Mr. Clausen attended the NEH Jefferson Lecture, featuring Andrew Delbanco this week with senior Elisha Adams, Ethan Williams, Ella Kramer, Cooper Davenport, and Charlie Fox-Whelpton, and juniors Elias Baldwin, Kiran Mampara, Cecilia DeStefano, Angie Sturr, Fatima Jinkatoro, and Adrian Hoke, sophomores Maggie Southworth and Dean Herst and freshman Aaron Gill. Delbanco teaches American Literature, focusing on the 1700 and 1800s at Columbia University. The Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities, established by the National Endowment for the Humanities, is an honor for writers and intellectuals for their achievements. Delbanco has written books about American history and literature, including The War Before the War: Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America’s Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War.

Wednesday was the first half day devoted to Wellness. Administrators brought their canine friends to visit! Activities helped build community and strengthen mental health. Students took part in reading, calligraphy, coloring, and other artistic expression, along with field games, basketball, walking, running, and other athletic pursuits. Advisories hosted extended teamwork activities, music, and breakfast to celebrate our time together. These quarterly events help students take a break to reset, turn their energy inward, and celebrate their freedom with their friends. Some workshops were run by students and clubs, including Mythology Club and Fun Club.

The middle school cross country team had a phenomenal meet on Wednesday! The team is coached by Mr. Green and Mr. O’Brien.  As a result of that hard work, the girls tied as a team in the 3K race and the boys won the 3K!  Sixth grader Alice Day-Biehler took 3 minutes off her previous time to WIN the girls 3K! She jumped from 20th in the first race to 1st in this race. Sixth grader Tori Starace ran in the 3K for the first race, but she ran the 4K in this meet and finished 5th overall. Sixth grader John Turner won the boys 3K by 25 seconds. Sixth grader Devin Raj finished 4th in the 3K.

Students in the Upper School Community Service Red Hearts Club are hosting a car wash Saturday from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. All proceeds go to relief for the victims of Hurricane Ian.  The club is advised by school social worker Ms. Foster. 

Students in the Underwater Robotics Team are hosting a bake sale next Tuesday from 3:15 to 5:00PM on the corner of 2nd and Hamilton streets. The team, advised by physics teacher Mr. Keller, raises money to build robots for underwater mobility competitions.