School News
Family Sledding Party on January 22
January 9th, 2022Next Dante Discussion to Feature Scholar and Poet
January 9th, 2022The “100 Days of Dante” series continues! It’s not too late to join the climb up Mount Purgatory. Grab a copy of The Divine Comedy or just listen to/watch the engaging ten-minute lectures. You can start at the beginning with the Inferno or jump right into the middle of Purgatorio, though we would highly recommend going back and listening to Purgatorio cantos 8-11. We are excited to host a guest for our second discussion on February 4 at 7:00 p.m. We will hear from James Matthew Wilson, a Dante scholar and gifted poet himself. Parents who have participated at any level or who are just curious to listen in are welcome to come. Mark your calendars and watch for details!
CCE Corner – Persuasion with a Purpose
January 9th, 2022
One goal we have as a classical school is to build student skills in rhetoric–the art of effective, persuasive, even beautiful, speaking or writing. As a Christian classical school, we intend to produce no Sophists; this goal has a higher purpose–for students to be well-equipped to “give a reason for the hope that is in you.” (I Peter 3:15) If you did not have the chance to read our post before the break, you can read about how our annual Speech Meet not only builds confidence in public speaking but also helps us delight in God and his good gifts.
Click here to read the the most recent CCE Corner.
Virtue Update – FRIENDSHIP
January 9th, 2022We continue to focus on the virtue of FRIENDSHIP–the start of a new year is a good time to practice being a “faithful” rather than a “fair-weather” friend. What does this look like in word and in deed?
Trinitas Annual Fund – Thank You for Your Support!
January 3rd, 2022Happy New Year! We pray that God will bless this new year with His grace and love for mankind, and grant us peaceful times, healthful seasons, and lives that please Him.
The numbers for our annual fund drive are still being finalized, but it appears that we have met—and perhaps slightly exceeded—our goal of raising $75,000 this year. Thank you to everyone who participated! Your generosity is an encouragement and a model for our students.
On behalf of the Trinitas community,
Peter Marth, Headmaster
CCE Corner – Nursery Rhymes to Shakespeare: Our Annual Speech Meet
December 16th, 2021We recently held our sixteenth annual Speech Meet. While the event is a highlight for many, a few students, especially those who dread the spotlight, may wonder why this is imposed upon them each fall. A short answer is that we’re a classical school, and classical schools do things like make students get up in front of people and speak. We think it’s good for them. The Speech Meet, like Bible memory, science presentations, history reports, book club discussions, Latin at Lunchtime, and Reader’s Theater, helps build skills in rhetoric—the art of effective, persuasive, even beautiful, speaking or writing. Skills in rhetoric are something classical schools value. We value growth that comes from hard work. We value the moral imagination.
It takes hard work and perseverance to select a piece, memorize it, and polish it to the point of public presentation. For those of us who have been around for a while, it is a joy to see students grow over the years, some of them from leaning against the classroom whiteboard, fidgeting, mumbling, and forgetting their lines to confidently addressing the entire school and guests with poise and delight.
In early fall, many students (and sometimes their parents) embark on a mini literary adventure, pouring over poems and Scripture and speeches. In the process of making and interpreting their own selection and in listening to fellow student selections, they gain an appreciation for the vast range of expression in the literary landscape. We invite you on this journey and ask you to imagine briefly our students reading, reciting, listening to, and thinking about this year’s speeches.
Trinitas Annual Fund Update – December 17
December 16th, 2021
Thanks to the generosity of the Trinitas community, we are over halfway to our Annual Fund goal! We have received over $26,000 in donations, and with the 50% match, our total is over $39,000. Almost $12,000 remains in available matching funds. Every contribution helps!
At Trinitas, we commit to be faithful stewards of what has been entrusted to us. We begin each year with 90% of funding in place, cover operating costs with tuition, and use approximately 10% of projected revenue each year for need-based financial aid. Your gift matters! Please consider donating today using this link.
Change in COVID Preparedness and Response Plan
December 15th, 2021As we plan to welcome families back to Trinitas in the new year, we are preparing to return to the COVID response plan that we had published prior to the Kent County Health Department public health order regarding masks. The health department has made it clear to schools that it will let that order expire before our students return from Christmas Break. When we return to school, then, face masks will again be optional for everyone: staff and students, parents and guests. We will continue to be vigilant about spacing and ventilation, hygiene and illness screening. Thank you for reinforcing good hygiene habits at home and keeping at home students who exhibit any signs of illness.
Notae Latinae (Latin Notes)
December 15th, 2021Gloria in altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
Thank you to our 8th grade Latin students for sharing the Nativity story from Luke 2 yesterday. We hope to share a video version with families.
Every year, our upper-grade Latin students have the opportunity to take two national exams. Those in 5th-8th may take the National Mythology Exam in February. Though this test is optional, all 24 students who are eligible have signed up to take it! (Optime, discipuli!) Students in 6th-8th grade will also take the National Latin Exam in March, a standardized test which covers Latin grammar and usage as well as Roman culture, history, and mythology.
Mrs. Tellinghuisen will help students prepare for both these exams in class, though students who wish to study on their own are encouraged to do so. Watch for an email in early January with study tips, book resources, and links to NLE practice exams. Please note that scores received do not impact Latin class grades.
Thoughtful Reader – Discussion Books
December 15th, 2021We hope students are already grabbing a good book or two — or more! We encourage families to browse the Summer Reading List as students set their reading goals.
We are pleased to announce this year’s selections for the Thoughtful Reader book discussion groups.
K-2 – Frog and Toad stories by Arnold Lobel (from any of the collections)
3-4 – Kenny & the Dragon by Tony diTerlizzi
5-8 – Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt
Christmas break is a terrific time to read and to read together. Don’t forget that books make great Christmas presents too! Happy reading!