Stanbridge Academy is hosting a group tour this Wednesday, December 5 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. This free event is open to the public, and will feature an opportunity to talk with current Stanbridge families; meet with our Admissions Director, Head of School, and Principal; and tour our campus to see teachers and students in action. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Stanbridge program whether you are thinking of enrolling your student this year or next, or if you simply want to know more about our school. Click here for more details and to RSVP—we look forward to seeing you! A new episode of Stanbridge Student News has been posted to our website's Parent Portal—Stanbridge families can access by using their portal password. The latest episode features highlights from November's Scholastic Book Fair, as well as the College & Career Fair. Plus, junior high recalls favorite moments from their recent experiential trip to the Web of Life Field School in Aptos, the News Team provides a full report of upcoming events, and—in an SSN exclusive—new teacher Daniel Geller reveals a hidden urge to throw down the hammer when asked what superhero he would be. All this and more in the latest webisode from Stanbridge Academy's most trusted news source! Today is #GivingTuesday, and here at Stanbridge we are #GivingThanks to all of the donors who support our Annual Fund. Through your generosity, you are helping Stanbridge create opportunities for all of our students and their families. In the words of Chris Mak, Stanbridge trustee and parent representative of this year's Annual Fund Campaign: “I am grateful to Stanbridge for creating possibilities for my son. Within a few years, he will get a chance to join the Bulldogs Basketball Team, maybe run for student government, and attend the High School Prom. After Stanbridge, his possibilities include continuing his education, maybe towards a certificate or a diploma. He may decide to join the workforce or volunteer at a non-profit instead. But these are all real opportunities and possibilities that Stanbridge can create for him. Opportunities that, honestly, he may not have at another school.” As we celebrate this day of gratitude which highlights the true spirit of the holiday season, we extend a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has helped make these opportunities a reality for our students, and whose support will continue to create endless possibilities. Click here for a full list of our 2018–2019 Annual Fund donors. Want to add your name to the list and be a part of creating even more possibilities for our students? Click here to make an online donation today! A whole new round of clubs begin next Monday as we start the Winter Session! In clubs, students of varying grade levels and divisions work together toward achieving common goals — perhaps creating an end product, hitting that high note, or setting up a teammate to score another point. Clubs help promote self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Click here for more information on this year's Winter Clubs offerings and to download an enrollment form. If you've already reserved enrollment, find your child's name on the club rosters online and at school this week. Remember, your registration is not complete until we receive your enrollment form with the appropriate payment; contact Linda in the main office with any questions. Dear Stanbridge Families, Students, Alumni, and Staff,
A very happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Stanbridge Academy! This is a time of year to reflect on what we are grateful for, and I want to express my gratitude to all of you for being part of the Stanbridge community. As we spend the next few days with family and friends, I am reminded of the incredible extended family that exists at our school:
From our extended Stanbridge family to yours, it is with a heart full of appreciation that I wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving. With gratitude, Julie Smith Head of School Dear Stanbridge Community,
Due to the continued poor air quality in our area and a bleak forecast for the next few days, we have made the difficult decision to close school for the week of November 19–23. While this was scheduled to be a short week due to the Thanksgiving break, it looks as if the air quality will continue to remain in the "very unhealthy" range through Tuesday. Out of consideration for the health and well-being of our students and staff, we felt it is in the best interests of everyone to err on the side of caution, particularly with the holiday weekend coming up. Per this weekend's SFGate:
All school-related activities and clubs scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled, and we are working with James to reschedule the Food Drive delivery to St. Anthony's so that the STAR Team can still participate. Please look for a follow-up email tomorrow regarding sign-ups for Winter Clubs; the enrollment deadline is shortly after we return from break and Linda will be sharing the club schedule and enrollment form with everyone via email and our website on Monday. This week is typically a time of celebration with family and friends, and we send our best wishes to everyone for a happy Thanksgiving. We also acknowledge the impact that these fires are having state-wide, and share our thoughts of healing, safety, and peace to everyone who has been affected. May the rains arrive soon and bring relief to all. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us via email. With gratitude for being part of the Stanbridge community, Julie Smith and Matt Poynter Stanbridge Head of School and Principal Dear Stanbridge Community,
Out of consideration for the health and well being of our students and staff, we have made the determination to close school tomorrow, Friday, November 16. Air quality has hovered in the unhealthy range all day and forecasts indicate conditions similar or worse for tomorrow. Our open-air campus is particularly impacted by these conditions. All school-related activities—including the high school movie, all clubs, and the weekend handball tournament—have also been cancelled. Junior High parents have received a separate email with details about pick-up time for the WOLF School trip. There will be staff at school to meet the students and supervise them until they are picked up. Please take care this weekend and send caring and healing thoughts to everyone impacted by these fires. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Matt or Julie via email. These Stanbridge high school juniors and seniors are participating in a monthly internship program at Facebook, exploring possible career paths and gaining real world job experience. Approximately 75% of Stanbridge high school graduates continue their academic careers, while others enroll in residential education and transitions programs, or go directly into the workforce. Whether considering a two-year or four-year college, a vocational trade school, or exploring the job market, there are a wealth of postsecondary opportunities for students who learn differently, but with so many paths to consider, the future can be difficult to navigate. Discover what options are out there, and find the bridge that’s right for you. The 2018 Stanbridge Academy College and Career Fair will be held on campus next Thursday afternoon, November 15, from 1:00 to 3:00. The event will feature more than a dozen representatives from colleges, universities, vocational schools, employment programs, and career support programs from the Bay Area and beyond. High school students and their families are invited to attend this free event which is designed to help students connect their personal interests and passions with long term, postsecondary goals. The fair is open to current Stanbridge students and families, as well as the general public—click here for more information and to RSVP.
