Canterbury CommuniquéA monthly online newsletter for the friends of Canterbury School

November 2014

Service Among Our Students By Nicole Allbritton, Director of Strategic Communications

I’ve always admired the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Service learning opportunities can be found just about anywhere, and it’s not just adults who donate their time, its children too. While some kids would rather play video games at home, the students at Canterbury are eager to give back to the community.

Although community service hours are a requirement for graduation, Canterbury students view service as more than a prerequisite. Instead, it is an opportunity to pursue a passion, as well as give more of oneself. Around this time of year, students are taking part in many school-oriented service activities such as decorating, filling and delivering Thanksgiving boxes and Christmas stockings for Nations Association; collecting and donating socks for the annual Sock Drive; making decorative bowls to raise awareness for hunger; sending cards to members of the military; donating coats and jackets to the Homeless Coalition; and helping to distribute food to needy families with the Heights Foundation.

As a key component of Canterbury’s mission, service is performed by students of all ages. By the time they reach high school, the initiative students take to seek service activities beyond those organized by the school is admired by many teachers and staff members. Students can be found volunteering at a hospital or retirement home; helping in international efforts such as rebuilding a school or aiding in HIV/AIDS edu-cation; or ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive. Canterbury’s commitment to service is proof that not only are we helping to prepare students academically, but we are helping them to care for others and become well-rounded individuals who will go out and make a difference in the world.

As December vacation approaches, it seems fitting to say a few words about one of the central tenets of our Mission Statement - service, which is inextricably woven into the tapestry of Canterbury School. Our commitment to service spans from Lower to Upper School students and teachers, as well as members of our Board of Trustees. Our school and its students are well-known for their many accomplishments. Often the ones that are the most meaningful are those done in service of others underscoring the adage, “In serving others, we serve ourselves.”

There is incredible depth and breadth to our commitment to service, and I would like to highlight just a few of our service projects.

• We donated 3,041 pairs of socks to the Homeless Coalition at Community Cooperative and Children’s Home Society. • Partnering with the Nations Foundation, we provided 62 families with full Thanksgiving meals. • Upper School students and faculty cleaned up both Sanibel and Fort Myers Beaches. • Since last summer, our Upper School students have accumulated 7,000 hours of community service. • In our annual Marathon we typically raise $19,000+/- to be given to four or five charities. This year they include Autism Speaks, Harry Chapin Food Bank of SWFL, JDRF – Florida Suncoast Chapter, Make-a-Wish Southern Florida and Quality of Life Center of Southwest Florida.

Board of Trustees Co-Chair Charles Idelson said it nicely in a recent article, “We all have a responsibility to provide a path that future generations may follow—this path must be lined with people who have chosen to make a difference in the lives of others.”

There is no better place to begin teaching the importance of service to others than in our student’s earliest years, and wecontinue to encourage them throughout their time here. Their commitment to service, first taught and then internalized, becomes a practice that will make the world a better place.

Head’s Up‘Tis Always the Season to Give

Canterbury in PicturesThis month’s photo gallery is a compilation of photos from the Nations Association Thanksgiving Food Drive and Science Night!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Science Night

To submit your photos, please send them to socialmedia@canterburyfortmyers.org.

Science Night

Noelle Spencer ’13

While at Canterbury, Noelle Spencer embraced the notion of service. Whether it was through Mar-athon, serving as a tutor in the Middle School or being a member of National Honor Society, she admits, “Service was so rooted in the curriculum. There was a service component to every club that I was involved in while in school.”

As a student at the University of Florida, she has continued her passion for giving back by par-ticipating in the university’s Dance Marathon. For 26.2 hours, 800 participants stand on their feet to help raise awareness for the Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Hospital for Children. The reason for standing is to show the struggle that Shands patients face when dealing with physical and emotional issues. Hoping to raise enough money to be one of the lucky 800, Noelle will find out in February if she gets to participate.

