A MESSAGE FROM OUR COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE
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| Alayne Birnhak, Associate Director of College Counseling, shares a powerful message about the importance of resilience as demonstrated in a well-known children's story in her December blog post. Below is an excerpt:
The past several weeks at LA have been filled with emotion as colleges and universities released decisions for seniors who applied early. While we await results from a portion of the 300+ applications that our 12th graders submitted by mid-November, we already know how most of our students fared in the initial round of the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. There have been celebrations. There has been disappointment, too. Tears of joy and tears of sadness, even occasionally during the course of a day, come with the territory when you apply to college or support those who do. Reactions are heightened when one learns the outcome of a long, arduous process that is marked by significant uncertainty. It is difficult to accept that some elements of college admissions, such as institutional priorities, are beyond the control of applicants or anyone in their corner.
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Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023-Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 SCHOOL CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK
Monday, January 8 SCHOOL REOPENS - CLASSES RESUME
Thursday, January 11 8:30 a.m. - LA Parents' Association Meeting in Oakwood Room
9 a.m. - Young Alumni Panel for Parents in Oakwood Room 10:30 a.m. - Young Alumni Panel for Seniors/Juniors in Berry Performing Arts Center
12:30 p.m. - Young Alumni Pizza Lunch in Oakwood Room Monday, January 15
SCHOOL/OFFICES CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY SCHOOL CALENDAR
2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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| Alumnus enlightens Global Scholars |
Fernando Ramirez ’77 thoroughly enjoyed his visit back to his alma mater on Dec. 13 when he shared an enlightening presentation with students enrolled in the Global Scholars Program in the Oakwood Room. His message, also the tagline in his email signature stamp credited to the author Edward Everett Hale, was clear and simple: I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything; but I can still do something. Mr. Ramirez emphasized that theme throughout his presentation, which included details about his life, family, travels, work and mission. He’s extremely proud of his Colombian heritage as an immigrant who moved to the United States “for a better life” with his family in 1968. |
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LS students provide Winter Break sendoff |
Students from PreK(3)-Grade 5 sent the LA community home for Winter Break on a festive note with a spectacular Lower School Winter Concert on Dec. 22 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. The students were dressed to impress and performed with enthusiasm and precision.
Concert highlights included Jingle All the Way by the PreK/JK group, Shoo Fly Rock by the Fifth Grade Band, Just Be Happy by the Second and Third Grade Choir, Twinkling Lights by the Kindergarten and First Grade, and Fa, La, La, La, La by the Fourth and Fifth Grade. All Lower School students joined to sing Winter Magic in the Combined Finale. LS WINTER CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY |
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| MS winter concert features 9 ensembles |
Students in grades 6-8 provided an evening of stellar entertainment at the Middle School Winter Concert on Dec. 14 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Nine ensembles performed an impressive repertoire of music under the direction of Sharon Byrne, Choir Director and Performing Arts Chair, and Rick Fontaine, Lower, Middle and Upper School Band Director.
Early highlights included Regal March by the Sixth Grade Band, Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by the Cantores, The Tempest by the Symphonic Band, Snowflakes Dancing by the Sixth Grade Choir and Glorioso by the Wind Ensemble. Samaiya July ’28, Arika Shah ’29 and Geeta Kumar ’29 were featured soloists for the Cantores.
The Chorale ignited the audience with How Can I Keep from Singing? with soprano solos by Talia Levy ’28 and Delphine Aitken ’29. The Jazz Band’s Blue Bossa featured solos by Rishi Nihalani ’29 (clarinet) and Hamilton Ji Dressel ’29 (alto saxophone). The Vocal Ensemble maintained the tempo with One More Song from the movie Vivo with soprano solos by Shweta Saravanan ’28 and Sanjana Bhardwaj ’29. The Combined Choirs closed the show with a rousing rendition of On Top of the World.
MS WINTER CONCERT PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Concert Choir shares holiday cheer |
Members of Concert Choir visited the residents of CareOne at The Highlands nursing home on Friday, December 15 to spread some holiday cheer. They sang holiday songs and chatted with the residents before and after the performance. It warmed everyone's hearts to hear the residents sing along with the students and share memories that made the songs resonate with them. One of the residents was even moved to share two songs with the choir! CONCERT CHOIR CHEER PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Scenes from the Gingerbread Festival |
The AP Room was filled with creativity and spirit at last week’s annual Gingerbread House Festival, hosted by the Admission Office. Students joined their parents and friends to decorate gingerbread houses while enjoying sweet treats and hot chocolate provided by Sage Dining Services. GINGERBREAD HOUSE FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY Photos by Trina Junod |
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| Fifth graders explore scientific variables |
Fifth grade students recently completed an interesting experiment in which they mixed baking soda and vinegar to create a gas which filled a balloon. They measured the circumference of the balloon once it was filled with the gas. Different groups added different amounts and vinegar or baking soda to see if alternate amounts would affect the size of the balloons. This experiment was not only designed to reinforce measurement but also to help with their understanding of variables in experiments.
