MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6-8) @ MARIN HEADLANDS
  Middle School had an amazing trip to the Marin Headlands and Naturebridge’s Bluff campus. We hiked our first day to old military barracks and did a night hike where we saw the San Francisco city lights and the Golden Gate Bridge.
   The next morning, the weather took us all by surprise with heavy fog and a downpour. Mother Nature challenged our students to hike down a steep cliff in a cloud full of rain. We did our best and ended up on Rodeo Beach with some pounding waves. The rain didn’t let up and we arrived, muddy and wet, to our indoor lunch site! After lunch, the sun broke through the clouds and nature sparkled for us all the way back. While damp clothing was in the dryers, students enjoyed a wonderful spaghetti dinner and had fun making new memories with fast friends during our dorm time.
  Our last morning we all went down to historic Point Bonita lighthouse for an art project, saw harbor seals bobbing in the water, and took in some fantastic views. Our students were tired but in good spirits, thankful for our time in nature and with our friends.
– Tasha Hudick, Middle School Division Lead

Our Thanks to You!

ELEMENTARY
It's time to to give thanks for our loving teachers, staff collaboration, family support, school maintenance, opportunities to explore, and our hardworking students. Each day students are learning, growing, and exploring the world around them. This week we had a couple reflection times and just 'paused' to be collectively in the moment with nothing to distract us. I am so grateful I can share joyful moments with them.
– Michele Sumpton, Elementary Division Lead

MIDDLE  SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL
(Tasha is heading back from the Marin Headlands with Middle School today.)
   As Tasha & I reflect back on Q1, we are filled with gratitude. The amazing experiential trips we went on and all the memories we created bring a smile (& playful groan) to our faces. All the constructions, labs and activities the students crushed in our Science classes were great to witness. The pumpkins we carved and the brilliant Halloween costumes made October inspiring. What a phenomenal three months we have had!
   But what we are most grateful for is the trust and support the families have given us. Trusting us with your children and partnering with us to help unlock their full potential makes this endeavor magical. Yes, this is our job, but it's also our fuel. Watching a shy student speak out in class, witnessing an "aha" moment, and working with a student to sculpt their idea into a masterpiece is unique to the field of teaching and especially singular here at Stanbridge. We are so lucky to be here and your child helps make Stanbridge a safe, welcoming, and transformative place.
   Thank you for allowing us to get to know your children, grow with them, and be a part of your lives!
Sincerely,
– Jay Huston, Head of High School
– Tasha Hudick, Middle School Division Lead

SAVE THE DATE!

Tenth and Eleventh Grade students had a memorable time on the Mother Lode trip last week! For some of our students, it was their first time staying overnight on a Stanbridge experiential trip. Students stepped out of their comfort zones to have new experiences, which helped boost their confidence and helped them realize that they are capable of doing many things. Following are a few highlights from the trip:

• Students loved the ropes courses, which included wall climbing, crossing a high balance beam, zip-lining, and taking a leap of faith jump from a very tall tree. Students conquered their fears in order to experience these challenges and they spoke very highly of these activities.
• Students loved the food! The Mother Lode kitchen staff provided delicious meals that the kids raved about, including a yummy cheesecake dessert which they had with dinner on the final night. Students also got to make s'mores on one of the nights, and they had a blast singing "Down By The Bay" around the campfire. Camaraderie was clearly in the air!
• The biggest highlight of the trip was the students getting to experience whitewater rafting! Several of them had never whitewater rafted before, and they quickly got into it! On Thursday, students were taught safety skills on dry land for the following day: how to properly paddle and how to pull someone back into the raft should they fall out (which they only ended up needing to know for those who chose to go overboard into calm waters). Friday morning was the big day where students geared up and got to paddle down the river! It was an exciting experience students will not soon forget!

Dear Stanbridge Community,
​   We have had another eventful week at school with our 10th-12th graders on experiential trips. The pictures we have seen show engaged, and happy students – check some of them out below and stay tuned to social media channels for more. These overnight trips help our students practice independence and responsibility as well as work on their executive functioning skills. A huge thank you to our faculty chaperones for providing the guidance and support that make these trips successful. 
   Overnight experientials always kick-off a busy time in the Stanbridge calendar leading up to the all-important Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. This week, you should have received instruction to sign up for conferences on consecutive Mondays, November 4th and November 11th. Most core faculty members are available to meet with you during these conference days. Please be sure to sign up for your chosen time/s by the Friday prior to conferences. See Tuesday's email for the link to sign up for Middle School, High School, and Specialists. Email your K-5 teacher to sign up for core Elementary conferences. All conferences will be on Google Meet.
   We are holding an Open House for High School on October 22 for prospective families interested in enrolling their child at Stanbridge. We are also holding a Special High School Open House for our current 7th and 8th grade families the following Tuesday on October 29. Both of these open houses are on campus from 9:00- 11:00 a.m. and will include time to hear about our program and to tour the classrooms in session.
   Our Bridges class is co-hosting a Preparing for College Zoom session with the Landmark Success Center on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:00 p.m. High Schoolers and their families can join us to see “What Comes Next: an overview of post-secondary options.” This session will include educational and vocational options as well as what supports are available and should be requested. Zoom link to be shared early this coming week.
   This coming Friday, October 25, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. will be our first High School Dance of the school year! Appropriately Fall-themed for Halloween, the entire High School is invited to attend. So, get your costumes ready and RSVP for this fun, social event. 
   Lastly before Halloween, we have over 125 people signed up to attend our annual community Back to School Picnic on October 27 from noon- 2:00 p.m. If you have not yet signed up, it is not too late – RSVPs are due this Monday. This event is for our Stanbridge community – past and present – and their family members, too! We will provide food and snacks, all you need to do is come enjoy lunch and games with other Stanbridge families!

Stay Strong, Bulldogs!
Julie Smith
Head of School

Dear Stanbridge Community,
   We had a great week of school and have been enjoying the cooler weather! Remember there is no school this Monday, October 14, for Indigenous Peoples' Day. 
   On Monday morning, when school is closed, our Seniors will head out for their week in Yosemite Valley. Please make sure your Senior is at school no later than 9:00 am on Monday. The van will load up and head out for the long drive shortly thereafter.
   Our Sophomores and Juniors will also have their experiential trip next week! Wednesday morning they will head out to the Mother Lode/Gold Country in Lotus, returning to school early evening on Friday. We are excited that they will also have the chance to go white water rafting as a part of their trip this year. Please be sure you turn in any medications needed for the trip so that we will not have any delays. 
 These overnight experiential trips give our students the opportunity to practice autonomy and responsibility; create closer bonds with their peers and teachers; improve communication and collaborative skills; and engage in appropriate challenges – all in safe and supportive environments. Middle School students will take part in their overnight trip to the Marin Headlands from November 13-15.
   We will share pictures and highlights from the trips next week. Enjoy the long weekend ahead!
   Stay Strong, Bulldogs!
Julie Smith
Head of School