Dr. Michael Thompson addresses parents, students

St. Martin's welcomed Dr. Michael Thompson, Ph.D., to campus on Nov. 17. A renowned child psychologist and author, Dr. Thompson met with parents and students throughout the day. He presented programs such as "Best Friends, Worst Enemies," "Dealing with Difficult Parents" and "How to Raise Responsible Children."

He met with the PTO Board, faculty, students in 4th-8th grades and parents. In an interactive session with students, he discussed the meanings of friendship and popularity. Students found it easy to define friendship but all struggled to describe popularity, noting that popular people are not always well liked.

"Friendship is fundamental in life," Dr. Thompson said. "Parents don't get to pick for you. Only you know who is a true friend to you."

At a parent seminar that evening, which was attended by more than 350 SMES parents and others, Dr. Thompson discussed the foundation, the framework and rules that children need in order to become responsible human beings. "Children like to know that they are seen and that the world is watching," he said.

He also recommended the following:

• introducing children to caretakers other than their own parents so that they can form additional attachments and have others to rely on;
• creating an extended family/community of friends, neighbors, church and school;
• spending time with children to help parents know their children better;
• listening to your children;
• maintaining consistent rules;
• in dealing with the children's school, be sure to learn all their teachers' names;
• exposing children to different activities but not forcing them into activities they don't like (don't push organized sports too early in life); and
• accepting that your child is different from you.

Dr. Thompson travels across the country to hold seminars at schools. His books include "The Pressured Child" and "Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys," among many others.

St. Martin's extends heartfelt thanks to the PTO and the 2009 Fling donors who provided the funds for Dr. Thompson's visit. 
 
 

 
SMES honors veterans

St. Martin's held its annual Veteran's Day Assembly on Nov. 11. Recognizing veterans for their service in five different wars, students presented poems and reports to honor their "adopted" veteran and his or her service to the country. The Rev. Mary Erickson, a former Army nurse and associate rector at St. Martin in the Fields Church, gave the keynote address. 

St. Martin's extends most heartfelt thanks to all veterans everywhere for their many sacrifices and their service to the United States.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the assembly.  

Breed addresses students

St. Martin's was honored to welcome Brennan Breed as speaker in Chapel on Monday, Nov. 9. Using the Gospel reading from Mark, Breed compared Jesus to an eye doctor -- one who helps others to see things and other people more clearly. Breed encouraged students to look on others like Jesus did and to "look for the beautiful things in all people, but especially the beautiful things in people who are often ignored, or awkward, or poor, or different, or kept out of the club."

Click here for the complete text of Breed's sermon.  

 

 

 

St. Martin’s Episcopal School is dedicated to providing a quality
education of the whole person in a loving, Christian atmosphere,
which fosters lifelong learning.