NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS FROM CAMPUS EXPANDING 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADES
FACULTY & STAFF SHOW OFF THEIR TALENTS Faculty and staff danced, sang, and performed to support eSibonisweni’s ePOP program. The third-ever Fun Fest, a faculty and staff variety show, went live on Friday, November 8th to benefit the eSibonisweni Primary Orphan Program (ePOP). All were welcome to attend, and we were happy to see some alumni in the audience as well as current families, students, and friends who filled the gym to near capacity. Acts included music by the Soggy Bearded Boys, a band comprised of Dave Hickman, Brian Wilkerson, and a guest appearance by Richard Navarette; Musica de Los Andes: Valicha, a dance performance by world language teachers Tracy Caton, Chantal Charbonneau, 5
and Silvia Buckley; The First Day of School, a comical recreation of getting ready for school performed by 5th grade teachers Deb Pannell and Lacy Zehner along with Beckie Mejia and Gaelle Gordon; and the famed Literal Play titled “A Day at Mark Day, Literally.” In between acts, emcees Norm Lyons and ReAnna Gailes entertained the audience with photo guessing games, songs, and witty banter. The event raised more than $4,500—a record in Fun Fest history. Thanks to all who attended, sang along, and supported ePOP.
After a year-long thoughtful planning process, we were excited to roll out the expansion of our 6th grade class in the fall. Our 6th-8th grade program is founded on smaller class sizes within the larger grade to improve opportunities for student voice, greater differentiation, and deeper relationships with teachers. We know that adolescents need strong relationships with adults for healthy development and also that they thrive in a slightly expanded social peer network. Additionally, research has established the positive effects of hands-on, project-based learning, a pedagogical practice that we embrace here, and smaller sections enable more depth in such practices. Diversity of all kinds has been proven to improve critical thinking, perspective taking, overall group decision making, and readiness for leadership in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world; the diversity added to our student population by expanding the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades offers these kinds of positive outcomes and more.
