A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF AUXILIARY PROGRAMS |
|
|
| Chris Flores, Director of Auxiliary Programs, reflects on how his own summer camp experience influenced his future endeavors and his role as a Summer Programs Coordinator in his April blog post. Below is an excerpt:
As I dive into the heart of planning for summer camp, I am starting to think about my own summer experience when I was a kid. For most of my life, I was always at “camp outdoors,” where my parents would just send me off with my friends to go play outside all day. I remember not even knowing Summer Camps existed so I never really felt like I was missing out on anything. However, there was one year, when I was maybe 10 years old, where my parents sent me to a local day camp. This was the year that my brothers were old enough to have their own lives and didn’t want to watch me all summer, so they figured, why not experience something different.
|
|
|
Thursday, April 4 LA DAY OF CARING
Saturday, April 6 9 a.m. - Admission Information Session in Berry Performing Arts Center
Wednesday, April 10 Eid Al-Fitr - SCHOOL/OFFICES CLOSED
Sunday, April 14 4 p.m. - Spring Music Recital in Berry Performing Arts Center
SCHOOL CALENDAR
2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
|
|
| Busy April begins home stretch |
The home stretch of the 2023-2024 school year begins with a busy April that includes two days of school closings. Below is a list of major school events taking place in April: April 6 – Admission Information Session – 9 a.m. April 10 – School Closed for Eid Al-Fitr April 14 – Spring Music Recital – 4 p.m. April 17 – Middle School Coffee and Conversation – 8:15 a.m. April 18 – Booster Club Meeting – 7 p.m. April 19 – Middle School Capstone Presentations – Various Times April 22 – Earth Day Events – All Day
April 23 – School Closed for Passover April 26 – Ram Run – 3 p.m. April 26 – Booster Club Spring Games – 4 p.m. April 26 – INDIE Film and Art Festival – 6 p.m. April 29-May 3 – Upper School Capstone Presentations – Various Times April 30-May 3 – Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C. |
|
|
| LA Day of Caring - TODAY, April 4 |
Our annual LA Day of Caring is today, April 4, and there’s still time to make an impact! We hope you will support our school with a gift to The LA Fund. Generous donations to The LA Fund have helped the school continue to provide safe, dynamic and innovative educational programs for our students. We welcome your partnership as your support enhances The LA School experience. You can make a difference by donating below or sharing the campaign with a friend to help spread the word. DONATE ONLINE HERE Thanks to all who have contributed so far! |
|
|
| Students reflect on impacts of Cuba trip First in a series of articles covering student reflections |
Fifteen LA students and three chaperones returned from their Global Experiences trip to Cuba with a greater appreciation and understanding of the world. The impact of this Spring Break adventure may not be fully realized for weeks to come as members of the group continue to digest everything they witnessed and experienced. Aside from weather related travel delays that led to more than the usual jet lag on both ends of the trip, the students and chaperones enjoyed the experience and returned home safely with a lifetime of memories.
“One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was truly being able to interact with the people of Cuba,” CJ Strauss ’26 said. “We talked to lots of people when we were in the markets, restaurants, or walking in the streets, and each person was over the top welcoming and extremely kind to us. It's something I'm never going to forget.” |
|
|
| BSA enjoys day trip to DC museum |
The Upper School’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. on April 2. The trip had been planned as part of the celebration of Black History Month in February but was rescheduled due to a snowstorm. For the 23 students who attended, it was better late than never.
“It was an amazing opportunity for our group to experience the wonders of the museum together,” BSA leader Gbemi Olarewaju ’24 said. “For as much of this vast museum as we saw, we learned valuable lessons and gained a deeper appreciation of Black history and culture.”
Some of the museum’s highlights included a three-level concourse with history galleries covering Slavery and Freedom (1400-1877), The Era of Segregation (1876-1968) and A Changing America (1968-present), the Afro Futurism Exhibit, Musical Crossroads featuring Chuck Berry’s Cadillac Eldorado, the Power of Place, Taking the Stage, and Cultural Expressions.
The students were accompanied by chaperones Maxime Sinal (English Department Chair, DEIB Coordinator and BSA advisor), Courtney McClain (Assistant Athletic Director) and Eileen Valentine (MS Administrative Assistant).
BSA MUSEUM TRIP PHOTO GALLERY Photos by Gbemi Olarewaju '24 |
|
|
| Seniors exchange roles with teachers |
Seniors and their teachers enjoyed the opportunity to change roles on the last school day before Spring Break. With guidance from their teachers, the upperclassmen prepared lessons and instructed Upper School students in a variety of subjects.
Many of the seniors elevated their game with respectful imitations that included the dress and teaching styles of their instructors. Some of the teachers also embraced the role reversal by sitting in desks while the seniors addressed the students from the front of the classrooms. Others participated in group activities under the supervision of their new instructors.
