

The Whitby School has an advantage over other schools in the area, and the results are found in the students themselves. Just walk the halls or visit the busy, vibrant classrooms, and talk to any one of them. You will quickly understand these benefits in action. The emotionally and physically safe and nurturing environment built upon respecting each child’s uniqueness and supporting those needs with best teaching practices makes this school a gift all children should enjoy. Fainelli expresses regret that all schools do not exhibit the same qualities.

To learn more about Whitby, please visit www.whitbyschool.org. Also check out the school’s benefit blog at www.WhitbyBenefit.org where you will see a video of Mike Richter, as well as get a chance to bid on an exciting “Dancing With The Stars” auction package, or a stay at the Messier’s beach paradise in Harbor Island, Bahamas, where all proceeds go directly to the school.

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1 comment:

Tami McCarthy said...

Thanks for getting the word about this special school and its recent accomplishments!

Love your blog.

Best,
Tami McCarthy

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