On Saturday, June 4, students enrolled in McDonogh’s Shakespeare Institute class performed the comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing" in the barn at Roots. The play, considered one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, explores the dichotomy between society’s expectation of how humans "should" act in love and how humans "actually" act in love.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The fourth grade students sang the inspirational song “Seize the Day,” from the musical “Newsies,” at the Lower School Closing Ceremony on June 3.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Barbara Robins, Head of Lower School, introduced “Be the Best of Whatever You Are” by Douglas Malloch, explaining that "it has been part of the Lower School tradition since 1946. Its title is the unofficial motto of the Lower School." The bell choir led the Lower School students in singing “Be the Best” at the Lower School Closing Ceremony on June 3.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Lower School students in Beckie Lamborn’s art classes created signs based on the words and meanings of the poem “Be the Best of Whatever You Are” by Douglas Malloch.
Video coverage by Beckie Lamborn.

Faculty and staff waved the buses off the lot at the end of the last full day of school for Lower and Middle School students. The students joined in the fun, waving and shouting from the bus windows!
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Fourth grade students spent the morning of May 25 on McDonogh School’s Ropes Course participating in challenging team building activities including The Beam, Nitro Crossing, Telephone Pole Shuffle, Spider’s Web, The Wall, Wild Woosey & Tension Traverse, Whale Watch, and the Tire Lift (The Donut).
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On May 19, the fourth grade classes of Sharon Howell and Jessica Mecca held a poetry slam in the Klein Lyceum. The poems were written and performed by their students.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On May 18, the fourth grade classes of George Webb and Sara Madgey held a poetry slam in the Klein Lyceum. The poems were written and performed by their students.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Room 208 sang and danced in the play, "The Friendly Animal Farm," written by second grade teacher Nancy Lewis with music by Victor Giardano. Presented in the Kelly Center on May 18. the play features two children who save a truckload of factory farm raised cows from being turned into hamburger meat. They divert the truck carrying the cows to "The Friendly Animal Farm," where animals can live a good life.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

In this final Chapel meeting of the school year, Bridget Collins, Director of Religious Studies, Character and Service, guided the fourth grade class who led the Chapel by sharing letters of gratitude for McDonogh School teachers and singing the song “Simple Gifts.” Following the theme of sunshine, each Lower School teacher was presented with a sunflower. Students recognized retirees Patrice Preston and Carol Carroll with poems and framed artwork.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On May 12, McDonogh's Middle School Bands, under the direction of Elizabeth Irvine, Director of Middle School Instrumental Music, delivered an enjoyable evening of music with their spring concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre. The concert began with the Beginners and ended with a large ensemble performing an arrangement of Finlandia, the tune to McDonogh's Alma Mater. Video coverage by Don New.

On April 26, 2016, the McDonogh Strings classes performed in the All School Strings Concert in the Horn Theater. The performance included students from all divisions: lower school, middle school, and upper school and were directed by Andrew Shaud. Video coverage by Elizabeth Irvine.

In order to raise $50,000 in 50 hours, we need your help! If we meet the challenge, generous members of our community will contribute an additional $50,000 to The McDonogh Fund. So, please give … or give again!

On May 10, McDonogh's Upper School Concert and Jazz Bands, under the direction of Don New, Director of Upper School Instrumental Music, delivered an enjoyable evening of music with their spring concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre. The impressive repertoire included diverse pieces ranging from Beethoven to Bruno Mars. Don New recognized fourteen graduating band members with plaques.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On May the 4th, 2016, the Lower School Drum Corps, Middle School Percussion Ensembles, and Upper School Percussion Ensemble performed a variety of percussion pieces that showed off their skill and hard work this year. These ensembles are directed by Michael Feathers and it was a wonderful Night of Percussion. Video coverage by Elizabeth Irvine.

The McDonogh Middle School Onstage Ensembles performed a wonderful Spring Concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on April 29, 2016. The ensembles are under the direction of Suzi Eldridge, Director of Middle School Choral Music, and Ericka Leonard. The students' hard work was evident throughout the performances as they sang and danced for a packed house! Video coverage by Javon Byam.

