Orientation September 2007

The Anacapa School’s two-day orientation is steeped in tradition, but it feels fresh each year as we welcome new students to our school community and make them feel at home.  The senior class always plays an important leadership role in orientation, setting a positive tone for another great school year.  It is important for our community to use these two days as a starting point for the year—both socially and academically.  By the time orientation is over, we’re a more cohesive unit, and we’re ready to get to work in the

 

Day One

On the first day of orientation, the Lower School students (Grades 7-8) come for the first half of the day.  After some lively introductions, we take care of some of the “business” of starting school.  Students choose lockers and learn their combinations.  We measure everyone’s height,  play some “name games,” and run through an abbreviated version of our academic class schedule.  

 

 

At the end of the morning, the Upper School students (Grades 9-12) join the Lower School students for a school-wide scavenger hunt, which is planned by the graduating class from the prior year.  Then the  Lower School students leave campus, and the Upper School spends the afternoon going through the same routine that the Lower School did in the morning. This day is a great opportunity for Anacapa students and teachers to begin to get to know each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two

On our second day of orientation, students and teachers head down to the beach for some ocean kayaking and beach games.  The sun always seems to shine for our Islanders as they set out into the water.  For some, this is a first-time encounter with an ocean kayak, so those who are experienced lend a hand (or a paddle!), and soon everyone is comfortable and enjoying this popular activity.

 

 

 

 

In the evening, we are joined by parents and families for a tasty potluck at Leadbetter Beach.  The potluck is a great opportunity for the faculty and staff to get to know a very important part of our school community—the parents!  

 

 

As we say our good-byes and prepare to go home for the weekend, we feel we’ve known each other for much longer than two days, and we know a little bit of Anacapa-style bonding will go a long way toward building a strong foundation for a productive and fun school year.