The Daily Thistle, St. Margaret's School

We continue our introductions of cast members of this weekend’s drama production of THE BROTHERS GRIMM. SPECTACULATHON. Today will be our last episode for the week as our School President declared tomorrow, Friday Feb. 25th a President’s Day - no classes. We will return on Monday, February 28th.

On this day in 1732, 290 years ago, George Washington was born 30 miles from our campus.  Across the river, Presidents George Washington, James Madison, and James Monroe were all born on the northern neck. Today, we thought we would share some insights about George Washington from Yale University Professor Dr. Joanne Freeman.  Dr. Freeman speaks of George Washington in,  "Balancing...

On this President’s Day we share certain aspects in the life of President James Garfield OnJuly 2nd 1881 James Ephraim Garfield was shot in a Washington train station by would-be assassin. The lead bullet that tore through the president's back on that summer morning, did not kill him. Instead, it plunged Garfield, his family, and the entire nation into a nightmare that seemed impossible to believe...

The Daily Thistle visited the river lawn during dinner to find several students enjoying being outside, being maskless, and enjoying the campus and our river.   Two bald eagles, whom we named, Martha and George, often appear in the tree next to the dock.  But when the Osprey returns in the spring, the eagles tend to stay off the river and make their home upon Hoskins Creek.  We hope...

Recently we spoke with Ms Hicks who serves as our international program coordinator We asked her to speak about our Chilean exchange program… Ms. Hicks . . And this is part of the Queen or St. Margaret’s School association, right?

On Saturday, Mrs. Bell was in Massachusetts sharing a coffee with a member of the Class of 2021.  The conversation was about STEAM and what’s coming to the St. Margaret’s campus next fall.  Here’s Mrs. Bell from Massachusetts… When students visited several museums in Washington, D.C  some students sent clips of their impressions on certain pieces that interested them.  We thoug...

In 1794 Jones founded the first black Episcopal congregation, and in 1802, he was the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of saints. He is remembered liturgically on the date of his death, February 13, in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as "Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818". Rev. Johnson speaks to Absalom...

Happy Valentine's Day from St. Margaret’s!  On February 25th and 26th the drama department will host a production of the Brothers Grimm. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarr...

The new optional masking protocol is going well on campus as transmission rates in Essex County continue to fall. Yesterday members of the Board of Governors and Mr. Bell surveyed the riverbank in preparation for the placement of the new pier and River Classroom. It will be constructed this summer.  The 20 x 20 classroom at the end of the pier will be complete with a roof, solar panels, and w...

Our St. Margaret's students were part of those voices from the Washington DC's National Cathedral yesterday.  The annual gathering with our friends from across the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association to sing and worship was a great success. And this voice was Jenny Yang, who shared a reading in the Evensong service. Today's Daily Thistle also shares the news that St. Margaret's has mov...

Last night we were treated to a performance by our Chilean students who Shared with us insights into the Chilean culture. It Was Then followed by a presentation to our head of school and the director of our international program by the Chilean students.  The community was privileged to watch a Chilean dance That was incredibly well-received by the audience. Following the performance, it was t...

It was a full build day yesterday, and today the nine teams will finish their Rube Goldberg machines.  We are seeing several interesting designs, and one thing that we learned - get to the materials early. Students and faculty are learning a great deal about the challenges in working in a highly collaborative atmosphere. It is about team building, it is knowing each other's strengths and util...

Yesterday was the start of the the Lunar New Year Lunar New Year is the beginning of a calendar year whose months are Moon cycles, based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. It is particularly celebrated in countries within East and Southeast Asia, being influenced by the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Last night, we gathered in the gym to celebrate the Lunar New Year with student performance...

It is Black History month as well as Day 1 of STEAM WEEK From the CTC Center here are some sounds of the early collaboration. We spoke to some students about the day So, introduce yourself and tell us about the day! What was your biggest take away from this day . . .

From the road, with Autumn Courtney It begins today, our STEAM WEEK where nine teams of faculty and students begin their work on their Rube Goldberg projects. This morning there is an orientation about Rube Goldberg, and six simple machines.  Each team will have a five-step build activity. Since this is the first time the team’s taken shape, there will be an element of team-building among eac...

Did you know that St. Margaret's is part of a consortium where students are able to study abroad at other schools named after Queen Margaret of Scotland.  This program is a unique opportunity for students enrolled at our school!  This month, we've welcomed seven students from the St. Margaret's British School for Girls in Chile to live and learn with us these next few weeks. We caught up...

Those were some sounds from play practice yesterday, I will have more news about that performance in some coming episodes! This week students and faculty are engaged in a “Pin It to Win It” game. Each student and faculty received four clothespins with four different names written on them. We were instructed to discreetly pin one person each day. If they catch us trying to pin them, our pin would b...

Today a reading in Chapel "A letter to the Hebrews" calls on us to open our hearts to strangers. Our Dean of School, Ms. Cupper Dickinson reads the passage. . . Rev. Dr. Johnson then spoke to the letter in her homily.   As an Episcopal School, St. Margaret's tradition is one of graciousness, generosity, and humility—we do not possess all of the answers, and we are eager to learn from each oth...

For 100 years, Sunday Compline has been a mainstay at St. Margaret's School.  I wanted to share some sounds from Compline at St. Margaret's last night from the school's Chapel. First, our senior class president and school president are always sitting in the sanctuary. Let's hear from them on what Compline is at St. Margaret’s….

Last night our basketball team lost to St. Catherine’s in its second game of the season. In the news from the college front, The Chronicle for Higher Education reported that close to half a million students dropped out of college last fall. Since the start of the Covid Pandemic, colleges have seen a significant downturn in enrollment. There is a concern for the growing educational erosion that wil...

At yesterday’s Chapel, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  From St. John’s Church, this was part of St. Margaret’s School’s commemoration of Dr. King. Last night St. Margaret’s also joined the 33rd Annual Essex County Community Celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The event was sponsored by the Angel Visit Baptist Church in Dunnsville, Virginia.

Today is  Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Born on January 15, 1929, King would become an American Baptist minister and activist who be the most visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. His leadership was fundamental to ending the legal segregation of African Americans in the United States. Dr. King rose to national prominence as...

Last night our basketball team opened season play against Veritas. The Scotties were defeated but the loss was more a reflection of early nerves and their short preparation time. We caught up with some fans in the stands to ask them their observations of the games

One program at St. Margaret’s School is our 5-Day Boarding experience.  What is it?  Today we thought we should share some insights . ..

Last night we caught up with the Varsity and JV basketball teams as they prepare for Thursday’s game. We spoke with senior Carrie Nelson to have her share some insights about the team.