A new episode of Stanbridge Student News has been posted to our website's Parent Portal—Stanbridge families can access by using their portal password. The latest episode features highlights and student reactions from the "amaaaazing!" Chinese acrobats, who performed in the Marilyn Center last month. Also, Athletic Director Mark Kelly gives a fall sports update; the News Team provides important reminders on upcoming November events and holidays; and there's plenty of footage from the annual Halloween Carnival—plus an exclusive inside look on why science teacher Jay Huston was wearing an outrageous costume on a different day, too. All this and more in the latest webisode from Stanbridge Academy's most trusted news source! This week's Throwback Thursday post looks back to Halloween at Stanbridge, and the creative D-I-Y costumes of resident science teacher/sketch comedian Jay Huston. This year, Jay combined his love of science and appreciation of puns by dressing as The Periodic Table...a costume that also doubled as an actual table, periodically. Similarly punderful costumes included a literal take on Transformers in 2016, a Super Burrito in 2017, and a butter fly in 2014. He hit the high road in 2015 sporting a sleek Ferrari getup, though as a longtime Prince fan we're surprised he didn't opt for a Little Red Corvette. Nevertheless, Jay's creativity is on full display every day in his high school science lab—where he's prone to wear a costume or two even when it's not Halloween if it helps motivate his students. Be sure to check out our Facebook page this weekend for more highlights from this year's Stanbridge Halloween Carnival, and if you're in the market for goods to make your own creative costume, remember that AmazonSmile is donating ten-times their normal amount on qualifying purchases through this Friday.
Elvis has left the building...and so have the rest of our students after today's annual Stanbridge Halloween Carnival. Our thanks to all of the parent volunteers who assisted with the food, games, face painting, activities, setup, cleanup, and emergency costume maintenance—your assistance helped make this a frightfully fun afternoon for everyone. In addition to any candy that may be collected while trick-or-treating tonight, a reminder that students have even more treats coming their way this week—no school for them until Monday! Both tomorrow and Friday are parent-teacher conference days here at Stanbridge; if you have any questions regarding your appointments, contact Linda or Danny in the main office. Also, don't forget that Friday will feature a special Book Fair "Sneak Peek" for parents, and the Book Fair proper opens shop for everyone on Monday morning. Click here for more details, and have a safe and happy Halloween night! (P.S.—Tons of pictures were taken during today's festivities; be sure to check our social media pages and this weekend's Weekly Bridge email for highlights!) A new episode of Stanbridge Student News has been posted to our website's Parent Portal—Stanbridge families can access by using their portal password. The latest episode features the debut of a new segment which polls Stanbridge staff and students on a variety of topics; first up: What is your favorite thing about Halloween? Tune in to discover the "shocking" results, and find out what our SSN newscasters will be dressing-up as for next week's holiday. In other news, the annual STAR Team Thanksgiving Food Drive is currently accepting donations now through November 19th—get all the details on what to bring and where to donate. Plus, get to know Stanbridge's new Office Coordinator/Actor, Danny Marin, who sits down for an in-depth interview; and get out your calendars for some important reminders on upcoming dates and events including the upcoming Book Fair November 5–9. All this and more in the latest webisode from Stanbridge Academy's most trusted news source! Looking to learn more about High School at Stanbridge Academy? Click here to view a overview of our program, and visit our campus this Saturday morning for our Fall Open House. Whether you are considering a placement for the current school year or just thinking ahead for your child, Stanbridge offers a truly unique high school experience for students who learn differently. We offer a strengths-based academic program that aligns with state standards, designed to culminate in a diploma; and our college and career counselor works with all high school students and their families to identify longterm goals and help plan for postsecondary steps. We're proud to provide a whole-school experience for our students that includes arts, athletics, enrichment clubs and electives, and traditional high school events such as dances, prom, field trips, and afterschool activities. Additionally, our campus includes students in grades K–8, which provides numerous opportunities for high school students to develop and practice leadership skills within our community. If you're interested in learning more, click here to RSVP for our High School Open House in January, or complete our online form to schedule a personalized tour. The Stanbridge Academy Fall Open House will be held this Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. This event will feature presentations from key staff and faculty members; Q&A with teachers from each grade division as well as our Head of School, parent and student representatives; and guided tours of the campus and classrooms. This is a fantastic way to learn about the Stanbridge program and have your specific questions answered by our staff. The event is free and we encourage interested guests to RSVP in advance (click here). If you are unable to attend this Open House, please note that additional events will be scheduled throughout the year (check our website and social