A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION |
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| Gerard Gonnella '89, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, describes The Ultimate New Year's Gift in his January blog post. Below is an excerpt:
Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and meaningful holiday season with family and friends. Oftentimes, the holidays are filled with fond recollections, celebrations, traditions and giving. The best gift you can bestow upon your child is the gift of education. Providing a solid educational foundation for your child will pay dividends not only for the immediate future but for a lifetime.
The Lena Archuleta School equips students and graduates with skills in critical thinking, time management, communication and collaboration through a world-class education that will ensure success and prepare them for the future in a world that is still undefined. We are preparing students to be pioneering thinkers with the courage and character to shape the future of our world. |
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Monday, January 15 SCHOOL/OFFICES CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
Thursday, January 18 6:15 p.m. - LA Experts in Education Series (see details below)
7 p.m. - Booster Club Meeting in Center for Global Learning Friday, January 19
4 p.m. - LA Winter Games (see details below) Saturday, January 20
9 a.m. - Admission Information Session in Berry Performing Arts Center SCHOOL CALENDAR 2023-2024 ONE-PAGE SCHOOL CALENDAR |
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| Claire Lu '24 signs UPenn commitment |
Claire Lu ’24 recently reflected on the time management skills she’s acquired while juggling two passions – golf and art – during her senior speech. While she remains fiercely committed to both, Claire took another huge step in her golf career by confirming her intent to study and play golf at the University of Pennsylvania. Claire was joined by her family, friends and LA coaches and administrators during a signing ceremony held on Jan. 10 in the Admission Conference Room.
“I’m really excited to continue my golf career at UPenn,” Claire said. “I feel like I’m going to be very happy there. I’m excited to play with my team and enter the world of college golf.”
Claire has not confirmed her major but knows she’d like to continue to pursue her study and creation of art. She’s found a wonderful balance between golf and art while also maintaining high academic standards. |
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| Featured Faculty and Staff Fridays |
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, we have been sharing Featured Faculty Friday posts on our Facebook page and Instagram feed to celebrate many of our dedicated teachers, staff members and administrators. Be sure to follow us on social media to see these weekly posts, which will resume in February.
To view a new page on our website highlighting the faculty and staff members recognized so far, click here |
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| MS students embrace role as teachers |
Middle School students enjoyed the opportunity to share their passion and expertise as teachers for the day on the final day of classes before Winter Break. The annual tradition began with a special Middle School breakfast in the AP Room and was followed by four rotations of offerings, giving the students more flexibility and opportunities to attend multiple sessions.
The robust list of classes included: 3V3 Soccer Tournament, Holiday Slime, Pen Spinning, DIY Countdown Calendars, K-Pop Dance, Origami, Video Game Strategy, Fantasy Map Making, Introductory Japanese, DIY Ornaments, Taylor Swift Friendship Bracelets, Jeopardy Trivia, King of the Court Basketball, DIY Holiday Glitter Jars, DIY Keychains & Pins, and Intro & Advanced Chess.
MS TEACHER FOR A DAY PHOTO GALLERY |
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| Seniors earn early college acceptances |
Congratulations to several seniors in the Class of 2024 who have made their college plans official after accepting Early Decision admission to their No. 1 choices. For the next several weeks, the WHEN will include spotlights on seniors who have earned Early Decision admission.
Among the first to receive the good news was Anushka Dalal ’24, a WardlaLAartridge lifer who will matriculate to Emory University in Atlanta. Anushka, who plans to major in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, believes she has found a wonderful fit at Emory.
“I was looking for a tight-knit community similar to WardlaLAartridge, but also an environment that would push me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Emory University is known for its research opportunities and hands-on learning, which immediately drew my attention. I also wanted to be somewhere warm that has a closed campus near a city, and Emory fits all of my criteria! What I love most about Emory is the atmosphere and the radiating kindness of the students and faculty there. The few interactions I had during my visit confirmed my love for the university.”
Anushka, the youngest of three siblings to attend LA, hopes Emory will become a second home much like LA has been for the past 12 years. She’s grown up at the school and has truly valued the small class sizes and approachable faculty.
She’s also grateful for the guidance of the LA College Counseling Program, which provided an “amazing support system” throughout the process. In addition to offering superb preparation, the college counselors established timelines and deadlines to keep her on task.
Anushka has also embraced the many opportunities the school provides. She’s performed on the stage, participated in athletics and been active in other extracurricular activities.
“During my time at WardlaLAartridge, I’ve learned that anything can happen. I simply need to ask and work for it. There are many opportunities that didn’t exist at our school until someone proposed it,” Anushka said. “This is something I plan to carry on to Emory as a part of carving my own path wherever I go.” |
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Experts in Education Series returns |
The LA Admission Office is pleased to announce the return of The WardlaLAartridge Experts in Education Lecture Series on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6:15 p.m. in the Oakwood Room.
Jennifer Geissler and Trina Junod, veteran Kindergarten teachers, will be the featured speakers and cover the topic: What To Look For in an Early Childhood Program. They will provide educational insight and best practices for the early childhood years during their presentation, which will be followed by a Q&A session.
The event is open to current and prospective families. We encourage you to invite and introduce the school to your friends and neighbors.
PLEASE RSVP HERE
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| Upcoming Arts, Athletics Info Sessions |
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| Admission Office shares appreciation with student, parent ambassadors |
The Admission Office hosted a holiday gathering for the many student and parent ambassadors who help promote the school just before Winter Break in the Oakwood Room. LA students and parents enjoyed hot chocolate and sweet treats prepared by Sage Dining Services. Gerard Gonnella ’89, Director of Admission, expressed appreciation for the hard work of all the ambassadors at school events and interacting with prospective students and families.
ADMISSION AMBASSADOR PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Trina Junod |
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| Seniors address resilience in speeches |
Senior twins Dylan Coleman ’24 and Devin Coleman ’24 kicked off the new year with wonderful Senior Speeches this week in the Berry Performing Arts Center. Both students shared personal stories illustrating the value of resilience in overcoming challenges.
Dylan provided vivid details of an intense two-week hiking experience in New Mexico that tested his physical and mental limits. Reaching the top of a 12,000-foot peak gave him the confidence to tackle more challenges in the future.
Devin was struggling on many levels after her former school closed at the end of her sophomore year. She embraced the challenge, found inner strength and a happy new second home at LA, which helped her discover a place she truly belongs. |
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| 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 |
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| FROM THE LA PARENTS' ASSOCIATION |
Save the Date! - IFFN - Friday, Feb. 2 Please save the date and join us on Friday, February 2 at 6 p.m. for the WHPA’s annual International Family Fun Night! You are invited to celebrate all the different heritages/cultures in our community by showcasing your talents. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER |
Save the Date! - Winter Games - Friday, Jan. 19 The Booster Club is excited to announce the annual Winter Games! Ring in the new year with some exciting basketball action and cheer for the Rams. Alumni basketball and swim events will follow the games. |
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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 January 10, 2024. 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 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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