Congratulations, Graduates! |
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR ACTING HEAD OF SCHOOL |
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| Dr. Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, shared her Charge to the Class of 2023 at the 140th Commencement Ceremony. Below is an excerpt:
In early May, we gathered on the nearby turf field to celebrate our 140th day of school during this, the 140th anniversary of WardlaLAartridge. We recognize the precious legacy which has been entrusted to us as we stand on the shoulders of so many who have called LA home over 14 decades and we are grateful to them. Seniors – you are already a part of that legacy and are about to embark on the next exciting chapter in a book that you largely write yourself. Along the way, you have help, of course: parents, other family members, teachers, coaches, friends, and experiences, both good and bad, experiences that shape your attitudes, behaviors, and responses to the world around you.
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Saturday, June 10 6 p.m. - Andy Webster Celebration in Berry Performing Arts Center (Dinner in AP Room) Monday, June 26 Summer Programs Begin SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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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| LA Class of 2023 graduates at 140th Commencement Ceremony |
The Lena Archuleta School held its 140th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 9 in Plumeri Gym. The Class of 2023 marched in to an ovation from the LA community of parents, families, faculty, trustees and friends. The program began with the Star-Spangled Banner and a welcome from Dr. Bob Bowman, Head of Upper School. Jack Silver ’23 represented his class with a wonderful and entertaining speech during which he shared gratitude and wisdom and looked ahead to the future with humor and optimism. Dr Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, delivered her Charge to the Class of 2023 and Dr. Ayesha Sitlani, Board of Trustees President, provided greetings and best wishes during her remarks. The 60 graduates received their diplomas after Rudy Brandl ’83, Director of Communications and Publications, announced their names. They were greeted by Drs. Crafton, Bowman and Sitlani and after all graduates received their diplomas, they tossed their caps in the air with jubilation. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! 2023 COLLEGE MATRICULATION LIST |
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| Seniors honored at farewell dinner |
Members of the Class of 2023 at The Lena Archuleta School joined their parents, family, faculty and staff members and administrators at the annual Senior Farewell Dinner on Monday, June 5 in the AP Room.
Dr. Bob Bowman, Head of Upper School, welcomed the guests and Dr. Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, made opening remarks. Naischa Puri ‘23 performed a vocal with her own piano accompaniment during the early part of the dinner hour.
Classmates Nick Vargas ’23, Samson Ajayi ’23 and Aastha Patel ’23 made speeches about the Past, Present and Future, respectively. Annie Gu ’23 led a Senior Toast to Faculty, Loveleen Sindhar ’23 made a Senior Toast to Parents, and Jack Silver ’23 presented a framed class photo to Dr. Bowman. |
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| Seniors celebrate college decisions |
Congratulations to our seniors in the Class of 2023 who have made their college plans official. In this final WHEN edition of the academic year, we continue our spotlight on seniors who will be matriculating to many of the nation’s finest colleges and universities.
This week we feature Naischa Puri '23, who’s proud and excited to be attending the University of Notre Dame as a member of the prestigious Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars' Program. Naischa will enroll in the College of Arts and Letters and plans to double major in English and Economics, but she’s still exploring.
Like many other prospective college students, Naischa experienced that defining moment right away.
“The moment I stepped on campus, the camaraderie, intellect, and welcoming nature of the people that surrounded me touched my heart,” she said. “ The community is so strong, caring, passionate, and kind, and the value given to service, especially with the opportunities presented by Center for Social Concerns, really resonated with me and my own character and values.”
To read more about Naischa and other members of the Class of 2023, click here |
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| Lifers gather at Hill House luncheon |
A small group of lifers from the Class of 2023 and their parents attended a luncheon at Hill House, home of Andrew Webster, Head of School, on Sunday, June 4. The event was catered by Sage Dining Services and hosted by Mr. Webster and his wife, Aurea Hernandez-Webster. Lifers are classified as students who have attended LA since at least first grade.
Lifers Annie Gu ’23, Kapriana Payami ’23, Matt Faust ’23 and Nick Vargas ’23 attended the lunch with their parents. Classmates Jack Silver ’23, Rohan Batra ’23 and Vineeth Reddy ’23 round out this year’s list of lifers. |
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| | Eighth graders step up at ceremony |
The Class of 2027 completed its Middle School journey during the Stepping Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 7 in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
The morning event began with a processional to Rondeau and continued with the Pledge of Allegiance and everyone singing America the Beautiful. Jennifer Rose, Middle School Head, welcomed the students, parents, friends and other members of the LA community.
Dr. Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, began the announcement of award winners by presenting merit scholarship awards to Aava Joshi ’27 and Anushka Patchigolla ’27 an achievement scholarship award to Emily O’Neill ’27. Dr. Crafton also recognized the lifers among this year's eighth grade graduates. |
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5th graders move up to Middle School |
Students at The Lena Archuleta School moved up to Middle School during the Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 6 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Students said farewell to Lower School with family, friends and faculty and staff members in attendance.
