We have been very busy in residential life. Since our last update, we have celebrated American Thanksgiving dinner and a gratitude project, enjoyed a Hannukah dinner led by Mrs. Singer, taken many weekend trips to interesting events and places such as the theater to see Hamilton, hiking, exploring the area such as Long Beach and Santa Monica, held on campus service projects, and had a wonderful residential life retreat. We so appreciate the presence of day students and faculty and staff at our events; it is important to the girls.
The purpose of our annual residential retreat is building community through teambuilding games, life skills workshops, viewing and reflecting on a group film based on our theme, “One must leave the shore in order to cross the ocean,” and had a new beautiful candlelight ceremony in which the girls signed into the official register of all women who have lived on campus from this point forward. The girls also publicly stated their name and hometown in the ceremony as a way to solidify their place in this amazing community. By the end of the weekend, we had moved from a residential community to a family of sisters.
Our residential curriculum continues to provide valuable life lessons to the girls. We are continuing with our cooking and sewing classes, and planted an herb garden together. We are also continuing our important work on Inclusion and Belonging, and have focused on celebrating identity and diversity. We have looked at microaggressions and how to respond, and completed an exercise on resiliency and finding support when one experiences a challenge or obstacle. We held an amazing restorative listening circle about inclusion. The girls have been utilizing our evening academic support staff for extra help on all subjects. They are quite focused.
We are gearing up for our Secret Santa stocking fun, and a holiday pajama party on Dec. 14. Please stop by and see our lovely decorations!
Please note the following important residential life dates and events:
December 14: Christmas Dinner and Secret Santa Party at 5:30 pm
December 17: Departure from school for Christmas break by 9 pm.
December 18-Jan 3: Halls Closed
January 4: Halls reopen 3 pm.
January 10: Exchange students arrive from Peru
January 15-17: Overnight trip to Palm Desert and Joshua Tree
Best,
Dr. Juli James
Director of Community Life