It's Already May?!

How in the world is it already almost May? The year is quickly coming to a close, and there's still so much left to do! Finals will be here before we know it (and make sure you know when yours are!) which means move-outs and graduation won't be far behind!!

Similarly to winter break, students will need to leave within 24 hours of their last final. There will also be a similar check-out process, where students will sign-up for a checkout time with their RC, and will have their room checked before they can be free to leave for the summer. RCs also have to take student keys & fobs (for good, this time), as well as having the student & their guardian sign off on the Room Condition Card they filled out at the start of the year. All of this will be sent out in a much more detailed email as we get closer, but I did want to iron out some of the logistics here, for those already starting to wonder. 

But! In the meantime, we still have AP exams, Prom, Senior Recognition, Senior Banquet, Luau, and several other fun events planned before then. I'm also planning several fun and educational programs for us to squeeze in before the year is up, and we kicked that off this past month, with one of my favorite programs: Whiteboard Wishes & Wills. Each student got to sit in front of the whiteboard while their wingmates had two minutes to write all of the wonderful and kind things they think about them! Students were told they weren't allowed to look at the whiteboard while their wingmates wrote, or even after (so that way everything remained anonymous). But, I then took a picture, the board was erased, and students were sent the pictures after the fact! They can set them as their phone or computer background, print it out to keep up on their wall, or just have it on their phone to scroll to when they're having a rough day. With the stresses of class and end-of-the-year looming, I was hoping it would be a fun and relaxing event for everyone -- and thankfully it was! Below are a few examples of some students that haven't had a chance to be featured on the blog yet this year, but are still important and loved members of our wing family....

The students even took some time at the end to let me have a chance to sit in front of the board, and it meant the world to know that they've been appreciative of all of the hard work and effort I've put into this year. I'm so grateful to have had them back on campus, and am looking forward to a strong finish to the end of this crazy year. 

Be on the lookout later this month for emails with end-of-the-year information from me!

-- Robyn

Orange You Glad You Live in 02?

 

1502 cheers on their students during the Senior Game!

March was a month full of fun and excitement across campus, as we hosted our annual CLASH of the Halls event in the middle of the month. Weeks of preparation on various events -- profile pictures, mural, hall movie, drill team dance, t-shirt design, and more -- came to a head at the Pep Rally during the last day of CLASH week. The students did an amazing job in every hall, but I was particularly proud of our 02ers, after seeing all of the hard work they had put in. Below are just a few examples...

Pro Pics:

Hall Mural:

Drill Dance/Pep Rally!

Overall, the hall placed fifth, but we placed top three in six of the ten events, and won two of them! The hall really seemed to bond and become more solidified as a family, which is really what CLASH is even all about. I'm so incredibly proud of how hard everyone worked, and I know they're all proud of themselves too. Especially with this being our first CLASH back on campus since the pandemic started, I think everyone had a wonderful time, and really showcased their hall spirit. I can't wait to see how next year goes!

-- Robyn

Marching Right Along

 

I can hardly believe we're already almost into March! The third quarter ends this month, and it's crazy to think how quickly everything has already happened for the semester so far. We've adapted to new classes and learned a lot through new programs, which has been so great to see. In particular, we finally got to celebrate our Palentine's Day that we were so looking forward to! We had a few roommate games, Palentine making, and a door decorating contest about "What Love Means to Me" and we had a lot of fun! Below are the doors that were the top three participants...

3rd place, Nadia & Andrea

2nd place, Alyssa & Karina

1st place, Gabi & Eileen!

It was a great chance for bonding, and the wing really enjoyed the chance to show their love and appreciation for each other, which also warmed my heart to see. With CLASH of the halls coming up, we've seen more and more wing and hall bonding than ever, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how that will go as well. It will be taking place just before our Spring Break, so be sure to be checking your emails for updates and reminders in regards to how checkout preparations will work. Until next month!

-- Robyn

2021-2022 -- Part 2!

 

Hello again, students and parents of 02A!