The program began with the processional to Prince of Denmark's March and a flag salute before everyone sang America the Beautiful. Dr. Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, provided a welcome for the guests in attendance. Elizabeth Stillman, one of the fifth grade teachers, shared reflections of the year, thanked her students for allowing her into their family and offered advice and encouragement to her students.
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Kindergarten class ready for first grade |
Kindergarten students participated in an interactive outdoor Moving Up Ceremony in the amphitheatre on Monday, June 5. With parents, family and friends in attendance, the young students announced their readiness for first grade.
Following the processional and pledge of allegiance, Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Jennifer Geissler and Mrs. Trina Junod welcomed the guests and shared heartfelt messages of gratitude. Their students then presented various readings, including Friends at School, The Kindergarten Class, Open a Book, Leaving Kindergarten, The Smile, The Kindergarten Graduation Song, All Are Welcome, Do My Best, The Pledge of Kindness and Here We Come. The students shared their Favorite Memories of Kindergarten before receiving their certificates. Mr. JohnEric Advento, Head of Lower School, offered closing remarks and congratulated the students, who were greeted by first-grade teachers Bethany Howell and Jennifer Molloy with cookies in the courtyard.
KINDERGARTEN MOVING UP PHOTO GALLERY |
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Athletes, teams honored at RRN |
The LA Athletic Department celebrated another fine school year of team and individual accomplishments at the annual Rams Recognition Night. The event began with a dinner prepared by Sage Dining Services in the AP Room and continued with team and individual awards in the Berry Performing Arts Center. First-year athletic director Mike Romeo hosted the ceremony, with assistance from assistant athletic director Courtney McClain and athletic trainer Ryan Oliveira.
Eight athletes who compiled at least nine varsity letters received LA blankets: Matt Faust ’23, Matt Piccoli ’23, Gyrord Gregoire ’23, Aiden Lee ’23, Vineeth Reddy ’23, Sydney Racine ’23, Angelina Vargas ’23 and Kayla Martel ’24. |
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| LS students dance at final assembly |
Fifth graders and their Kindergarten buddies took center stage for last week’s final Lower School Assembly of the school year on June 2. The buddies began the celebration of their friendship by leading the Spanish class affirmations, which the Lower School audience repeated.
The Kindergarteners and fifth grade buddies danced cumbia to the song “El monstruo de la laguna - The Lake Monster” by the Argentinian band Cantacuenticos and wore the traditional Colombian attire for cumbia. The monster masks were created by the fifth graders under the guidance of art teacher Ms. Sara McDermott.
The fifth graders danced “Vive la Vida - Enjoy life” by Venezuelan singers Chino y Nacho and Sixto Rein. Faculty members and families ended the assembly by joining the Kindergarteners and fifth grade buddies on stage for a fabulous finale to “Vive la Vida.”
LS ASSEMBLY PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Annie Gu '23 earns Good Citizen Award |
Annie Gu ’23 was among four local high school seniors to receive Good Citizen Awards from The Westfield Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution (DAR).
Schools selected one Good Citizen from their senior class based on Dependability (truthfulness, loyalty, punctuality), Service (cooperation, courtesy, consideration of others), Leadership (personality, self-control, responsibility), and Patriotism (unselfish interest in family, school, community and nation). |
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| Siddharth Bharadwaj '24 receives RPI Medal |
Sarah Honan, Director of College Counseling, presented the RPI Medal to Siddharth Bharadwaj ’24 at a recent Upper School meeting.
RPI Medal recipients must be ranked within the top 10 percent of their class, excel in advanced math and science courses, have completed chemistry, biology, lab-based physics, and at least four years of math, including pre-calculus by the end of high school. They must also demonstrate potential for success in a challenging academic setting and exhibit significant involvement in extracurricular activities. |
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| Seniors provide service around NJ |
The Class of 2023 embarked on five service trips during a two-week span in late May and early June at various locations across New Jersey. Nicole Nolan, Director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, coordinated the senior community engagement days and is grateful for the support of the Upper School faculty chaperones who assisted the students.
Groups of seniors went to El Centro Hispanoamericano with Mrs. Nolan, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey with Mr. Don Kluizenaar and Ms. Maggie Reiter, Watchung Reservation with Mr. Cristian Fernandez and Mr. Andrew Sullivan, Habitat for Humanity with Mrs. Nolan and Ms. Ann Pengue, and Medshare with Mrs. Nolan. |
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| MS students excel at Music in the Parks |
Middle School students and their teachers were beaming with pride after winning six trophies at the annual Music in the Parks Festival.
They received Best Overall Junior High/Middle School Choir, Best Overall Junior High/Middle School Jazz Band, a First Place and Superior Rating for the MS Jazz Band and Vocal Ensemble, and the Espirit de Corps Award for the first time ever. Shweta Saravanan ’28 was named Best Overall Vocalist.
