Tag: Kent School

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Wrapping up another school year

Bella graduated from Burlingame High School on May 28. The ceremony at the on the football field was followed by a small dinner for the family. Nice event with good speeches and even of couple of performances of the school band and choir.

Pia had a to wait a few more days before she wrapped up he final exam with a two-mile run. There was no end in sight for Adriana and as we write this, she’s still go on strong at Saint Catherine’s. She just wrapped up the last book report of the year, and got to pretend to be Ella Enchanted in front of the camera. She’s quite enjoying those type of assignments.

Bella had invited 75 people to Adrian and Penny’s home for a reception in her honor. The place looked beautiful and Pia record effort from handing 100 rice paper lamps paid off.

Across the country Isabella was starting to her final exams and it all kicked off on Memorial Day (May 30). Five days later and she was done for the year. John went out to help help pack up the room and freight laundry from Connecticut to California. They spent the day hiking Kent Falls but also completed a rather long drive to Collin’s Creamery – surely some of the best ice cream in CT.

John flew back Sunday evening while Isabella stayed behind. She’s on a small team representing Kent School at the Independent School Gender Project. The conference starts June 16 so until then she’s staying with a very good friend – Hannah – from school. She’s back home June 18.

http://www.isgpsummerconference.org
http://thecollinscreamery.com

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Fall colors all around

Olivia and John left for the east coast October 14 to visit Isabella and to hear and see firsthand how Kent School was becoming a part of her life. It was the weekend of parent+teacher conferences and all the students were excited to see their parents even if it meant cleaning their dorm rooms.

As expected Isabella was doing great. She had changed her roommate and had gotten a good group of friends – many of who she’s in classes with during the day. She received many good comments from her teachers and her counselor and so far boarding school seems to be the right choice for her even though she is of course missed at home. 

The weekend turned out to be at the very peak of the fall colors making their entrance around New England and coincidently Kent was named one of the best places in 2015 to see the changing scenery. One would think it gets a little old and boring after a while but the car was pulled over many times to photograph the trees, hills and valleys in their yellow, orange, green and everything in between. 

After spending Friday afternoon at the school the three went to dinner at Oliva on Main in Bethlehem. The restaurant was recommended by Regine, the owner of the lovely Bed & Breakfast where Olivia and John stayed. Isabella was very happy with the hummus and later spaghetti and slept well until she was picked up the following day. 

Saturday was spent touring Yale University and shopping for a winter jacket. The campus at Yale was very beautiful and it was amazing to walk there and think about all the graduates that went on from there to put their mark on World history. The three finished the day off at Community Table which serves a Nordic menu including Swedish meatballs. A very cozy place built like a Swedish cabin.

Sunday started with breakfast at JP Gifford in Kent – recently named on the the 15 best small bakeries in the US. Afterwards they toured New Preston and finished with a quick trip to a “nearby” Starbucks 30 miles away. Olivia and John had to drive to New York to fly back to the west cost and left Isabella with some time to relax and treat a spiring cold. The weather was rapidly turning colder and there was frost on the windows Sunday morning as well as both snow and hail in the afternoon. 

Good timing on that winter jacket!

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New beginnings for Isabella

Isabella and John arrived at Kent School no Friday and spent the first couple of hours getting Isabella settled in her new room. Her Korean roommate – Sarah – had moved in the day before when international students arrived. Isabella is based in the North Dorm and seem to be on a rather noisy floor although that might change once homework is assigned. The temperature quickly reached 90 degrees mid-morning so they quickly ordered a fan to help them keep their heads cool.

They went to meet Isabella’s advisor who they had already heard of via a friend. Isabella and her advisor will meet once or twice every week to monitor progress at school and in classes. Isabella also got signed up for laundry service and after a quick lunch and welcome gathering with the head master it was time for John to take off. 

Isabella also had impact testing this weekend so that that school can monitor any changes should she participate in activities that leads to a concussion. The all-students school dance Saturday evening was not such an event.