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Taft in 10| 11.10.23 connected | engaged | informed

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Welcome Families!

Head of School Peter Becker '95

From start to finish, Fall Family Weekend was a fantastic time for the Taft community. For many, it was also their first opportunity to meet Head of School Peter Becker '95, and to hear his thoughts on life and leadership at Taft. We captured his full welcome message to parents and families in the video below.

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There was something for everyone during Fall Family Weekend, from Taft Today for new families, classroom experiences, and a community service opportunity to receptions, arts and athletics events, and time with children and friends. We've preserved the best of the weekend in an extensive collection of photos.

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Community Connections with Mr. LaCasse

Assistant Head of School for Student Life

The work we do as a community is rooted in two critical and unwavering beliefs, notes Mr. LaCasse: That each member of the community feels valued and supported for who they are, and that each person matters because they are contributing to something greater than themselves. Hear more from Mr. LaCasse in the video below.

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Academic Life: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Eileen Bouffard '98, English Department Head

Advances in technology have always had a tremendous impact on teaching and learning. The speed with which ChatGPT and similar artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots have proliferated all media platforms, however, is unprecedented. Members of Taft's faculty have been working hard to understand both the impact of AI on education, and ways in which it can be effectively leveraged in our classrooms. English Department Head Eileen Bouffard '98 talks about the work currently being done around AI at Taft.

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The Moorhead Academic Center (MAC)

Preparing for Exams

With fall term exams approaching, the "MAC Fac"—an extraordinary team dedicated to supporting and advancing student learning—is here to share five evidence-based exam preparation strategies.

From left: Learning Specialist Morgan Manz '13, Director of Teaching and Learning Jon Willson '82, and Learning Specialist Kerry Bracco-Mullane. Missing from photo: Director of Student Learning Services Gina Ludlow.

With an overarching mission to improve student learning, the Moorhead Academic Center (MAC) offers a broad range of resources and services to Taft faculty, students, and parents. The MAC staff works with faculty to incorporate research-based pedagogy and assessment into their teaching; assist students with learning strategies and study methods, and, where appropriate, facilitate their accommodations to help them become more effective academicians; and help parents navigate assessments, and evaluations of their children as learners.

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Academic Life: In the Classroom

Engineering

Dan Calore’s engineering students have been studying the practical elements and application of the Arduino, an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards can read input—such as lights on a sensor—and turn it into an output—such as activating a motor or turning on an LED. Students tell the board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller using the Arduino programming language and the Arduino Software (IDE).

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From the Office of Student Life

Lindsay Leal, Dean of Students

Thanksgiving break is just around the corner! Ms. Leal has some important timing and travel information to share to help with your planning.

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Athletics at Taft

Director of Athletics and Afternoon Program Andy Dunn

It's been an incredible fall for many of Taft's athletics teams, and it isn't over yet: Hotchkiss Day always brings tough competition, fun and excitement for fans, and a week-long spirited lead-up that culminates in our annual Red Rally tonight, November 10. A few teams will go into Hotchkiss Day undefeated on Saturday, guaranteeing them spots in the New England Tournament, before our athletes transition to the winter sports season. It all has Director of Athletics and Afternoon Program Andy Dunn filled with Rhino pride.

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The Arts at Taft

Matilda, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band

It was another spectacular turn on the stage for Taft Theater! The acting, singing, dancing, and sets were captivating, and a tribute to all involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. It takes a village, and Taft theater is one of the best.

Parents and families were also treated to extraordinary performances by Taft's Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble in historic Walker Hall on Fall Family Weekend.

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Non Ut Sibi Spotlight

The Red Rhino Fund

The Red Rhino Fund recently hosted their annual Fall Festival, featuring all the best parts of the season: pumpkin carving, cider and donuts, outdoor games, an obstacle course, and more. The event helps raise dollars to support the annual grants the Fund awards to nonprofits and charitable organizations working to improve the lives of children in the Greater Waterbury community. The Red Rhino Fund also raises money through Denim Days, their annual Spring Fling, and sports tournaments.

Fall Festival Photos Courtesy Alexie Blake '25

Founded in 2007, the Red Rhino Fund is an endowed, charitable fund run by a student board with faculty advisors. At its core, the Fund’s mission is an extension of the school motto, Not to be served, but to serve. The group works to create positive change in the greater community by awarding monetary grants and promoting local organizations in support of education, literacy, and the arts. Along the way, Taft students gain solid perspectives on the importance of philanthropic work, and develop fundamental knowledge, understanding, and skills to continue philanthropic, not-for-profit work later in life.

The board is charged with learning about not-for-profit trusteeship, growing the endowment through new and innovative fundraising initiatives, creating marketing strategies, and awarding grants to community organizations. They also conduct detailed research and reviews of each grant applicant and proposal, which may include volunteer work with the organization to build personal connections and more fully understand the impact of their mission, general site visits, and participation in after-school activities. Grant monies are presented to the charities chosen by the Red Rhino Fund board during a special Morning Meeting event each year. Recent recipients include the Police Activity League of Waterbury, Waterbury Youth Services, and the United Way of Greater Waterbury.

Learn more about the Red Rhino Fund in the Spring 2022 Taft Bulletin.

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Join us!

Taft's school calendar is both full and dynamic. From our Music for a While Concert Series to dance performances, special schedules and more, you'll want to bookmark the school calendar page of our website and visit it often. Special events coming up include: