A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING |
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| Sarah Honan, Director of College Counseling, discusses The Role of Parents in the College Process in her October blog post. Below is an excerpt:
My son, a preschooler obsessed with space and drawing everything from planets to astronauts and black holes, does not hold his pencil the right way. He prefers the digital-pronate grasp (i.e. Palmer grasp) to the four-finger-and-thumb grip or the (highly coveted) static-quadruped grip. I have spent more hours than I care to admit learning about these different stages of pencil grip - what they look like, the age at which children should move from one to the next, and how to help your child get there. I’ve built sticker charts, purchased triangular crayons, and even resorted to bribery (M&Ms are especially effective) to get him to practice his “school grip.” And, of course, I’ve worried. What if he never learns to grip a pencil the right way? What if that means he never learns to write properly? What if his true calling in life is to be an artist or a writer and he never realizes it because he’s stuck in this Palmer grasp phase and nothing I’m doing is working? What if, what if, what if…
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Saturday, October 28 Senior Portraits - Make Up Day - in Oakwood Room Sunday, October 29-Thursday, November 2
Upper School Fall Play Tech Week in Berry Performing Arts Center Monday, October 30 SCHOOL CLOSED - Faculty Professional Development Day Tuesday, October 31 1 p.m. - Early Childhood Halloween Parade in Front Courtyard 2 p.m. - Lower School (Grades 1-5) Halloween Parade on Turf Field Thursday, November 2 7 p.m. - Parents' Association Meeting in Oakwood Room Friday, November 3
7:30 p.m. - Upper School Fall Play in Berry Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 4 3 p.m. - Upper School Fall Play in Berry Performing Arts Center Monday, November 6 6:30 p.m. - Upper School Snapshot Event in AP Room / Classrooms
SCHOOL CALENDAR
2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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| Students, faculty, parents welcome visitors to Admission Info Session |
WardlaLAartridge hosted its annual autumn Admission Information Session on Saturday, Oct. 21. More than 50 students spanning all three divisions attended with their parents to learn more about Middlesex County’s No. 1 ranked private school. An energetic group of student and parent ambassadors joined faculty, staff and administrators at the event.
Gerard Gonnella ’89, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, welcomed the guests and highlighted the school’s signature programs during an introduction in the Berry Performing Arts Center. He introduced his team of Trina Junod, Admission Associate, and Bernadette Lambertsen, Admission Administrative Assistant, and invited Sharon Byrne, Performing Arts Department Chair, to introduce three student performers. Joanne Ding ’24 (flute), Kate Clemetson ’25 (vocal) and Luke Tan ’24 (percussion) with LA band director Rick Fontaine (saxophone) delighted the audience with wonderful musical performances.
Dr. Corinna Crafton, Head of School, greeted the prospective families and provided a brief introduction to the school and its many strengths. Mr. Gonnella then dismissed the students and parents to their respective divisional presentations, where they received a more in-depth look at Lower, Middle and Upper School. Students and parents also visited classrooms and toured campus facilities during a busy morning that ended with complimentary cider and donuts in the main lobby. ADMISSION INFORMATION SESSION PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Class of 2026 leads awareness drive |
Student leaders from the Class of 2026 have been leading a Breast Cancer Awareness drive this month. Nijiany Genao ’26, Natalie Chen ’26 and Tanisha Ramachandran ’26 made two presentations to Upper School students during which they shared important facts, staggering statistics and preventative measures against breast cancer. They also promoted Pink Day, which was held on October 18 as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to the American Breast Cancer Association. Students contributed $2 for a pink dress down day. Through this initiative and other donations, the students raised $358.
During their presentations at the Upper School meetings, the students also shared a message from the American Cancer Society: “The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.” |
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Middle School celebrating books |
The Middle School has been celebrating National Book Month with a series of activities throughout October, including Banned Books Week and the National Day of Writing. Students will participate in an Advisory Door Decorating contest with a literary theme later this week and the entries will be judged on Oct. 31. The winning advisory will receive a dress down day.
House points were up for grabs at this week’s divisional meeting when all students in grades 6-8 competed in a book trivia Kahoot game that included questions about many well-known literary works. Equipped with their iPads in the Berry Performing Arts Center, the students replied to questions as quickly as possible to maximize their individual and House point totals. |
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| Lower School releases Monarchs |
Lower School students and teachers said farewell to a group of Monarch butterflies on a warm afternoon last week in the garden. Although destined for Mexico, a few of the Monarchs did not want to leave the cozy confines of the well-tended LA garden. Students, faculty and friends cheered as the Monarchs finally took flight after being released by Ms. Katherine Heiss and Sra. Maria Hinestroza.
MONARCH RELEASE PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Scenes from Grades 3-4 soccer games |
The rain may have postponed the traditional third and fourth grade soccer game on the day of Fall Fair, but the students got a chance to engage in some friendly competition on the turf field on a beautiful autumn school day morning.
