Email Image
 
Email Image
 
  • Where Wonder is Revived
  • SPIRIT Magazine is Here
  • Lessons in Nature
  • Dean of Admission, Kate Caliri
  • Let's Fly a Kite!
  • Make a Gift and Lift Learning
  • Our Faculty Wish List 
  • Lighting Up the North
     

Email Image

 

Where Wonder is Revived

Angela Repke, Leelanau Faculty

 

Humans, especially children, are natural observers. Over time, however, our curiosity gets squashed. We don’t stop to look at the skeleton of an old leaf, listen to the gentle pulsing of a river, or touch the smoothness of a fallen acorn. So, our joy diminishes. 

 

But here, at the Leelanau School, wonder is revived. 

 

As a new faculty on campus, I had a small moment in time that demonstrates this…

 

On move-in day, a freshman asked me,

 

“Hey, wanna go check out the river?” 

 

“Sure!” I said as he ran ahead. 

 

We stood on the bridge together, sun beaming down through the trees. From another state, his excitement to observe Northern Michigan was wiggling out of him. Right away we spotted a toad on the muddy bank. The freshman bolted down, trying to catch it. 

 

The toad leapt into the water. 

 

We both laughed and the freshman knelt down, looking into the river. Almost meditating. Next, another toad jumped into the water. And another. And another! With each splash, we gasped, then squealed in delight. Joy rustled in the trees above and rolled down the river below. 

 

All while wonder swelled within us. 

 

The campus here at The Leelanau School is filled with this wonder. And because the faculty know this, they take advantage. The river, the beach, the lake, and more become their classroom. Learning feels more natural here because, well, it’s often done in nature. 

 

This new student is a natural observer. And what he doesn’t even know yet is that, here, his wonder will bloom wildly. I’m unsure if he’ll remember this moment by the time he graduates. Because by then, he’ll have hundreds of similar ones where he took the time to observe and be curious. 

 

But for me, a new faculty, I’ll cherish this moment–and be grateful for both my students, and nature, that help revive my own sense of wonder. 

 
 
 
Email Image

Angela Repke, Learning Specialist at The Leelanau School, is a frequently published freelance writer and is currently working on a nonfiction book. The vastness of Angela’s experience as a teacher and mentor is a wonderful contribution to our Learning Skills program, where student success and self-confidence are so profoundly supported. In her spare time, Angela and her husband, along with their two children, enjoy exploring the outdoors together and are avid hikers and rock hunters. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Email Image

SPIRIT

The Leelanau School Magazine

 

 
 
 
 

Achieving balance in school - and life - requires awareness, discovery, and exploration in the classroom and beyond. This year's issue of SPIRIT Magazine explores those learning skills and life moments Leelanau extends to students to introduce and seek this positive balance, as well as photos, news, and financial updates from campus. 

SPIRIT Magazine Online
 
 
 
 

 

Lessons in Nature

 

Email Image
 
Email Image
Email Image
 
Email Image
 
Email Image
Email Image
 
Email Image
 
Email Image
Email Image
Email Image
 
Email Image
 
Email Image
 

 

"The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature." — Joseph Campbell

 
 

Welcome

KATE CALIRI

Dean of Admission, M.Ed. 

Email Image
 

"The students at Leelanau fill my heart every day, from their quirky stories to their daily office visits to snuggle my pet rats. The campus screams (and whispers) magic--which looks like kites soaring over the beach during the first sunset of autumn, sounds like footsteps across the bridge as students search for salmon and frogs in the Crystal River, and tastes like home thanks to the talented kitchen staff. Leelanau fits." - Kate Caliri

Kate Caliri has been an educator for 20 years, with experience ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade and within public, parochial, charter, and independent school systems. This breadth of experience makes her keenly aware of the powerful role a small independent school can play in helping learners and families thrive.
 
In this new role as Dean of Admission, she hopes to help families put words to their experiences - including school-based anxiety, attempts at IEPs and 504 plans, standardized testing, class sizes, diverse learning styles, and more - and offer them a path forward, whether at Leelanau or elsewhere. 
 
Kate has already wooed our current students with her energy, kindness, and her marvelous mischief of rats! It is easy to see why she has been everyone's favorite teacher for over two decades.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Email Image
 

Celebrating the first day of Fall! Big winds and big fun combined for a magical evening on the Leelanau School Beach. Thanks for the kites, Mr. and Mrs. Perez!

LET'S FLY A KITE
 
Email Image
 

Lift Learning at Leelanau!

Your gifts create possibilities and purpose for our curious learners. 

 
MAKE A GIFT to the LEELANAU GIVING FUND
SUPPORT OUR FACULTY WISHLIST
 
 

#GIVINGTUESDAY is NOVEMBER 29!

 
Email Image
 

photo credit: Reece LaPerriere, Leelanau senior

Monday, October 3, 2022

“The aurora borealis is a fascinating thing, especially when visible. It’s strange to think it’s there more than we think, we just don’t all pay attention to it. Sometimes, fascinating things are worth the wait, and delayed gratification is a gift.”

             - Reece LaPerriere, senior

 

We invite you to follow The Leelanau School on your favorite social media platforms!

social iconsocial iconsocial iconsocial icon
 
 
 
 
 
 

Questions?
Contact Kate Olson 
Director of Alumni and Development
kolson@leelanau.org

231.334.5841 

Our mailing address is:
The Leelanau School
One Old Homestead Road
Glen Arbor, MI  49636

leelanau.org

Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences at alumni@leelanau.org or leelanau.org/update

Copyright © The Leelanau School.
All rights reserved.

 


One-click Unsubscribe