For over two decades, Viewpoint’s Seventh Grade trip to Howland’s Landing on Catalina Island has been a beloved tradition to kick off the school year. This year, 74 students embarked on the three-day adventure from September 25-27, filled with outdoor education, environmental exploration, and team-building activities.

Under the guidance of the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP), students participated in hands-on lessons that reinforced their life sciences curriculum while fostering personal growth and friendships.

“Gregg Kessler, our Seventh Grade science teacher, has led this trip 24 times, and we’ve developed an incredible partnership with the camp,” said Julia Strull, Assistant Head of Middle School and Retreat Coordinator. “It’s amazing to see how transformative this experience is for students.”

“I’ve always felt Catalina is the perfect place for our Seventh Graders,” added Kessler. “Having worked there myself, I know the impact the island’s natural environment can have on students.”

Upon arrival, students dove into activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, composting, and gardening. Night snorkeling, a highlight of the trip, allowed them to witness bioluminescence and nocturnal marine life. While sustainability lessons were part of the program, the main focus was on building friendships and confidence through shared challenges.

“This trip pushes kids out of their comfort zones,” Strull noted. “One student, initially hesitant to snorkel, ended up being the first in line for the night snorkel. It was a real moment of growth.”

The trip also reinforced the Seventh Grade’s life science curriculum, with students observing wildlife like bald eagles, foxes, and deer in their natural habitats.

“The educational aspect is huge,” Strull said. “Students get to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life experiences in nature. Whether it’s seeing ocean creatures up close or learning about island ecosystems, it’s an invaluable experience.”

Looking ahead, Strull and Kessler are eagerly anticipating next year’s trip, with the dates already secured.

“We lock in September each year because the conditions are ideal,” Kessler explained. “The warmer, clearer water and perfect weather make this the best time for the trip.”

Strull added, “It’s a tradition we look forward to every year, and our long-standing relationship with the camp ensures our students get the best possible experience.”

Spirit Week at Viewpoint is a cherished tradition that unites the entire school community. From our youngest TK students to seniors, this week-long series of events celebrates the fall sports season and provides an opportunity to show our Patriot Pride.

Throughout the week, Middle and Upper School students embraced Spirit Week with a variety of themed days. Upper School themes included Blackout Day, Jersey Day, Squad Day and Adam Sandler Day. Our Middle Schoolers participated with their own themes such as Pajama Day, Western Day, Wacky Wednesday, Sports Jersey Day. Both divisions concluded the week by proudly wearing their Class Colors.

On-campus activities included field games, poster-making, and a pie-eating contest. The week concluded with energetic pep rallies in the PFAC for Middle and Upper School. The Upper School pep rally was led by students part of the spirit group, The Navy, who helped set the mood and announced our Homecoming Court in ninth through twelfth grades. Both assemblies featured performances from our pep band, Viewpoint Dance Company, and Middle and Upper School cheerleaders.

Primary and Lower School students enjoyed VSSA-led Spirit Day activities, including a family poster decorating and pizza party with over 80 attendees at Juan Bautista de Anza Park, as well as celebrating Jersey Day with popsicle treats. Spirit Week concluded with a pep rally featuring a performance by the Primary and Lower School chorus and a visit from Upper School athletes. Our football team engaged the younger students by helping them try on shoulder pads and helmets before leading a fun-filled relay race. They also joined in a "roll the ball over the line" game in the gym, adding to the excitement.

"The most rewarding part is definitely seeing the kids’ faces light up and watching their excitement as they look up to the older students,” said Jenn Halpern, Spirit Chair for TK-12. “I really enjoy being on campus and experiencing it all through their eyes."

Up next is the Homecoming Football Game on Friday, November 1, at Calabasas High School vs. Brentwood School. We hope to see our whole community there to support our football team and be a part of this annual Viewpoint tradition. 

Viewpoint School’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Life commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month with a school-wide celebration across all divisions, featuring traditional treats and activities, music, and opportunities to learn more about Hispanic culture. 

For Primary and Lower School, parent volunteers organized an engaging display outside Helfand’s Harvest. The festive tables were adorned with cultural items, flags, and posters, while students received small giveaways and enjoyed a curated playlist of energizing music.

Meanwhile, Middle School students enjoyed a lively performance by the Upper School Jazz Ensemble, alongside a trio of musicians playing Latin/Pop music influenced by Flamenco. The celebration featured traditional foods from various Latin American countries, provided by parent volunteers on Webster Patio, with churros from Kitchins’ Kitchen. Students also participated in a Lotería game, as well as a language and coloring activity led by Spanish teacher Christine Harnist.

In the Upper School, students embraced a variety of interactive activities, including a piñata event, karaoke, bracelet-making, and a Lotería competition. They also took part in a Flag Picture Name Game, where they matched flags with country names, adding an educational twist to the celebration.

These events fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hispanic heritage while bringing the community together in celebration, reflecting Viewpoint’s commitment to honoring unity in diversity.

From AP student presentations and food tastings, to dance performances and display tables, Viewpoint School held school-wide Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations this week.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is the second most important festival in Chinese tradition, following the Spring Festival, and can be compared to Thanksgiving in some ways. The Moon Festival occurs on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, which falls on different dates in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the Moon Festival was celebrated on September 17.

On September 16, the Chinese III and AP Chinese classes combined to celebrate the festival. Each AP Chinese student gave an oral presentation on the Moon Festival, accompanied by vivid and creative visual aids. Then, each student appreciated and recited a famous ancient Chinese poem “Jingyesi” by Li Bai. The two classes together made ice cream mooncakes and tasted traditional Chinese snacks such as fresh dates, sunflower seeds, and rice crackers etc. Finally, the class concluded by evaluating the students' cultural knowledge about the festival through a fun Kahoot game.

Our Middle School marked the occasion with special lunchtime activities, including a performance by the local Chinese group PPMA featuring traditional music and dance. Chinese class students led riddle-solving games, a festival tradition, and parent volunteers served mooncakes. 

In the Primary and Lower School divisions, parent volunteers hosted display tables with giveaways during lunchtime and provided video presentations and crossword puzzles for use in the classroom. Display tables educated and inspired the students over a two-day period:

• Monday, September 16: Chuseok display table

  • Chuseok is a three-day harvest festival celebrated as a significant holiday in Korean culture. Chuseok (pronounced chu-sock) translates to “Autumn Eve, " also known as Korean Thanksgiving. Chuseok is a time to return home to family, celebrate and show gratitude for the harvest, and honor ancestors. An essential aspect of the holiday is cleaning ancestors' tombs and paying respects by offering them the Chuseok feast. 

• Tuesday, September 17: Mid-Autumn Festival Display Table

  • Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon(cake) Festival, marks the full moon at its brightest and most total size, coinciding with harvest time.