With music playing, fans and fellow Lower School students cheering, the third and fourth graders displayed fine skills and good sportsmanship in two intra-squad matches with their classmates. There were some beautiful goals, solid defensive play and plenty of hustle and determination by all of the players.
3-4 GRADE SOCCER PHOTO GALLERY |
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| JK students loving autumn activities |
Junior Kindergarten students are embracing the spirit of autumn by learning all things fall, both in the classroom and outdoors. The young students have enjoyed getting outside on beautiful days to explore the many wonderful seasonal attributes. This week, the students are experimenting with all the silly pumpkins and gourds from Huffman Farms. They’ve also enjoyed smelling the beautiful mums from the farm owned by the parents of JK teacher Laura Huffman. Apples are a big part of any autumn celebration and JK has found many different ways to use them. The students even learned how to use apples instead of paint brushes for an art project. The results were delicious!
The JK students will continue to use apples, leaves, pumpkins and so many other fall favorites during the next few weeks to excite and challenge them in so many new ways. The youngsters are going to love getting their hands dirty through super silly fall science experiments, while also being super excited for our new fall math, writing activities and games. The apple tasting, pumpkin carving and leaf experiments will motivate them to get out of bed and learn more each day at school! JK AUTUMN PHOTO GALLERY |
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Upper School Fall Play - Nov. 3-4 |
The Upper School is pleased to present Lost Girl as this year’s fall play! The cast and crew are hard at work in preparation for the performances, which are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
Leading players include Julia Machado ’25, Charlie Silver ’24, Raiya Patel ’24, Natalie Koegler ’24, Ishi Singh ’24, Nidhin Kumar ’24 and Aarya Patel ’25.
Tickets are available at this link: http://twhsnj.booktix.net |
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| Middle School Musical - Nov. 17-18 |
The Middle School is excited to present Aladdin Jr. as its musical this year! Performances will be held Friday, Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. for students only and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Leading players include Rishi Nihalani ’29, Aanya Chaturvedi ’29, Shiloh Sharma ’28, Joshua Simeonidis ’28, Arika Shah ’29, Anika Kumar ’29, Krishna Kumar ’29, Devindar Virdi ’28, Brit Gehl ’28 and Jaxson Simeonidis ’28. Tickets will be available for sale to the general public on Nov. 3. The Playbill provides an excellent opportunity to promote your local business. PURCHASE AD SPACE HERE |
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| Seniors share important messages |
Congratulations to Salim Al Buraiki ’24 (pictured), Avarae Calloway ’24 and Charlie Silver ’24 for delivering thought-provoking senior speeches on Oct. 24 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. |
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| College reps visiting LA this fall |
LA is pleased to welcome many of the finest colleges and universities to our campus for in-person visits with our students this fall. More than 50 visits are scheduled to wrap up in the coming weeks with Muhlenberg College (Nov. 2), Moravian University (Nov. 8), UC-Irvine (Nov. 9) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (Nov. 9). |
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| Middle School Athlete of the Week |
Kirstin Rogers, Interim Head of Middle School, announced the Middle School Athlete of the Week at this week’s division meeting. Congratulations to cross country runner Sanjana Bhardwaj ’29.
Sanjana was the only LA runner competing in the JV division race in last Saturday’s GMC Championships at Thompson Park, but that did not faze her. Sanjana expressed her fierce determination to get a medal and she went out and did it. She finished in 23rd place with a Thompson Park personal best time of 13:24. |
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FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
Family Meals, Thanksgiving Items - Order Soon! The WHPA and Sage Dining Services are partnering to offer an East Asia dinner box for November and also pies and sides for the Thanksgiving holidays!
Order deadline for the monthly dinner box is Friday, Oct. 27. Order deadline for Thanksgiving pies and sides is Thursday, Nov. 16.
PLACE ORDERS HERE |
Booster Club Selling Slides and Gaitors The Booster Club will continue the sales of LA Rams gaitors (clogs) and pride slides for a fundraiser that has been extended to October 31. Both items feature attractive home and away designs. Please see the order links below: LA Slides Fundraiser
LA Gaitor Fundraiser |
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Service Leaders Continue Socktober Drive
The Upper School is participating in its third annual "Socktober," a drive for socks (as well as hats and gloves) during the month of October to support the homeless population in New Jersey. Last year, LA collected more than 3,000 pairs of socks!
According to a NJ Counts, Point in Time Count of the homeless from January of this year, there are more than 10,000 homeless individuals in the state of New Jersey. As the winter months are approaching, socks, gloves and hats are among the most needed items at homeless shelters.
The LA community can participate in the drive by purchasing directly from our Amazon Wish List or by purchasing items on your own and sending them into school. There will be a collection bin in the main lobby. All items purchased off the gift list will be sent directly to the school. 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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