Bringing the Universal Book to Life

In the Upper School, the Universal Book is more than a summer reading assignment. It’s an opportunity for students to pose questions, discuss characters and themes, and make connections. This year, students explored the novel The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation): The True Story of an American Team’s Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics by Daniel James Brown through the lens of teamwork, perseverance, leadership and the power of individuals working together toward a shared goal.

Over the course of two days during Community Time, students put the book into action through activities in advisory: thoughtful discussion; The Coxswain’s Dilemma, a social deduction game inspired by rowing; and Find Your Swing, a collaborative challenge that asks advisories to create a 60-second synchronized performance inspired by the spirit of the book.

​They also heard a first-person perspective from FWCD Cross Country and Track & Field Program Director and Middle School PE Teacher Jared Connaughton. Connaughton, who competed in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games, connected his own experience competing at the highest level to the story. He took students deeper into the history surrounding the 1936 Olympics and shared a portion of a documentary being made about his Olympic experience.

Connaughton is a two-time Canadian Olympian, former elite sprinter, and accomplished coach whose career has taken him to the world’s biggest athletic stages. He represented Canada at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games, competing in the 200 meters and 4x100-meter relay. A Canadian 200-meter champion, Connaughton advanced to the Olympic semifinals in the event at both Olympics and helped Canada reach the 4x100-meter final in Beijing. His London experience brought both the thrill of an apparent Olympic bronze medal and the heartbreak of disqualification after he stepped on the inside lane line during the relay. Through both triumph and disappointment, Connaughton became known for his sportsmanship, resilience and determination. Today, he draws on his experience as an elite athlete to coach and mentor the next generation, sharing the lessons he learned through years of competition at the highest level.

These Universal Book experiences reflect what an FWCD Upper School education values: intellectual curiosity, meaningful collaboration, respectful dialogue, resilience and the willingness to see a story from more than one perspective.