On Wednesday, December 17, Viewpoint’s Middle and Upper School gathered for a Celebration of December Holidays. With festive music playing throughout the campus, students gathered to learn, connect, and celebrate together during an event organized by members of the Office of Belonging and Community Life team, with a tremendous amount of support from Viewpoint Operations.

The Upper School celebration took place on the plaza and featured a series of interactive and educational booths highlighting Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Student affinity groups played a central role in bringing the event to life, with the Jewish Student Union, Christian Student Union, and Black Student Union each hosting booths connected to the respective cultures and traditions. Students also had the opportunity to visit a Girls in STEM booth, where members led a hands-on snow-making demonstration.

Faculty and staff volunteers were present throughout the event and at a pop-up hot chocolate bar, where they made and distributed the delicious drink (cookies, marshmallows, and candy canes, too!), creating a warm and festive atmosphere as students gathered, learned, and connected with one another.

In the Middle School, the celebration featured a wide range of holiday-themed activities. Students participated in cookie decorating, snowflake designing, and snowman making. There was also an ugly sweater contest. A game of musical chairs, featuring holiday tunes and lots of participants, created quite a bit of attention and excitement.  

A campus-wide raffle added an element of friendly competition, challenging students to search for winter-themed penguins hidden throughout the Middle School campus. In addition to the activities, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa displays (supported by wonderful middle school parents) highlighted each holiday’s traditions and featured treats including cookies, candies and latkes for all to enjoy.

“During each school year, we offer opportunities for our community members to learn more about the many cultures and traditions that help to create our beautiful and vibrant Viewpoint family. These activities and events are designed to be inclusive, fostering kindness, respect, and very often, community service,” shared Patricia Jackson, Chief Belonging and Community Officer. “This is one of the ways we help to support education that leads to our World Ready Promise. The Celebration of December Holidays also serves as a nice segway into our winter break.”

From our Viewpoint Family to yours, we wish you health, peace, and joy during this time, and always.