Week of September 6, 2010

The senior class of 2011 was excited to welcome the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to the all-school retreat last Wednesday. The seniors had planned a full day of relay races, silly games, and getting-to-know-you activities for the rest of us. We did our best to stay out of the sun in the almost 100 degree heat. As we loaded the busses at the end of the day, we were hot, sweaty...and happy! A big THANK YOU to the senior class for being warm, welcoming, enthusiastic, and energetic throughout the day.
The relay race included the entire Upper School, which had been divided into tribes. Then each tribe traveled from silly game (Birdie on a Perch) to silly game (Senior Says).

I have been inundated with incredibly creative summer reading projects. Students were assigned to capture the essence of the book they read on one sheet of paper. I will share some of these projects, bit-by-bit, in the next few weeks. (My apologies if the students' names don't exactly match up with their artwork. Hopefully, you will be able to figure out who goes with which book.)

Emily Reif: Ordinary Man

Alison Footman: Shogun

Caleb Cole: Rebecca

Jessie Anderson: The Yearling

Tasha Anderson: Ordinary Man

UPPER SCHOOL TO WASHINGTON, DC

The entire Upper School community will travel to Washington, DC on Friday, September 24th. We will depart at 5:30am on chartered busses and return by midnight. Students will sign up to visit museums in the morning, some with classes and others will visit the museum that interests them. Each museum visit will be supervised by a staff member. During the afternoon, we will have an advisee group scavenger hunt on the Smithsonian Mall. We need to charge each student $45 for this experience to help defray the cost of transportation. If this fee presents a hardship for your family, please let me know. We are happy to cover the cost. More information about this Upper School trip will be mailed to families this week.

BAGEL TUESDAYS/PIZZA WEDNESDAYS

Bagel Tuesdays and Pizza Wednesdays will start this week. Just a reminder that students must sign up for bagels and pizza at the beginning of each term. If you have not yet signed up and do want to participate in one of these events, please contact Willy Rotella asap. (x-226) Students will be able to purchase any leftover bagels and/or pizza slices...IF there are any leftovers.

QUAKER N'OATS

Quaker N'Oats is the name of our Upper School a cappella singing group. This year, we are expanding to include glee club music as well. We will rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8am in the Meeting Hall. Our first rehearsal will be this Thursday morning at 8am. Juice will be provided at 7:45 so we can start promptly at 8:00. All interested singers are welcome! We have lots of new music to learn.

ADVISEE GROUPS

Advisee groups lists were posted on Friday afternoon. Students will begin meeting in their advisee groups at 8:30 Tuesday morning.

We have had a great start in the Upper School. The seniors set a positive tone at the retreat. We now look forward to settling in to classes and Upper School life. I will do my best to keep you posted on our latest AND upcoming activities. I LOVE spending time with teenagers!