Engineering students learned about center of mass, rotational motion, and torque by building balanced mobiles. Some students started with calculations and a plan, while others began their project by building and balancing by eye. The second group found out how tricky that approach was, and how useful an accurate drawing can be. In the end, through a lot of work everyone was able to balance their mobiles.
The Tea Class practiced mindfulness through the art of tea preparation and enjoyment, providing a calming sanctuary in everyday life.
Becca, Jonathan, and Josh attended the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) annual conference at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, where they attended presentations, workshops, and met with educators from across Virginia. In addition to learning from peer institutions, they also gave a presentation on CHS’s narrative evaluations as a mode of assessment.
In the study of calculus, one of the most fascinating applications is understanding motion through derivatives. This concept allows students to explore the relationships between position, velocity, and acceleration. Using motion-sensor carts, our students saw these mathematical principles come to life by testing their initial predictions against real-life data. These hands-on experiments helped solidify their understanding of how calculus describes motion, providing a clear visual representation of how derivatives work.
Roanoke College’s campus is home to some 1,000 trees of at least 77 different species. CHS parent and Roanoke College professor Dr. Laura Harman and her colleague, Dr. Mike Wise, gave our Plants class a tree tour of the campus.
Some of the highlights included the 200+ year old Dutch Elm, which existed before the campus did! At 94 feet tall and 21 feet wide it is the largest known Dutch Elm in Virginia. Also to note is the Tree of 40 Fruits, which has been grafted to grow over 40 varieties of stone fruit! And for fun here’s also a photo of the Osage orange they found.
Our physical education students were treated to a fitness training session at The Noke. Our PE program strives to provide an opportunity for personal growth, team building, and the development of healthy habits, whether each student is a seasoned athlete or someone just beginning their fitness journey.
The Animation class collaborated on creating characters from shapes drawn by their classmates. They sketched out basic shapes, then passed the papers around the room, allowing each other to fill in the character designs and add features. It was not only a fun project, but one that promoted collaboration and encouraged imaginative thinking.
The Día de los Muertos celebration at Morningside Urban Farm, artistically conceptualized by Brian Counihan, was a vibrant event focused on cultural expression and community involvement. Throughout the month, various workshops, including a sugar skull crafting session by artist Zuheil Alvarez Cortes, engaged participants in the celebration’s artistic traditions.
The final event was a community ritual and celebration which featured a beautifully constructed altar for honoring the deceased, live music, hands-on activity stations, traditional foods, and educational opportunities to learn about the significance of Día de los Muertos. The event invited everyone to participate, whether they were familiar with the traditions or new to them, which offered a unique opportunity for reflection and connection.
Our advanced Spanish language students hosted Zuheil Alvarez Cortes of The Dream Initiative, the talented local artist who ran the free weekly Día de los Muertos workshops at Morningside Urban Farm throughout the month. Together they made Cempasúchil flowers and imitation sugar skulls to use for the alter at the community ritual and celebration event. The brightly colored Cempasúchil flowers are believed to guide spirits to their altars, while sugar skulls symbolize the souls of the departed.
