May 2017: Graduation and My Retirement

In May the TES Board of Trustees hosted a bodacious reception for me at the Artillery Club to celebrate my service to the school as I approach retirement on July 1.  Among the various tokens of appreciation presented was a framed commemoration of my tenure as Head of School from 2002 to 2017.  A copy of this recognition is to be hung alongside similar ones for Etna Parrish and The Rev. Dick Cadigan in Moody Hall near the portrait of Budgie Hollamon. This is quite humbling for me…to be placed among the significant leaders of Trinity history! I appreciate that the Board indulged me the preference of using an image surrounded by children as opposed to a standard portrait. That is exactly how I wish to be remembered at the school!

Commencement was held in Trinity Episcopal Church on May 31.  The 16 new graduates were as follows: Olivia Anne Baze, Morgan Caroline Chaljub, Sean Tyler Funston, Peyton Anthony Galloway, Daniel George Golan, Dulce María Heller, Walker Denke Williams Janek, Briana Jean Janson, William Christopher McQuitty, Macey Lynn Mefferd, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Mixon, Sean Kalani Nance, Devin David Nash, Caroline Elizabeth Neblett, Landon Bryan Parsons, and Alexandra Lee Vasut.  

I strove to make three points in the graduation address: 1) Consider carefully your definition of “success.” Avoid going too shallow with things like “how you look,” and “the number of toys you acquire.”  I challenged the graduates to go more deeply by considering, for example, that success “is to be loved.” 2) Go ahead and accept that failures are going to happen in your life.  Do not let the direction of your life be deflected by fear of failing. Borrowing freely from the ideas of Brené Brown, I stressed that vulnerability will be required if these graduates are to find their true calling in life and relationships.  And, finally:  3) Never lose sight of the gift of Joy. I’ve done my best to model a sense of humor.  Please, please, enjoy the ride and take time to laugh and to play!

Faithfully,

David C Dearman

Trinity Celebrates Grandparents: March 2017

Images from Grandparents' Days Past

Trinity Episcopal School celebrates Grandparents’ Day on March 10.  This day is set apart to acknowledge the role of grandparents in our families.  For some of us, this means remembering those we love but see no longer.  For others, this means giving thanks for loved ones who because of circumstance, and possibly health, we do not often see but will celebrate nonetheless.  Classes in Lower School (Kindergarten through Grade 5) commonly take some time to honor the senior generation(s) of our families with shared stories and images.  The day for grandparents in attendance includes Morning Prayer in Trinity Church, a reception on the Garth, visits to classrooms (Kindergarten through Grade 4), and the 5th Grade Musical performed in The Robert L. and Ann Moody Activity Center under the direction of TES Music Teacher Laura Hyatt.  This year’s play is entitled “A Connecticut Yankee: The Musical” adapted by Tim Kelly and based on the story by Mark Twain.  For purposes of planning and security, we ask our parents to let us know if grandparents will be joining us.  This event is primarily for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.  (The Beginning School (preschool) has a different schedule available for the families of our youngest students.)

With 272 students currently enrolled at TES, we have the largest enrollment seen in my 15 years here!  Open Enrollment is well underway.  Prospective parents are urged to contact our Admissions office to check for openings still available for the 2017-2018 school year.

School will dismiss at Noon on Friday, March 10, and Spring Break will be observed the following week, March 13-17.

Also on the Calendar:

April 8 Fun Run (In honor of TES Math Teacher Sue Langston)
April 13 ` Stations of the Cross
April 22 TES Casual

-DCD

Homily on Micah 6:8: 4th Sunday after Epiphany 2017

This reading from the prophet Micah is one of the appointed ones for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany.  I count Micah 6:8 as one of the most significant verses in all of scripture because it so succinctly states what God desires of us.  Epiphany is the season of God’s revelation to human beings.  The time-tested clear idea of what God wants from us is appropriate for the season.  From the standpoint of Christian faith Jesus lived a life perfectly with regard to what God wants.  That being said, let’s go back to Micah 6:8 to see how it might inform our own day-to-day lives and how it relates to the Mind, Body, Spirit focus at Trinity Episcopal School.

I can see how Micah speaks to the concepts of Mind, Body, and Spirit. A godly life is one in which we walk humbly before God.  Humility is related to the self-construct derived from how we think about ourselves.  If we are puffed-up and self-centered, that is not walking humbly.  On the other hand, if we are self-loathing believing that we are worthless, that too is not humble.  What God has made, do not call garbage.  Humility has to do with correctly assessing our worth in the eyes of God.  The truth is that each of us is a child of God, but we are part of a wider family.  The members of humanity are interconnected; if anyone is diminished, we all are diminished.  Correct thinking requires us to see ourselves in community.

