A MESSAGE FROM OUR UPPER SCHOOL HEAD |
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Bob Bowman, Upper School Head, shares his appreciation for the school's coding and robotics programs in his November blog post. Below is an excerpt:
My love of science and science fiction likely began in elementary school when I read the book The Runaway Robot by Lester Del Rey. I was a reluctant reader at a young age, but this book had everything: friendship, loyalty and adventure, and the protagonist's best friend was a robot named Rex! My recollection of their exploits are a little fuzzy, but I remember cherishing this book and not wanting to return it to the library. Clearly, I was not alone in my adoration of automata; throughout my life, robots have become commonplace in books, television, film and real life.
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Saturday, December 2 10 a.m. - WHPA Holiday Craft Event in AP Room Sunday, December 3
5:30 p.m. - Upper School Musical Auditions in Berry Performing Arts Center Monday, December 4 6 p.m. - Upper School Musical Auditions in Berry Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 5 2 p.m. - Middle School Meet the Departments in Oakwood Room
Wednesday, December 6 7:30 p.m. - Upper School Winter Concert in Berry Performing Arts Center Thursday, December 7
8:30 a.m. - Parents' Association Meeting in Oakwood Room SCHOOL CALENDAR 2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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| Busy December Calendar of Events |
The four weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break are filled with exciting school events. Here’s a look ahead at important upcoming dates in December: Saturday, Dec. 2 – WHPA Holiday Craft Event – 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 – Upper School Winter Concert – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 7 – Parents’ Association Meeting – 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Gingerbread House Festival - 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 – Middle School Winter Concert – 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 – Parent Conferences / School Closed Thursday, Dec. 21 – Booster Club Meeting – 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 – Lower School Winter Concert – 11 a.m. |
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| Vinay Karthik '25 set for UN opportunity |
Vinay Karthik ’25 is set to embark on the opportunity of a lifetime. He was selected to be part of the Global Coordination Team (GCT) for YOUNGO, the youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The GCT is made up of about 40 leaders around the world who help organize UN climate conventions, conferences and events.
Vinay was chosen as one of the 15 youth around the world to be on the Communications and Media Team and will represent the mainland United States as the Logistics Manager for COP28 in Dubai. Vinay departed for Dubai on Nov. 28 and will participate in the conference for 10 days. His primary role will be planning, scheduling and managing all of the media events at COP28. |
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| Global Scholars visit Rutgers Univ. |
Students enrolled in the Global Scholars Program visited Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy on Nov. 28 to begin their collaboration with graduate students and to learn about their various areas of study and work. The students were accompanied by Nicole Nolan, Director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, Dr. Jonathan Wilson, Upper School History Teacher, and Rudy Brandl ’83, Director of Communications and Publications.
The session began with a welcome from Christina Torian, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission, and continued with remarks from Dr. Patti O’Brien-Richardson, Associate Professor and Chief DEIB Officer. Dr. O’Brien introduced student panelists Sarah Shiner, Delmy Cruz, Erica Shabnam and Riley Riegel, who shared their course loads, why they chose their majors, how their fields of study relate to the global world, and details about special research projects and internships they’ve completed. The EJB student panelists discussed what they are studying in the fields of health administration, public health, public policy, and urban planning and design, and how it will help them make an impact in the world
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| Community enjoys Friendsgiving |
Lower School students, their families and friends enjoyed a wonderful feast and celebrated gratitude and togetherness at Friendsgiving in the AP Room just prior to the Thanksgiving break.
Chef Anibal Rodriguez and the Sage Dining Services team prepared a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal for two seatings of students, teachers, families and special guests, which included some of the senior buddies. JohnEric Advento, Lower School Head, offered greetings, best wishes and thanks to everyone in attendance as a roaring virtual fire played on the large projection screen. FRIENDSGIVING PHOTO GALLERY |
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Middle School students shine in musical |
The Middle School musical production of Aladdin JR. held earlier this month was a true team effort. With exactly half of the Middle School’s enrollment participating in either the cast or crew, the show incorporated 28 actors and 16 crew members. The 44 Middle School students worked together and executed a very entertaining production.
Leading players included Rishi Nihalani ’29 as Aladdin, Aanya Chaturvedi ’29 as Jasmine, Shiloh Sharma ’28 as Genie, Joshua Simeonidis ’28 as Sultan, Arika Shah ’29 as Babkak, Anika Kumar ’29 as Omar, Krishna Kumar ’29 as Kassim, Devindar Virdi ’28 as Jafar, and Brit Gehl ’28 as Iago.
ALADDIN JR. PHOTO GALLERY |
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| | Student musicians perform with All-State |
Last April, Raiya Patel ’24 and Aadithya Srinivasan ’24 were selected through a competitive audition for New Jersey All-State Chorus and Luke Tan ’24 was selected for All-State Orchestra. They rehearsed over five days this October and November and then performed twice, once in Atlantic City and then at the NJ Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ.