The teachers and students enjoyed the role reversal for a day, but everyone returned to their regular places in the classroom when classes resumed this week! SENIOR FACULTY SWAP PHOTO GALLERY |
|
|
| Rishi Nihalani '29 advances to regional event |
Rishi Nihalani ’29 made quite a run in his quest to become a state spelling champion. Rishi emerged as a LA finalist through advisory competitions in January, won a long battle to become the overall LA Middle School champion in February and qualified for the regional finals after scoring well in an online test that covered spelling and vocabulary.
All that work earned Rishi a position to compete against the top 28 spellers across our region from Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is the first speller from LA to advance to the in-person regional round. Rishi correctly spelled ‘utmost’ and ‘abusage’ in the first two rounds but was knocked out in the third round on the challenging word 'oakum', which is a noun meaning "a loose fiber obtained by untwisting old rope, especially used in caulking wooden ships." “He did a fantastic job representing LA!” said Kirstin Rogers, Middle School Head, who attended the event in support of Rishi. |
|
|
| LA students love Spring Break Camp |
A small but mighty group of LA students spent the first week of Spring Break at camp, participating in many hands-on and interactive activities to inspire fun and creativity. The camp was led by Dawn Cancryn, recently retired Director of Auxiliary Programs, and Laura Huffman, Junior Kindergarten head teacher.
The young campers had a blast playing games, creating art, cooking, planting, learning and exploring. They even searched for a leprechaun’s treasure! SPRING BREAK CAMP PHOTO GALLERY Photos by Laura Huffman |
|
|
| Save the Date! - Golf Outing - May 7 |
Please join us for the second annual Jim Howard Golf Classic on Tuesday, May 7 at Colonia Country Club. Golfers will compete in a scramble format, with a shotgun start beginning at 11 a.m. A reception with hors d'oeuvres, beverages and awards will follow at 4 p.m. The $295 fee per golfer (or $1,000 per foursome) includes the reception. For more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, visit the registration link below:
REGISTER FOR THE GOLF OUTING HERE |
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
Super 50/50 Raffle and Food Truck/Vendor Event
All LA parents should have received an envelope with 40 raffle tickets for our Annual Super Raffle! Each ticket is only $5.00 and you are welcome to buy or sell as many as you would like and to whomever you choose. For each ticket sold simply keep the bottom half and return the top half with payment. You can drop them at the reception desk at school, send them in with your child, and/or mail them to school (with Attn: WHPA). Cash, checks, credit card, Zelle and Venmo are all acceptable for payment. The more tickets we sell, the larger the prize is for the winners. Winners in the past have received up to $10,000 in prizes! If you have not received your mailed tickets by next week, please contact us at parents@WHschool.org. The drawing will be held at our next event, The Spring Food Truck and Vendor Event.
The Food Truck and Vendor Event will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be fabulous cuisines and sweets to choose from, lots of vendors for shopping, free entertainment for the kids including a bounce house, face painting, balloon art, a DJ for music and games and so much more. You will also have the opportunity to take part in the Annual Silent Auction for a chance to win many amazing prizes! Entry is only $5.00 and the event is open to all so make sure to invite your family and friends.
If you know someone who has a food truck and may be interested (space is extremely limited), please have them email deepaj@jdlawoffices.com. If you or someone you know would like to be a vendor, please email kiera.dukes@icloud.com. If you would like to donate an item for the silent auction or have any questions, please email us at parents@whschool.org. |
Booster Club Meeting - April 18 @ 7 p.m.
The Booster Club will hold its next meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Global Learning. Join us to learn more about ways the Booster Club supports Rams athletics and to get involved in upcoming events during a busy spring season. More information about spring events coming soon! |
|
|
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 April 3, 2024. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! Clarity Financial Aid Information
The Lena Archuleta School will continue to work with Clarity as its financial aid independent, third-party application partner. The school has found that Clarity makes the financial aid application process smooth and secure for your family.
Clarity offers a streamlined and user-friendly financial aid application process that can take as little as 20 minutes to complete. It is mobile-friendly, so you can complete your application on your phone or tablet! Furthermore, your 1040 and W2 documents from 2022 will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually. These are just a few ways in which Clarity enhances the financial aid application process.
If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available as well as email support at support@claritytuition.com in both English and Spanish. You may also call Clarity directly at (206) 210-3752 for support. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO CLARITY For more information, including videos and a Clarity tutorial, please visit www.WHschool.org/financialaid Free PSAT, SAT, ACT Practice Exams Available
The LA College Counseling Office is once again happy to partner with their friends at Revolution Prep to offer full-length, virtually proctored practice college entrance exams for our students.
You can register for any/all of these exams 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. |
|
|
This publication is produced by The Communications Office at The Lena Archuleta School. |
|
|
|