We're now fully into the swing of things in our second semester, with a successful virtual Intersession week behind us, and classes now underway. Students of all grade levels have been adjusting to their new class schedules, and are happy to be back on campus after so many weeks away. We've already, within the wing, had some really positive programs about sense of self and being, as well as a wing bonding program where we got know each other a bit better, sort of reuniting as a family again.

Coming up in February, we have another Extended weekend starting on the 17th, just after one of our favorite wing program's, Palentine's Day! I was able to get creative with it while we were virtual, but myself (and the wing!) are all looking forward to being able to celebrate again in person :) Hopefully next month's post will include pictures of all of the fun that we'll have.

Here's hoping second semester continues to go smoothly!

-- Robyn

A December to Remember

Hello again all!

December is fast approaching, and with it comes all sorts of changes; the end of the semester, finals, turning in of late work/assignments, and adjusting to the new weather, to name a few. Here in A wing, we're also planning a few fun and relaxing programs to help people de-stress before the impending doom that the students see as "finals week".

Because finals week is going to have a different setup for check-outs than normal Extended breaks, so please make sure to be communicating, so you know when your last final is, and can be ready to sign-out with your parent or guardian for the four weeks away from campus. Students do need to leave within 24 hours of their last final, and will sign-up for a 15 minute window as a "check-out time" with their individual RC, and will need to be cleared by their RC to leave before they can go.

The final exams schedule can be found here, and any questions regarding the academic schedule can be directed to the principal's office. Any questions regarding checking out of the residence halls, please let me know :)

-- Robyn

Now for November!

 

Hello again, parents & students of 02A!

October seems to have flown by, and I can hardly believe we're already done with Quarter 1! The students have been working hard to not only stay on top of their work, but continue getting back in the swing of things here at IMSA as the weeks have gone on. October certainly kept everyone busy, in more ways than one, but we also tried to make sure that everyone had a bit of fun along the way!

In addition to IMSA's Fall Festivities, including a costume contest, fall fun week with a hypnotist, pumpkin "picking" and decorating, and a haunted house, 1502 had our own fun! We had a door decorating contest within the hall, and a few of our A wing rooms took the chance to participate -- we even had one of our rooms (Kaz & Lucie) tie for first place within the hall! Take a look at the doors for A wing below.

 

Ritu & Vanali (A11)

Rachael & Em (A14)

 

Kaz & Lucie (A15; tied for overall hall winners!)

Karina & Alyssa (A20)

Anisha & Amanda (A22) -- tied for wing winners!

Everyone did a great job, and I was really impressed with the creativity, ideas, artwork, and execution that all of them did. I hope they all had fun taking part, and each pair that participated got a mini-prize, with grand prizes including gift cards to Starbucks or Amazon!

Across campus, halls also participated in "Wing Wars" which is a weeklong event where the wings in the hall compete in friendly competition events, to see which wing is the "best". A wing may not have won the week, but roommates Janelle & Catherine got first place in our roommate wars competition; Jo Jo showcased her incredible voice in our talent show; Kaz & Alyssa got to flaunt their fashions in our fashion show; Rachael was able to contribute her paints & her art skills to our mural; and several other members of the wing worked hard to show their pride and gratitude for living in A wing. I was a very proud "mama" throughout the week, and hope they know that! Major shoutouts to Gabi & Em also, who (as our Hall's Community Coordinator & Diversity Coordinator) put together most of the events themselves! October was a month of fun and bonding, but I can hardly believe how quickly it went by.

Here's to hoping November takes its time a bit more -- though I know everyone is already counting down to Thanksgiving Extended. Just a few more weeks!

-- Robyn

It's Finally Fall!

 

Happy October, everyone! This month in Res Life, we'll be focusing our time on a few different things, from healthy relationship conversation & love languages, to sexual education, to strengthening our bond as a wing during our hall "wing wars" event, and more! The wing has been very respectful and receptive to our programming and wing chats so far, and I've really appreciated the honesty and attentiveness that has been brought by our wing to the programming we've had.