God desires that we love kindness but this seems impossible because how can you make yourself feel something, how can you make yourself have a desire for something?  While it is true to experience that we can’t help how we feel…there are things that we can do to cultivate a desire.  We can’t directly control feelings, but we can direct our behavior which, in turn, can change the way we feel.

To do justice is the behavioral part.  It is not enough simply to know what is good.  Surely the folks who doubled the price of epi-pens were aware that this was wrong, to give one example from recent headlines.  Our minds are such that we can too easily compartmentalize, rationalize, or explain away our actions: I’m not going to turn in the money I found because everyone knows its “finders keepers!”  I know that when I’m stressed that going for a walk helps to reset how I’m feeling.  What we do impacts how we feel.  Being kind to others, I think, helps invest us in that direction.  It is a step toward loving the good.

When we look at the whole idea of what God desires of us, it is critical to be mindful that human nature is fallen.  No human being can ever completely achieve what God desires.  We can experience it momentarily, perhaps…but there is always the relentless human ego and those human appetites lurking just below the threshold of consciousness.  Being a member of God’s family is not something we could ever earn; it is a gift.  Forgiveness is not something we deserve; it is given by God to those who ask for it.  Circling back to Jesus…forgiveness is the love of God made known on the cross of Calvary. Seeking to do God’s desire is, then, most properly and simply our response to God’s love.  One way to evoke this response is by practicing thankfulness…being intentional about being grateful for all that we have been given.  Practicing what God desires of Mind, Body and Spirit…these are efforts we fail at repeatedly, but come back to time and time again because of the forgiveness God so freely and lavishly gives. 

Lessons and Carols at TES

Image: From the December 2015 Festival of Lessons & Carols

The annual Festival of Lessons and Carols is arguably the most sublime moment of the school year. This order of worship takes the form of anthems interspersed with choral readings given by each class in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. In the midst of this, the costumed First Graders re-enact the ancient and familiar Bethlehem drama. As students repeatedly experience the story over the years, we hope that the central message becomes a part of who they are. The Nativity Story is about a God who cares for people and out of compassion enters human history in a very humble way. Jesus is born in a stable and placed in the animals’ food trough because there was no room at the inn. Shepherds, angels, and kings bear witness to the divine happening in these otherwise quite lowly circumstances.

This time of year is busy. There is so much to do and so little time. We can feel overwhelmed and only one step ahead of disaster. Lessons and Carols is for many a kind of “reset button” for the Season. If we let them, the students can remind us of what Christmas is about...simplicity, humility, giving, family, caring, and compassion shown first by God to humanity and then mirrored in the lives of those whose hearts are so moved. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is scheduled to begin in Trinity Episcopal Church at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 21. Please join us.

3 Things About the Christian Life: My Sermon from June 26, 2016

Based on the lessons appointed for Proper 8, Year C. The Gospel reading is Luke 9:51-62

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Head of School to Retire in July 2017

Portrait of the Head of School as A Young Man

April 26, 2016

To the Board of Trustees of Trinity Episcopal School:

God willing, on June 30, 2017, I will complete my 30th year as a priest serving Episcopal Schools including 15 years as Head of School at Trinity Episcopal School.  I continually give thanks for the call that brought my family to Galveston.  The work here has allowed me to make a difference in many lives and to leave a good mark on this institution.  It is what I had always wanted to do, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve here.  Watching the children grow into young men and women all these years has been such a blessing.  We can all be proud that Trinity has maintained a core focus on the education of Mind, Body, and Spirit even as the school has continued to develop and respond to all kinds of challenges in each succeeding generation.  

I have come to discern that the time for me to step down as Head of School will be in the summer of 2017.  It is important to announce this now, so that appropriate time may be given to the search for my successor.  This process should be deliberate and thorough, and the time given to it should be a signal of the health of this institution.  While The Rev. Susan Kennard and the Board of Trustees are about that work, I plan to focus my energy on making the 2016-2017 school year one of the best.

Retirement is a hard decision because I have grown to love the place and the people with whom I have shared this ministry…I will miss you all.  Trinity and me…we’ve been through a lot together over the years!  I am grateful for the school’s Trustees whose leadership and wisdom helped the school come back from Hurricane Ike and enter an unprecedented phase of its history.  The work has been difficult at times, but this place has a lot of grace for those who seek to persevere.  Those of you who know me best know that my best friend and love, Layne, keeps me grounded and as sane as can reasonably be expected.

Layne and I plan to remain in Galveston after my retirement, and I hope to do part-time work in other places as a teacher and priest in accordance with Diocesan policies and best practices.  I still feel called to serve in the Church but in a way that will allow more time for prayer, study, and writing.  Please know that while I am working in other parts of God’s vineyard, Trinity will always be in my heart.

