Deliver Da' Letter! Da' Sooner Da' Better
September 12, 2024
What's even better than getting an autograph from a famous person? How about giving one?
Fifth graders recently practiced the lost art of letter writing.
They started by thinking of somebody they admire. After disappointingly finding out that they were not allowed to write to Principal Arnold, they switched to their backup choices. A myriad of notable personalities picked included recently retired tennis pro Serena Williams, YouTuber Mr. Beast, female education activist Malala Yousafzai, former football quarterback Peyton Manning, Wonder author R.J. Palacio, and former President Obama.
Once recipients were picked, student writers researched fanmail addresses. Their letters included introducing themselves, sharing multiple compliments, and asking several questions. Students enjoyed writing their names at the bottom, in effect signing their autographs as if they were the more notable person.
Now, for the hard part . . . waiting for a response. The average letter reply takes about three months, while the longest once took a patient fifth-turned-sixth grader an entire year. Although the fastest responses tend to come from authors (they like to write) and politicians (they want you to vote for them), the quickest reply occurred a few years ago when Brazilian-American skateboarder Bob Burnquist responded with a letter and autographed picture in only three weeks.
Who sent the most letters, you ask? Fifth grader Parker Houck, with an impressive 15 letters (and self-addressed signed envelopes, to boot)
Riddle me this: Which prominent figure is going to receive the most number of fifth grade letters from RAA? Let's just say that these students are hoping to get their letters back "Swift-ly."
Buddies and Teams
September 06, 2024
Most of you who have been at RAA a while are familiar with our Kindergarten Buddies system where our 5th Graders and Kindergartners are partnered up for fun activities and community building. From having the 5th graders reading to or with the kindergartners to going on scavenger hunts looking for different kinds of plants to working on art projects together, this has been a decades-long tradition here at RAA.
We know this has been fun and something to look forward to for our students from the time they start in kindergarten to the time they reach 5th grade and get to be buddies themselves. Well, why stop there? This week we decided to build on this tradition by extending the buddy system beyond 5th grade when we brought our 6th graders and 1st graders together. We hope to continue this tradition of mentorship and community building until all grades get to participate, keeping their buddy or buddies all the way through until both graduate. We hope that by creating a longer-term mentorship program, it will allow our students to learn from each other, develop life skills, create memories, and have a strong supportive community that they can lean on.
For now, our 6th graders spent time reading to their first grade buddies with smiles all around, sometimes dual partnered, but in the coming weeks, our 5th graders will get their kindergarten buddies too. It’s always so much fun seeing the older students be kind and helping the younger ones, and the younger ones recognizing their buddies on campus and going to visit them. We can’t wait to see the fun that this will bring.
Speaking of teamwork and camaraderie, our high school varsity boys flag football team (what a mouthful of a title) made history. They took on our longtime friendly rivals, Loma Linda Academy, and won! It was amazing to see, watching their teamwork and skills come together as a group to achieve something they had never accomplished before. Next time you see them, give them a big congratulations!
A Successful Back-to-School Night
August 30, 2024
The second week of school absolutely flew by, and as everyone settled into their routines, our Back-to-School Night offered a much-needed opportunity to delve deeper into the year ahead.
Kicking off in the gym, Mr. Arnold presented a comprehensive overview, starting with teacher introductions that were filled with fun banter and sometimes a bit about the teachers. For example, did you know that our own Mr. James Walters has been teaching here for 40 years?
Mr. Arnold also addressed crucial topics like ParentSquare, our visitor and check-in/out system, the dress code, and updates on the master plan (the high school bathroom remodel was only the beginning!). He highlighted parent resources and encouraged everyone to complete the feedback survey. Psst - Parents, if you haven’t already completed the survey, we would really appreciate your feedback! It helps us understand what is going well, what we could improve, and informs decisions for the future.
Following the presentation, families were released to their child or children’s classroom or classrooms to learn more about what the year holds. As you walked around campus, the excitement was unmistakable. Inside, parents listened intently to teachers discussing classroom procedures, resources, and year-long plans. Outside, students were taking full advantage of our Quad, playing on the playground, hanging out, and playing an intense and friendly game of soccer. You can really feel the strength of our community and that unique magic that helps make RAA so special.
A Whirlwind of Excitement: First Week at Redlands Adventist Academy
August 23, 2024
The first week of school is officially in the books (or should I say textbooks?)! From adorable first-day photos and navigating new schedules to the Pep Rally and first chapel, this week has been a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences.
First Day Jitters and Smiles
The first day of school always brings a mix of excitement and nerves. Our students arrived at campus with a wide range of emotions, but one thing was clear: they were all ready to start a new chapter. The campus was filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter, with the occasional tear mixed in as students reunited with old friends and made new ones as well.
Navigating New Schedules
For many students, this year marked a new beginning, with new classes, teachers, and schedules to learn. The first week was a time to adjust to the rhythm of school life, finding their way around campus, choosing electives or TA periods, and getting used to waking up “early” again.
A Pep Rally to Remember
One of the highlights of the week was the annual Pep Rally. The gym was filled with energy as the students cheered on their classmates and teachers in a variety of fun games and challenges, some in honor of the Olympics (have you ever seen inflatable dressage?). It was a great way to kick off the school year and build a sense of community.
On The Right Foot
And, of course, we can't forget our first chapel of the year. All our students gathered together for this chapel, not only for introductions and announcements, but also for a time to worship, pray, and start the school year off year right.
As we move forward into the second week of school, we are excited to see what the rest of the year will bring. With a strong foundation laid, we are confident that this year will be a year filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.
Welcome Back!
August 15, 2024
It's hard to believe that another summer has come and gone, and our school year is upon us! The staff were back on campus last week updating their classrooms and have filled our school with amazing energy. The dedication and creativity of our teachers are amazing, and it is inspiring to see the passion they have for our students and for preparing for their arrival.
As we put these final touches on, I am very anxious to see each of you on campus. The ground crew has been hard at work trimming trees and making the campus beautiful and safe. The high school bathroom renovations are almost done and look fantastic. Mr. Brown's classroom is almost redone from the fire, and we can't wait to get him back into that room. It has been and continues to be a whirlwind of activity, but I know it will all be worth it and make it even better.
It is clear that this is going to be an extraordinary year. This year's motto, “Intentionality Matters… Do Good on Purpose,” has already started to shape our conversations and actions. We hope this motto will be a daily reminder that every interaction, every decision, and every lesson plan should be purposeful and impactful. I am excited to see how this motto will guide us as we work together to create a thriving learning community.
See you soon!