Courage
Priorities
Washington, D.C.
A Peek into Recent March Flexperiences
Advanced Government meets with The Washington Post's Aaron Blake
Peter Goodnow's Advanced Government class spent a recent flex block speaking with Aaron Blake, a senior political reporter writing for The Fix at The Washington Post. The purpose of their meeting was for the students to discuss the data they collected and studied as they assessed the field of potential Republican candidates for the 2024 election with Blake, who is a national political reporter. In addition to garnering "real world" feedback on their work, students benefited from the exchange as Blake provided them with additional information and analysis based on his knowledge and experience. The exchange provided Episcopal’s students with a combination of empowerment and education as they engaged in thoughtful discussion with Blake. "I speak to students infrequently, but it's safe to say Mr. Goodnow's class included some of the sharpest young minds I've had the pleasure of working with," Blake said of his visit. "The discussion was significantly more enlightening than I remember my own high school government class being. Particularly impressive was the students' ability to parse not just candidates' positions, but the strategies and appeal behind them."
Peter Goodnow's Advanced Government class spent a recent flex block speaking with Aaron Blake, a senior political reporter writing for The Fix at The Washington Post. The purpose of their meeting was for the students to discuss the data they collected and studied as they assessed the field of potential Republican candidates for the 2024 election with Blake, who is a national political reporter. In addition to garnering "real world" feedback on their work, students benefited from the exchange as Blake provided them with additional information and analysis based on his knowledge and experience. The exchange provided Episcopal’s students with a combination of empowerment and education as they engaged in thoughtful discussion with Blake. "I speak to students infrequently, but it's safe to say Mr. Goodnow's class included some of the sharpest young minds I've had the pleasure of working with," Blake said of his visit. "The discussion was significantly more enlightening than I remember my own high school government class being. Particularly impressive was the students' ability to parse not just candidates' positions, but the strategies and appeal behind them."
Honors Spanish 3 Visits Local Community
Spanish Teacher Norman Kim-Senior's Honors Spanish 3 students visited the Alexandria neighborhood of Chirilagua, nicknamed after a town in El Salvador by the large population of El Salvadorians who reside there. The goal of the flexblock was to observe. Observe the characteristics of the community, the infrastructure, the people, the sounds, the activities, and their emotions and reactions. Their visit also allowed them to test their knowledge of Spanish by communicating with residents, trying new flavors and regional cuisine, and learning new vocabulary in a real-world setting. Kim- Senior told his class, "This visit is an opportunity to speak the Spanish you have been practicing for the past two and a half years or more. At some point, you have to just jump in and give it a go." In addition, they were able to get a glimpse into the cultural trends, statistical information, and contemporary issues shaping this community.
Spanish Teacher Norman Kim-Senior's Honors Spanish 3 students visited the Alexandria neighborhood of Chirilagua, nicknamed after a town in El Salvador by the large population of El Salvadorians who reside there. The goal of the flexblock was to observe. Observe the characteristics of the community, the infrastructure, the people, the sounds, the activities, and their emotions and reactions. Their visit also allowed them to test their knowledge of Spanish by communicating with residents, trying new flavors and regional cuisine, and learning new vocabulary in a real-world setting. Kim- Senior told his class, "This visit is an opportunity to speak the Spanish you have been practicing for the past two and a half years or more. At some point, you have to just jump in and give it a go." In addition, they were able to get a glimpse into the cultural trends, statistical information, and contemporary issues shaping this community.
Legal Principles, Trial Advocacy, and Mock Trials, Oh My!
Guided by Episcopal’s General Counsel and Social Studies teacher Stefanie Smith, Legal Principles and Trial Advocacy students spent most of the semester learning about the many different aspects of a trial, with an emphasis on evidentiary rules. After gaining sufficient knowledge about trial procedures, the students participated in two mock criminal trials with four teams comprising four students each. During the last two weeks of the class, each group of students worked with a practicing Washington, D.C., attorney mentor as they prepared for their team’s final mock trial. Providing a true real-world experience for the students, each trial was held at the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in front of an associate judge. Enriching the full experience, each mentor not only supported students throughout their preparation for trial, but also attended and provided feedback following the trial. The attorney mentors included practicing lawyers from private law firms and one from the Department of Justice; the Honorable L.P. Howard was the presiding judge; Smith’s daughter served as bailiff; and other students acted as witnesses. Adding to the energy in the courtroom, EHS parents also traveled to witness the excitement of the students’ mock trial.
Guided by Episcopal’s General Counsel and Social Studies teacher Stefanie Smith, Legal Principles and Trial Advocacy students spent most of the semester learning about the many different aspects of a trial, with an emphasis on evidentiary rules. After gaining sufficient knowledge about trial procedures, the students participated in two mock criminal trials with four teams comprising four students each. During the last two weeks of the class, each group of students worked with a practicing Washington, D.C., attorney mentor as they prepared for their team’s final mock trial. Providing a true real-world experience for the students, each trial was held at the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in front of an associate judge. Enriching the full experience, each mentor not only supported students throughout their preparation for trial, but also attended and provided feedback following the trial. The attorney mentors included practicing lawyers from private law firms and one from the Department of Justice; the Honorable L.P. Howard was the presiding judge; Smith’s daughter served as bailiff; and other students acted as witnesses. Adding to the energy in the courtroom, EHS parents also traveled to witness the excitement of the students’ mock trial.