Regards,

(The Rev.) David C. Dearman
Head of School

"Darth Vader, Jesus is Not" / My sermon given at Trinity on April 3, 2016

This is my sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Easter preached at Trinity Episcopal Church, Galveston, Texas, on April 3, 2016. The Gospel reading appointed was John 20:19-31. For the contrast between faith and certainty I borrowed from the research and writing of Brené Brown. I refer the listener to Brown's book The Gifts of Imperfection. See Guidepost #5 "Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith."

Trinity Tribute 2016: "Deep in the Heart of Trinity"

On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Trinity Episcopal School will host “Deep in the Heart of Trinity,” a celebration at The Bryan Museum to pay tribute and honor all current and former Trinity teachers and staff.  This is also a chance to remember faculty and staff who have gone before us to what Budgie Hollamon called "the greatest adventure." This special group of people has been fundamental to the school’s success and remains deep in the hearts of their current and former students as well as their families. 

The Bryan Museum is a magnificent venue to show your Texas spirit and how much you love our great teachers and staff as we build friendships, share memories, and raise funds for Trinity. The Live Auction will feature student art projects, and the Silent Auction will feature great packages as well. We hope that you will join our parents, alumni, teachers, and friends for a fun-filled evening of philanthropy, live music from Harbors Over Highways and food from Galveston Restaurant Group! 

Please help us spread the word to others who have fond memories of their Trinity teachers and treasure the Trinity experience. Sponsorship opportunities are available and tickets to the event are $75 per person. Invitations will be in the mail soon and tickets may also be purchased through the school office and the school website. 

For more information please contact Meg Walker, Board of Trustees VP/Advancement Committee Chair at TrinityTribute@gmail.com or 409-682-2771.

Ash Wednesday/Lent 2016

Items in My Suitcase

Lent Begins with Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday begins a season of self-examination and penitence.  Liturgical Christians call this season Lent.  In school Chapel today, I had the opportunity to preach my “suitcase” sermon to our students, faculty, and visitors.  It goes something like this:

I’ve packed for a trip out-of-town and ask the students to evaluate the items in the suitcase.  In the case of each item, “is it something that would be useful and needed?”  The first items I bring out are good to go… pants, shirt, socks, and belt.  The students gave a resounding, “yes,” for the mouthwash too.  Ok, that hurt a bit, but I did set myself up.  There were some items that even these open-minded youngsters clearly said had no place in my suitcase for a brief trip.  The frying pan, fishing trophy, and hammer were definitely not to be included.  The pack of size C batteries was also deemed superfluous.  All of the unnecessary stuff just served to make my suitcase uncomfortably heavy to carry, slowing me down on the trip and making my back hurt.  On the literal level, we were reminded that travel is easier when we pack light.

But, the real teaching, of course, is metaphorical. Lent is a time for us to examine our lives to see what kind of unnecessary emotional/spiritual baggage we carry around.  Anger, Envy, and Guilt are several things that we might carry in our hearts but that leave us uncomfortable and get in the way of our relationship with God, ourselves, and others.  These are things for which we are called to ask our Lord’s help in letting go.  The first step is in asking honest questions… are we mad at someone for hurting us and do we make a place in our hearts for being mad?  Does a friend have something we don’t have, and do we dwell on it so much that we lose sight of the gifts we do possess?  Have we made a mistake but keep rehearsing it over and over such that it’s always near to mind?  If we want to let go of these things and not carry them around in our hearts, we have to repent.  That means opening ourselves to God and asking God’s grace to forgive us and lift these burdens.  May God help us all to travel more lightly on this journey we call life!  …in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  AMEN.

Epiphany 2016

As an Episcopal institution, the structure of the Church year helps to define time for us at school.  The Season of Epiphany began on January 6 as we remember the Visit of the Magi, so thoughtfully re-enacted by these 1st Graders from our service of Lessons and Carols held in December.  The Three Kings of Orient represent the Revelation of God in Jesus to an entire world, and the season continues with the broader theme of "revelation." How do we know about God?  Where and how do we get our information?  Episcopal Schools stress scripture, tradition, and reason as the authorities upon which our knowledge of God is based.  Those who stand within the circle of Christian Faith accept that God is most fully known in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Human reason, as part of God's creation, also bears the stamp of God's intentions for us and is available to all people.  C.S. Lewis, for example, believed  existence of God was made sensible by the idea of common decency and morality, a sense of right and wrong, that human beings share.  This idea of general revelation gives common ground upon which to discuss theology with folks from varying traditions and helps Episcopal Schools recognize, honor, and include students from all faiths!

Lean-In to Thanksgiving

A Lower School Student's Thanksgiving List - 2013

As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches, I am thinking about the story from the Gospel According to Luke in which Jesus cleanses the ten lepers (Luke 17: 11-19). From a distance, a group of lepers calls out to Jesus asking for mercy. Jesus sees them and says, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” On their way all ten are made clean, but only one returns to Jesus to give thanks. While all ten are cleared of their disease, only one….the one who returns to give thanks… is made whole in body, mind, and spirit. The story reminds me that gratefulness is something we are called to practice. Even when we have what we need and get what we want, or not, something is missing in our lives if we do not take stock of our blessings and appreciate God’s grace even in the small, ordinary things.

