The Upper School celebrated a fall spirit week, with a Lazy/Comfy day full of cozy sweatsuits, a twin day, with pairs, triplets, quads, and quints matching their ensembles.  Wednesday was Decades Day, with students and teachers throwing it way back in outfits that depicted various historical era. Students showcased 60’s bell bottoms, 70’s loungewear, 80’s polo shirts and pleated jeans, nineties hip hop baggie pants and shirts on backwards, and more. Several teachers got in the action, throwing it way back with Mr. Stiff as a groovy sixties hippy, Mr. Porcelli as a turn of the century paperboy, and Mr. Martin rocking some 1770s style in colonial gear.  These flashes from the past brought a ton of humor. On Thursday students wore their class colors and the faculty played afterschool in a game against the varsity soccer players.

Gratitude was the theme of Wednesday’s middle school assembly. Teachers and students reflected on the people and places that fill their hearts with gratitude. Ms. Bradley and Ms. Reed spoke about gratitude, and then encouraged others to share. The teacher speaker with student support services and math teacher Ms. Nelson. The student speaker was Jonah Cohen. Other highlights included merits, with students and faculty both honoring each other, and students taking the chance to share gratitude to individual friends who are always there for them and help bring cheer, humor, comfort, and kindness to the community.  Students watched the assembly on Zoom in an advisory lunch.

Last Friday night included two exciting games for Middle School Soccer at Audi Field. The girls’ team fell to DCI, and the boys’ team scored an end of game goal to beat Basis, 1-0. Eighth grader Simon Baldwin scored the goal, and eighth grader Tate Meier protected and blocked many shots as goalie. This weekend ends the fall season with the Girls on the Run 5K run on Sunday at 8 AM at Anacostia Park. After winning the PCSAA tournament, the middle school boys proceed to the final game of the season, the Capital Cup, on Friday at 5 at the Fields at RFK against the DCPS league champion, Cardozo. Wow, what an amazing season for all the teams. It is sad to say goodbye to fall sports!

The 8th grade choir, Jazz Band,Latin Voices, and Honors Choir performed on Wednesday.  Students practiced throughout the week with dress rehearsals after school Monday and Tuesday. Ms. Feist and Mr. Evans directed the students in various songs performed before their guests and families. Students performed “Dream Keeper,””Song of Joy,” “Shine on Me,” “Something Told the Wild Geese,” “Gaudeamus Hodie,” “Palestrina Exultate Deo,” “Eatnam Vuelie,” “Shut up and Dance,” and “Amani,” and several more. The choirs and band have practiced long hours in preparation of the fall concert, and we appreciate them bringing music to our halls!

Varsity girls’ and boys’ soccer teams competed last week for the Public Charter School Athletic Association Championship. The girls beat DCI 5-1 in a dramatic game, and the boys fell to DCI in a nailbiter of a game, 0-1. Girls varsity faced off against Wilson on Wednesday, losing 0-3 after a valiant performance.  The games continue this week as the Middle School boys’ and girls’ teams play at Audi Field on Friday.