Congratulations to Sharon Byrne and Rick Fontaine for guiding the students to an amazing performance! The students and chaperones celebrated with lots of fun and excitement in Dorney Park after the performances. |
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Sixth graders bond in their boats |
The final day of school has come to mean one thing for our sixth graders – The Cardboard Regatta! It is a fantastic way to finish our school year and put into practice two of the mission skills our sixth graders have been working on this year: time management and teamwork! Working in teams, the sixth graders are challenged to design and build a boat, using just cardboard and duct tape, in a set amount of time. The boat is challenged with being capable of completing the quickest lap in the school swimming pool, powered by two on board crew members.
“You might be wondering how cardboard can float, but a cardboard boat really can float IF it is constructed wisely! Honestly, the best part is that there is really no one way to build a cardboard boat and the rules don't limit their creativity, so we end up with very interesting entries every year! This challenge is a wonderful team-building experience and gives our sixth graders a final opportunity to work together toward a common goal and have a lot of fun doing it,” said Middle School art teacher Tanda Tucker, who brought the tradition to LA.
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| Faculty, staff honored at dinner |
Congratulations to LA faculty and staff members who were honored with milestone service awards at last week’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Dinner sponsored by the Board of Trustees.
Dawn Cancryn (Director of Auxiliary Services) was recognized for 25 years of service with a pin, while Kirstin Rogers (Middle School Dean of Students, history teacher) and Andrea Barnett (Middle School science teacher, Science Department Co-Chair) were honored for 10 years at LA and received Windsor chairs.
Dr. Corinna Crafton, Acting Head of School, and Dr. Ayesha Sitlani, Board of Trustees President, shared remarks during which they expressed their appreciation for the faculty and staff. The guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner catered by Sage Dining Services. |
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| Third graders share states presentations |
States from all over our great nation were on display at last week’s Third Grade States Presentations, held in Lower Snowdon. Faculty, staff, parents and students visited the displays and learned about many states and their customs and traditions from expert guides who were dressed to represent their state.
The assignment included a variety of components. The students were asked to construct a model depicting either a map of their state or a landmark found there in addition to completing a packet of fascinating facts about that state. Each state "expert" also dressed up as a famous person from his or her state, while others represented an occupation from their area. The activity was designed to enrich a social studies unit about the United States.
THIRD GRADE STATES PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Check out our LA Summer Programs |
The Lena Archuleta School will offer a robust array of summer programs in 2023!
The year’s offerings include Camp Funshine, Adventure Camp, Brain Boosters Junior Academics, Summer Scholars, Pulse Sports Camps and Summer Sparks Enrichment. Other special camps including Dungeons & Dragons and For the Love of Theater will also be held. New this year: we are offering a Performing Arts and Audio/Visual Camp for the serious performers ages 13-18.
To register and learn more, visit WHschool.org/summer |
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| FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
WHPA Installs 2023-2024 Officers
The WardlaLAartridge Parents’ Association hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Officer Installation Ceremony in the Center for Global Learning on June 1.
Guests enjoyed a lunch catered by Sage Dining Services while members of the WHPA Executive Board showed their gratitude to the many volunteers who spent time helping at school events throughout the year. The WHPA also gave special recognition to outgoing officers and senior parents.
The incoming slate of WHPA Executive Board members for the 2023-2024 school year includes: President – Shakti Jha Treasurer – Mona Sampathkumar Asst. Treasurer – Nirmala Devi & Liz Zhu Early Childhood VP – Jackie Oladeji Lower School VP – Shruti Gonzales
Middle School VP – Cindy Williams Upper School VP – Youlin Tsai Recording Secretary - Frank Rellosa Volunteer Coordinator – Archana Singh Written Communications – Kevin Kornecki & Arnab Roy Choudhury Social Communications – Pareesa Naveed
WHPA INSTALLATION LUNCHEON PHOTO GALLERY |
Booster Club Thanks Liza Gordon for Service
LA Booster Club Executive Board members expressed their gratitude to Liza Gordon, mother of Jasmyn '23 and Samantha '21, who is leaving the board after many years of service. Fellow Executive Board members Janelle Rodriguez, Sandy Cortese, Melissa Herko and Greysi De Jesus presented Liza with flowers at last week's Rams Recognition Night. |
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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, 2022 and June 7, 2023. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! Re-Enrollment Contracts Due to Admission Office
Dear Parents - This is a friendly reminder that if you have not already done so, please submit your child's re-enrollment contract and non-refundable deposit for the 2023-2024 school year. Please contact the Admission Office at 908-754-1882, Ext. 155 or email us at admission@WHschool.org if you would like us to re-send your parent portal authentication code and enrollment contract link. We are here to help you complete the enrollment process and answer any questions you may have.
- Your LA Admission and Business Office Teams
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Click here for more information or apply to be a host here 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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