One of the benefits of a JK-12 education is the lasting relationships students build with their teachers. We also have longstanding traditions that students experience from one division to the next. And, our close connections and proximity make it possible for our oldest students to become the teachers in fun ways for our younger students. Here’s a look at a few of these collaborations that have occurred during first semester.
During Spanish Heritage Month, Upper School language students in Paty Prieto and Vanessa Thorman's classes shared their language fluency with the younger students. They visited with Rozlyn Smith and Elise Ernette's junior kindergarteners for a bilingual read along. See more photos on Instagram.
Students in Lisa Gardner’s Public Speaking class got together with second graders for some outdoor story time. The older students read with great enthusiasm and animated voices, while their classmates assessed their delivery. There was lots of laughter and smiles from the younger students. Listen in here.
Upper School chemistry teacher Danielle Sharpe reached out to chef Sam Hart of Counter to see if he would give a lesson on the chemistry of cooking. He said yes, and just before Thanksgiving break, offered up a fun lesson in molecular gastronomy that involved making a bite-size pumpkin pie that pops in your mouth. He taught several Chemistry I classes in Upper School and a fourth-grade class in Lower School. View more here.
Two of Mrs. Preslar and Mrs. Love's former students came back to visit during Lower School Spirit Week. Varsity football players Rush G. and Parker S. read a story, talked about sportsmanship, and got second graders excited for Lower School Spirit Night.
The Annual Lower School Halloween Parade is equally fun for Upper School students. The band provides festive music during the walk through Shuford Green and the Aquilifer Club members lead each Lower School classroom through the parade route. And, Upper School teachers suspend class for a few minutes so the older students can step outdoors to cheer on the little kids and relive their own Halloween memories.
Spirit Week is a favorite Upper School tradition. In addition to checking out the big kids’ themes on Decorations Day, the Lower School takes part in Can-Do day by also contributing food for the Second Harvest Food Bank collection. Each year, Country Day students collect more than 10,000 pounds of food.