This month, the academy will also wrap up our first quarter with the end of the second week of the month. A lot of students have already been stressing, so I'm sure we may have plenty of parents who are as well -- I can promise it's not worth it to do so. The students are all working very hard, and semester grades are what show up on transcripts, so I encourage students & parents alike not to let the daunting presence of first quarter grades get to them. There is still another two months left for students to improve upon grades, and I'm sure we all know how stressful and difficult the first quarter has been, with so many of our students being new to campus (heck, even our Seniors still feel like Sophomores, being back here!)

I know we'll also have plenty of fun fall events going on throughout the month, including a door decorating contest within 02 for Halloween, which the RCs are really excited to see! These first several weeks seem to have flown by, and while each day can also feel a bit slow, I think having those exciting little things to look forward to can make all the difference. We're already almost to our first Extended, which means that once we return, Thanksgiving Extended will be right around the corner! I know our students are very excited to be able to spend some time with you all again, and I myself am also grateful that they'll get to do so.

If you're interested in being an active part of our hall, we do have a hall wish list, where we post items and ideas for things we'd like to have for use around the hall (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3N52FTOESRDJJ?ref_=wl_share)! They can be anything from items for programming & bulletin boards, to items for everyday use within the wing, hall, or office, to fun items like movie packs or candy for events like Halloween :) If you have any questions about the wish list, please let me know!

Happy fall!

-- Robyn 

So glad it's September!

Welcome, parents & students of 02A!

For some of you, it's welcome back, and for others, it's welcome for the first time. Regardless of if you're a new or returning member of the 1502A family, I'm happy that you're here. Last year's virtual status was difficult on all of our IMSA students, as well on us faculty/staff, so I can't put into words just how grateful and excited I am to have everyone back with me in our "nest".

The first few weeks in August seemed to zoom right on by, and I'm so glad that everyone is working to get into the swing of things. As a reminder, there are certain rules & regulations that all IMSA students must abide by, but there are additional ones this year because of Covid regulations, so please make sure you're always keeping yourself familiar with both the student parent handbook (which can be found here ---> https://www.imsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-2022-Student-Parent-Handook-USE-1.pdf); the Return to Learn & Work plan (found here ---> https://indd.adobe.com/view/9da9dd15-3dc2-42b3-9ad9-da18dfbf17d4) and your student's RC blog (which you've obviously already found here :) I'm also placing our important times of the day sheet here for our students, who should be getting fairly familiar with them already, but just in case, here's an extra copy of it....

We also ask that parents follow a specific protocol while on campus, to align with our health & safety regulations. Anytime you plan to visit with your child on the outdoor campus grounds, or if you plan to sign your child out and take them off campus, all visitors must first check-in with security and get a visitor's badge, that allows the rest of the staff on campus (including us RCs) to know that you've done what was necessary in checking-in with security, and being cleared to be here. This must be done every time a visitor comes to campus, regardless of how many times they have visited before.

In September, we have a whole bunch of exciting activities happening across campus, including an all-campus movie night, 02 specific movie nights (to align with our hall themes of different decades), Mental Health Initiative week, and Homecoming week, to close out the month! We'll have plenty more updates and information from the events in next month's post, so be on the lookout :)

Until then, enjoy one of my favorite pictures from move-in, of our lovely Resident Student Leaders (RSLs) helping move our excited underclassmen in!

Hall Community Coordinator Gabi Georgieva, A Wing alternate Liaison Karina Byers, Hall Diversity Coodinator Em Johnson, and A&D Wing Liaison Madeline Fields Halva are ready to move in our Sophomores!

Have a fantastic month, and we'll see you soon!

-- Robyn

MAY I please be done with school now?

How can it possibly be May already??

It seems like just yesterday that I was emailing all of you students & parents, attempting to give a bit of information about myself, and the craziness of the upcoming year. Fast forward 9 months, and here we are! The wing has gone through a series of fun programs, extra virtual-social activities, and a lot of fun interactions via our hall's discord. We still have a bit more fun in store for the end of the year, though, so hopefully no one is too checked out already!!

