September High School Trips
As a faculty, we love when the hint of fall comes, the weather cools, and the students are energized for annual trips!Our Ninth Grade went to Ramapo yesterday with Peer Leaders from the Class of 2009 and faculty to enjoy boating, hiking and a challenging ropes course. Tenth Graders, with more faculty members, joined them there today to do the same, but also to build bridges and new friendships between the classes. I have to say, members of both grades packed significantly! They have plenty to keep them warm and dry. The weather is to be beautiful throughout their stay, and they will return tomorrow by 3PM.
Our Eleventh Graders are enjoying a thoughtful program implemented by Nick O’Han, History and English Teacher and School Historian. Today, students are on a field trip to the Lower East Side of Manhattan. This trip focuses on the background to Dreamland, the novel they read this past summer. Thursday’s trip is an important part of their academic work in Gotham this year – even for those who are not in Gotham this trimester.
On Friday, Eleventh Graders will be giving back as a class. They will return to Thursday’s neighborhood to perform community service in Sara Delano Roosevelt Park. Before leaving Friday morning, they will spend some time discussing the trip the day before and break out into advisories to discuss the book based on questions handed out on Wednesday morning in homeroom. These book discussions will be led by student moderators, with Eleventh Grade Advisors setting the tone.
The Class of 2009, minus Peer Leaders, is spending the day working on college applications; they also have the opportunity to hear from select schools today, including Smith College, Hartwick College, Bryant College and Bennington College. To have the undivided attention of select faculty and Amy Shapiro, Director of College Guidance, is important.
Equally important is the work Peer Leaders are doing while Upstate. They have spent time coming together and getting to know members of the Ninth Grade and have worked hard training for ropes course leadership yesterday, putting together campfire last night, and the annual talent show tonight. Peer Leaders for the 2008-2009 school year are: Jessica Wilson, AJ Sims, Gio Casiano, Ariele Baptiste, Dominique Fils-Aime, Thea Aguiar, Lola Lorber, Vio Picayo, Yanilda Gonzalez and Zoe Harris.
Tomorrow, Twelfth Graders have the opportunity to visit colleges; some who have made the decision to apply early have chosen to participate in the Eleventh Grade community service trip, which is terrific.
Finally, one of the first class trips of the year occured yesterday; the Twelfth Grade Drama Class went to see a matinee of Equus, which they loved! Equus is one of my all time favorite plays, and I can’t wait to see it myself.