Grade Level Retreats an Important Piece of Sage Hill Community
Grade Level Retreats an Important Piece of Sage Hill Community
Sage Hill ninth graders took off to Big Bear for three days on Wednesday morning, but they weren’t the only students looking forward to a grade level retreat.
Sophomores came to school in their most awesome 80s gear before heading out to a roller skating party at Holiday Skate Center in Orange, where Ms. Robinson’s advisory group was voted best costumes.
The junior class spent the morning bouncing, jumping and climbing all over the Big Air Trampoline Park in Laguna Hills.
Each senior advisory group constructed a boat out of cardboard and duct tape and later took them to the pool in the Aquatics Center for the inaugural Senior Cardboard Boat Regatta. (You can see video of that here.)
The monthly theme for September is “Community” and these grade level retreats were a way for students to bond as advisories, as a grade and as entire student body, according to Jon Poffenberger, Dean of School Life.
“In an effort to come together and set the tone for another successful year … we are taking the day to pause from the daily grind and reflect on the importance of what it means to be an active member of the Sage Hill School community,” Poffenberger said.
After the morning activities, the 10th, 11th and 12th graders were all treated to a cookout lunch in Wilkins Town Square. To end the day, they all gathered in the gym to listen to three returning Sage Hill alumni: Arya Rashtchi (‘11), Aurora Kaye (‘11) and Ramin “Todd” Montakab (‘03).
The alumni shared stories about their time at Sage Hill and what they have been up to professionally since then. They also talked about what the Sage Hill community meant to them, how it affected them while they were here and how it still affects them today.
Students and faculty were then able to ask questions, and a handful of students stuck around after the assembly to discuss college with or get professional advice from the graduates.
Seniors experiencing their last retreat have enjoyed the tradition each year.
“I know that it used to be just for ninth graders and then they added today for all the grades every year, so I’m really happy with that change because every grade gets to bond for a day,” said senior Stephanie Morris as she sat poolside after the boat race.
“This year it’s cool because we’re on campus and we’re making good use of the pool. It’s just kind of a different atmosphere than when you go for a couple hours somewhere else. We’ve been here for four years, and this is for us.”
To view more photos from the 2017 Grade Level Retreats, click here.
To view more photos from the 2017 Grade Level Retreats, click here.
Sage Hill School
Sage Hill School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin 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, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other School administered programs.