Middle schoolers celebrated Thanksgiving early with an assembly focused around the theme of gratitude. A jazz ensemble consisting of seniors Eowyn Sherrer and Teddy Ammon and juniors Mitch Shapiro and Harris Marks performed “The Autumn Leaves” by Nat King Cole with assistant principal Mr. Benjamin accompanying them on the trumpet. Eighth grader Lucian Anderson reflected on how much we take for granted and how much we focus on material belongings rather than true connection and sixth grader Azaria Dansby read a poem. Teachers including Ms. Pike and Ms. Haywood reflected on the moments in their life when they felt true gratitude for the support of others. And then, as we do with each assembly, teachers expressed gratitude to students who went above and beyond expectations. Ms. Pike lauded the consistent hard work and positive attitude fifth grade Jaden Davis, and Ms. Mujal noted the enthusiasm and support that fifth grader Ella Hankins gives her classmates. Mr. Staten commented on the exuberance and commitment seen by sixth graders Henry Batkin and Isabelle Charles. Ms. Kolb thanked seventh grader Estelle Monti for her consistent efforts in math class, and Mr. Wills congratulated his advisee Sheridan Easterling for his kindness and responsibility. Ms. Lee thanked eighth grader Catherine Serrano for her hard work and positive attitude, and Ms. Haywood lauded her advisee Ishmael Cabading for his generosity and gratitude. Quarterly assemblies give students a chance to gather, note personal successes, share artistic achievements, and consider the themes that bind us together in our shared goals. Ms. Smith finished this assembly by asking students and teachers to revisit the lost art of letter writing and consider sending a thank you note or two this week to someone who has impacted their lives.
The upper school’s Boys Varsity Soccer team won the 2016 PCSAA Soccer Championship Tuesay against EL Haynes by a score of 2-0. With the victory the team has earned an automatic bid in to next week’s State Tournament. The next game with be Monday at Washington Latin against Gonzaga. Goalie ZhenHua Pavetti is setting his sights on keeping the opposing team scoreless as he did this week! The team is coached by Micah Cooks and Elio Hernandez.
On Friday AP Literature students in Ms. Seid’s class will visit the Will and Jane exhibit at the Folger Shakespeare Library, which honors William Shakespeare and Jane Austen and looks at common themes of love and gossip between their stories. The class reads Hamlet and Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre and is planning a trip next Friday to Manhattan to see the Bronte exhibit at the Morgan. On Friday, the 18th, the class will hold the second annual Jane Austen Tea Party here at school, and students will be assigned various characters from Austen’s text to dress as for the occasion.
Students in Ms. Adele Mujal’s fifth grade English class continued their experiential study of Jean Craighead George’s novel My Side of the Mountain with a feast composed of the foods Sam Gribley might have eaten in the book while surviving in the wilderness. Students sampled savory fare like crayfish, rabbit, and acorn pancakes, and dandelion greens, and more common fare, like apples and berries to make sure even the most cautious taste buds were appeased. Thursday the classes were visited by falconer Mr. Mike Dupuy and two of his birds. Using the sounds, tastes and sights of the novel allows Ms. Mujal to make the adventure come alive for her students.
The Varsity Girls soccer team also hit the charter championship this week, and like the boys’ team was victorious. Coaches Richardson and Senty celebrated a win at the 2016 PCSAA girls soccer championship Wednesday with the team’s 4-0 victory over Capital City. The next game will be Tuesday at St. John’s School.