In addition to a slew of fun programming put on by our wing liaison, we'll also be having a few programs about online etiquette, and how to stay safe on various sites teens use on a daily basis, and one on budgeting, going over everything from FAFSA to taxes to savings! I like to think that the knowledge I try to give our students is the type of knowledge that can transfer over into the real world, and be things they can take with them even as they leave IMSA. 

Speaking of leaving IMSA, one last thing of note for May is going to be the last week of May, when we welcome our Seniors back to campus for a small Senior celebration. I am so beyond excited to get to see all of our Seniors back on campus, and am looking forward to getting to celebrate them, and all that they've accomplished! It's been a very quiet and somewhat sad year without them, and the rest of our students, so I'm hoping that it will bring some positivity and life back to campus. More information will be coming in our student affairs newsletters, so keep an eye out in your inbox for those!

I know everyone is itching to make it to summer, and we're so close! Lord knows we could all use the break! But, in the meantime, let's make it a great last month!

-- Robyn

Marching Right Along

 

Happy March! 2021 is already flying by, and I can hardly believe we're in the home stretch, towards the end of our school year. There's still plenty to get through before we cross the finish line, though, so I wanted to share a bit of that with you all here...

March is CLASH month, which is one of the most exciting months of the year at IMSA. For those who don't know, the CLASH of the Halls is an event put on annually by our Campus Activities Board, in which each hall competes in a series of artistic based events, with each hall choosing a theme. Each theme is chosen by focusing in on a given color (1502 is green) and is then the central focus of each event (for example: we have a hall mural, hall movie, hall t-shirt, profile pictures, a choreographed drill routine, a talent show, a riddle activity, and more)! The final events take place the week of March 22nd-25th, just before our Spring Break (cue cheers of joy) begins after classes end on the 26th.

Until then, we're still doing a lot of fun things not just as a hall, but as a wing! We just started our whodunnit murder-mystery series Harper's Island, which is a 13 part mini-series from 2009. A handful of members of the wing have already started watching along, and formulating their guesses. Apart from that, we're also going to have our long awaited Palentine's Day event on March 4th, which will be a lot of fun activities, love language learning, and prize winning! I for one am very excited.

Obviously, the thing most present in most student & parent minds right now is repopulation. Dr. Torres made the announcement a little over a week ago that we'll begin repopulation the first full week of April, in two waves; one for a few weeks in April, the other for a few weeks in May. While I wish I had all of the answers and direction to give, I'm afraid there's still a lot that we're still figuring out -- and plenty of logistics that we have to re-examine as we go along in that process. Please be patient with us, and know that we will share whatever we can with you once we are able. I will do my best to answer questions as I can, so if you have any, feel free to send them to me. I'll do what I can to figure out the most appropriate answer, and will get back to you once I have done so. If I don't have the answer, please know that I will still have made note of your question, and will continue to try and find it.

I hope you're all staying safe, and are doing well. I was able to get my first dose of the vaccine last week, and am staying optimistic for the future; my hope for this month is that we're all able to keep finding those things that help us stay as positive as possible. 

-- Robyn

Feeling like February

Hello again! It's crazy to think that we're already our second month into second semester, and that in just a few short months, our year of virtual learning will come to an end. The students have all done a great job considering the circumstances, and I'm proud of the renewed vigor and determination that many of them seem to have going into the new semester! Students from all classes have made it their goal to stay driven and focused as the months go on, and I'm a proud RC getting to see that. Specifically, students mentioned feeling excited for certain classes or teachers, the fact that they were able to "recharge" over winter break, determination to do better in classes this semester than last, feeling more ready for the challenge of virtual learning now that last semester is over, getting into better sleeping habits, new organizational tools and plans for 2021, and simple gratitude for being halfway through the schoolyear.

What particularly warmed my heart as an RC was hearing how many students missed the "res life" part of IMSA, even while we've been virtual. I'm grateful to know that our weekly programming is a high point for so many of my residents, and that it's a fun space for them to speak freely, or even just listen & learn something different each week. My goal is to continue creating that virtual space for them this semester, in as many ways as possible. We'll continue to have our regularly scheduled programming, which will include productivity tips and tricks, and a program on respect while in our virtual state. Outside of that, myself and our wing liaison will be putting on different social programs, including a 13-part whodunnit miniseries that I'll be showing for anyone interested, and prepping the wing for our annual CLASH of the Halls event, which the students are always especially excited for!

