Mrs. Jackson's second grade class kicked off our series of Service Learning visits to local assisted living facilities in the community. Second graders have been learning about the needs of older adults, particularly those who need help with daily tasks in assisted living. Last Wednesday, Mrs. Jackson's class visited Chesterbrook Residences, where they took part in a chair exercise class, toured the facility, and met several residents. Ms. Morrissey's class will visit Sunrise McLean Village this week, and Ms. Potter's class will visit Culpepper Garden next week. We are grateful for the opportunity to create cross-generational connections and bring some cheer to our elder neighbors!

Last week, the Asian Students In America (ASIA) Club hosted their annual assembly. Student speakers discussed various facets of their experience as Asian-Americans, highlighting stereotypes and myth-busting, traditional holidays and clothing, food, and the influence of East Asian pop culture. We also heard from two students who shared their personal experiences. Maddie Woo '28 shared about her experience growing up both Korean and Chinese. Iris Zhou '27 spoke about what it means to be enough when past experiences have left her feeling both not Chinese enough and not American enough. 

On December 12, Upper School Chinese teacher Carol Jia took Chinese 4 and Honor Chinese 4 classes on a field trip to Hunters Woods Retirement Center in Reston, VA, to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the power of connection. Students engaged with Chinese-American residents who are part of the Silver Light Seniors Association. They warmly welcomed students with delicious homemade dumplings and Baozi. In return, the students shared their enthusiasm for Chinese culture through songs, dances, and poetry. The residents, in turn, delighted everyone with traditional Chinese dances and tai chi sword demonstrations while students learned tai chi movements and their cultural significance. They also had meaningful conversations about traditions, food, and life experiences, bridging generational and cultural gaps. Some students also played table tennis with the residents.

Last week, six juniors had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Independent School's Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in Denver, CO. The conference theme was "Lifting As We Climb: Elevating Our Schools Through Love and Justice." Along with 3,000 other students from independent schools across the country, our students (pictured left to right: Sophia Vilela, Lena Elrefai, Julia Saba, Hafsa Abdulkadir, Aaliya Haque, and Aliyah Majeed-Hall) engaged in family groups and affinity group to discuss topics around equity and social justice. Their family groups even had themes such as justice, love, and affirmation.

Students had the opportunity to hear from Grammy-nominated artist Sekou Andrews and activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.

As part of the food and culture honors class, students explored the Columbian Biological Exchange—a crucial period when products from the Old and New Worlds were exchanged, sparking an agricultural revolution. To deepen their understanding, the class enjoyed a lunch outing to Pisco y Nazca, a Peruvian restaurant in Reston, VA. Peru is renowned for its gastronomy, which blends Native American, Asian, and European influences. Chef Eric hosted a Q&A session, sharing insights about his culinary journey and the unique elements of Peruvian cuisine. Students had the opportunity to savor traditional dishes such as ceviche, chaufa, papas a la Huancaína, and suspiro de limeña, a delightful dessert made with dulce de leche.  

South Asian Student Alliance (SASA) hosted an assembly that highlighted the richness of South Asian culture through music and dance performances, personal stories, and cultural traditions. The event fostered inclusivity and pride, showcasing how culture and heritage shape personal and collective experiences. The assembly reminded us of the strength of embracing and understanding the diverse traditions that bring our community together. Following the assembly, SASA hosted a lunchtime conversation.