A MESSAGE FROM OUR UPPER SCHOOL HEAD |
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Dr. Bob Bowman, Upper School Head, shares the power of A Few Simple Words and their lasting meaning to teachers in his recent blog post. Below is an excerpt:
Recently I ran across a note I had received from a middle school student I taught more than 20 years ago. It was my first year of teaching at a K-12 independent school, and I taught physical science to eighth graders and physics to 11th and 12th graders. Having spent the previous 10 years as a college instructor, I found teaching eighth graders to be the most difficult thing I had ever encountered. And if I am to be frank, I was not very good at it. No, scratch that – I was a terrible eighth grade teacher. I was sarcastic and cantankerous and drastically underprepared to teach eighth graders. I begged every middle school teacher, who was willing, to come to my class and help me improve. Needless to say, it was a long first few months. Eventually, I very slowly figured it out, and continued to teach middle school for two more years. As these days are far in my life's rearview mirror, I can now admit that I came to really enjoy that age group.
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NOTE: Due to the length of this week's edition, readers may be prompted to "View Entire Message" or "Download Entire Message" while scrolling through the newsletter. |
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| Busy June wraps up school calendar |
As the school year winds to a close, there are many major events on the schedule. Below is a snapshot of major events on tap for June: June 3-4 – WHPA Book Fair - school hours June 5 – Rams Recognition Night – 5:30 p.m. June 6 – WHPA Appreciation Luncheon – 12 p.m. June 7 – Fifth Grade Capstone – 11 a.m. June 10 – Kindergarten Moving Up – 12:30 p.m. June 10 – Senior Dinner – 5:30 p.m. June 11 – Fifth Grade Moving Up – 10:30 a.m. June 11 – Senior/Junior Prom – 4:00 p.m.
June 12 – Eighth Grade Stepping Up – 10:30 a.m. June 13 - International Family Breakfast - 9 a.m. June 13 – WHPA Faculty Luncheon – 12 p.m. June 13 – Senior Class Luncheon – 12:30 p.m. June 14 – 141st Commencement – 9:30 a.m. |
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| Scenes from the MS Shakespeare Festival |
Students in grades 6-8 provided a memorable morning of entertainment at last Friday’s Middle School Shakespeare Festival. For the second straight year, the event was held in two locations – the amphitheater and the Berry Performing Arts Center.
The day began with sixth graders reciting 15 of the 154 sonnets written by Shakespeare. Sanaya Joshi ’30 provided the introduction and her classmates followed with recitations in the amphitheater. Seventh graders in Ms. Bess Gildersleeve’s classes followed by reciting a series of monologues and soliloquies. Josh Culver ’29 began this segment with an introduction.
After a short break, the action moved indoors to the PAC where the eighth graders in Ms. Dorri Ramati’s English classes delighted the audience with their performance of Julius Caesar. Leading players included Shiloh Shama ’28, Britton Gehl ’28, Diya Kothari ’28, Shweta Saravanan ’28 and Ellie Szczubelek ’28. The rest of the class assisted with production: Madalyn Cortese ’28, Julia Marin ’28, Devin Virdi ’28 and Anna Zhang ’28 served as student directors, working to direct staging and oversee the production. Evan Moreira ’28 took the lead as production manager, running the lighting and sound boards in the PAC. Other students spent time designing sets, creating props, and organizing costumes in addition to taking roles in the onstage ensemble.
Congratulations to the students and their teachers for their collaboration and efforts to continue the Shakespeare tradition at LA!
MS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY |
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LS students have a blast on Field Day |
Students, parents, faculty and friends enjoyed perfect weather conditions for one of the great LA traditions – Lower School Field Day – on May 24. Students arrived on the turf fields with great anticipation for a fun-filled morning of friendly competition with their classmates and friends. Parents watched and cheered as the young students participated in a mix of old favorites and new events including Splash Toss, Safari Adventure, Water Relay, Music & Dance, Art & STEM, Relay Dash, Parachute Volley, Obstacle Course and Fun Day. Under the direction of Ms. Alicia Seemuller, Physical Education Department Chair, the event ran smoothly as always. The PE staff and a host of student and faculty volunteers assisted in running the day’s events.
LS FIELD DAY PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Performers dazzle at annual Cookin' Cabaret |
Upper School students provided two hours of amazing entertainment at the 15th annual Cookin’ Cabaret in the AP Room on May 23. Twenty-six acts, including two large ensembles, performed vocals, instrumentals and dance routines. MadJazz performed Dolly Parton’s Jolene featuring a solo by Ishani Shah ’26, and the Concert Choir ended the night with Toto’s Africa.