When we don’t take the time to be thankful, perhaps the “something” that is missing is joy. Brené Brown defines joy as a spiritual way of engaging with the world that is connected to practicing gratitude. Her research underscores the value of teaching our children to practice thanksgiving…and, of course, the most effective way we can do this is to model it ourselves. One fairly common way to practice thanksgiving is to keep a gratitude journal. Sharing round robin style works well at the family dinner table.  I want to be more mindful of the blessings in my life and to engage my world more joyfully.  Don't you want that too?  

Please note the following calendar items for Trinity Episcopal School this holiday season:

• School Chapel and Food Ingathering is Nov 24 (Tue) w/ full day of school
• Thanksgiving Holidays are Nov 25 – 27 (Wed – Fri)
• Festival of Lessons and Carols is Dec 18 w/ noon dismissal (10:30 AM- Fri)
• Christmas Holidays are Dec 21- January 1, 2016
• Teacher Preparation Day (No School) is on Jan 4, 2016 (Mon)
• Classes Resume  on Jan 5, 2016 (Tue)

Start of School 2015

Trinity Field Ready for Play

Growing enrollment is the big news as the school year begins. The week before classes, Trinity was already anticipating more than 242 students, surpassing a number not seen since September 2008!  This marks the point where enrollment has fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Ike!  As the year begins, every classroom available to the school is being used for instruction.  In order eventually to allow double sections in each grade level, the school will need to recover the number of classrooms compared to pre-Ike.  During the current fiscal year, the school’s Board of Trustees will be working on a way to provide additional classroom space for 2016-2017.  This is a good problem to have!

Trinity Field is ready for the start of school!  By the time you read this, the Middle School alley will be gated with the gates being open for morning and afternoon carpool.
  
In Chapel on September 3, Trinity will recognize 8th Graders who have attended here continually since Kindergarten.  I am grateful to report that 19 students are eligible for this recognition; we call them the “Alpha-Omega Society.”  This is the largest group since we began acknowledging students this way in 2004.  We are, of course, grateful for all of our students, but it is fitting that we take some time to give thanks for our “long-timers.”  The parents of these students have given them the most complete Trinity experience possible: Sarah Brannen, Kelly Carmichael, Morgan Cook, Tara Donnelly, Noah Elzner, Christoff Gault, Caroline Grant, Kennedy Harrington, Alex Ivash, Jordan Kelly, Logan Kelly, Aidan Knupple, Elizabeth Pennington, Christopher Perkins, Rocio Prida, Christian Quinn, Nicholas Sutton, Courtney Whittaker, and Nicholas Zompa.

To Live Is to Be Vulnerable

In the 2005 comedy film “Little Manhattan,” the almost 10-year-old protagonist, Gabe (played by Josh Hutcherson), develops his first-ever crush on a girl named Rosemary (played by Charlie Ray).  The movie is filled with examples of vulnerability as Gabe tries to make sense of his feelings and how to appropriately express them.  In one memorable scene, Gabe appears calm and collected on the outside…but inside he’s a nervous wreck, as he first reaches out to hold Rosemary’s hand.  Can you remember this kind of emotional roller coaster from your own youth?  But this is not something confined to youth, is it?  The story underscores the truth that relationships, at all stages of life, involve uncertainty, emotional risk and exposure.

This spring and continuing into next year, I’m leading a study for our faculty on Brené Brown’s book entitled Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.  And just why should we study this? Brown writes, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.”  In line with Brown’s research-based ideas, I’m betting that honest conversations about vulnerability will help us more fully embrace the education of mind, body, and spirit!  Over the summer, Rev. Susan and I will be preparing a parenting class based on Brené Brown’s “Daring Way™.”  We’re hoping to offer this class in the fall and will welcome folks from church and school as well as the wider community….more details later.

Trinity’s summer schedule for children and youth includes:
Summer Camp (rising PK3 – 2nd Grade) June 8-July 3 and July 6-31
Camp Invention (rising 1st – 6th) June 8-12
Camp Charger (rising 3rd – 8th Grade) July 6-10 and July 13-17
Charger Basketball Camp (rising 5th -8th Grade) July 27-31
Charger Volleyball Camp (rising 5th – 8th Grade) August 3-7

Check online (www.tesgalv.org) for more information about these opportunities or call at 409-765-9391. Please note: the school’s summer Moody Hall Office schedule is Monday-Thursday 9 AM to 3 PM and begins on June 8.

Faithfully,

David C. Dearman
Head of School

In Memory of Dave Barker, President of the TES Board of Trustees from 2000-2003

In memory of:

DAVE VAN NESS BARKER

1. CELEBRATE AND GIVE THANKS FOR A LIFE WELL-LIVED

If I had to come up with one word to describe Dave Barker it would be “passion.”

