Moments of: The Blog
The View From Here: Thankful 4 You
by Janet Durgin, Head of School
Last week, representatives from the Sonoma Academy Parents Association organized a photo shoot with students capturing their and our gratitude for the efforts of all the emergency personnel that devoted themselves to containing and extinguishing the Kincade fire. They then arranged for the photo to be printed on 515 individual cards, which they asked students and staffulty to sign this week. Each card is being sent to a first responder team that participated in the firefighting efforts. I love that our parents and students are so readily moved to express and act upon their gratitude.
Last week, representatives from the Sonoma Academy Parents Association organized a photo shoot with students capturing their and our gratitude for the efforts of all the emergency personnel that devoted themselves to containing and extinguishing the Kincade fire. They then arranged for the photo to be printed on 515 individual cards, which they asked students and staffulty to sign this week. Each card is being sent to a first responder team that participated in the firefighting efforts. I love that our parents and students are so readily moved to express and act upon their gratitude.
As we head out into our Thanksgiving break, it got me thinking about all of the things I’m grateful for right now. Here’s my list:
0 SA families lost their homes in the recent Kincade Fire and 0 lives were lost
We just completed another amazing fall show, Bright Star, with an ensemble cast and crew of about 50 students. Nearly 1,000 people attended last weekend!
Our Winter Music Concert on December 6 will be featuring about 70 students
175 student-athletes played or are playing in Fall and Winter sports, with 3 championships won thus far. Plus, Athletic Director Chris Ziemer has won “Best High School Coach” in Sonoma County for the umpteenth time. Go Coyotes! Go Chris!
Visit Days and Open Houses that are brimming with prospective families and students
New teachers and staffulty who are hitting their stride and have already made a mark on our community
6 alumni have committed to our already come here to speak at Community Meeting in our new Alumni Speaker Series (see the article below for details on that)
108 students are preparing for international travel during Intersession through the Passport Program.
A robust Speech & Debate program with 54 students participating who have competed at 5 tournaments already and won 32 trophies/awards, as well as winning the 100 Club Award from the National Speech & Debate Association for earning 100 strength points as a school
120 new books added to collection of over 12,000 books, CDs and DVDs, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and 15 subscription databases in the library (not to mention the full-time librarian, Michele Martin). Recently, a visiting grandmother spent a few hours delighted with the selection. If you’re on campus, and have some extra time, go browse the stacks!
Representatives from 94 colleges came to our campus to meet with juniors and seniors this year and 64 of our 70 seniors submitted early applications
There have been 2 amazing art shows in the art gallery thus far, adding to the list of over 30 artists who have come to showcase their work in this beautiful space on campus
We have heard 26 senior speeches and still have a delightful 44 to go (view them all here: https://sonomaacademy.myschoolapp.com/app/faculty#resourceboarddetail/5327)
330 committed, engaged students and their amazing families
We just completed another amazing fall show, Bright Star, with an ensemble cast and crew of about 50 students. Nearly 1,000 people attended last weekend!
Our Winter Music Concert on December 6 will be featuring about 70 students
175 student-athletes played or are playing in Fall and Winter sports, with 3 championships won thus far. Plus, Athletic Director Chris Ziemer has won “Best High School Coach” in Sonoma County for the umpteenth time. Go Coyotes! Go Chris!
Visit Days and Open Houses that are brimming with prospective families and students
New teachers and staffulty who are hitting their stride and have already made a mark on our community
6 alumni have committed to our already come here to speak at Community Meeting in our new Alumni Speaker Series (see the article below for details on that)
108 students are preparing for international travel during Intersession through the Passport Program.
A robust Speech & Debate program with 54 students participating who have competed at 5 tournaments already and won 32 trophies/awards, as well as winning the 100 Club Award from the National Speech & Debate Association for earning 100 strength points as a school
120 new books added to collection of over 12,000 books, CDs and DVDs, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and 15 subscription databases in the library (not to mention the full-time librarian, Michele Martin). Recently, a visiting grandmother spent a few hours delighted with the selection. If you’re on campus, and have some extra time, go browse the stacks!
Representatives from 94 colleges came to our campus to meet with juniors and seniors this year and 64 of our 70 seniors submitted early applications
There have been 2 amazing art shows in the art gallery thus far, adding to the list of over 30 artists who have come to showcase their work in this beautiful space on campus
We have heard 26 senior speeches and still have a delightful 44 to go (view them all here: https://sonomaacademy.myschoolapp.com/app/faculty#resourceboarddetail/5327)
330 committed, engaged students and their amazing families
And lastly, here’s another number I’m grateful for: our Annual Fund goal of 100% parent participation to raise $550,000. When all of our parents participate, it sends a powerful message of commitment and alignment with the work we are doing every day. Bringing in the needed dollar amount goes directly to making all of the above, and much more, happen this year. 100% of our staffulty and Board of Trustees have given their gifts. If you haven’t yet, please do give a gift of whatever amount works for you and your family. All gifts matter and are greatly appreciated.
As I put together this list, I found my spirits lifting after what has felt like a long fall. As we’ve all heard, it does a body good to remember the things for which we are grateful. As we head towards the holidays, the new year, and make the turn into the second half of the school year, we hope that you too can take a few moments to pause, reflect, and make your own list of things you’re grateful for.
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
