Upper School Preview Day and Pizza Party

In another return to pre-pandemic tradition, our 4th grade students participated in the annual Upper School Preview Day last Thursday. The day was primarily organized by Alan Donaldson, 5th Grade Dean, Upper School Social Studies Teacher, and Equity and Engagement Coordinator. As Mr. Donaldson explains, “There are three main goals for Preview Day. We want 4th graders to meet their future teachers and get to know their names. We want the students to get excited about and practice moving around and changing classes, and we want the 4th graders to be excited, in general, about joining the Upper School.”

The day began with an orientation in homerooms where students reviewed their morning schedules, classroom locations, class transition guidelines, and expectations. They were then responsible for getting to each class on time. Over the course of the morning, they attended English, math, science, social studies, and language classes. Afterwards, students convened in the library for a question and answer session with 5th grade advisors, followed by a special pizza lunch on the Pulpit Green with 5th grade advisors and students. The lunch was an opportunity for the 5th grade class to begin seeing themselves as mentors and no longer the youngest members of Upper School. For both 4th and 5th graders, Preview Day was another milestone in their growth as Cathedral students.