The Heights School

Coffee with the Headmaster

Coffee with the Headmaster takes place once a month on the following Thursdays (8:30-9:50 a.m.):

October 4
November 8
December 6
January 3
February 7
March 6
April 3
May 7

All parents and friends are invited to these sessions which entail mingling over coffee and pastries, and discussion-group talks with Mr. de Vicente. The topics of the discussions range from the progress of construction to the culture of learning at The Heights. They are designed to help keep parents informed of all progress and changes at the School, and to bring to light certain aspects of curriculum, sports, advisory, etc. Please join us when you can!

The following are notes from the previous Coffee With the Headmaster:

The Heights has a new look.

Having outgrown the previous buildings and with the interest in more fully separating the Lower, Middle and Upper schools, The Heights embarked on its own expansion campaign. Mr. de Vicente made the following remarks regarding the new building:

"Because of the generosity of our early donors, The School was able to move forward with the construction of the new upper school building and the Chapel. It made sense, both economically and practically, to renovate the middle school building, library and computer lab at the same time. This has enabled our students to take immediate advantage of the upgraded classrooms while we still work to raise the remainder of the money necessary to pay for all these much needed improvements. It was a leap of faith but over the next year or two, we feel confident that our parents, alumni, and friends will all participate in the Tower Campaign to the extent that their means allow."

Mr. de Vicente praised Phil McGovern, CFO, and Matt Heil, Business Manager, for their hard work throughout the summer to make sure that the campus was ready for the first day of school. Tours were conducted during back-to-school nights allowing parents a glimpse at the new administration offices and academic rooms. The third floor is nearing completion but the chapel will not be completed until December. After the new building is finally finished, The Heights intends to have a celebration on the Epiphany to dedicate the new building.
Alvaro talked about the new crest on the floor by the main entrance. The boys have been informed that they should not step on the crest; not out of superstition but out of respect. The crest is a symbol of significance to the school and, like our country’s flag, should be treated differently.

La Prima is catering the lunches. Boys can still sign up for the program but they cannot do it on a day-to-day basis. In the next few weeks La Prima may start a mid-morning “snack” program that the boys could decide to participate on a day-to-day basis.
The Arts program is very successful with the music department and the theater department off to a good start. The curriculum is under review and The Heights hopes to bring in college professors to assess the current program.

-------------------------------------
The Coffee Q&A Session

•    Ninth Grade Orientation
...the goal of [Freshman Orientation] is forming a more cohesive class and giving the boys a sense of direction.

What’s different about Ninth Grade at The Heights? This was discussed at the September Coffee. Typically the number of boys that leaves after eighth grade is between 20 and 25. This year’s class only lost 14 and they gained 16 boys. The total class size is 56. Freshman orientation took place in August with the goal of forming a more cohesive class and giving the boys a sense of direction. They played sports, charades and participated in discussion groups. This year, seniors attended so the ninth graders could have panel discussions with them. The boys also rotated among five teachers with different topics: Mr. Moynihan -Study Habits, Mr. Royals - Family–Social Life, Opus Dei - Mr. Cardenas, Faith - Father Javier and Alvaro talked about Drinking and Pornography. The boys then take the time to write their goals academically, spiritually and professionally. When the ninth graders become seniors, Alvaro will give them back their lists so they can assess their progress

•    The Athletic Field and More

Kevin O’Neill, owner of Great American Landscapes and Heights father of Liam (’17), Brian (’15), Cullen (’13), and Casey (’03) has done a tremendous job in preparing the new soccer field for the start of the school year. Two attempts were necessary but as a result of Kevin’s diligence and preparation the field is beautiful and a credit to the school. Careful use of the field means P.E. will take place on the lower field and if there is substantial rain then the games maybe postponed.
The administration is in the process of re-evaluating the sports program with the possibility of starting new teams. Wrestling began last year and hope was expressed for football in the future.   Please visit www.heights.edu for more sports news.   GO CAVALIERS!

As you can see a lot is covered in the Coffee with the Headmaster. Get the information first hand by coming to the coffee’s which take place the first Thursday of the month.




