Deep Fried Turkey Adventures

As many of you know, cooking is one of my passions. As we head into the Thanksgiving season, I thought it would be fun to share a recipe for those looking for new ideas.

Over the years, I have experimented many times with turkey preparation. However, probably my most memorable Thanksgiving fowl moment was the first time we tried to deep fry a turkey.

We were celebrating Thanksgiving with friends. They were supplying the equipment, and we were supplying the turkey.

Our friends are on the more cautious side, so it wasn’t much of a surprise when we arrived to find the deep fryer set up about 30 yards from the house.

However, the caution did not stop there. To ensure that no one needed to get too close to the pot, they had tied rope to a crutch which we then attached to the turkey lifter. This allowed my friend and I to stand on opposite sides of the fryer and, using the crutch, slowly lower the turkey into the pot.

Luckily, this was a long time ago–before smartphones were ubiquitous and so there is no evidence of these shenanigans. Most importantly, no one was injured, but many laughs were had.

We probably followed a recipe similar to this one. If you want to explore turkey frying safety in a way that doesn’t involve mobility aids, you can check out this article from Wired.

 

Danny Vogelman
Head of School

The Qualities of a Great Teacher

A great teacher can change a child’s life. Whether it’s the first educator who makes learning come alive or one who empowers and builds confidence, a teacher is critical in helping students unlock their potential. 

At Washington Episcopal School (WES), we value great teachers. Research shows that exceptional educators share the following characteristics:

  1. Great teachers build strong relationships with their students. They take time to notice and know them as individuals. They identify children’s strengths, passions, and interests and leverage them to help students gain new skills.
  2. Great teachers inspire children to be the best versions of themselves. They set high expectations and establish dynamic and achievable goals that challenge each child.
  3. Great teachers create a welcoming and inclusive classroom community. They are aware of and celebrate cultural and ethnic diversity. They use responsive language, engage all children in classroom activities, and develop independence and collaboration.
  4. Great teachers are learners. They invest in deep content knowledge and strong pedagogical skills. They use research-informed practices and reflect on their methods.
  5. Great teachers partner with parents. Great teachers understand that learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school day. They take time to communicate learning and achievement on a consistent basis.
  6. Great teachers love their students. At WES, this is the most important quality we look for when hiring new teachers. Great teachers are deeply invested in their students’ success inside and outside the classroom. Because of this, former students visit great teachers and keep in touch long after they have graduated. Their students know they genuinely care about their lives.

We are really proud of our passionate and dedicated faculty.  If you are considering an independent school experience, we invite you to come meet them for yourself at our in-person Open House on December 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 

RSVP for an Open House

Being Thankful for Those Who Served

Middle School Director Kristin Cuddihy was our guest speaker at Chapel this week, where she spoke compellingly about our virtue of the month, thankfulness. She reminded us that studies reveal that when we show gratitude, we actually increase our feelings of happiness.

As she challenged our Dragons to reflect on the many things they have to be grateful for, in honor of Veterans Day, we also paused for a special prayer for the veterans who are important to the WES community.

This was the prayer that was shared in Wednesday’s Chapel:
“For those who have fought for freedom; for those who laid down their lives for others; for those who have endured suffering of mind or of body; for those who have brought their best gifts to times of need.

We pray especially this day in gratitude for these veterans important to the WES community:

Sam Alagno
Bobby Austen
Joseph Charles Baglia
Larry Beaver
Carl G. Becker
Will Becker
Fred L. Beye
John B. Bond
David Bryant
Colby Carrier
Leslie Coons
Brady Demarest
Louise Eise
Donald Fioravanti
Frank Fiorino
Steven Gilreath
Hank Griffith
Sydney William  Hooper
Valerie Hughes
Logan Ingram
Roger Kearbey
Ed Kiernan
Michael Lyons
Paul Mitchell
Clifton “Kip” Nichols
Tara Osborne
Jeremy Osborne
William L. Ritchie
Carson M. Smith
Carl B. Taylor
Rick Tye
Robert Tyndall
Ben  Walsh
Mary Walsh
Ennio Viglianti
Blaise Vogelman
Doug Vogelman
Darren Vogelman
Robert Wells
John Wierchioch
Charles William  Wright
George Laucks Xanders II

Give to us grateful hearts for each person who serves in the military. May we honor their service by faithfully pursuing peace throughout our lives.”

We take a lot of pride in creating a safe environment for our students here at WES, and sometimes that safety can be taken for granted. Our students need an understanding of the world around them and an appreciation for those who sacrifice so we can enjoy our liberties. On Veterans Day, we honor our military veterans.

 

Danny Vogelman
Head of School

Top 5 Reasons Not to Miss Grandparents/Special Friends Day

Grandparents & Special Friends Day (GSFD) is Tuesday, November 22, from 9:15 a.m. to noon! One of my favorite days of the year, WES typically welcomes hundreds of guests on our campus for classroom visits and a very special Chapel. Here are a few reasons why we hope to see all of our special friends and grandparents very soon!

  1. Your VIPs can get to know WES.

When your Dragon talks about some of their favorite teachers at WES, your VIP will finally have a face to put to the name. Grandparents and special friends will also understand what makes a WES education so meaningful. 

  1. That photo op.

We’ll have an optional selfie wall at the end of the day where commemorative photos can be taken. Additional photos will also be taken throughout the day that will be shared later. 

  1. Community rocks. 

Our community is at the heart of everything we do. Grandparents and special friends are extremely important figures in our Dragons’ lives. We love getting to know them better, and there is something magical about having so many members of our extended community together at one time in one place. 

  1. Learning together is more fun. 

We believe children learn more when they are engaged, challenged, and empowered to follow their interests. Nothing makes learning more engaging than group work with a beloved family member or friend. 

  • Those smiles. 

Our Dragons are overjoyed to welcome these very special guests to campus and share their school experience with these VIPs.

RSVP-Now

 

Danny Vogelman
Head of School