Panther Block Opens Up Options in Weekly Schedule
The Upper School introduced a new Panther Block into their weekly schedule. Principal Christen Alford (C'88) explained its origin: “When I was working on this year’s schedule, I thought, ‘What if we had one hour every Friday that could have a different focus every time?’” When she presented the idea to the faculty, they quickly brainstormed more than 100 ideas for how this time could be used. It was clear this was a tremendous opportunity for flexibility and an integrated approach to exploring crossover between subjects.
The Panther Block is a designated space in the schedule “to explore, create, ideate, collaborate, build community, share talents, and stretch ourselves as creative, analytical thinkers using various locations, tools, designs, models, etc.,” Alford explains.
The students also had no shortage of ideas for ways to use the Panther Block. Faculty members are currently culling that list down to the top 20 ideas. Then students will vote on which ones to incorporate this year.
Earlier this month, Principia hosted a Science and Sustainability rotation during Panther Block (pictured above), which explored the environmental, social, and economic impacts of sustainability. Students were introduced to the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations and learned about sustainable best practices on campus. They also generated enthusiasm and ideas for bettering humanity. Teacher Lynne Scott (C'01) shared, “It was great to have sustainability as a focus for one of the first Panther Blocks of the year. . . . We were able to introduce students to sustainable practices going on at the School, such as composting, meatless Mondays, recycling basics, and unique recycling efforts for EXPO markers, candy wrappers, pens, and batteries.” After exploring three different topics, students met with their Crews, shared what they had learned, and made a commitment to one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Panther Block also provides a perfect opportunity to bring in outside speakers, such as Julie Smith, a communications professor from Webster University, who spoke to students about strategies for using technology wisely, safely, and to their advantage.
Throughout the school year, Panther Block will accommodate Senior Speeches, Prin Giving Day activities, the annual Surf & Turf competition among Houses, and various performing arts showcases. According to Alford, one added benefit of the Panther Block is that “we don’t have to have crazy, special schedules when we have something we want to do because we already have an existing space for that to happen.”