This week we had the pleasure of hosting two administrators from an independent school in California who came to visit our upper school and boarding program. During their two day visit, they met with teachers, administrators, student support staff, and student leaders. Throughout their visit they shared insights from their perspective as outside observers, and their incredibly positive impressions were a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in our school community.
They were particularly struck by our facilities, from the incredible student art on the walls to how the spaces - from classrooms to common areas - were designed with intentionality and reflect the school’s values and ethos. The most affirming feedback we received was about our students. They commented on how engaged, connected, and happy our students appeared throughout their visit. They noted the clear sense of community and belonging that was evident throughout the school, and how students genuinely seemed to enjoy being here. After a long, rainy and cold January, it was a wonderful dose of positivity and affirmation.
Speaking of positivity, the boys varsity basketball team played their hearts out last night against Westside Christian, losing with only .5 seconds on the clock. They will go on to the state tournament and we look forward to cheering them on through that journey. Our girls varsity team lost earlier this week and ended their strong season. I was at the MS girls playoff game yesterday and there is clearly a bright future ahead for girls basketball. Finally, our ski team raced last weekend and will send Ani H. ‘23 and Sophia M. ‘23 on to states, as well as the entire boys team. We wish them all the best!
Get your tickets for Into the Woods TODAY!
Important Updates:
The deadline for Parent Ads for this year's yearbook has been extended to February 24.
February 20: President’s Day - NO CLASSES
February 22: Winterim 2023 Parent Meeting on Zoom, 6:30-7:30 pm.
February 23-24: The Aardvark Science Exposition is a science research competition that is affiliated with the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Students in grades 10 through 12 will present their research in a variety of physical and life science categories, along with engineering, computer science and math. For more information, please see the Aardvark Science Expo webpage. Please note: parking at SPARC is limited and by permit only. If you would like a parking permit for SPARC, please inquire at the Upper School office.
February 25: US Semi at Everett West, 8-10 pm and Parent Social at the same time at the Lucky Lab on Quimby.
February 28: Parent Partnership meeting on Zoom only, 7-8 pm Student Support Resources with Upper School Counselor Miki Darby and Learning Resource Coordinator Maego Powers. Zoom link will be shared at a later date.
March 1-5: Into the Woods. Tickets go on sale February 17! What happens after “happily ever after”? While the faces and names in this fractured tale are familiar, all the characters intersect through unexpected new plot twists. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved musical intertwines classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales with a contemporary edge to tell stories of wishes granted and “the price” paid.
Book Recommendation by US Librarian Erika Jelinek
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
Avery is less than enthused to be moving from Washington DC to a small town in rural Georgia to care for her terminally ill grandmother, whom she hasn't seen since she was five years old. Her mother and grandmother's relationship is a landmine of difficult history and tense fights, and Bardell feels impossibly small and sleepy. Then she meets her beguiling next door neighbor, Simone, and her best friend, Jade, and things slowly stop feeling so bleak. Even her notoriously prickly grandmother softens as she spends more time with her, but when she tries to unearth the root of her mother's and grandmother's difficult relationship she discovers shockingly dark secrets that send shockwaves through Avery's new friendships. This book has everything: it has a pitch perfect queer romance, magical female friendships, family secrets, and even some mystery. Don't forget to grab some tissues, because there will be tears.
Questions? Contact Brooke DeLeon or Stephen Pyle in the Upper School Office.