We'll also see another of our Student Wellness Breaks coming in mid-February, giving the students another 4 day weekend to relax and recharge. The week of the 8th-12th will be an ABIC schedule, with no classes on Friday the 12th, and the week of the 15th-19th will be a DIAD schedule, with no classes on Monday the 15th. If any of that should change, I'll be sure to let you all know!

In the meantime, Happy February, and stay safe!

-- Robyn

Finally, we're ready for Finals!

Where did the semester go??

I have no idea how we got to December so quickly, but I'm grateful it's here! I know the students have been working hard all semester, and this month is when they'll get to see it all pay off. The finals schedule was released (and can be found here) and the countdown to winter break has begun -- for the students, and for me! 

In the meantime, we'll still be chugging along, both in classes and in programming, to ensure we're getting the most we can out of the semester. We'll be doing programming focused on improving communication, as well as a few fun ones to help let off steam before finals, like telephone or Jeopardy, over Zoom :)

There's really not a whole lot to this month, except to say that we're really coming down to the end of it. Now's the time to forge ahead, stay focused, and ask those questions when they pop up (regardless of what class you're in, Sophomores through Seniors). I encourage students to take advantage of the times our peer tutors are available over Zoom, which are several hours every Monday through Thursday. Here's all the information, including links to the Zoom call, peer tutoring subjects, dates & times.

Good luck wrapping up the semester, and remember that we're almost there! And this year, we get a three week break, which I know we all really need after the year it's been.

-- Robyn

No way it's November!

It's fall, y'all! I still can't believe we've finished the first Quarter of the school year already, but that means we're a fourth of the way through. November will be a bit of quicker month, with Thanksgiving break at the end of it, so I wanted to leave the important dates for the month below...

Due to the State Holiday on election day, November 3, 2020, and the fact that the Academy will be closed that day, the following changes have been made to the calendar for the week of November 2nd:

 

Monday, November 2 – A day

Tuesday, November 3 – State Holiday (no classes, Academy is closed)

Wednesday, November 4 – D day (formerly an I-day)

Thursday, November 5 – A day

Friday, November 6 – D day

 

Similarly, the week we begin Thanksgiving break will be a bit different....

 

Monday, November 23 – A day

Tuesday, November 24th – D day

Wednesday – Sunday – No classes (Academy is closed)

Monday, November 30th – A day (classes resume)

 

Because the month itself is shorter, we will have fewer programming dates, but we're still going to be having a lot of good conversations with the time we do have. On November 5th, we will be having our Juniors only Diversity programming, and November 12th we'll be having our Seniors only Diversity programming. I promise our Sophomores won't be left out in the cold though, as Gabi & I will be putting on a series of fun social & educational programs for everyone throughout the month. I'm also going to be leaving my personal Zoom link open for a few hours one day a week, for anyone who would like someone to be there to help be a motivator to do work (I myself will be doing work too, so it'll be like a buddy system:) I know we're all counting down until Thanksgiving break, because we could all use another break, but I'm hopeful that we can at least make the weeks leading up to that as fun as possible.

Have a happy, safe & fun Halloween, and feel free to share pictures of your costumes with the rest of the wing if you decide to dress up!

 

— Robyn

It's officially Spooky Season!

Happy October, everyone! This month we'll be focusing our time in Res Life programming on a few different things, from service hour conversations, to the psychology of colors, to learning about our love languages, and more! We've already talked as a wing about a few different types of "quizzes" we'd like to take while we're virtual, to get to know one another better, and while the love language was my idea, we've also tossed around the idea of the Harry Potter House sorting quiz, the Meyers-Briggs personality test, and more. While I try to limit the amount of time we all need to be looking at our screens during programming, realistically there are so many resources online that aren't being used, and I think it would benefit us to try and utilize them.

