The View From Here: Traditions

Janet Durgin, Head of School
Every community has its traditions. They are things that occur year after year, giving the passing of a time a rhythm particular to that particular group. Your family has probably been enacting some of its winter and holiday traditions already, with many more to come. There is something about traditions that create a sense of continuity and cohesiveness. And our community is no different. We love our SA traditions... things that we have done or established over the years to mark the passage of the school year, to honor the ebbs and flows of our day-to-day life. One that I started some years ago (maybe I am regretting it just a little bit now) was the appearance of "Holiday Harriet" at our annual Holiday Assembly. We don't do a pagent or Winter Festival, but we do like to acknowledge the season and provide some light and levity to our students who have usually just completed their final exams for the first semester. This year, we did our holiday assembly a week early so as not to keep students late the day before Christmas Eve and, this year, the start of Hanukkah, and, while it didn't quite have the same feeling as years past, it was still festive and fun. My favorite part is figuring out how to surprise them with Harriet's arrival. This year, I dressed art teacher Hillary Younglove up with my jacket, glasses, and dog and then appeared from around the corner in the golf cart, tricked out with Christmas lights and the best helper in the world, Chris Ziemer. Harriet believes that all children should have sweet things and a new pair of socks at this time of year and Chris and I pelted the students with balled-up  socks and candy. Happy Holidays to All and to All a Good Night!!
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...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.

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