A TO Z IN MCDONOGH'S LOWER SCHOOL
In Video Class 2016, sixteen teams of third graders were assigned letters of the alphabet. They used iPads to film scenes around the Lower School that began with their assigned letters. Under the supervision of special projects teacher Cindy Green, the students edited their scenes, adding transitions and audio to create the video A to Z in McDonogh's Lower School.
Video coverage by McDonogh's third grade students.

Second grade students in rooms 205, 206 & 207 performed skits they wrote based on the lessons they learned in their Learning for Living readings and discussions.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Upper School Choral Ensembles, under the direction of Philip Olsen, Head of Choral Music, presented an enjoyable annual spring concert in the Tagart Memorial Chapel on May 1, 2016. The audience was treated to outstanding performances by The Concert Choir, The Senior Singers, The Women of Note, The Gentleman Songsters, and The Foxleigh Hill Singers. Each senior choir member was presented with a rose.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

PREKINDERGARTEN, KINDERGARTEN, PREFIRST, AND FIRST GRADE PERFORMANCES AND ART EXHIBITS
The Lower School's annual Adventure with the Arts Day on Friday, April 22 took children and families on a colorful journey of music and art.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH GRADE PERFORMANCES AND ART EXHIBITS
The Lower School's annual Adventure with the Arts Day on Friday, April 22 took children and families on a colorful journey of music and art.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On April 7, more than 150 Upper School scholarship recipients and nearly as many donors and mentors gathered in Paterakis Hall for the annual Scholarship Luncheon to celebrate and recognize McDonogh’s commitment to this time-honored program. Listen to remarks by alumni speaker Mark Jankowski '82.

On April 7, more than 150 Upper School scholarship recipients and nearly as many donors and mentors gathered in Paterakis Hall for the annual Scholarship Luncheon to celebrate and recognize McDonogh’s commitment to this time-honored program. Listen to remarks by student speaker Chase K. '16.

Multicultural Night on Friday, March 4 featured an international buffet of ethnic specialties in Paterakis Hall followed by a showcase of student performances from all three divisions representing many cultures and traditions.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Fourth grade students in the Lower School celebrated “Take Apart Day” on Friday, February 26, 2016 by deconstructing small appliances, household gadgets, and electronics in a culmination of their science unit on simple machines. Working with teachers Craig Whiteford and Argie O’Shea, the students gained insight into design and mechanics.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh School String Ensembles, under the direction of Andrew Shaud, performed in their annual winter concert in Tagart Memorial Chapel on January 13, 2016. The audience was treated to outstanding performances by the Upper School String Ensemble, the Middle School String Ensembles, and the Fourth Grade String Ensemble. Video coverage by Elizabeth Irvine.

Peace was the theme of the Lower School “Celebrate! Peace is an Offering” ceremony on Friday, December 18 for second, third, and fourth grades. The performances included songs, stories, and scripted readings. The bell choir opened and closed the program.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School “Celebrate! A Wintry Walk” ceremony on Friday, December 18 for prekindergarten, kindergarten, prefirst, and first grades was a celebration of the magic of the season with songs, poems, movement, and instrumental music.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Upper School Choral Ensembles, under the direction of Philip Olsen, Head of Choral Music, performed in their annual winter concert in the Tagart Memorial Chapel on December 13. The audience was treated to outstanding performances by The Concert Choir, The Senior Singers, The Women of Note, The Gentleman Songsters, and The Foxleigh Hill Singers.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Middle School Bands performed their annual Winter Concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on December 10, 2015. The Middle School Intermediate and Advanced bands performed both concert band and pep band repertoire. They celebrated the season with "Hanukkah Dance" arranged by Matt Conaway and a medley of songs arranged from the Nutcracker by Joseph Compello. They ended the evening with some pep band arrangements of "Seven Nation Army", "We Will Rock You", and "Let's Go Band!" Video

