Focus on Freshmen: From 9th Grade Dean Meg Hill
As the saying goes, “We’ve hit the ground running.” A lot has happened during these first few weeks of school. The 9th graders, 105 strong with 39 new to CA this year, are finding their stride and demonstrating what it means to be engaged members of our school community. Here are some past, present and future highlights:
Orientation Day (http://www.coloradoacademy.org/page/Home?#photo/334788)
Two Town Hall gatherings in the theater (student-led presentations, senior speeches and other community-building topics)
Long advisory time with their Community Leadership Team (CLT) seniors
Study hall sessions with Mrs. Skipwith and Mr. Green about finding balance, listening to each other’s stories and respectful communication
Cross-divisional collaboration with the 4th graders about African folktales
First class meeting to discuss running for class representative, how to effectively communicate with a teacher/advisor via email, and some useful iPad tips
Club Fair to promote the wide variety of student-led clubs and to invite new members to join
Community Council elections on September 22: four class officers elected to represent the freshmen at weekly meetings and engage in a variety of student-led initiatives
Biology field trip to the base of Mt. Falcon on September 25: fieldwork in small groups plus activities with the CLT seniors, back on campus by 2:15 p.m.
Homecoming Dance on September 26: 8-11 p.m. in the choir room, free admission, “Neon” theme, informal and fun!
A fundamental aspect of the freshman experience is learning how to balance academic, athletic, artistic and social commitments in healthy ways. To this end, we continually urge freshmen to practice their self-advocacy skills by initiating conversations with teachers, attending regular help sessions during the designated afternoon times, and acknowledging when they just need to “unplug” and relax. We ask a lot of our students, and part of our role as educators is to challenge them to think critically, wonder openly, and become increasingly mindful of their interactions with others. The metaphorical bumps in the road are bound to happen to everyone; that’s a good thing.
As our school culture anchors itself in Kindness, Courage, Inclusivity, Responsibility, Grit and Gratitude, the 9th graders will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate what these traits look like in their daily interactions and commitments. When one of these traits is out of balance, the road can inevitably become bumpier. The beginning of the upper school journey is the ideal time for students to explore this balance and find people to help them recalibrate if the going gets rough. The support system is strong; teachers, advisors, deans, and counselors all have the students’ well-being in mind and are totally invested in their success as courageous learners and empathetic community members.
I’m excited to work with the class of 2019 this year and to see how they will collectively and individually contribute to the character and culture of CA.
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Orientation Day (http://www.coloradoacademy.org/page/Home?#photo/334788)
Two Town Hall gatherings in the theater (student-led presentations, senior speeches and other community-building topics)
Long advisory time with their Community Leadership Team (CLT) seniors
Study hall sessions with Mrs. Skipwith and Mr. Green about finding balance, listening to each other’s stories and respectful communication
Cross-divisional collaboration with the 4th graders about African folktales
First class meeting to discuss running for class representative, how to effectively communicate with a teacher/advisor via email, and some useful iPad tips
Club Fair to promote the wide variety of student-led clubs and to invite new members to join
Community Council elections on September 22: four class officers elected to represent the freshmen at weekly meetings and engage in a variety of student-led initiatives
Biology field trip to the base of Mt. Falcon on September 25: fieldwork in small groups plus activities with the CLT seniors, back on campus by 2:15 p.m.
Homecoming Dance on September 26: 8-11 p.m. in the choir room, free admission, “Neon” theme, informal and fun!
A fundamental aspect of the freshman experience is learning how to balance academic, athletic, artistic and social commitments in healthy ways. To this end, we continually urge freshmen to practice their self-advocacy skills by initiating conversations with teachers, attending regular help sessions during the designated afternoon times, and acknowledging when they just need to “unplug” and relax. We ask a lot of our students, and part of our role as educators is to challenge them to think critically, wonder openly, and become increasingly mindful of their interactions with others. The metaphorical bumps in the road are bound to happen to everyone; that’s a good thing.
As our school culture anchors itself in Kindness, Courage, Inclusivity, Responsibility, Grit and Gratitude, the 9th graders will have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate what these traits look like in their daily interactions and commitments. When one of these traits is out of balance, the road can inevitably become bumpier. The beginning of the upper school journey is the ideal time for students to explore this balance and find people to help them recalibrate if the going gets rough. The support system is strong; teachers, advisors, deans, and counselors all have the students’ well-being in mind and are totally invested in their success as courageous learners and empathetic community members.
I’m excited to work with the class of 2019 this year and to see how they will collectively and individually contribute to the character and culture of CA.
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