A. “Passion” has multiple meanings…and in one sense, the intense desire and enthusiasm for something….one can’t miss that Dave loved architecture. Like his wife, and best friend, Carlotta, he was an artist. He could see order in chaos…and work to bring what was in his mind’s eye into reality….in Dave’s case using the tools of math, engineering, and design. I remember my first visit to one of their restored historic structures that was also their home, on 25th street, and being shown a copy of the Galveston Architectural Guidebook by Ellen Beasly and Stephen Fox. The way they talked about the images in that book... It was apparent right away that Carlotta and Dave shared a passion for the beauty of Galveston. Throughout his career, Dave earned various recognitions and awards for his work, but the best testaments to his vision are the existing restored homes and the structures of his design.

B. Thinking about Dave, the idea of “vocation” comes to mind. Frederick Buechner defines vocation as the place God calls you to, where your deep gladness (read “passion”) meets the world’s deep hunger. Dave’s work was a vocation… having studied with Howard Brownstone, author of “The Galveston that Was,” Dave already had a heart for historical preservation when both his and Carlotta’s passions eventually led them to Galveston. This island was a fabulous place for an architect-artist team and a young family. What Dave continued to develop as his work happened to be sorely needed as the historical preservation movement really took off here. You are truly blessed when what you love to do is relevant, and needed, and you can see the results of it…and people enjoying and appreciate it.

C. Dave had the gift, as does Carlotta, of seeing the potential in things…. Seeing things that many people can’t. I understand that their first family home, not far from here on Sealy was a real “diamond in the rough” at first. We’re talking there were chickens and rabbits living in the kitchen! Involving their family home in the work, Dave and Carlotta were fully invested…they were all in…put their entire lives into the restoration of historic Galveston. They weren’t the only ones…but certainly on the vanguard…and today, those of us who reside and visit here, get to enjoy a Galveston where the aesthetics of the past have been brought to life.

D. OK, so enough about work…. We can only scratch the surface in this celebration

E. Dave had a life other than his day job…he had other passions that he enjoyed with his family and friends. Dave loved to play…he played card games with friends and board games with the kids, he watched the University of Houston Sports teams, and even TV games… he could answer all the questions on jeopardy! He loved to cook and entertain…the Dave and Carlotta team would not just make a dish….but a beautiful dish…aesthetics was always celebrated. But, I will hazard to suggest that most of all, Dave loved to play outside. Dave’s daughters all reminisce about sailing and water skiing. He loved to bike and walk… one aside: Alice Ann O’Donell, a retired family medicine physician who is widely known for her work with Galveston’s Featherfest and passion for the great diversity of birds on the Island…credits Dave and Carlotta with fueling her own passion…. her interest in birding really came alive when she purchased a guided bike tour of Galveston that Carlotta and Dave offered to lead as an auction item gift for a Trinity Episcopal School fundraiser. This is a great example of how your passion can touch the lives of others.

F. As you may have noticed, I've found it hard to talk just about Dave without also talking about Carlotta. These two were a team…they had a passion for one another. These two met at 14. Carlotta asked him to marry her at 16, and they married each other as 20-somethings. They did everything together… important decisions were worked out on their frequent walks. In some ways, like two peas in a pod…but each brought different gifts to the table which allowed them to do amazing things… like building their house in Lake McQueeney!

G. The girls, Vanessa, Danielle, and Joellan each commented on what Dave has passed on to them. Each of their personalities has been informed in different ways by their dad’s passions. Vanessa credits her love of architecture and old things, Danielle credits her devotion to Trinity Episcopal Church and the Galveston community, and Joellan credits her love of sports…football and basketball. All three girls were raised in a family that allowed their dreams and passions to develop uniquely. They have great memories of Dave’s strengths and even some areas where he was a little sketchy… it seems that automobile maintenance was not Dave’s passion, for example! Ice Cream is a repeated theme…but I just couldn't figure out how to include that in this sermon…. Well, there, I guess I did. Dave had a sweet tooth. His sense of humor showed…I loved Joellan mentioning her dad trying to make her laugh as they walked down the aisle at her wedding!

H. Another passion Dave and Carlotta shared was their church. Dave held every position imaginable for a lay person at this church. .. senior warden, junior warden, Sunday school teacher, usher, chairman of the building committee. One member of the building committee told me that the unglamorous work authorized by the building committee in Dave’s day (shoring up the bell tower and adding a new roof, literally saved the building during Hurricane Ike! ….he even designed the columbarium where he was interred earlier today. Dave served as president of Trinity Episcopal School’s board of trustees and the chair of the search committee that called me here in 2002. It’s an understatement to say that I am deeply indebted to him! Here is another aside…outside, near the bell towers; there is a statue of a little girl seated and holding a flower. One of the girls, Joellan, was the model for that beautiful statue. The statue will always remind me that we are called to seek and discover order and goodness in this world.