When asked why this particular cause is so important to her, she responded, “Because I’m pas-sionate about kids. When you meet these families, you know you’re making a difference. I’m able to give back to something bigger than myself, and to spend time with the families you are helping, it allows you to see the end result of your efforts.”

Apart from Dance Marathon, she also serves as a tour guide for the university, helps at the Boys & Girls Club, and is a participant in TOPSoccer at the University of Florida. The program allows children with special needs to play soccer with volunteers and peers.

“Volunteering just feels natural. It’s been so ingrained in me that I feel empty if I’m not giving back,” she said.

Alumni Spotlights: Noelle Spencer ‘13 and Sara Dellabella Peden ‘01Canterbury Alumni Continue to Serve in College and Beyond

Sara Dellabella Peden ’01

A firm believer that a person can learn a lot about oneself when providing service to others, Sara Peden took that belief and ran with it. Serving as an advocate for animal rescue, she pursued her passion, aiming to help people and their animals.

As a Canterbury student, Sara spent her time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and during the holidays, she would guide senior citizens through the Edison and Ford Winter Estates Christmas lights display.

It wasn’t until she moved to Gainesville for college that her journey in animal rescue began. “I started finding dogs and cats on a regular basis, many of whom remained unclaimed by owners after heavy advertisement by me in the areas they had been found…I started reaching out to rescue groups and eventually found one willing to help us adopt out those who were not claimed. They had helped us, so I wanted to help them,” she said.

Discovering through her service efforts that she was good at helping people and their animals, Sara admits, “Nothing feels better than helping someone who needs your help.” Currently, she is preparing to volunteer at her area St. Francis Pet Clinic. The clinic is run by volunteers and provides free veterinary care to homeless and low-income residents. By helping residents care for their pets, she is happy to know that it will prevent these animals from entering shelters and rescues.

When asked what advice she would give to others about participating in community service, she said, “Find the area of service that interests you and jump in! If you go in with the goal of giving only for the sake of doing good, you will grow as a person, learn about yourself and be shocked by how personally rewarding and selfless service is! In my opinion, there’s nothing more rewarding.”

Why is Service Important at Canterbury?This month, as we focus on the importance of giving back and helping those in need, Canterbury’s service coordinators shared why they believe service is so important at Canterbury.

Kathy Gilstad and Ronda Garner – Lower School

“It is important because it is keeping with the mission. We raise our children to have empathy and compassion, and we want them to be caring, involved and concerned individuals. These children are our future.”

Lee Maes – Intermediate School

“The students and parents care about these projects because it helps those in need in our community.”

Holly Pollard – Intermediate School

“It is a part of the whole child and makes for a balanced life. In teaching our children to give back at an early age, it creates a lifetime of giving to others.”

Marlena Elmore – Middle School

“Service is a way to get students out of their comfort zone. It is the best and most effective way to get students out of their ‘bubble.’ It is about stretching and learning about cultures and people outside of the Canterbury community.”

Christina Heath – Middle School

“Our students are activists; bright, informed, compassionate and motivated. Service at Canterbury reminds our young people that nobody succeeds alone, and it’s a privilege to be able to help others, just as it is a gift to be able to ask others for help.”

Ian Cross – Upper School

“As you know, service is one of the four pillars of the school’s mission. Since 50 hours of community service is a graduation requirement, the Upper School community service program structures opportunities for the students to volunteer both within the Canterbury community and outside in the greater Fort Myers community. What I find impressive is that our students manage to make countless contacts with various non-profit organizations in Lee County and elsewhere. They take their own initiative to find volunteer opportunities, making significant contributions that improve the human condition, while also meeting the demands of a rigorous academic program and participating in an impressive array of extracurricular activities.”

Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day – December 17 & 18Join us for this wonderful occasion as we celebrate Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day at Canterbury! If you would like for your child’s grandparent or grandfriend to be invited, please send their name and mailing address to Lou Ann Ozboyaci (lozboyaci@canterburyfortmyers.org).

