Dr. Gerald Messerschmidt visited the third grade to share slides and stories of his family’s recent trip to Australia. Son John demonstrated his talent for making sound come out of a didgeridoo, an aboriginal musical instrument that is hard to play.

Lower School students continued their Friday tradition of preparing meals for local homeless shelters. This group of 4th graders, chopped, sautéed, mixed, and measured, producing a delectable feast of chicken casserole, salad, fruit, and decorated cupcakes.

Second graders practiced their culinary talents by preparing a variety of specialty breads which they shared with each other and family members prior to the Thanksgiving break. Another impressive food event was the 3rd grade’s Heritage Feast, culminating their study of the book, Molly’s Pilgrim. Children were asked to bring in a food representing something from their own culture and ethnic background. The variety of samplings was impressive, including, Vegemite sandwiches, blintzes, pizzelle, spaghetti and sauce, corned beef and sauerkraut, rugelach, and much more.

Gay Salisbury, co-author of The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic spoke to Middle and Lower School students this past fall. The book tells the story of Balto the husky and the team of sled dogs that was responsible for delivering serum across Alaska from Nenana to Nome to save the town's children from diphtheria. A national bestseller, The Cruelest Miles has been translated into 14 foreign editions, received great reviews from the national media, and was featured on such programs as CBS's "Sunday Morning News" and NPR’s "All Things Considered."

Robotics continues to be a popular Middle School activity, challenging participants to test their creative problem-solving in a variety of Lego projects. Junior Bob Drummond has provided expertise and support along with faculty advisors Christian Wareikis and Gary White. They competed in two tournaments this year, one in November and the state tournament in December. The tournament’s theme this year was, “No Limits,” finding ways of helping people with different levels of ability. Shipley placed 9th out of 38 teams.

In the Upper School, Richard McKinney, a practicing Buddhist, visited with the students in the History of Religion course. A member of the Philadelphia Buddhist Association, he spoke of the introduction of Buddhism to the U.S. following the translation of Sanskrit transcripts. He also spoke of the four Noble Truths and of meditation.

Madrigals and Madriguys continue to perform concerts at a variety of venues in school and out. Some of the many places at which they performed during the holiday season were Bryn Mawr Chateau and the Villanova Conference Center. Here’s a picture of the Madriguys serenading at the recent holiday reception held for Upper School students prior to winter break.

Posted January 10, 2005