This page offers a new perspective. The hour that begins at 9:45 AM includes the informal confab we know as assembly. Assembly, however, only goes from 9:50 to 10:20, so a visit to the entire hour (9:45-10:45) provides an informative snapshot of Proctor life. At 9:45, the bell atop Maxwell Savage Hall rings, and we start filing northward.
The bell doesn't ring on its own. When I returned from sabbatical in 1992, I said to (Headmaster) David Fowler, "I've got a great idea! We should have a tradition that the bell rings five minutes before every assembly!" David replied something like, "Thanks. You can start today." I ring the bell. I ring it at 9:45 on the dot. Not 9:46..... at 9:45. This is from the opposite perspective from the previous image:
If I didn't ring it, I suppose the day would proceed on schedule, but I like to think that it would be like the classic, 1951 sci-fi flick
The Day The Earth Stood Still. Once we convene, students and teachers take turns making announcements and enjoying skits, slideshows and videos. Here we see Patrice Martin's advisees--some bundled up in furry hoods--advising us on proper recycling etiquette.
Patrice's assembly was short, by standards, which is perfectly fine. There's time for yearbook photos, such as "Friends of Kelly."
These are Friends of Dave.
On the way back to the academic cluster, Alan has an exchange of snow with Robert.
A few extra minutes give us time to grab snacks at the community center, socialize, and prepare for the next class by playing mindless video games. William and Zada have grabbed apples, and are eating them to the very core. That's in line with the goals of the Environmental Mission Statement.
With ten minutes to go before classes start, students pour over laptops and other electronic gizmos, such as this iTouch.
I think I mentioned mindless video.... Before Precalculus begins, Frasier and Max view a U-tube video of a woman bowling a strike and celebrating poorly.
Geoff is playing a game called Ski Runner (if I remember correctly,) that features a character traversing down a hill....capturing things....avoiding sharks...and a big banana. Geoff claims the game can prompt seizures, and I have no reason to doubt him.
By 10:45, we getting down to business. This is biology.
I am spending the next four days in Denver, where I am speaking at a CASE/NAIS Conference. I hope to post a Chuck's Corner from the Mile High City. Stand by!
