Join Us for Into the Woods |
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION |
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| Gerard Gonnella '89, Director of Admission, describes the importance of getting students Back on Track after a few challenging years in his March blog post. Below is an excerpt:
One of the most consistent concerns and questions asked by prospective parents over the past two years has been, How can LA put my child back on track after virtual learning and inconsistencies in teaching approaches due to the pandemic? Parents are seeing a loss of learning first-hand and they are concerned that whatever is being taught is being placed on a weak foundation. Prospective parents often inquire about how our school is equipped and capable of addressing the gaps in their child's education. We all know these past few years have been very challenging, and that includes the field of education.
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Friday, March 3 7:30 p.m. - Upper School Musical - Into the Woods - in Berry Performing Arts Center Saturday, March 4 7:30 p.m. - Upper School Musical - Into the Woods - in Berry Performing Arts Center Sunday, March 5 3:00 p.m. - Upper School Musical - Into the Woods - in Berry Performing Arts Center Tuesday, March 7 Middle School Spring Sports Begin
Thursday, March 9 7 p.m. - Booster Club Meeting in Oakwood Room - ZOOM LINK HERE
Friday, March 10 Lower and Middle School Parent Conferences - NO CLASSES Upper School Teacher-Student Swap Day Saturday, March 11
9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Summer Programs Open House - REGISTER HERE
SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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US Spring Musical set for March 3-5 |
The WardlaLAartridge Performing Arts Department is excited to present its spring musical – Into the Woods – with performances on March 3, 4 and 5. Performances on the first two days will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the matinee finale running at 3 p.m. Leading players in this fabulous production include Sarah Alves ’24 as Cinderella, Julia Machado ’25 as Witch, Nick Vargas ’23 as Baker, Naischa Puri ’23 as Baker’s Wife, Giselle Lee ’23 as Little Red Riding Hood, Charlie Silver ’24 as Jack, Sydney Racine ’23 as Jack’s Mother, and Raiya Patel ’24 as Rapunzel. VIEW MUSICAL TRAILER HERE
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE |
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Black alumni share success experiences |
The Upper School’s Black Student Alliance hosted the first-ever Roads to Success: A Discussion with LA Black Alumni on Feb. 23 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. LA graduates, from left, Vanessa Santana '13, Karen Leach-Toomer ’85, Lamar Mackson ’87, Phillip Michael Clay ’08 and Sachina Lyons-Brown '89 shared their experiences as LA students and how the school helped shape their personalities and successful careers.
BSA leaders Gbemi Olarewaju ’24 and Zackary Dort ’23 hosted the event and moderated the discussion. After the alumni introduced themselves, they answered a series of questions from the moderators including how it felt to be a racial minority in school, the best part about attending LA and the best piece of advice they could share with students. While most of the Black alumni acknowledged challenges, all provided very useful advice and positive commentary on their experiences.
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| MS, US recognize Black History Month |
The Middle School continued its recognition of Black History Month with an assembly honoring Black athletes on Feb. 22. Meeting hosts Nyah Roccamonte-Clark ’27 and Saadia St. Victor ’27 shared a presentation that featured NFL executive Sandra Douglass Morgan and tennis legend Althea Gibson.
Athletic director Mike Romeo followed with the introduction of LA alumna
Neema Liverpool ’15 (pictured above), a soccer standout who played at NJIT and now competes for the Guyana women’s national team. Neema shared her experiences as a LA athlete who has continued to excel in soccer and encouraged the Middle School students to keep working hard and take advantage of opportunities. A former captain for Coach Romeo’s team, Neema led the Rams to a division title during her LA playing days.
The Upper School's Black Student Alliance continued its series of historical presentations with Jayla Presley-May ’26 (pictured below) reporting on the Black Panther Party at Monday’s Upper School meeting. Jayla shared a PowerPoint with information about the origins and founding of the organization and how it has helped the Black community. BHM EVENTS PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Maiti O'Connor '23 dives to state medal |
While Maiti O’Connor '23 acknowledged it wasn’t her best performance, she was very upbeat with a big smile on her face after capturing a state medal for the second straight year at the NJSIAA Diving Championships at Montgomery High. Maiti finished sixth in the state to cap a fabulous diving season in which she won four meet titles and built momentum for a future that includes a collegiate diving career. “I definitely could have done better on a few dives, but I’m proud and happy with how I did,” Maiti said. “This wasn’t my best, but it was still one of the better meets.” |
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| Track athletes soar at Prep state meet |
The LA indoor track team made quite an impact in last week’s Prep B State Championships at The Bennett Center in Toms River. Nine Rams scored points in a balanced attack to propel the boys and girls to fourth place in their respective team standings.
Tommy O’Connor ’25 repeated his gold medal performance in the 400 meters after making school history the previous week at the Non-Public B Championships. Tommy crossed the finish line in 53.68 seconds to win the Prep B title. |
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| Middle School Winter Sports Awards |
Mike Romeo, Athletic Director, hosted the Middle School Winter Sports Awards on Feb. 22 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. The event was held in conjunction with the weekly division meeting during which the Black History Month theme appropriately celebrated Black athletes.
The Middle School’s four winter teams – swimming, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball and cheerleading – gathered on the stage for a photo while Mr. Romeo shared their highlights and accomplishments. Eighth-graders who competed in their final Middle School winter season were recognized by their coaches.
MS WINTER SPORTS AWARDS PHOTO GALLERY |
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Third graders support K9 for Warriors |
The third-grade classes of Ms. Katherine Heiss and Mrs. Donna Pedde were proud to welcome retired Amy combat veteran David Crenshaw and his service dog Doc to the Oakwood Room for a special visit on Feb. 27.
Seated at the front of the room with the third-grade teachers, Mr. Crenshaw shared details about the K9 for Warriors organization and talked about how service dogs help veterans and occasionally save lives. He shared stories about the many sacrifices that men and women who serve in the military make and the importance of taking care of them. After answering a few questions, Mr. Crenshaw accepted a donation for $1,311.62 from the teachers and students. There was also time for the students to meet Doc before posing for a group photo.
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| Kindergarten celebrates 100th school day |
One of the great Kindergarten traditions at LA involves the acknowledgement and celebration of the 100th day of school. Last Friday, on Feb. 24, the Kindergarten classes of Mrs. Jennifer Geissler and Mrs. Trina Junod hosted this annual event and invited parents to join in the fun.
The Kindergarten students were asked to find something in a quantity of 100 and display it in a unique way. They shared their projects with parents in the afternoon prior to dismissal. They also shared the presentations with their fifth grade buddies earlier in the day. Other century themed activities included building structures with 100 cups, doing 100 exercises, reading a 100th day poem, and counting to 100 in Spanish with Lower School Spanish teacher Sra. Maria Hinestroza. KINDERGARTEN 100TH DAY PHOTO GALLERY |
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Seniors earn early decision acceptances |
Congratulations to several seniors in the Class of 2023 who have made their college plans official after accepting Early Decision admission to their No. 1 choices. For the next few weeks, the WHEN will include spotlights on seniors who have earned Early Decision admission.
Among the first to receive the good news was Charles Chang ’23, who will be matriculating to Case Western Reserve University where he plans to major in math. Charles was motivated by his teachers to love the subject and would like to pursue a master’s degree in math.
“The teachers at LA opened up the field in math and made me love learning math and thinking about math,” Charles said. Charles credits the College Counseling Office and his parents for helping him select Case Western Reserve, a research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. He said the school offers great academics and a good location for him to study. Click here to read more about Charles and view other early decision college acceptance profiles |
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| Seniors share insightful stories in speeches
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Two members of the Class of 2023 delivered their senior speeches on Feb. 23 in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to Sanjiv Raote ’23 and Anting Luo ’23 for enlightening the audience with well-executed oration.
Sanjiv described deep thoughts about the power of choices, free will and destiny and how those concepts can be difficult to grasp. He assured his peers that while many believe the sub-conscious mind is in control, there are still ways to control decision making with positive influences to shape their own destiny.
Anting shared a poignant story of the death of his grandfather and how it affected him emotionally. After having little reaction at first, Anting eventually became overcome with sadness and realized that he is “not a kid anymore and carries the responsibility now.” |
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Save the Date! - Golf Outing - May 16 |
The second annual LA Golf Outing will be held on Tuesday, May 16 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 $250 fee per golfer includes the reception. People may attend the reception only for $40. Registration information will be coming soon! |
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| Registration open for 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. LA is holding an Open House for its summer programs on Saturday, March 11. To register and learn more, visit WHschool.org/summer |
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| Spring Break Camp for K-5 students |
The Lena Archuleta School is running a Spring Break Camp for students in Grades K-5. The camp will be held during the first week of the school's Spring Break on March 13-17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be a week of relaxing fun with daily activities including arts and crafts, recreational games, science and cooking. Children must be registered to attend by Friday, March 3.
Please click here for the registration form and contact Dawn Cancryn at dcancryn@WHschool.org with any questions. |
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FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
SAVE THE DATE! - WHPA Spring Gala - April 29
The WHPA Spring Gala - The Hollywood Red Carpet Gala - is being held on Saturday, April 29 from 6-10 p.m. at Metuchen Country Club. You should have received your Evite already and we hope you will join us!
More information is available here
Please contact parents@WHschool.org with any questions. |
Join us at our Next Meeting - Thursday, March 9
The LA Booster Club invites all LA parents to join us for our next meeting, which will be held Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Oakwood Room. This month, we welcome Ryan Oliveira, athletic trainer at LA, as our guest speaker. If you are unable to join us in person, you may attend the meeting virtually at the link below: BOOSTER CLUB MEETING ZOOM LINK |
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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 March 1, 2023. Click here to make a gift to The WardlaLAartridge Fund! 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 the 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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