Collegiate Students, Teachers Share Hopes for the School Year

8/29/2017

The 103rd school year in Collegiate’s history began this morning with students from Kindergarten to 12th Grade enthusiastically greeting friends and faculty members as they made their way to their classrooms. (Junior Kindergarten students start their school year on Wednesday.)

We stood outside carpool, walked the halls and peeked into classrooms to talk with members of the Collegiate community about their excitement for the first day and what they hoped for the new school year. Here’s what they said:

“The first day brings such excitement and represents a new beginning, a clean slate, a chance for students and teachers to strive for the best in the classroom, on the stage, on the playing field and in the community.” – J.P. Watson, Assistant Head of School

“This year has the potential to be an extraordinary year with all our new people with new ideas, new energy and a new vibe. I hope the Lower School is a happy, uplifting place for adults and children and we experience the joy of being together as a community again.” – Laura Fields, Assistant Head of Lower School

“I’m hoping that all the changes in the Lower School will be triggers for creative solutions.” – Holly Smith, Lower School art teacher

“I am looking forward to knowing as many of the students’ names and faces as possible.” – Mary Damon, Lower School administrative assistant

“I’m hoping that Kate [Featherston] and I share our excitement for books with all of our students.” – Allison Williams, Lower School Head Librarian

“I’m looking forward to seeing our students’ love for learning, their excitement about new friendships and their wide-eyed enthusiasm about being part of our community.” – Charlie Blair, Head of Middle School

“I’m looking forward to getting better grades and making new friends.” – Sam Hahn, 6th Grader

“I hope students find the boldness and strength to find out who they are. I hope they learn to leave a situation opening something rather than closing something.” – Sandy Ting, Middle School Learning Resource teacher

“I hope I get my schedule down and that I do everything right.” – Iris Shi, 5th Grader

“I’m hoping for a great and fun year.” – Rives Fleming, Middle School Humanities and Math teacher

“It's just wonderful to have the students back. They bring so much energy and make the library what it should be.” – Mary Kendall White, Middle School librarian

“I hope the children take the message of their beginning assembly forward. I want to see the ripple of kindness.” – Laurie Shadowen, Middle School Humanities teacher

“I’m hoping for lots of happy MIddle Schoolers!” – Cindy Cargas, Middle School Science teacher

“I’m excited to watch our seniors lead and see how they articulate their leadership in a unique way. I’m also excited to see how our new students are now real Cougars and how they will enhance the fabric of our community.” – Sarah Baker, Assistant Head of Upper School

“I’m looking forward to being in a new school and taking pre-calculus. I like math.” – Phillip Lopez-Duncan, 10th Grader

“Hopefully, we’ll be looked up to as a senior class and be role models. I hope we do something we’ll be remembered for.” – Grace Stratford, 12th Grader

“I’m looking forward to just being a senior and going to Convocation and meeting my Kindergartner because that was us 12 years ago. I want them to have a great Kindergarten experience.” – Duncan Owen, 12th Grader

“I’m looking forward to School events because they’ll be our last ones.” – Polly Sommers, 12th Grader

“It’s going to be an intense year, but I’m looking forward to a longer lunch in the new McFall Hall.” – Eli Gee, 11th Grader

“I’m looking forward to having more independence and participating in out-of-school activities.” – Cameron Ruh, 9th Grader

“I’m looking forward to the freedom of freshman year.” – Mac MacDonald, 9th Grader

“I’m hoping for universal positivity.” – Val Siff, Upper School French teacher

“I’m looking forward to (and expecting) pure kindness.” – Alex Peavey, Upper School Counselor

Back