The annual Holiday Assembly on Friday, December 11, featured 15 performances from McDonogh’s choral, dance, and instrumental ensembles. Interspersed with the performances were appearances by characters from the film “Inside Out.”
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Upper School Bands treated their audience to a spectacular winter concert in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre on December 8, 2015. Both bands are under the direction of Don New, Director of Upper School Instrumental Music. The Jazz Band opened the evening with a swinging performance of “Spinning Wheel,” composed by David Clayton Thomas. The Concert Band ended the evening with an outstanding performance of “Nathan Hale Trilogy” by James Curnow.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

During the week of November 16, each grade level in the Lower School devoted sessions to a particular topic regarding the concept of rights. The themes included: "Classroom Rights" (Prekindergarten); “Rights of Animals” (Kindergarten); “Rights of a Culture” (Prefirst); “Native American Respect and Rights” (First Grade); “Women’s Rights” (Second Grade); “Civil Rights” (Third Grade) and “Children’s Rights Globally” (Fourth Grade).
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On Grandparents Day, Tuesday, November 24, grandparents and special friends were treated to performances by prekindergarten, kindergarten, prefirst, and first grade students in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On Grandparents Day, Tuesday, November 24, grandparents and special friends were treated to performances by second, third, and fourth grade students in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The Lower School assembly on Friday, November 20, focused on the theme of "Empathy." In this video, shown at the assembly, Lower School students express their thoughts regarding the meaning of the word "empathy."
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

The McDonogh Singers perform at the Middle School Idol competition in November 2015.
Video coverage by Mike Burke.

The third grade held their annual Blankets of Hope Chapel on Friday, November 13. They donated 40 "blankets of hope" to the Red Devils, a cancer support group. These fleece blankets were made using proceeds from the third grade shoeshine stand. One special camouflage fleece blanket was created for McDonogh junior Archer Senft, who is recovering from a spinal cord injury.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Students in Upper School science teacher Andy Motsko's STEM Design and Build Course successfully constructed and activated a trebuchet, a type of catapult, to hurl pumpkins over 400 feet through the air.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On Saturday, November 7, preceding the 100th McDonogh-Gilman game, hundreds of Eagle fans enjoyed food trucks, live music in the hospitality tent, giveaways, and a fantastic spirit parade into the stadium.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

In anticipation of the 100th McDonogh vs. Gilman football game, the entire student body donned orange and black for the annual all-school Spirit Parade on Friday, November 6, 2015.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Eighth grade students participated in a STEM project to build race cars out of pasta. The students explored concepts such as inertia, gravity, and friction, testing their cars on a ramp to see the distance they could travel.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

On Thursday, October 16, Prekindergarten students enjoyed a hayride to the Roots Farm to pick pumpkins. After selecting the perfect pumpkins, the students were led through the corn maze by Roots Farm Chair Sharon Hood.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Lower School students articulate their hopes and dreams at the start of the school year.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

MCDONOGH'S LOWER SCHOOL: A SCHOOL OF JOY. A SCHOOL OF OPPORTUNITY. This video of the Lower School is proof of McDonogh’s mission to find “joy in work, in play, in discovery, and in the realization of personal potential.”
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Joy was the theme of Aquapalooza 2015, the Lower School’s reward for their summer reading challenge. On Friday, September 4, the Lower School administrative team dressed as the character Joy from the movie Inside Out. They spread joy as they slid down the water slides and ran through the sprinklers along with students from prekindergarten through fourth grade.Of course, joy was on the faces of everyone who participated in the afternoon of fun.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

Students and faculty gathered on Childs Memorial Terrace for Convocation on Thursday, September 3. At the conclusion of the program, Mr. Britton rang the school bell to officially open the 2015-2016 school year.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.

At the conclusion of the Lower School opening faculty meeting, Head of Lower School, Barbara Robins, began dancing mid-sentence to the "High School Musical" tune "We're All in This Together." Lower School faculty joined in the flash mob as Music and Movement teacher Kara Zimmerman led the group in an energetic dance.
Video coverage by Cindy Green.