When: Wednesday, December 17 (Intermediate School Grades 4-6)Where: 8 a.m. – Continental Breakfast in Hanno Dining Hall 8:30 a.m. – Students escort guests to their classrooms 10 a.m. – Performance in the PACWhen: Thursday, December 18 (Lower School Grades Pre-K – 3) Where: 8 a.m. – Continental Breakfast in Hanno Dining Hall 8:30 a.m. – Join your grandchild(ren) in classrooms 9:15 a.m. – Performance in the PAC

Alumni Reunion – December 19Join us as we invite alumni of all ages to come together and celebrate all things Canterbury! This year’s reunion will be held at Cru Restaurant in Bell Tower Shops.

When: Friday, December 19 from 6-9 p.m.Where: Cru Restaurant in Bell Tower Shops

Winter Break – December 22-January 2In recognition of the upcoming holidays, there will be no school the week of December 22 - January 2. We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday, and we will see you January 5!

Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show – January 9Join us for our annual school-wide Talent Show and Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, January 9, 2015. Seating is limited and tickets always sell out, so grab yours quickly! The talent showcase will follow in the PAC at 7 p.m.

Go to www.canterburyfortmyers.org/ TalentShow to purchase your tickets. All combo dinner/show ticket holders will have access to reserved PAC seating for the show.

For questions, please contact Cindy Bledsoe (cindy.bledsoe6081@gmail.com), Patti Devito (patticanjura@yahoo.com) or Li-Su Javedan (lisu.hjavedan@gmail.com) - dinner or Karen Goldberg (karengoldberg@me.com)- talent show.

When: Friday, January 9, 2015 Spaghetti Dinner at 6 p.m. and Talent Show at 7 p.m.Where: Spaghetti Dinner in Hanno Dining Hall Talent Show in Performing Arts Center

Admission Open House – January 16Invite your friends and neighbors to get to know Canterbury at our Admissions Open House. RSVP to the Admission Office at (239) 415-8945 or online at www.canterburyfortmyers.org.

When: Friday, January 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m.Where: Lower School Main Office

Upcoming Events

Why I Give to the Canterbury FundThis month, Dads’ Club president, Canterbury parent and volunteer Trae Zipperer shares why he and his family give to the Canterbury Fund, as well as why he devotes his time to serving others through Canterbury’s Dads’ Club.

“We give to the Canterbury Fund because we value what Canterbury School provides our student. Education is vitally important. Canterbury has an excellent reputation as a college prep school. And, there is no second chance when it comes to our child’s formative years. We weren’t always givers. In the beginning, we paid our tuition; dropped off our student each morning; attended mandatory gatherings; and basically acted like consumers. We were annoyed when someone would call asking for more money. Didn’t we already give enough when we paid our tuition?

Everything changed three years ago when I was asked to join the Development Committee. It was there in the IS conference room on Wednesday mornings where I became enlightened to the school’s income sources, operating expenses and fundamental needs. Tuition alone did not cover the costs of educating my child at Canterbury School. I decided to cast off my consumer attitude and act instead like a stakeholder. I helped start a Dads’ Club, donated at the Leadership level and became actively involved with an objective of enhancing my child’s education experience via my hands, heart and wallet. When my student graduates from Canterbury, I will have been a part of it.”

Want to make a difference in your child’s education? You can with a donation to the Canterbury Fund! Every gift turns possibilities into realities, so donate to the Canterbury Fund today!

As students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, we know it is important for you to stay connected to Canterbury. From class projects to sporting events, to science experiments and theater plays, our students are always on the move and you want to know about it! Whether you “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, watch us on Instagram or connect with us on LinkedIn, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Canterbury news, contests, events and much more!

In celebration of Canterbury’s 50th anniversary, each month, Canterbury Communiqué will feature a “Did you Know?” section, providing an interesting, historical fact about the school.

In 1987, the school, once again, expanded to include the Lois Shakarian James building (completed in 1991) to house Middle and Upper School classrooms. Classes remained small – no more than 15 in the Lower school and even smaller in Middle and Upper Schools.

Stay Connected

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