From March 3-7, Viewpoint presented “World Ready Week 2025,” a transformative event fostering personal growth, social awareness, and stronger connections among its Middle and Upper School students. During the Belonging and Community Symposium, renowned director, producer, and storyteller Jon M. Chu led a moderated Q&A with student panelists, and GRAMMY® award-winning audio engineer Derek Ali spoke at a Middle School assembly. 

For the past nine years, Viewpoint School has provided its Middle and Upper School students  the unique opportunity to develop and lead workshops for their peers on topics that matter most to them. A testament to their future-ready skills, more than 150 students led World Ready Week sessions designed to inspire engagement with new ideas and help students build skills in leadership, citizenship, and civil discourse. 

“Nine years ago we started Diversity Leadership Day as an opportunity to focus on the great diversity of our School, Southern California, and our world, and as an opportunity for students and adults to bring special areas of knowledge to the rest of our community,” said Head of School Mark McKee. “Last year, we decided to reimagine it as World Ready Week to further expand its scope and impact.”

With the theme of Optimism * Allyship * Community, students led their peers in conversations about topics they care about, from mental health, foster care, cultural expression, and stereotypes, to conspiracy theories and coding for social change.

Middle School students explored the impact of book bans in an interactive session, while others examined how fashion has shaped culture over the past century. In the Upper School, students led discussions on diverse representation in the media, challenging common stereotypes, and facilitated hands-on activities to support children in the foster care system.  

In addition to attending sessions, all students in Grades 6-12 gathered for World Ready Week assemblies. Just two days after the Academy Awards, Jon M. Chu spoke to more than 700 Viewpoint Middle and Upper School students about “The Road to Belonging” in two consecutive assemblies, an event featured on ABC7 Los Angeles.

For the Upper School assembly, the panel featured Jake Sklar ’25, Luna Kuhn ’26, Natalie Yerelekian ’25, Nathan Danese ’25, Zooey Jeong ’25, and Connor Wycoff ’25. For the Middle School assembly, panelists included Morgan Taylor ’30, Colin Pan ’30, Sophie Kupper ’30, and Will Koonce ’28.

Jon M. Chu is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, known for his directorial work on films like Wicked, Crazy Rich Asians, and In the Heights. With his unique vision and ability to bring diverse stories to life, his groundbreaking work has pushed boundaries and continues to redefine representation in film.  

“What I loved about bringing Wicked to the big screen was that I didn’t have to focus on politics—I could focus on humanity. That, to me, is the key. It’s about the choices we make every day about who we want to be,” shared Chu.

“We were overjoyed to have Jon M. Chu as our keynote speaker. His passion for telling authentic, diverse stories continues to make lasting impacts throughout the world,” shared Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “Our students had the unique opportunity to hear firsthand from him about the importance of staying true to one’s voice, and the role of creative expression in shaping culture.”

On Wednesday, students gathered once again for an inspiring assembly that featured a special preview of Viewpoint: Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Stage (VOSOVOS), offering the community an exciting first look at this year’s highly anticipated production. Voices Now, our Upper School vocal ensemble, closed the session with a lively rendition of “I’ve Got the Music in Me.” 

The Middle School closed out the week with a visit by Grammy-winning music producer Derek Ali, who has worked with artists such as Nipsey Hussle and SZA. Ali reflected on his childhood struggles and how his curiosity ultimately shaped his career. Encouraging students to embrace their own curiosity, he emphasized how a single spark of interest can change the course of their lives.

Through optimism, allyship, and community, World Ready Week empowers students to embrace new perspectives, lead with empathy, and create lasting impact within and beyond Viewpoint.

“I want to thank our Student Diversity Council for lending their voices to this important project, and to the entire Viewpoint community for making this week a success,” added Jackson. “We look forward to building on this momentum and creating an even more impactful experience for next year.”

In commemoration of Black History Month, annually observed in February, the Office of Community Life, alongside members of the Middle and Upper School Student Diversity Councils, and Families of African Americans at Viewpoint (FAAV) presented a series of inspiring and educational activities throughout our campus. 

