A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog about many of the ingredients that are new at the school this year. In a separate pushpage I also explained a new policy regarding the P/F grading system now in place for the first trimesters of 9th grade biology, social studies and English. These new initiatives, along with great new faculty and students, have undeniably helped us get off to a great start so far this school year. But of course what makes Colorado Academy a special place is the way the new and the old blend together. While we are certainly not hidebound in centuries-old traditions, we do celebrate the consistency of some wonderful events and programs. One of our most special and meaningful old traditions is the senior-kindergarten buddy program, which has been a feature of school life for more than two decades.

Taking advantage of our preK-12 identity matters greatly to us and has helped shape our identity as a school community. The Senior-K buddies represent one of the best examples of how we promote a whole school atmosphere that is unique in the Denver metro area.

After careful "match-making" behind the scenes, we introduce the kindergarteners to the two or three seniors who will be their year-long buddies, and then let them play together for 15-20 minutes. This event happened last Friday, much to the delight of all who gathered to watch and take pictures. (So many "aww" moments!) From this point forward, seniors and kindergarten students will get together every time we have an all-school assembly (roughly twelve times per school year), or for one of several other specially planned events like cookie decorating, ocean creature sharing, and holiday gift-giving.

Another favorite part of this program happens at the end of the year when the seniors take their "kindies" to the zoo. At the end of the half-day together, the seniors come back to school exhausted and more appreciative of their parents(!), while the five- and six-year-olds ride home satisfied that they have given their buddy a sufficient workout.

We often wonder who gets more out of this program: the seniors or the kindergarteners? I suppose that is an open question that doesn't need to have a definitive answer; both age groups--and indeed the entire Colorado Academy community--benefit tremendously from this longtime tradition.