Fabulous Festive February

As I reflect on the many celebrations taking place this month, I am first and foremost struck by the wonderful diversity of our community and the meaningful ways we honor one another through daily acts of kindness and respect. Our Core Values are visible not only throughout the day, but across the months of the year.

The Great Kindness Challenge took place from Monday, February 9 through Friday, February 13. During this week, students completed Kindness Checklists from the Kids for Peace organization and focused intentionally on our Core Value of Kindness. Lower and Middle School students decorated our Kindness Tree with colorful hearts and collaborated to create Kindness Rocks. These activities encouraged connection, friendship and service to others. Each Lower School class received two Kindness Rocks – one to share within our school community and another to give to someone at home or in the broader community. Middle School students were encouraged to give their Kindness Rocks to a community member or someone in their home. In addition, students decorated large banners filled with words of encouragement, kindness and love. We concluded this joyful week with the WHPA Lower School Valentine’s Day Dance, an uplifting celebration of love and friendship. Thank you to the WHPA for sponsoring this cherished annual event.

In the Lower School, we have also been honoring Black History Month by celebrating the significant accomplishments of Black Americans during daily lunches. Members of Mrs. Pedde’s fourth-grade class read aloud to students and teachers in Kindergarten through fifth grade, highlighting individuals who have made lasting contributions to the history and culture of our nation and beyond. Students will also be viewing a video featuring a Black scientist and inventor next week at lunch, and each homeroom is engaging in additional activities focused on the contributions of Black Americans such as reading and writing activities.

Additionally, we have been celebrating Lunar New Year in partnership with Upper School Honors IV students and their teacher, Ms. Liu. Students participated in arts and crafts activities and enjoyed a game inspired by “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” adapted with a horse to celebrate the Year of the Horse in the AP Room. We were also happy to welcome members of the Upper School’s Asian American Pacific Islander affinity group to join Lower School students in their homerooms for additional arts and crafts. We value these opportunities to strengthen relationships between our Lower and Upper School communities.

One of the many wonderful things about the W+H community is the recognition and celebration of many holidays. School will be closed for Eid-al-Fitr, the start of our Spring Break, which will extend until Passover and Easter. 

Thank you for your continued support of our Lower School and for embracing our diverse, kind and engaged community of learners and families committed to our Core Values.