This month, the academy as a whole will also be participating in a few fun events of their own, including our first virtual Homecoming pep rally at the end of the week. It's everyone's favorite way of finishing off the week, after a few days of friendly competitions among the classes. Our students will also be headed into their first Student Wellness Break (equivalent to an Extended Weekend, for you upperclassmen parents). I know it's something all of our students are really looking forward to, and I'm glad they'll get the chance to relax a bit, and recharge as we head into the end of the first quarter. I know we'll also have plenty of fun fall events going on, culminating in everyone's favorite dress-up day, Halloween!

These first six weeks seem to have flown by, even though as each day goes on, it can seem to drag. Our virtual status may be unusual, and is certainly taking some getting used to, but it makes me that much more hopeful and excited for when I am able to see our students again in person. We have a great wing of students this year, and I can't wait for them all to get to physically meet. Here's to the next month ahead!

-- Robyn 

Virtually Impossible, or Virtually Is Possible?

Hello again, wonderful parents & students of 1502A!

Last month was a bit of a whirlwind, particularly because there was a lot packed into just three short weeks. The RCs were here all of August, doing training and preparing for virtual life with our residents, and while I'm certainly exhausted, I'm also incredibly excited for what the rest of the school year will bring! The biggest downside to that first week of August isn't necessarily coming back from summer; what's hard about that first week is that we're back in "work" mode, but without our residents that we love so much. Particularly when it comes to our Sophomores, we're eager to get to know them and figure out the ways that we can best be there for and support them during their first year here. We may be virtual, but I'm quickly discovering that it is still completely possible for me to get to know all of them, and if anything, it makes me want to build those connections even more.

Amidst the plethora of new and exciting things that all of our students experienced during this year's first few weeks, a few of the events that they had were residential programs. We talked a bit about organization and planning, sending appropriate and professional emails to teachers, and got to know each other a little better. I'm eager for that to continue this month, with the programs that we have set up for the next few weeks. We'll be discussing ways to care for our mental & emotional health, where to find campus resources (both academically and otherwise), and having some serious discussions about bullying, and how that can happen both on-campus and off. We may be virtual, but living in the age that we do, we're all aware that with technology and the influence of the internet, is can be even easier to feel big and powerful behind the safety of a screen. Disrespect is something I don't tolerate in my wing, whether it's a physical space or a virtual one, so I'm hopeful that it will be an educational experience for Sophomores and Upperclassmen alike.

I hope you've all enjoyed and felt proud of the work you've done so far this year! I know I have. Enjoy the three day weekend coming up next week, and take some time to really relax and recharge. Friendly reminder that RCs will also be off on Labor Day, so we will not have the office phone forwarded, or be checking our emails. Thank you!

-- Robyn

Welcome to 150Chew A :)

Hello and welcome to the official wing blog for 1502A. I am your RC, Robyn, but there will periodically be some updates and posts from our wing liaison Gabi as well (she's far more technologically gifted than I am). This is where I'll be putting updates about the programs and activities that we'll be doing for each month, so you'll know a bit of what to expect.

While you're here, here are a few important things for you to know:

Parent & Student Info

• My email: rnorton@imsa.edu
• Attendance office email: attendance@imsa.edu
• Nurse's office email: nurse@imsa.edu
• 1502 RC office phone: (630) 907-5201

Student Specific Info

• 1502 Hall Discord: https://discord.gg/HpHKNbX (you will need to use this specific link; all it requires is your email & a password, that's it!)
• 1502A Weekly Highlights form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19QjzRZz4FHQ1Lco2n2TOHWoLlCZRU_IOylOmGBf68oc/edit

Here's what we'll be doing this month! In an effort to get to better know your Upperclassmen & RC, we'll be doing an Upperclassmen Advice program, where they can offer their wisdom & tips they wish they'd known when they were Sophomores, as well as an RC in a Fishbowl type of program, where the students can get to know me a bit better. When we're in-person, I usually buy treats for everyone for my birthday (which is this Friday) but since we can't do that, I'm hoping to figure something else fun out for you all :) We'll also be doing a planning & organization program to start off the year right. As the year starts virtually, communication and organization are key to succeeding. In our planning program, occurring on August 27th, you will learn how to write a proper email to your teachers, and learn about the numerous ways to keep track of your hectic school lives. Our wing will be exposed to digital planning with Trello, physical planning, and bullet journals. Using a planner, students can also keep track of their home lives and chores, balancing home and school, while using a bullet journal, students can stay creative and have fun while still working hard. Hopefully it'll help you find a good & productive way to keep track of all of your new IMSA responsibilities, and more.