FIFTH GRADE EXPERIMENT PHOTO GALLERY Photos by Jaclyn Church
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| Middle School shows holiday kindness |
Middle School students continued the wonderful tradition of selecting presents from a giving tree that includes items on a wish list from children with autism at Crossroads School in Westfield. Mrs. Kirstin Rogers, Interim Middle School Head, and Ms. Henna Tailor, Student Government Advisor, led a team of students in organizing the gifts for pickup last week in time for the holidays. The LA students, who collected more than 110 gifts, hope to provide a brighter holiday season for these children by making their wishes come true.
MS GIVING TREE PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Seniors share deep thoughts in speeches |
Two students in the Class of 2024 shared meaningful Senior Speeches this week in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to Tim Oligino ’24 and Julianna Fan ’24 for showing poise at the podium.
Tim delivered a powerful message about the importance of kindness and how it truly makes a difference. Speaking on the four-year anniversary of a devastating event in his life, he shared many examples of how the caring and loving LA school community has helped him through difficult times.
Julianna reflected on the swift passage of time and how her Upper School years have flown by since she began studying at LA as an international student. She encouraged her peers to enjoy every moment and thanked her family for giving her the opportunity to explore the world. |
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| Upper School Athletes of the Week |
Mike Romeo, Athletic Director, announced the first Upper School Athletes of the Week for the winter season at the Monday meeting this week. Congratulations to cheerleader Kayla Le ’25 and basketball player Italia Penevolpe ’25. |
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| Middle School Athletes of the Week |
Mike Romeo, Athletic Director, announced the first two rounds of Middle School Athletes of the Week for the winter season at this week’s MS Community Meeting. Congratulations to cheerleaders Leah Alves ’29 and Ellie Szczubelek ’28 and basketball players Jaxson Simeonidis ’30, Jeremiah Simeonidis ’30, James Prestia ’30, Christopher Gray ’29 and Aiden Virto ’29. Leah has started this season as one of the team’s most confident cheerleaders. She knows her motions, is always prepared, and willing to help her new teammates who have never cheered before.
Ellie enthusiastically jumped in to the role of co-captain of the squad. She is encouraging, calm and kind. Ellie also did a great job being aware of the action in last week’s basketball game, calling the right cheers at the right time. |
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| Summer Programs offering 10% discount |
Although the weather is starting to get colder, it's never too early to start thinking about the warmer days again. We are happy to announce that registration for our 2024 Summer Adventures is now open and we are offering an early bird discount to families who register before January 1, 2024. Register before the end of the year and use the coupon code whfun2024 to receive 10% off your entire order!
Visit WHschool.org/summer to view all of our offerings for the summer of 2024. We have programs for students of all ages that are sure to excite and engage campers to provide an enriching and memorable experience. |
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FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
A Holiday Message from the WHPA It's the most wonderful time of the year! You will surely make memories no matter how you spend it. On behalf of the WHPA Executive Board, I wish you and your family peace and joy. Enjoy your time with your loved ones and start the New Year with renewed energy. We look forward to more good times together. Cheers! Shakti Jha
WHPA President |
Next WHPA Meeting - Thursday, Jan. 11 @ 8:30 a.m.
The LA Parents’ Association will host its first meeting of 2024 on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in the Oakwood Room. Join your fellow parents to receive updates from school administrators and to hear more about the many exciting events on tap for the winter months.
Immediately following the general meeting, a panel of young alumni will join us to discuss their transition to college and how LA prepared them for the future. Please join us! |
Save the Date - IFFN - Friday, Feb. 2 Be sure to join us for one of the community's most popular events of the year - International Family Fun Night! More information to come in January! |
Save the Date! - Winter Games - Friday, Jan. 19
The Booster Club is excited to announce the annual Winter Games! Ring in the new year with some exciting basketball action and cheer for the Rams. Alumni basketball and swim events will follow the games. |
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Giving Thanks for our LA Parent Donors
The Development Office would like to thank the LA community for supporting The WardlaLAartridge Fund. Click here to view a list of LA parents who have contributed to The 2022-2023 LA Fund between July 1, 2023 and December 20, 2023. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! Attention Parents - Check Your Contact Information
Each trimester it is a good habit to double check the information in the school database (PCR) to make sure it is up-to-date and accurate. In doing so, you ensure that the school has the best contact to reach you in the event of an emergency or school closure. The process is simple and quick.
PCR is the platform that we will use to contact you in the event of a snow day or any other school closure. Once you follow the steps below to log in (SEE INSTRUCTIONS HERE), please check that ALL of the following information is correct and up to date.
- All Parent / Guardian Email Addresses and Phone Numbers
- Your Home Address
- Your preferred Salutation and Identifier (Name, Title, Relationship to Student)
It is our continued effort to ensure that our student and family contact information is accurate, so we thank you for your help. Follow LA on Social Media, Share with Community WardlaLAartridge has a vibrant, active presence on social media with daily content posts highlighting our academics, athletics, arts and extracurricular programs.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and check out our Vimeo page! You can assist us in promoting the school by sharing our content within your network and posting it on your local town pages and feeds. |
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This publication is produced by The Communications Office at The Lena Archuleta School. |
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