2. OK, NOW FOR THE FINAL WORD
At a memorial service, those of us who stand in the circle of Christian faith know that we must proclaim the Resurrection. Fittingly, the family chose a reading from the Gospel According to John with an architectural reference. In this reading Jesus tells us that there are many structures, or dwellings places, in which we may abide in his Father’s house. He reminds us that he has prepared a such place for each of us. Danielle shared with me something from Dave’s final hours that I think Dave would want us to know. At one point near the end, Dave was following something in the room with his eyes….but Daniele could not see what he was looking at and Dave wouldn't say what it was. Whatever it was, he broke out into a deep peaceful smile. We don’t like to talk about the end, when we cross over to the other side, so these kind of things don’t get shared much…but priests do hear of these visions. (If you are interested in learning more, I refer you to the published work of the Rev. John Price, a priest in the Diocese of Texas.) So I’m kind of left wondering what Dave was seeing… perhaps, it was the city of God, or Dave’s own promised abiding place in Heaven. What Dave saw is a reminder to us that death is not the final word. Passion is also the term used for Christ’s suffering and reminds me that Dave had his own share of physical suffering. But he endured with character, perseverance, and faith. With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, might we all give thanks for the life of this wonderful passionate man…this architect, best friend, dad, lover of the outdoors and person of faith… and might we all learn something from his deep gladness that will enable us to live more passionately in our own lives. In the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

The Rev. David C. Dearman
March 21, 2015

Spring 2015: Standardized Tests in Perspective

Creating a colored pencil masterpiece
in art class at TES.

Trinity Episcopal School administers norm-referenced standardized tests to our students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade each spring; this has been a part of the Trinity experience for generations.  We use these tests to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students and to give our parents some idea of how their children are progressing compared to other students at the same grade level nationally.  The tests we use are “high ceiling” norm-referenced tests (think of the bell curve or a normal distribution); attempting to “teach” to these tests would be a Sisyphean task (think fool's errand).  These tests are but one tool among many that we use in the pursuit of education.

I think public education in Texas, as of late, focuses too much on test scores. While, the “high-stakes” tests we hear so much about are helping to hold accountable poorly functioning districts and schools, I worry that the process may leave students with the highest academic potential at risk.  As I understand it, the tests are criterion-referenced (think of a test for which you are given all the answers beforehand...like a spelling test).  The ceiling is low enough that one could presumably “teach” specifically to the test and make a difference.  With anxiety in the system, teachers are tempted and even encouraged to over-review material in order to raise scores on an aggregate level.  One complaint is that the most academically-oriented students find constant reviewing for "the tests" excruciatingly boring, while at the same time they miss out on pursuing more challenging and meaningful material.

At Trinity Episcopal School we value many things that are not measured on achievement tests.  Fine arts, for example, form a critical part of Trinity’s approach to educating the whole child: mind, body, and spirit.  Helping students “find” their creative selves builds resilience in the face of a constantly changing future and contributes to self-understanding.  From the standpoint of our school’s mission, it is unfathomable that we would ever reduce fine arts in order to replace the time with over-reviewing a narrow band of cognitive skills.  Studio art, music, Spanish, physical education, chapel, field trips, character education, community building events…these all need time at school, as does the rigorous pursuit of core academics.  Without any one of these, our students would be greatly diminished.

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Dearman

TES Testing Dates:
April 8, 2015 - OLSAT (Grades 1,3,5, &7)
April 13-17, 2015 - Stanford Achievement Tests (K-8)

Ash Wednesday & Lent 2015

It came to my attention that some students thought the ashes used on Ash Wednesday were derived from cremated remains.  Wow, I’ve not heard that one before, but I can see how a child might come to this conclusion.  We do sometimes use the term “ashes” in that way.  But, the ashes used in school Chapel are actually derived from the palm branches used at Trinity Church on Palm Sunday from the previous year.  Trinity parishioner and former Trinity Episcopal School teacher Jacque Ellis prepares the ashes by burning the palms.  The ashes are a symbol reminding us of our mortality…it is only by God’s gracious gift that we have the hope of life eternal in the communion of saints.

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Last week I returned from Camp Allen where I attended an intensive week-long program on The Daring Way™.  This program is based on the research and writings of Brené Brown.  Bishop Doyle strongly encouraged the clergy of the Diocese of Texas to participate in this program, and I’m very grateful to all the folks around here who allowed me to do so.  Going forward, I will be integrating the learning into my work by looking for points of intersection between Brown’s theoretical framework and generally accepted best practices of teaching and learning.   As my attention has turned to Ash Wednesday and to Lent, one such intersection comes quickly to mind: Shame is a spiritual problem.  It is correlated with counterproductive, self-destructive behaviors and is ineffective for behavioral change.  From an educational standpoint, shame has no place in the classroom.

