EF Academy Pasadena

Monthly Family Newsletter: December 2024

Dear Families,

We have just two weeks left of our fall semester until you all get some dedicated time together with your children. For those of you reuniting after a semester apart, I am so happy just imagining all of the joyful reunions across the globe!

Our students had an amazing month in November, beginning with our transition to the winter season of clubs and sports at the beginning of the month. Robinson Center has been full of action with our Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys Basketball teams practicing and hosting competitions. It has been a fun addition to also have a formal Cheer squad this year, bringing more spirit and a strong sense of community to our varsity home games! Our Varsity Soccer team, a large team comprised of 23 of our students including one of our stellar female athletes, is also off to a strong start in competitions. Meanwhile, our high commitment clubs are busy preparing for competitions, performances, or products of their own - with the Theater program putting on the fall play this week, competition seasons for Robotics and E-Sports starting in earnest in January, and our Yearbook team working on the big push for photos and layouts in the coming months.

Our Campus and Community Service Club hosted a Blood Drive on campus on November 20, bringing out the giving spirit in many of their classmates. We exceeded 30 donations, with many donors coming from our student body! In addition, our monthly Saturday Outdoor Education opportunity took students on a hike up behind the Hollywood Sign this month. Our weekend activities programming kept students engaged on and off campus, particularly this last weekend as we had large excursions planned for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Not only was November a big month for early college and university application deadlines, it also marked the beginning of acceptance season. I am thrilled to share that our senior class already holds acceptance letters from a number of schools across the globe including: Ohio Wesleyan University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Franklin University Switzerland, Colorado State University, University of Arizona, The New School, Butler University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Pittsburgh, Webster University Geneva, and Lancaster University Leipzig! A lot more news about early admissions will trickle in across the month of December as seniors also work hard on the final push for submitting their regular decision applications.

Also in November our students enjoyed our 3rd annual Wellness Fair on November 13, after a lovely advisory breakfast and trivia contest. As you know, we take our commitment to students’ physical, mental, and emotional wellness very seriously. From dedicated wellness personnel to thoughtful wellness programming, we work hard to partner with students on their wellness so that they can enjoy deep engagement in the rich academic and social experience of an EF Academy education! The featured authors in this month’s newsletter are Alannah Collat, our Well-being Specialist and Laura Torres, our Director of Wellness Programming. I hope you enjoy a more detailed wellness update from them at the conclusion of this newsletter!

I am really looking forward to the two weeks ahead, as we engage in our campus holiday traditions.  From enjoying the fall play in Old Town Pasadena and dressing up for the Winter Formal to collecting toys for families in need and decorating cookies at my home, we make sure the holiday season feels festive!  I look forward to connecting with you all again in our first newsletter of the new year on Monday, January 6.  Until then, be well and cherish the time with your children!

Wishing you the happiest of holidays,

Co-author note:

Hello EF Academy Families,

As the Well-being Specialist, my role is to support our students in making healthy decisions. From coaching around sleep, nutrition, stress and time management, to being a listening ear in one-on-one conversations, I’m here to guide and encourage them to thrive in all areas of their lives.

I also have the joy of being the handler for Guava, our beloved therapy dog. EF Academy had the privilege of receiving a “change of career” dog from Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit that raises service dogs. In assessing Guava’s skills and temperament, they found her to be a much better fit as a therapy dog at a school, as she is a very social and cuddly girl. Guava’s main job is to bring smiles and spread happiness to students and staff alike. While she spends most of her time in the health center, you can often find her wagging her tail around campus, greeting students during passing periods, and offering a boost of positivity to our animal-loving students as they make their way to class. Guava is one of many wellness resources that we offer to students to support their wellbeing.

One of our favorite traditions at EF Academy is the annual Wellness Fair, where students can explore wellness resources through hands-on activities and conversations. This year’s fair featured over 20 booths run by students, faculty, staff, and representatives from community organizations. Highlights included a registered dietician hosting a “sweet vs. savory” competition, where students sampled nutritious veggie dishes and voted on their favorite recipe. We also learned about Movember, a men’s health movement promoting mental and physical wellness throughout November. And, of course, the event wouldn’t have been complete without therapy and service puppies in training from Canine Companions. The puppies had the opportunity to socialize, while our students enjoyed spending time with these future service dogs.

At EF Academy, we are committed to helping students build the tools and resilience they need to approach life with confidence and positivity. Whether through one-on-one conversations, wellness coaching, or a cuddle with Guava, we’re here to support them in flourishing and enjoying their time throughout high school and beyond.

Here’s to a happy and healthy school year!

Warmly,

Co-author note:

Hello!

As Director of Wellness Programming I have the privilege of overseeing our Health and Wellness academic department, our advisory program, and Wellness Wednesday programming. This unique role allows me to think about the holistic ways in which we both educate our students and encourage them to actively engage in lifestyle choices that promote health and happiness.

All EF Pasadena students are required to take two Health and Wellness classes, as well as a PE class, during their time with us here as we feel strongly that the education they receive has long lasting positive impacts on their lives. This semester, students have been digging into projects that explore the impacts of their sleep habits, creating Public Service Announcements for the campus on topics of substance use, and examining nutrition and its connections to emotional and physical wellness, amongst so much more!

Our advisory groups meet twice a week in small groups with a faculty advisor to discuss academics and goal setting, create community, and provide a space for students to have an advocate for them within the academic day. This semester, we’ve come together as a campus for advisory activities such as our annual pumpkin carving competition and we most recently had breakfast together as a lead-in to our Wellness Fair. I’m very much looking forward to our annual Cookies and Cocoa event on the evenings of December 9th and 10th, where we’ll decorate cookies, sip cocoa, and enjoy a celebration of the end of a successful semester at Dr. M’s house. It’s always heartwarming to see our students arrive at the event festively dressed and eager to donate a new, unwrapped gift for children in need this season–what better way to start the holiday season!

Wellness Wednesdays provide students an opportunity to engage in activities on Wednesday evenings in lieu of study hall. Walking around campus, you’ll see students playing on the sports courts, relaxing with friends, or participating in wellness activities carried out by our faculty and staff. A particular highlight this season was watching the boys basketball team belt out songs like “Last Christmas” during a karaoke night, and seeing students write meaningful cards of gratitude to people in their lives during a Thanksgiving activity. All students (day and boarding) are welcome to join Wellness Wednesday programming and the schedule for the month is available on Canvas on the Residential and Community Life page.

From classroom instruction to structured activities and opportunities, we aim to provide our students the most comprehensive wellness experience possible during their time with us here, striving to cultivate habits and mindsets that they will take with them well after they graduate high school.

Have a restful holiday season!