Viewpoint Lower and Primary School students explored Black history through classroom discussions, educational videos, and library displays featuring curated books and digital resources. On February 24, Helfand’s Harvest served a special themed lunch to commemorate the occasion. Then, FAAV volunteers hosted a lunchtime display table where students received bookmarks, stickers, bracelets, and red velvet cupcakes—all with deep cultural roots.  

"Seeing the joy on students’ faces as they explored the Black History Month displays was truly special,” said Jasmine Novick, Primary School Diversity Coordinator and Second Grade Teacher. "When students see themselves and their families reflected in cultural celebrations, they feel seen, valued, and more connected to the Viewpoint community."

Meanwhile, Middle and Upper School students marked the occasion with music, cultural educational opportunities, and interactive experiences. A lunchtime display featured an assortment of desserts, including red velvet cake, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie - dishes deeply rooted in Black culture. Often served at family gatherings, reunions, and holidays, these desserts carry historical significance, with recipes passed down through generations. As students enjoyed these delicious treats, a playlist of iconic songs, including Stevie Wonder’s I Just Called to Say I Love You, set the atmosphere. 

Through these events, students and employees alike embraced the opportunity to honor Black history, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and cultural significance.

In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Viewpoint School’s Office of Community Life presented “The Music of Movements” on January 22 - three powerful performances that explored the ways that music has shaped social movements throughout history.

“Music has the power to heal our hearts and touch our souls, providing comfort and hope during and in the aftermath of challenges, tragedies, and … change,” said Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. 

Held in the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC), the event featured two student assemblies. Kenyon Ebole-Gordon ‘26 offered an introduction for the Upper School assembly, then Morgan Taylor ‘30 introduced the performance for the Middle School. Each group enjoyed the music of legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, and Bob Marley. Our guest performers from More than Music, Inc., also included historical context to illustrate how songs have served as tools for activism, unity, and healing.

The programs opened with a moving performance of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” setting the tone for a journey through different genres that have shaped history and inspired change. The musicians introduced freedom songs, congregational hymns that were repurposed during the American Civil Rights Movement to inspire and empower activists, before transitioning into jazz, where they explained the power of improvisation as a metaphor for resilience and adaptability.

The performances also included protest music featuring Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” using each song to highlight themes like irony, resistance, and advocacy. Before each piece, the musicians provided insight into how these songs conveyed messages of social justice, helping the audience understand their significance beyond the music itself.

Following the school assemblies, parents/guardians, and faculty gathered for an evening reception in the Fletcher Family Library (FFL) before attending the final performance. The night provided an opportunity for conversation, reflection, and a shared appreciation for music’s role in shaping history.

Each performance ended with a show stopping rendition of Sam Cooke’s "A Change is Gonna Come" by Biff Gore of NBC’s The Voice.

“Just one day prior, we recognized and commemorated the ninth annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDRH), first observed in 2017 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a call to action for racial healing for all people - the core of racial equality,” said Jackson. “On this day, and always, we reflect on what we can do to better understand each other, free of judgement, while building strong bridges to the future.” 

On Thursday, October 17, Viewpoint held its annual Fall Multicultural Day, hosted by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Life, along with our Parent Partnership for Diversity and Inclusion (PPDI). Families celebrated our many cultures through the enjoyment of food and live music, while learning about Affinity Groups and World Language offerings. 

“Our Viewpoint community gathered with heartwarming enthusiasm for this year’s Fall Multicultural Day,” said Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “Our collective commitment to celebrating diversity, fostering connection, and supporting one another was on full display!”

Viewpoint families arrived with a wide variety of home-cooked meals, from savory dishes to sweet treats, offering all who attended enticing options. As a community where families value unity in diversity, this annual and beloved event provides a beautiful setting for our families and employees to connect in joy.

In addition to the potluck, the event featured cultural displays offered by our World Languages Department, giving attendees a chance to explore the various languages spoken and studied at Viewpoint. Voices Now, our Upper School singing ensemble, entertained guests with a new arrangement of the Brazilian classic Água De Beber. Hearing our students sing in Portuguese was a special treat.    

We are grateful for the many folks who helped to make Viewpoint’s Fall Multicultural Day a wonderful success, especially PPDI! We look forward to next year’s celebration and the continued growth of this cherished tradition.