Lent is not about shame.  Shame is the painful feeling that we are not worthy of love and connection.  The Gospel message is that God loves us unconditionally.  All children are God’s children, created in God’s image and worthy of love.  Shame tells us a lie…that we are a lost cause, flawed and without hope of redemption.  Lent, however, does involve guilt.  Guilt tells us the truth that we are people who are worthy of love and connection who have done things we should not have done.  Effective teachers (and parents) know in their bones to focus on the behavior, not on the person.  Guilt tells me I made a mistake; shame tells me I am a mistake.  There is a big difference!

Lent is a time in particular when we acknowledge our guilt…that we have made mistakes and intend to lead a new life.  We are called to live always in the knowledge that God is compassionate and forgiving and has made this known most clearly in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Faithfully,

David C. Dearman

Epiphany 2015

Our "3 Kings" at the Festival of Lessons and Carols held December 19, 2014

The current season of the Church Year is entitled Epiphany.  The term epiphany literally means manifestation.  The season begins with the story of the Three Kings who visit the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.  In this visit, the wise ones who journeyed from afar were successful in their quest to see the newborn King.  From the standpoint of Christian faith, God’s Son was manifested to these seekers who, in turn, presented the well-known gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Christians refer to this story as the Epiphany because God was revealed (in an epiphany) to the Three Kings in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. The season of Epiphany, then in a more personal sense, asks us to consider how it is that the Holy is made known to us in our own experiences.
  
The story of the Wise Men from the East takes on a more immediate relevance for our own lives when we ask about our own journeys.  Where are we looking for meaning and purpose?  How do we know when we have found these things?  What is our authority?  The Episcopal Church counts Richard Hooker among its great theologians.  Hooker wrote, in the 16th Century, that authority in faith should be based on scripture, tradition, and reason.  This has become known as the “three-legged stool.”  The inclusion of reason means that faith for Hooker was not an irrational clinging to something.  Put simply, being faithful means to trust….it does involve reason but does not claim certainty.  Epiphany Season is a good time to be reminded that theology is not an exact science, and this should lead us to appreciate those who have differing paths.

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First thing back at school from the Christmas holiday, I learned that Trinity Third Grade teacher Stacy Wisner earned the top spot as best teacher in the 2014 Best of Galveston Awards.  The top three vote recipients in each category have been published on Galveston.Com.  Well over 100,000 votes were cast overall in what the Houston Chronicle referred to as "The Oscars of The Gulf Coast."  Congratulations, Stacy!

Please note: TES will be closed on Monday, January 19, as we observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, and  on Monday, February 16, as we observe Presidents’ Day.

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Dearman, Head of School

Line drawing by TES 5th Grader Ryan Dorado

Thanksgiving 2014

TES Archive Image: Thanksgiving In-Gathering 2005

Trinity Episcopal School students mark the Tuesday before Thanksgiving with an in-gathering of foodstuffs and other supplies for those in need.  The collection occurs in classrooms in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  Then, on the Tuesday morning of Thanksgiving week, students from each homeroom bring these gifts en masse to Chapel.  Members of Student Council meet them at the altar rail and arrange everything at the base of the altar.  The sight of all of these gifts gathered is inspiring and a metaphor of the great good that can happen when people work together toward a common goal.  Following worship, members of Student Council accompany these supplies to St. Vincent’s pantry.  St. Vincent’s helps folks with basic necessities like food, hygiene products, and diapers.  Helping this outreach ministry reminds our students that love of neighbor requires thinking of the needs of others.  It also is a way of gaining perspective as we take stock of the blessings in our own lives.
  
As of this writing, workers have begun tearing out the old curb cuts along the perimeter of the School’s soon-to-be playing field.  Please join me in giving thanks for the Galveston Foundation which is funding the new sidewalk and curb improvements, fill dirt, and landscaping, for the Sealy & Smith Foundation which sold the property to the Diocese of Texas, and, most of all, for the Moody Foundation which funded the purchase of the property and demolition as well as the fencing and other amenities still to come.  Of course, the project is taking longer than anticipated.  Ready or not, please plan on joining other members of the Trinity Church and School family on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 PM, to witness Bishop Dena Harrison dedicate the property for the purpose of educating mind, body, and spirit!

By the time you receive this, basketball season will have begun at Trinity.  Please note the published schedule under the Athletics Tab of the school website (www.tesgalv.org).  I hope you will experience the Charger spirit by joining us for home games at the Robert L. and Ann Moody Activity Center.

An angel from TES Lessons & Carols 2013

Finally, please note for your calendars, the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols: Friday, December 19 in Trinity Episcopal Church beginning at 10:30 AM.  For many, this is the most sublime moment of the school year!