If you have any questions or would ever like to reach out, feel free to send me an email!

-- Robyn

P.S. Since you may be wondering -- our hall "theme" this year is Out 2 Eat, so I have affectionately started referring to our hall as 150Chew! (If you didn't already think I was an odd one, I'm sure you do now :)

Winter Break & Intersession Highlights

Welcome back from break, 02A parents!

I hope it was as relaxing and fun spending time with your students as it was for me to relax and get to not spend some time with them -- the silence in the wing is odd, but nice. The students all seemed to have positive things to say about their break, and for those I wasn't able to talk to, it was because they immediately went on intersession trips abroad! Seniors Maddy Chow, Valeria Aguirre, Bella Huynh-Pham, Gowri Warikoo, and Katya Romanov all spent their intersession weeks on trips, and were joined by Juniors Mariam Ahmed and Jaden Turner. All seemed to get something positive out of their experience, and I was able to hear about Gowri's experience in India firsthand, and was really impressed by what she learned there. Bella had several pictures of the wildlife and the landscapes from her trip, and was on a high from it for several days after.

Others stayed here at IMSA for intersession, and engaged in a variety of classes, from Hitchcock & his filmmaking, to rock climbing, to balloon sculpting, and more. All of the students seemed to be able to find at least one class that they were really interested in by the end of the week. Even those who felt they didn't have anything as exciting as going abroad to share had their own positive memories from break and Intersession week. Senior Kara Warcup went to see her sister perform in New York City at Carnegie Hall, and Sophomore Madeline Fields Halva hosted a Russian exchange student after returning from break. There's never a dull moment in 02A, and I feel so grateful to have students who are interested in experiencing so many different things. I feel like I almost get to experience their opportunities with them, when I hear them relive them to me.

Here's to a great first week, and several more to come in second semester!
♥ Robyn & the lovely ladies of 02A

Secret (and not-so-secret) Snowflakes

Hello again, 02A parents! I can hardly believe first semester has come to a close, but we're zeroing in on the last week with finals! In an effort to give the girls some ways to relax and destress before the craziness of the week, we had a handful of fun things going on within the wing. We've had movie nights, tea & facials, and most recently, we did our secret snowflake gift exchange! Each girl who wanted to participate was able to get the name of a fellow wingmate, and make/purchase gifts for them, along with clues to who they might be! The exchange went off without a hitch, and everyone seemed to enjoy it! I think a personal favorite was when Katya Romanov '20 got fellow wing guide Alison Deng '20 and for the final gift, gave her a jar full of tiny notes, each one wrapped up and including a heartfelt message from Katya herself. Alison was definitely teary-eyed from it, and I have to admit that I was as well.

The closeness of the wing has grown over the past few months, and I'm really impressed with how the upperclassmen are not only welcoming to the Sophomores, but have been open to the new Juniors and Seniors in the wing as well. In 02A, I make it clear to students that there is an expectation to being a student in my wing, especially a Senior; everyone is to be kind, interact with each other, and actively take part in the wing. For Seniors - whether they're a wing guide or not - I add being a leader to that list. And this year, they have most definitely surpassed my expectations in that regard. It truly brings me so much joy to see the bonding moments, the hugs shared after check, the conversations about their day before in-room, and how much fun everyone has together at programs. We have a great bunch of girls this year, an I'm very grateful for each of them.

Enjoy the picture barrage of love!
♥ Robyn & the lovely ladies of 02A

Our Seniors are the best!

Sometimes the stress can get to the Juniors, but roommates Jaden Turner & Grace Okorie keep their cool.