media feeds for announcements), and you can always schedule a personalized tour of our campus by completing our online form. A new episode of Stanbridge Student News has been posted to our website's Parent Portal—Stanbridge families can access by using their portal password. The latest episode features an interview with Elementary Teacher Molly Chappell, who highlights what's growing in the Stanbridge garden classroom and answers the burning question, "If you could be a vegetable, what vegetable would you be?" (Spoiler alert: Molly would prefer to be a fruit that is often thought to be a vegetable!). Also in this episode: An in-depth look at snail fish, plus reminders of important upcoming events, including picture retake day on Monday, October 15. All this and more in the latest webisode from Stanbridge Academy's most trusted news source! Today, a number of Stanbridge high school students—along with other high school students all over the country—are taking the PSAT, one of many steps along the road to graduation. For many families, especially those who have students with learning differences, the thought of what lies ahead after graduating from high school can cause some anxiety. The next step after high school is a big one for students and their families—with so many paths to consider, the future can be difficult to navigate. Discover what options are out there, and find the bridge that’s right for you at Stanbridge Academy's College & Career Fair on Thursday, November 15. This annual event will feature more than a dozen representatives from colleges, universities, vocational schools, employment programs, and career support programs from the Bay Area and beyond. High school students and their families are invited to attend this free event which is designed to help students connect their personal interests and passions with long term, postsecondary goals. The fair is open to students (eighth grade, high school, and recent HS grads), parents, faculty, administrators, community members, and professionals with an interest in college, employment, and postsecondary programs supporting neurodiverse students. Click here for more information and to RSVP. This Friday, October 12th, is Stanbridge Academy’s first Bake Sale of the new school year! Student Government will be selling home-baked goodies during lunch time, and all students (and staff!) are welcome to purchase a snack or two. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to handle money and practice buying and selling, with funds raised going toward this year's Student Government Project (TBD). Items should be delivered to the front office on Friday morning before 11:00 a.m., and all items should be individually wrapped. If you have any questions, or wish to provide items for the sale, contact Bake Sale organizer Michelle Mackenzie.
It is only fitting that we formally announce this year's first Bake Sale on the same day that counselor James Warren returns to campus from his medical leave. James is back and better than ever, and it's likely that he'll perform his famous original composition—"The Bake Sale Song"—this Friday. For those who have not yet heard this earworm, click the link above and sing along. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is one of the great dramas of the 20th century, and attention must be paid to the Coastal Repertory Theatre's current production of this classic play. Two Stanbridge Academy staff members play key roles on stage and behind the scenes in the Half Moon Bay repertory troupe's revival—Office Manager Danny Martin steps into the spotlight in the role of Biff, and Counselor Mary Stadler ensures the spotlight hits its mark as the production's lighting technician. Performances run weekends through October 28, save for October 12–14 when Willy Loman and Company take the weekend off for the HMB Pumpkin Festival. Tickets are available through the Coastal Rep website, and our off-off-off Broadway stars are happy to answer any questions you might have about the show (they'll even autograph your program). This week's Throwback Thursday post takes us to Yosemite National Park.
Throughout Stanbridge Academy's 36-year history, experiential learning has been a cornerstone of our program. A highlight for many of our senior classes is the overnight trip to Yosemite National Park—often a week-long excursion taken each fall. Along with building self-confidence and developing camaraderie amongst classmates and teachers, the trip allows students to explore one of the country's most majestic natural landmarks. As seen above, the group hike through the Ahwahnee Boulders is a rite of passage (pardon the pun) that also makes for a good photo op. This year's senior class will return from their week in Yosemite tomorrow, and we'll have plenty more pictures to share on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds from their trip, as well as photos from this week's other high school experiential excursions to NatureBridge and Angel Island. Mark your calendars: You are invited to join Stanbridge Academy at the annual Private School Fair on Friday, October 12. Held this year at Los Altos Christian Schools, the event's goal is the help families learn more about different school options in your community and decide which could be the best fit for your student and family. Stanbridge's Head of School, Julie Smith, and our Director of Admissions, Susan Coyne, will be in attendance, along with representatives from more than a dozen other local private schools. This is a great opportunity to discover the many different private school options available in the Bay Area—join us to learn more or simply stop by to say hello; the event is free--click here for more details and registration information. |
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