On March 3-4, the Primary School sandbox became an excavation site during Viewpoint’s annual Paleontologist Day, as First Grade students carefully dug in search of fossils and prehistoric discoveries.

The hands-on event serves as the culmination of the First Grade dinosaur unit, where students spend months learning about fossils, prehistoric life and the work of paleontologists before stepping into the role themselves.

“Since January, my students have fully immersed themselves in the world of paleontology, and Paleontologist Day is the moment where all of that learning comes to life,” said Jackie Sanchez, Primary School science teacher. “What begins as vocabulary, including trace fossils, body fossils, mold and cast fossils, and true form fossils, transforms into real understanding through hands-on experiences.”

Throughout the unit, students created their own mold and cast fossils, preserved organisms in “amber,” and even dissected coprolites to study dinosaur diets. In the days leading up to the dig, they also explored the tools paleontologists use in the field so they could apply those techniques during their own excavation.

“When students enter the sandbox with spoons, sifters and brushes, along with their vests and credentials, they aren’t just playing. They are scientists applying months of learning,” Sanchez said. “Watching six- and seven-year-olds carefully brush away sand, collaborate with peers and confidently classify their discoveries using scientific vocabulary is incredibly powerful.”

Several large fossils also were displayed throughout the event for students to observe, generously donated by the Oschin family (Zachary Oschin ’16).

For Sanchez, the experience represents more than a themed activity.

“Paleontologist Day allows students to step into the role of investigators and truly see themselves as capable, curious scientists,” she said.

On Tuesday, February 17, Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) brought a sense of celebration to campus, as students across all four divisions participated in activities that highlighted culture, community, and tradition.

Primary and Lower School students marked the occasion through a variety of activities, including classroom acknowledgments and special take-home gifts provided by parent volunteers. The Benjamin Franklin Library (BFL) also featured festive displays, including curated literature, traditional materials, and decorative window decals.

Middle and Upper School students celebrated with two Lunar New Year events held in the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC). Activities included drawing Chinese characters symbolizing luck and fortune, practicing calligraphy, and trying on traditional attire worn for the New Year. Students also received red envelopes, a tradition in Chinese households around the world, with the chance to win special prizes. They also participated in a dragon dance, taking turns holding the dragon head and guiding the dragon around the space.

The Lunar New Year officially began on Tuesday, February 17, and will culminate with the Lantern Festival on March 3, marking the celebration of the Year of the Fire Horse. The horse symbolizes energy, strength, and independence, often associated with movement and determination. The fire element represents passion, vitality, and transformation, bringing a dynamic and spirited energy to the year.

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

On February 10, the Viewpoint School Service Association (VSSA) hosted its Annual Book Fair at Barnes & Noble in Calabasas, bringing together TK-12 students, families, faculty, and friends for a full day celebrating reading and community.

Throughout the day, shoppers supported VSSA initiatives benefiting students and faculty while also helping grant teachers’ classroom wish lists. For every $20 spent on books, families earned one raffle ticket, with six tickets awarded for every $100 spent, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening’s festivities.

The afternoon began with guest author appearances and book signings in the children’s section. Families had the opportunity to hear short readings and meet acclaimed authors Kelly Yang (Finally Heard, Little Bird Laila and books from the Front Desk series), Morgan Matson (Promchanted, Gradchanted, Firefly Summer, Since You’ve Been Gone) and Benson Shum (Anzu the Great Kaiju, Anzu the Great Listener).

Student performances followed, showcasing the depth of talent across divisions. Colin Brun ’26 and Ellen Su ’28 opened the entertainment with a flute duet, followed by performances from Suzuki Strings and Primo Orchestra. The cheerleaders energized the crowd, and the evening concluded with solo and duet performances by Mollyrose Dassa ’32, Anya Emerson ’28, Ella Haim ’27, Olivia Lakhani ’26, Gabriella and Matthew Scher ’30 and Siena Siderman ’32.

The event concluded with a raffle drawing, capping off a lively day that once again united the Viewpoint community around a shared love of books, creativity and connection.

Families who were unable to attend can still participate by shopping online through February 19 using code 12938023. A portion of proceeds from each purchase will benefit the VSSA in support of student and faculty activities.

From February 3-5, Viewpoint School welcomed TK-5 students and their families to its eighth annual Makerfest, a beloved three-day celebration of creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning held in the Kelly Day Innovation Space and Benjamin Franklin Library.

New this year, Makerfest featured an ocean-inspired theme that introduced a wave of immersive, interactive activities alongside returning favorites. Families explored a wide range of uniquely themed booths designed for specific age groups, encouraging collaboration, imagination, and creative problem-solving. Highlights included a large-scale interactive cardboard ship for imaginative play, a returning Rocket Build and Launch booth focused on basic engineering and motion, an ocean hologram experience blending creativity with technology, and custom pocket mirror design stations that offered students a personalized keepsake.

Makerfest 2026 welcomed special guest maker Paul Thompson, a professional makeup artist, animatronics builder and educator with more than 35 years of experience. Thompson debuted his Build-a-Bot: LEGO Robotics booth, where students constructed LEGO minifigure robots and explored the fundamentals of robotics, engineering and creative problem-solving. He also showcased several animatronic builds and connected with Viewpoint’s Upper School Engineering III and Robotics students, sharing insights from his work in film, television and theme parks, including projects featured in “The Mandalorian.”

“Paul’s passion for animatronics and robotics inspired our entire community,” said Lisa Kessler, Kelly Day Innovation Space Teacher. “From families creating together at hands-on booths to Upper School engineering students connecting their work to real-world applications, Makerfest sparked curiosity and discovery at every level.”

When Kessler asked her class what they enjoyed most about Makerfest, Isla Esfarjani ’38 offered a response that captured the spirit of the event: “Just seeing my parents be happy.”

Makerfest was led by Kelly Day Innovation Space teacher Lisa Kessler, along with Primary and Lower School Technology Integration Specialist Alison Steelberg Corneau ’97. Faculty, staff and Upper School students staffed the booths throughout the three-day festival, supporting hands-on experiences for TK-5 students and their families.

Viewpoint School recognizes Cami Curtis-Bregman & Aaron Bregman, Kelly & Don Carlisi, The Carlson Family, Myra Chen, the Kelly Day Foundation, and Haley & Scott Taylor for their leadership support in the Viewpoint Fund and their symbolic sponsorship of this event as donors in our Chair's Circle and Head of School Circle.