We are excited to debut a new recurring blog series "On My Mind," which will feature student-written posts by two interns from the Stanbridge High School Bridges class, Seniors Alix and Grace. As part of their in-house marketing ​internship, Alix and Grace will write about things that are on the minds of Stanbridge students and post them on our website's blog. Be sure to check back regularly for new posts!
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​My name is Alix and I am a Senior at Stanbridge Academy. I have been attending Stanbridge for seven years now, and I will graduate this June. I am very happy to help write the Student Blog before I leave Stanbridge, because one of my passions is creative writing. I like to write stories, but writing a blog is a new experience for me. Other interests that I have are baking and fashion. I might want to go into fashion after I graduate.

​If you enjoyed the food and drinks at last year's gala, you're in for an even bigger and better treat this year. Our 2019 Spring Gala will feature a full dinner buffet that includes beef tenderloin, turkey, and eggplant involtini, plus a selection of fresh salads, an assortment of savory appetizers, delectable desserts, and—back by popular demand—the famous mashed potato bar. This year, we are also offering a fully-stocked open bar that will feature fine wines from our host winery, Domenico, as well as a variety of beers and potent potables (along with plenty of soft drinks, coffee, and tea). The event promises to be a night of hearty fare that pairs well with our live jazz band, and the even livelier mix of current and alumni parents, Stanbridge staff, trustees, and friends of the Stanbridge community. So come out to support our Bulldogs at our biggest and best fundraising gala yet--Saturday night, March 9th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Domenico Winery in San Carlos. Tickets are available in the main office, or purchase tickets online by clicking here. RSVP deadline is February 15—get your tickets today!

​We are excited to once again have Jesse Foster headlining a band of Bay Area jazz all-stars at our March 9th Stanbridge Spring Gala. This year's ensemble brings back vocalist Jesse Foster, Cedricke Dennis on guitar, and Mark Lee on drums—all of whom played together at the 2018 Stanbridge Spring Gala. This year, they will be joined by Greg Sankovich on keys, and Paul Eastburn on bass. Individually, these musicians have performed with Sly Stone, Bobby McFerrin, The Manhattan Transfer, Sting, Mary Wilson, Tiffany Austin, Keb Mo, The Pointer Sisters, The UC Jazz Ensemble, and more. Together, their decades of experience span generations of jazz, funk, fusion, rock, Motown, R&B, and pop. This is an amazing opportunity to see these musicians live as they keep the groove going all night long on Saturday, March 9th--click here to get your tickets, and be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
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Bonus Links (click to access):

• Jesse Foster songs and albums on Spotify
• YouTube clip of Cedricke Dennis performing with the Larry Vann Band
• YouTube clip of Paul Eastburn performing in Kyra Gordon's Loving Janis
• YouTube clip of Greg Sankovich and his jazz ensemble Times 4

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!

​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:

• The teachers, who always go the extra mile to engage and enlighten our students.
• The parents, whose trust in and support of our program is peerless.
• The volunteers, who selflessly dedicate their time and service to our many school events and projects.
• The administrative team, who tirelessly strive to make Stanbridge even stronger.
• The alumni graduates, whose achievements are a constant reminder of the potential every student possesses.
• The alumni families, who remain steadfast supporters and champions of our school.
• The trustees, whose guidance ensures that our current and future Stanbridge Stars will have the opportunity to shine. 

and especially...

• The students, who motivate us every day to do what we do and inspire us all to be our best selves—more than anyone, you make Stanbridge the remarkable school that it is.

From our extended Stanbridge family to yours, it is with a heart full of appreciation that I wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving.
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​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:

• "A forecast earlier in the week indicated a system moving through the area Sunday night and kicking up a wind that would have blown the smoke out. Now, it looks like the system isn't going to make it close enough to spare our air.
  "The current weather pattern is going to hold through Tuesday, and on Wednesday a storm in the forecast is expected to finally bring relief from the eye-stinging polluted air."

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.
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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.

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!)

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.