Welcome Calendar HPA Handbooks Faculty Lecture Series Coffee with the Headmaster Suggested Reading Haberdashery Ways of Giving Tenley Study Center Opus Dei	Coffee with the Headmaster Coffee with the Headmaster takes place once a month on the following Thursdays (8:30-9:50 a.m.): October 4 November 8 December 6 January 3 February 7 March 6 April 3 May 7 All parents and friends are invited to these sessions which entail mingling over coffee and pastries, and discussion-group talks with Mr. de Vicente. The topics of the discussions range from the progress of construction to the culture of learning at The Heights. They are designed to help keep parents informed of all progress and changes at the School, and to bring to light certain aspects of curriculum, sports, advisory, etc. Please join us when you can! The following are notes from the previous Coffee With the Headmaster: The Heights has a new look. Having outgrown the previous buildings and with the interest in more fully separating the Lower, Middle and Upper schools, The Heights embarked on its own expansion campaign. Mr. de Vicente made the following remarks regarding the new building: "Because of the generosity of our early donors, The School was able to move forward with the construction of the new upper school building and the Chapel. It made sense, both economically and practically, to renovate the middle school building, library and computer lab at the same time. This has enabled our students to take immediate advantage of the upgraded classrooms while we still work to raise the remainder of the money necessary to pay for all these much needed improvements. It was a leap of faith but over the next year or two, we feel confident that our parents, alumni, and friends will all participate in the Tower Campaign to the extent that their means allow." Mr. de Vicente praised Phil McGovern, CFO, and Matt Heil, Business Manager, for their hard work throughout the summer to make sure that the campus was ready for the first day of school. Tours were conducted during back-to-school nights allowing parents a glimpse at the new administration offices and academic rooms. The third floor is nearing completion but the chapel will not be completed until December. After the new building is finally finished, The Heights intends to have a celebration on the Epiphany to dedicate the new building. Alvaro talked about the new crest on the floor by the main entrance. The boys have been informed that they should not step on the crest; not out of superstition but out of respect. The crest is a symbol of significance to the school and, like our country’s flag, should be treated differently. La Prima is catering the lunches. Boys can still sign up for the program but they cannot do it on a day-to-day basis. In the next few weeks La Prima may start a mid-morning “snack” program that the boys could decide to participate on a day-to-day basis. The Arts program is very successful with the music department and the theater department off to a good start. The curriculum is under review and The Heights hopes to bring in college professors to assess the current program. ------------------------------------- The Coffee Q&A Session • Ninth Grade Orientation ...the goal of [Freshman Orientation] is forming a more cohesive class and giving the boys a sense of direction. What’s different about Ninth Grade at The Heights? This was discussed at the September Coffee. Typically the number of boys that leaves after eighth grade is between 20 and 25. This year’s class only lost 14 and they gained 16 boys. The total class size is 56. Freshman orientation took place in August with the goal of forming a more cohesive class and giving the boys a sense of direction. They played sports, charades and participated in discussion groups. This year, seniors attended so the ninth graders could have panel discussions with them. The boys also rotated among five teachers with different topics: Mr. Moynihan -Study Habits, Mr. Royals - Family–Social Life, Opus Dei - Mr. Cardenas, Faith - Father Javier and Alvaro talked about Drinking and Pornography. The boys then take the time to write their goals academically, spiritually and professionally. When the ninth graders become seniors, Alvaro will give them back their lists so they can assess their progress • The Athletic Field and More Kevin O’Neill, owner of Great American Landscapes and Heights father of Liam (’17), Brian (’15), Cullen (’13), and Casey (’03) has done a tremendous job in preparing the new soccer field for the start of the school year. Two attempts were necessary but as a result of Kevin’s diligence and preparation the field is beautiful and a credit to the school. Careful use of the field means P.E. will take place on the lower field and if there is substantial rain then the games maybe postponed. The administration is in the process of re-evaluating the sports program with the possibility of starting new teams. Wrestling began last year and hope was expressed for football in the future. Please visit www.heights.edu for more sports news. GO CAVALIERS! As you can see a lot is covered in the Coffee with the Headmaster. Get the information first hand by coming to the coffee’s which take place the first Thursday of the month.