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.”

Every February, Viewpoint School’s TK-5 students eagerly invited their families to take part in one of the school’s most beloved traditions—Makerfest, a hands-on festival of creativity, innovation, and interactive learning. In its seventh year, Makerfest 2025 took place from February 4-6 in the School’s Innovation Space and Benjamin Franklin Library.

This year, Makerfest welcomed special guest Ama Ramos, a renowned artist and maker known for transforming everyday materials into extraordinary works of art. In addition to Ama’s live art experience, students and families explored new and returning hands-on booths, including the highly anticipated FRC Robotics Reveal, where Viewpoint’s Upper School robotics team debuted their newest competition robot in a live demonstration.

Makerfest 2025 featured 32 uniquely themed booths, each one tailored to specific age groups and featuring engaging activities such as designing steampunk resin jewelry, engineering mechanical crane pick-ups, weaving collaborative textile art, capturing themed photo booth selfies, testing Skee-Ball skills, and lighting up cards to illuminate the Makerfest robot’s gears and heart.

The annual festival was a true labor of love for Innovation Space teachers Lisa Kessler and Travis Shojinaga, along with Primary and Lower School Technology Integration Specialist Alison Steelberg Corneau ’97. The booths were staffed by enthusiastic faculty, staff, and Upper School students, making Makerfest a unique, community-building experience that bridged creativity across grade levels.

“Makerfest is a three-day event that unites Viewpoint School’s students, families, and faculty in the joy of making. With 30 hands-on activities, there’s something for everyone to explore and connect with,” said Lisa Kessler, Innovation Space Teacher. “This year, our TK and Fifth Grade Makers contributed to the Castle of Creativity, highlighting the power of collaboration. Events like Makerfest foster the connections and sense of community that make Viewpoint so special.”

Viewpoint School recognizes Cami Curtis-Bregman and Aaron Bregman, Rynne Stump and Danny Carey, Kelly and Don Carlisi, The Goodman Family, and Pantea and Daniel Groen for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Chair's and Head of School Circles.

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè! (Translation: Happy New Year in Mandarin)

In January, the onset of Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) festivities brought a vibrant energy to our School. Students from all four divisions eagerly immersed themselves in engaging activities and celebrations, fostering a sense of joy and camaraderie that echoed throughout the entire community.

On Thursday, January 30, excitement filled the air as parent volunteers set up vibrant display tables at Helfand’s Harvest, inviting Primary and Lower School students to immerse themselves in the traditions of Lunar New Year during their lunch breaks. Dressed in traditional attire and surrounded by festive decorations, parents warmly greeted each student, offering red envelopes (Hóng Bāo) filled with treats and other delightful goodies.

Middle and Upper School students enjoyed Lunar New Year snacks offered at the booths on the Plaza. They received red envelopes akin to those exchanged among young people in Chinese households worldwide, offering them the opportunity to win special prizes. Additionally, tables were arranged to exhibit traditional Chinese calligraphy, with Oscar Chen ’28 demonstrating the art form for Upper School students. Other displays introduced renowned landmarks in China and provided additional insights into the significance of the Year of the Snake.

“It’s really important to me to share my culture with others,” said Chen, who transferred to Viewpoint last semester from Shanghai, China. “As an international student, I truly appreciate the diversity at our school and the opportunities we have to celebrate and showcase what makes each of us unique.”

The Lunar New Year officially began on Wednesday, January 29, and will culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12, marking the celebration of the Year of the Wood Snake. The snake symbolizes wisdom, growth, and renewal. Its process of shedding its skin is a sign of transformation. The wood element represents strength and growth and provides a sense of grounding within the year.

Every December, the joyful sounds of storytelling and laughter fill the Benjamin Franklin Library (BFL) at Viewpoint School, marking a treasured annual tradition: the Head of School Holiday Readings. These events, led by Head of School Mr. Mark McKee and his wife, Ms. Cathy Shelburne, bring the spirit of the season to life for students and teachers alike.

Primary and Lower School students gather for a series of seven reading sessions, each featuring a mix of cherished classics and new literary selections. Curated by librarians Sue Jean Woodmansee and Beverly Schwarz, these stories reflect values that resonate deeply with the Viewpoint community, including kindness, gratitude, cultural understanding, and the joy of giving.

Celebrating their 10th year leading this tradition, Mark and Cathy select age-appropriate stories that encompass winter holidays while exploring themes of friendship, family connection, responsibility, and humor.

Dressed in festive holiday-themed accessories, they take turns reading page by page, projecting illustrations onto the screen and bringing each story to life with animated voices and expressive gestures. This year, students enjoyed stories like The Christmas Mitzvah and Jackie’s Gift, which highlighted lessons on bridging cultures, embracing generosity, and sharing blessings with others.

“The children look forward to this yearly holiday event in our beautiful library. In this smaller, more intimate setting, they appreciate the special time with our Head of School. Mr. and Mrs. McKee radiate love and joy for our youngest students,” said Vanessa Harrington, Assistant Head of Primary School.

Interactive and engaging, the Head of School Holiday Readings are a highlight of the winter season, setting the tone for a meaningful and joyous winter break.