91̽��

At the opening of Convocation, a formal School tradition marking the beginning of each academic year, Head of School Todd Bland welcomed everyone and encouraged students to “listen to your own voice to guide you in learning and in life.”

Messages from Upper School Principal David Ball and Class I co-head monitors, Olivia Wang and Beck Kendig, were other highlights of the ceremony. Mr. Ball spoke about finding moments of joy, humility and generosity in life. He also introduced new faculty members and presented Olivia and Beck with the James S. Willis Jr. Memorial Award.

Both Olivia and Beck offered specific, humorous, and poignant advice to new students as well as returning ones. Olivia referred each class to a summer pop song where the lyrics fit the feel of each year. Beck introduced the year’s theme as a simple encouragement for students to be welcoming to each other and “Just say hi.”

Rapper and singer Jidenna Mobisson ’03 returned to campus as part of an expanded Transition Program, serving as the keynote speaker for new students of color and international students, and as a panelist in a conversation with their parents. The events preceded programming throughout Labor Day weekend for all students new to 91̽��.

“It’s the first day. I know you feel a little bit nervous, but I want to say congratulations to each and every one of you,” he said. “I sat in the same seats you’re sitting in right now, with students who were just like you. Some of the people here that you don’t know yet will be your best friends for life.”

Our opening of school programs are geared toward helping everyone get acclimated—to feel confident about who and where they are. During the opening of school, all students—new and returning, boarding and day—will engage with each other, faculty and staff. Each person at our School contributes to the 91̽�� environment in big and small ways every day.

Programs for new Upper School students are planned with careful consideration of what being new to 91̽�� feels like and what experiences will be helpful in the first few days.
visit the opening of school calendar

Along with computer science faculty member Chris Hales, 91̽��’s programmers attended the Teen Hacks LI Hackathon in Long Island, New York. Aaron Lockhart (III), Sebby Park (III), Tim Colledge (III) and a friend of Aaron’s built an app called BiParse, which indicates...