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. 

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.