What an enriching last two weeks we’ve had! 

In the run up to the holiday break, we’ve had two fabulous choral concerts by our Upper and Middle School choruses, a stirring afternoon of instrumental music from our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade ensembles, and then from the Upper School symphonic ensemble and the contemporary ensembles.  And, most recently, we’ve enjoyed two fabulous holiday celebrations, first in the Doherty cafeteria, and then, just this morning, on the stage of The Schiff Center.

Meanwhile, the Upper School students have worked through their first semester exams while the seniors wait eagerly for the results of the first wave of college applications.

Amidst all of this activity, perhaps my favorite event was the second grade’s presentation called “A Morning with the Bridges.” On Wednesday morning, in Founders Hall, the second grade students presented the results of their weeks-long research on bridges from all over the world. Each student prepared an elaborate diorama, a scale model of the bridge they had studied, and then, as parents, grandparents, friends, and schoolmates circulated to the stations around the cafeteria, each student presented his or her project and fielded questions about what they had learned.

Guided by second grade teachers Cicely Knecht and Stephanie Tiller, with able assistance from Project Math teacher Jacquie Berting, the students learned a great deal about geography, engineering, and math, while, at the same time, honing their construction and presentation skills. This annual event is a wonderful demonstration of interdisciplinary learning at its best, and watching these young articulate students present their projects made me very, very proud.

I hope you all have restful and restorative holidays. All the best to you and your families in the new year!