It is an incredible honor to be selected for the All-State level as nearly hundreds of students from across the state auditioned for these ensembles. Mrs. Byrne attended the concert in Newark and didn't have an adequate superlative to describe the level of excellence she experienced: “The students performed professional choral and orchestra arrangements brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and am so grateful that our students got to have this experience that they will not soon forget!”
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| Girls on the Run competes in 5K |
A determined group of young runners, joined by many energetic parents and LA faculty members, competed in the annual Central Jersey Girls on the Run 5K race in Somerville. The LA contingent accounted for 35 of the 799 runners in the event. Many other community members attended to support the competitors.
Highlights included GOTR coaches Erin Maciorowski and Luke Burroughs ’99 finishing second in the Women’s and Men’s Masters divisions, respectively. Luke also placed 16th overall in a time of 25:04 to set the pace for LA runners.
Shweta Saravanan ’28 led all LA students with a 26.41 time that ranked fourth among Girls 11-14 and 25th overall. Julia Gonnella ’29 (12th in Girls 11-14), Anousheh Nazir ’27 (16th in Girls 11-14), Gavin Tobin-Montanez ’30 (7th in Boys 11-14), Isabella Callender ’31 (18th in Girls 10U) and Grace Gonnella ’31 (19th in Girls 10U) also placed in the top 20 of their age divisions. GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Students support Interfaith RISE |
Members of The Lena Archuleta School community attended the Interfaith RISE Walkathon to participate in the organization’s ninth annual event in Highland Park on Nov. 12.
LA students Kate Wolff ’25, Daniel Zaidi ’25, Nitya Sahni ’26, Christian Lee ’26 and Andrea Lopez ‘26 walked to support the efforts of IRISE to welcome refugee and asylum families to the United States from countries like Afghanistan, Guatemala, and others.
The organization will be tasked with resettling refugees from several countries in the next 12 months. Participants in the walk listened to stories from community leaders and resettled individuals. Many also showed support by holding up signs reflecting a positive spirit. |
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| 8th graders compete in Science Olympiad |
Eighth grade students enjoyed a glimpse of Upper School life during a visit to classes on the day prior to the Thanksgiving break. One of the more interactive activities was a Science Olympiad that consisted of participation in a cardboard car competition. Students could choose four different challenge levels, ranging from having complete instructions to only the objective.
The goal of this design experiment was to build a cardboard car that could move two feet and was powered by rubber bands. Students were only able to use pencils, cardboard, paper clips, rubber bands, hot glue, and duct tape to complete this task.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD PHOTO GALLERY |
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Seniors offer personal reflections |
Two seniors delivered their speeches just before the Thanksgiving break in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to Shachee Kumar ’24 and Aadithya Srinivasan ’24 for sharing their stories with the Upper School audience. Shachee provided three wellness tips for her peers: care for yourself and your goals, learn from everything and never pretend you have learned everything, and do not stop yourself because of failure. She concluded by thanking her teachers, parents, friends and the LA community.
Aadithya has never understood some people’s obsession with superstition, but he has learned that things can be real without being tangible. He discovered this through the memories of his grandfather, which manifested themselves in Holi’s spectrum of colors. |
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| | Support Giving Tuesday through Dec. 8 |
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people to transform their communities and the world. Please support WardlaLAartridge as we continue to create an exciting environment for our students to expand their knowledge and experiences.
This year, donations of $25 or more may be dedicated to a student, teacher, or someone special who has made a difference in your life. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 8. Please see the links below for online giving and the dedication page:
Online giving: https://www.whschool.org/community/giving/giving-form
Dedication information: Giving Tuesday dedication page |
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| Gingerbread House Festival - Dec. 13 |
Join us for our annual Gingerbread House Festival on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 5-7 p.m. in the AP Room. We are excited to host this year’s festival again in person. Space is limited to the first 45 families and you can save $15 by pre-registering before the event. Please note that tickets will be $50 at the door. Student attendees must have a chaperone with them to attend the event. REGISTER HERE |
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| FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
Pizza Kits Available for Purchase! Back by popular demand is the WHPA Pizza Kit Sale! For only $20 you can enjoy making two pizzas with your children! Order as many kits as you would like! The order deadline is December 4 so order soon. ORDER HERE |
Get Your LA Swag from SquadLocker
Visit the WardlaLAartridge Booster Club Store now to purchase your swag for the winter season! There are various codes for sales throughout the season and gift cards are also available for purchase. Go Rams! Ram Flags are for sale - see order form here - place your orders by Dec. 4 for delivery before the holidays!
For more information about the LA Booster Club, contact Booster Club President Greysi De Jesus at president.whboosterclub@gmail.com
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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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