Faithfully,

David C. Dearman +
Head of School

Start of School 2014

A group of TES 8th Graders peruse the new Trinity Charger Yearbook.

School opened smoothly on Tuesday, August 19, and by the end of the first week 228 students were enrolled….marking the third consecutive year of growth.  Enrollment has yet to reach the pre-Ike number of 242, but that’s only part of the story.  Compared to six years ago, Trinity Episcopal School has moved forward by leaps and bounds.  With the addition of the Robert L. and Ann Moody Activity Center and the soon-to-be-completed athletic practice field, the campus has a more significant visual impact on Galveston’s downtown.  The recent 10-year re-accreditation by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest has reaffirmed Trinity’s mission and quality.  I can’t help but think these are significant factors in the school’s enrollment recovery.

Each year, we announce those 7th graders who are eligible for participation in the Duke University Talent Identification program.  These students earn eligibility based on their exceptional performance on nationally-normed standardized tests taken the year before. The 8 students so honored this year are Kelly Carmichael, Noah Elzner, Christof Gault, Logan Kelly, Christian Quinn, Nicholas Sutton, Courtney Whittaker, and Nick Zompa.

Please join me in welcoming our new faculty: Francie Buergler continues the family tradition of teaching at Trinity; Francie’s mother, Sissy Howell, taught here for many years.  An experienced teacher and graduate of Texas State University, Francie will be teaching Kindergarten at Trinity.  Russell Johns is our new athletic director and physical education teacher.  He is a graduate of Concordia University where he majored in Kinesiology.  He recently served as baseball coach at O’Connell College Preparatory.  Brook Miller will be teaching 5th Grade; she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Houston, Clear Lake.  Brook will be away on maternity leave soon after the start of the school year; during that time her teaching duties will be assumed by Anna Vandiver, an experienced teacher and cum laude graduate of Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia.  Our other 5th Grade teacher will be Kelly Shaffner who graduated from Texas State University and comes to us most recently from Parker Elementary.  Kelly’s solid references included Stacy Wisner who is also joining our faculty (teaching 3rd Grade).  A graduate of University of Houston, Stacy was recognized as elementary teacher of the year for GISD in 2011-2012.  These talented folks are rounding out an already strong teaching staff at Trinity Episcopal School!  Finally, help me welcome Amy Gaido to her new role as Lower School Coordinator and Assistant Head of School.

From Left to Right: Russell Johns, Francie Buergler, Kelly Shaffner, Brook Miller, Anna Vandiver, & Stacy Wisner

Faithfully,

The Rev. David C. Dearman
Head of School

Summer Begins 2014

TES Class of 2014

The 17 students who graduated on May 29 are shown here on the Garth just before their Commencement.  These latest graduates are Libbie Lee Ansell, Hunter Thomas Blackwell, Kelli Michele Blackwell, Charles Bush Cragar, Santiago Tobias Faus, Barrett Charles Gaertner, John-Austin Gaertner, Amanda Grace Shallenberger Galan, Joseph Bentley Jaworski, Nayarith Jimenez, Frances Clair McBride, Emily Marie Metyko, Gabrielle Alyse Prets, Seth Michael Ricks, Zane Campbell Seigel, Kelley Jane Shepherd, and Sarah Faye Tillman. These kiddos will be sorely missed, but we look forward to hearing great things about them in the future!

By early summer, activity should begin on the new property at the north end of the campus.  The extraction of a gas tank and the demolition of the old drive-through banking operation will precede work to create a fenced playing field.  Using a phrase from our past, signage at the construction site will highlight the double entendre: "Trinity is a Good Place to Grow."

Thanks to solid support for the Annual Fund, various maintenance projects will take place including painting overhead ceilings and replacing the worn deck at Hollamon Hall as well as resurfacing the outdoor sports court.  

Trinity BOT Vice-President Meg Walker announced recently that the first round of engraved pavers will be placed at the entrance to the Robert L. and Ann Moody Activity Center as part of the Building Our Future: Paving the Way Campaign to help sustain the maintenance and programs of our new building over a multi-year period.  The deadline for orders on this first round of pavers is June 16.  Please see www.tesgalv.org for details.  This is a great way to celebrate loved-ones and to remember those who have come before us.

I am pleased to report that  longtime Trinity benefactors Dr. and Mrs. Robert Eanes have made a substantial gift to help the school acquire and implement software from Senior Systems 
including Admissions, Enrollment Management, Business Office, and Development Modules.  This upgrade to an integrated data management system will help us address a recommendation from the ISAS/SAES Visiting Committee.

The first-ever Camp Charger will be held on weekdays from July 7-18.  This program is open to students in rising grades 3-8 and is not to be confused with our Summer-long Camp for the younger ones!  Please see www.tesgalv.org for more details or contact Camp Director Anna Hyatt: ahyatt@tesgalv.org.

David C. Dearman, Head of School