Individual performance highlights included vocal and instrumental renditions to favorites by stars including Adele, Whitney Houston, Elvis Pressley, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish. Diya Patel ’24 and Saveena Boga ’25 choreographed and performed their own Indian traditional dance routine to delight the audience. Anushka Dalal ’24 (voice) and Charlie Silver ’24 (guitar) performed two beautiful duets and Kate Clemetson ’25 provided top-notch vocals early in the show. Raiya Patel ’24, Sarah Alves ’24 and Julia Machado ’25 performed vocal combinations of solos and duets and finished with a fabulous trio to Lady Gaga’s Million Reasons.
Mrs. Sharon Byrne, Performing Arts Department Chair and chief organizer of this event for the past 15 years, saluted the seniors and all performers after the show.
COOKIN' CABARET PHOTO GALLERY |
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MS robotics team excels at regional event |
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Middle School robotics team captain Rehan Ali ’28, builder Joy Patel ’28, documentation lead Shweta Saravanan ’28 and strategist Diya Kothari ’28 with robotics elective coach Mrs. Noreen Jafri, participated in the NY-NJ Botball regional tournament in Rahway, NJ. The competition was rigorous and rewarding for our four eighth-grade students; they placed fourth against high school teams. The LA team impressed judges with their polished presentation and displayed remarkable resilience and growth.
“The robotics tournament was a very enjoyable yet difficult experience. We had to use critical thinking to effectively work past many obstacles, effectively communicate, and come up with solutions. Overall I learned a lot from the tournament and I had a lot of fun,” Joy said.
Throughout the year, students prepared for the tournament during 35-minute weekly elective periods. A dedicated group of eighth-grade students formed the core team, diligently attending additional meetings during recess and study hall to troubleshoot their code and build attachments to solve game challenges.
Congratulations to the students who competed in the tournament and additional team members who made exceptional contributions Arshi Goel ’28 and Anna Zhang ’28. The team also appreciates the support of Jeremiah Simeonidis ’30 and Jaxson Simeonidis ’30, who couldn't attend the competition.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOTBALL PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Devin Coleman '24 commits to RV softball |
Devin Coleman ’24 entertained a variety of options when making her college decision, including which sport to pursue at the next level. A three-sport athlete who has made a significant impact in her two years at LA, Devin ultimately chose softball and made it official at a signing ceremony in the school’s Admission Conference Room on May 22. Devin will play softball for the Raritan Valley Lions and pursue a major in physical therapy. “I’m so incredibly excited to continue this journey and play in college,” Devin said. “It’s something that I definitely dreamed of as a little kid.” |
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| Seniors excited to share college decisions |
Congratulations to several seniors in the Class of 2024 who have made their college plans official after accepting admission offers. The WHEN will continue its weekly spotlight on seniors who have made their college decisions throughout the remainder of the school year.
Meet Naomi Valcourt ’24, a LA lifer who is excited to be matriculating to The George Washington University, where she plans to pursue a double major in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Marketing. Naomi loves the DC area and plans to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the nation’s capital.
“I want to surround myself with people who don't hesitate to get involved and the GWU is that place. The student body is filled with a diverse group of passionate, driven people, trying to take advantage of all the opportunities at their fingertips,” she said. “After realizing how many different interests I have, I knew I had to go somewhere that would support those and help me hone them into a future career. The school prioritizes interdisciplinary studies, encouraging my broad curiosity and double majoring.”
Click here to read more about Naomi and view other college acceptance features |
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| New students attend Ice Cream Social |
The LA Admission Office was thrilled to welcome many of our new students who have enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year at the annual Ice Cream Social, held May 22 on the front field. Student and parent ambassadors, along with faculty and staff members, joined in the fun and began to build connections with the newest members of the LA community.
“This is a wonderful way to welcome our new students and make them feel at home a few months before they begin the next school year,” said Gerard Gonnella ’89, Director of Admission and Financial Aid. “It was great to see our current students interacting with their future classmates and building our community.”
ICE CREAM SOCIAL PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Explore our LA Summer Programs |
Now that spring has arrived, it’s the perfect time to register for our 2024 Summer Adventures and get ready for a summer of fun!
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 |
WHPA Appreciation Luncheon - June 6 @ 12 p.m. The LA Parents' Association invites all LA parents to the annual Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, June 6 at 12 p.m. in the Oakwood Room.
Please RSVP via email to parents@WHschool.org by June 1.
We hope to see you there! |
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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 May 29, 2024. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! Pancake Breakfast to Support Girl Scout School Project
Join us for Breakfast & Books for Bathrooms, a fundraiser to support LA student Emily O'Neill '27 in her Girl Scout Gold project to redecorate the school's bathrooms in all three divisions.
The event will be held on Sunday, June 2 from 8-11 a.m. in the AP Room. Cost is $10 per person. Attendees may also visit the Scholastic Book Fair in the Oakwood Room after breakfast.
For more information and to view the event flyer, click here
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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