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. 

Viewpoint’s Tenth Annual Convocation was a resounding success, highlighting the spirit of optimism and the strong sense of community within our school. This annual gathering brings together nearly the entire student body, from Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade, setting a positive and inspiring tone for the academic year ahead.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the event is the formation of a tunnel by the Senior Class for the Kindergarten students to walk through as they enter. This touching tradition symbolizes the unity of the school's diverse student body, emphasizing the role of older students as mentors and leaders for the younger ones.

The event featured several notable speakers, including Head of School Mark McKee, who welcomed the community with a message of optimism and unity. He emphasized the significance of this year’s theme—Optimism—while celebrating the contributions of every member of the Viewpoint family. Mr. McKee also acknowledged the lifers in the Class of 2025 and their connection to the youngest members of the school, the kindergarteners, reinforcing Viewpoint’s commitment to excellence, character, and its "World Ready" promise. Introducing the theme, he stated:

“Optimism is about hopefulness and confidence in the future. It’s believing that tomorrow will be better than today. As we begin this new year, we do so with the conviction that through learning, kindness, and community, we can make a difference in the world.”

Mr. McKee concluded by encouraging students to adopt optimism in every aspect of their lives, urging them to face challenges with hope and determination. He also reinforced the importance of community, reminding everyone that by staying connected, they can build a brighter future both at Viewpoint and beyond. 

Next, the room of nearly 1500 people heard from our Student Body President, Sam Green ’25, who spoke on this year’s theme of optimism. He encouraged the community to focus not only on achieving tangible goals but also on embracing the small, meaningful moments along the way. 

"The process can be just as rewarding as the end goal, and as seniors, we’re starting to realize just how finite our time at Viewpoint really is," said Green. "Let’s embrace optimism by appreciating all the little moments and celebrating the small victories, because those are what we’ll truly remember when we look back.”

In his address, Associate Head of School Bob Bryan embraced optimism as the theme for the school year, underscoring its significance in both learning and life. He described optimism as a powerful source of hope, motivation, and persistence, inspiring us to see the best in ourselves and others.

Following his speech, students from each division shared their reflections on the 2024-25 theme. Two representatives from Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools delivered thoughtful speeches, exploring the role of optimism in their lives and education.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions, five Viewpoint staff members received prestigious awards. The Handley Chair of American Studies was awarded to Cisco Dilg, who was praised for his dedication to fostering intellectual inquiry and a love of learning in his students. The William Turner Levy Chair for Inspired Teaching was presented to Carrie Petty, whose passion for teaching math and innovative approaches to student engagement have left a lasting impact. The Excellence in Teaching Awards went to Nick Vacca and Brittany Hall, both of whom were celebrated for their creativity, dedication, and the deep relationships they build with their students. Finally, the Spirit of Viewpoint Award was given to Matthew Powers, recognized for his tireless behind-the-scenes work that keeps the school running smoothly, embodying the very spirit of the school through his resourcefulness and positive attitude.

The Convocation also showcased the talents of the Upper School concert choir, under the direction of Middle and Upper School Choral Teacher Carrie Dietsch, who sang our National Anthem, and a beautiful rendition of “Ripple” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. They concluded the event with a heartfelt rendition of the school's alma mater, leaving the audience filled with a sense of unity and inspiration.

As the school year begins, the spirit of optimism will continue to guide students, teachers, and staff, driving them to achieve new heights and make a positive impact on their community and the world. This Tenth Annual Convocation is a testament to the school's commitment to fostering a culture of creativity, inclusivity, and excellence.

From Monday, June 3 to Tuesday, June 4, the Primary and Lower School campus was alive with the sounds of laughter and cheering as students, teachers, administrators, and parents participated in the second annual Viewpoint School Service Association (VSSA) Spirit Games. This highly anticipated event, the brainchild of former VSSA co-president Lizzie Harari, brought together TK through Fifth Grade students for a friendly and spirited competition.

"At the end of the day, it's all about the joy we bring to children's faces. That's our main focus," shared Harari. "This event teaches them extremely valuable character traits, and it's wonderful to see them embrace these lessons wholeheartedly."

This year’s Spirit Games included a charitable component for the first time, supporting the Agoura Pony Baseball Champions League—a baseball league for children with special needs. Primary and Lower School students raised $1,000 by selling white wristbands to symbolize unity. The Fourth Grade Student Action Committee led this effort, highlighting their commitment to community service.

“We know the Spirit Games are really fun and community-building, but we wanted to have a greater purpose bigger than ourselves,” said Tracy Wymer, Assistant Head of Lower School. “Bringing everyone together for one singular cause made this year’s event truly special.”

The Spirit Games kicked off with an exciting Opening Day Ceremony on Monday afternoon, where students were divided into three teams—red, blue, and yellow. Each team included a mix of all grade levels from TK to Fifth Grade.

Throughout the event, students competed in various sporting activities, including an obstacle course, soccer relay, scooter relay, baton relay, corner pocket, target toss, and musical spots. These activities showcased their leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The goal of the Spirit Games was not only to provide a range of fun events but also to instill in students the values of winning with humility and losing with grace.

On Tuesday, June 4, the Spirit Games continued throughout the day, culminating in a medal ceremony where the first, second, and third-place teams were announced. Every child received a medal in recognition of their participation and efforts, and they were rewarded with a half-day of school the following day. The results were as follows:

• First place (gold): Blue team

• Second place (silver): Yellow team

• Third place (bronze): Red team

Laughter and audible "awws" filled the air as the Viewpoint community gathered for our annual spring Primary School performances from March through the beginning of May. These beloved shows featured delightful renditions of The Little Red Hen, performed by our students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK), Little Engine, presented by our Kindergarten classes, our First Grade production of Peter Rabbit, and Wizard of Oz performed by our Second Grade students.

The festivities kicked off in March with all three Kindergarten classes presenting Little Engine in the Carlson Family Theater. Adapted from Watty Piper's childhood classic The Little Engine That Could, the play has been a cherished tradition at Viewpoint for more than 20 years. Through this adaptation, children learn the value of optimism and hard work as the determined Little Blue Train saves the day for the stranded Birthday Train and its eager passengers.

Meanwhile, the children in the Second Grade’s production of the Wizard of Oz celebrated the power of friendship when faced with adversity and the joy of a shared journey. The stage of the Carlson Family Theater was transformed into the wonderful Land of Oz – complete with Munchkin Land and the Emerald City—as well as Dorothy’s humble, but beloved Kansas. Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and other characters that live over the rainbow, delighted the audience with classic songs of wistfulness, hope, and joy. 

In April, Viewpoint’s Blaney Patio transformed into a magical English garden for the three First Grade productions of Beatrix Potter’s beloved classic, Peter Rabbit. This annual performance, a cherished tradition since 1967, captivated the audience, filled with parents, grandparents, and siblings, who were charmed and impressed by the students' performances.

The performances concluded in May as our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students walked across the Blaney Patio stage for their performance of The Little Red Hen. Dressed as cats, pigs, ducks, chicks, and one Red Hen, Viewpoint’s youngest students confidently took their turns at the microphone to tell the classic story of the Little Red Hen and her unhelpful farmyard friends. 

Our youngest stars not only showcased their talents but also learned valuable lessons of perseverance, teamwork, and creativity. As the curtains close on another season of heartwarming performances, anticipation for next year's shows is already building, ensuring that the magic of childhood continues to thrive at Viewpoint School.