Blog

“Great Scott!”! This past Sunday, on November 17, parents and teachers were transported “Back to the 80s!” for the annual RAA Gala which was held at The Mitten Building and organized by our Home & School’s Gala Committee.  At this 80s Prom-themed event, guests were greeted at the entrance by a life-sized DeLorean time machine and spent the first hour sipping on delightful mocktails, bidding on silent auction baskets, posing inside an inflatable LED Photobooth, and buying raffle tickets for a chance to win a Pac-Man table arcade or an Apple AirPods Max! Plenty of “Prom-inspired” photo opportunities were also available, including an impressive neon-colored 80s inspired balloon garland backdrop.

This year, the Gala’s fundraising goal was to raise $60,000 to go towards the Library and STEM Lab, in order to create an engaging outdoor study area for our K-12 students as well as to add state-of-the-art laser machines for use in future innovative STEM projects. In recognition of these goals, a custom tree painting for the Library was commissioned, and throughout the evening, guests were able to add their own leaf to the tree while top sponsors were asked to sign a book on the mural. In addition, STEM students, under the tutelage of our STEM instructor Charlie Wilber, created the stunning 3D Rubik’s Cube and 3D Pac-Man table centerpieces for the Gala, which was yet another testament to the exciting opportunities for creativity and ingenuity our students enjoy during STEM.

After an opening impromptu 80s dance number by our very own principal, Bill Arnold, guests enjoyed the rest of the dinner expertly entertained by our high school math teacher-turned professional auctioneer, Mr. Brent Haloviak, who kept the energy high throughout the evening as individuals bid on items ranging from the prized “Reserved” parking lot spaces to orchestra tickets for the hit musical “Back to the Future.” A teaser for the highly anticipated master campus renovation plan was also shared as insight into our next big fundraising goals for the school.

The prom night also included a Rubik’s Cube contest and a friendly (but competitive) 80s table trivia game, but the true highlight of the evening may simply have been admiring all the fantabulous vintage dresses and epic mullet wigs worn by so many of our Gala attendees! As the night came to a close, the 80s hit song, “Don't Stop Believin'” played on reminding everyone to never stop “believin’” in our awesome students and teachers at RAA!

A HUGE thanks to all our amazing sponsors, donors, and supporters for their generous contributions, as we were able to raise over $80k in Gala proceeds – a superb number for our Totally Rad, Totally RAA 80s theme!

Have you ever wished you had a built-in friend group & a support system? Well, that's exactly what the Big Sister Little Sister program is all about.
It starts with a brunch where the high school girls get to know each other. It’s “cutesy, girly, with flowers, and yellow and pink and there are pictures and everyone looks really nice and it’s a space for only the girls (except the dads who help move the tables where they are supposed to be).” All the girls, 12th grade all the way down to 9th grade, have fun playing games and getting to know people they might not get a chance to talk with as much. This initial brunch sets the stage for the Big Sister Little Sister partnerships that last through the year and even through to the students’ graduation and beyond.  
After the brunch, upperclassmen are paired with underclassmen, though the underclassmen don’t know who they’re partnered with yet. As the weeks pass, big sisters shower their little sisters with thoughtful gifts, from lip gloss to snacks, often accompanied by cryptic clues. The anticipation builds and the excitement grows with each surprise as the little sisters try to guess who their big sister is. One big sister said, “It's so cute seeing the underclassmen get so excited! It is so nice knowing it means something to them; they actually care and get so excited about finding their gifts.” Another said, “It’s really fun having a happy secret where you get to bring them smiles. They have no clue. Sometimes siblings recognize handwriting and make jokes, hinting who the person might be.” 
These simple, small acts of kindness create a sense of warmth, care and community, reminding the underclassmen that they are seen, valued and supported. One student who just became a big sister said, “When I was a freshman, I felt like I didn’t know anyone and my upperclassmen didn’t know me. I was a little speck in the sea. This sort of connection makes you very aware of each other, how you impact each other, and allows you to make connections.”
Throughout the year, big and little sister partners embark on various projects together, building a creative, collaborative and community space. They become each other’s support systems, checking in regularly and offering a listening ear when needed. Whether it’s a quick chat or a heartfelt conversation, they’re there for each other. 
The Big Sister Little Sister group has a profound impact on the school community. It breaks down barriers between grade levels, creating a sense of belonging and togetherness. Underclassmen feel more comfortable approaching upperclassmen, and upperclassmen take pride in mentoring and guiding the younger students. 
One big sister shared, “The underclassmen are comfortable, and that’s what we want. We want a community, we want them to be able to talk to us and come to us for little things and big things. I want to watch out for them and build a family community where you have each other’s back.” Another chimed in, “It makes the school smaller in a good way, like that’s my sister, that’s my sister’s best friend, and that’s my sister’s best friend’s other best friend.” This really encapsulates the spirit of the program: creating a supportive and caring environment where everyone feels connected and learns to see beyond just themselves.
By fostering intentional interactions and breaking down social barriers, the Big Sister Little Sister program is more than just a fun activity; it’s a powerful tool for building a stronger, more compassionate school community. 
 

The 6th graders brought history to life, showcasing a diverse range of iconic figures from the Bible and ancient Egypt. From biblical prophets and saints to Egyptian pharaohs and deities, each student meticulously transformed into their chosen character, complete with detailed costumes and props.
Visitors enjoyed the presentation and the students' dedication to their roles, as they delivered informative and engaging presentations. The museum also featured stunning 3D maps of the Nile River, crafted by the students themselves, providing a visual representation of the ancient Egyptian civilization, further enhancing the museum's educational value.
The wax museum is a fun tradition here at RAA that provides a unique opportunity for students to step into the past, gaining a deeper understanding of these historical and religious figures. In addition, it’s a fantastic opportunity for the 6th graders to showcase their research, creativity, and public speaking skills.
The event was a resounding success, drawing crowds of students, parents, and other visitors. It was a testament to the students' creativity, hard work, and understanding of their topic.

This past week was BOOK FAIR WEEK at RAA! From Kindergarten through 12th grade, the excitement was palpable at seeing new books, fun writer’s tools, and eye-catching posters. RAA’s book fair tradition began decades ago with Mrs. Nancy Kim hosting the local Orange County bookstore & book fair company “Mrs. Nelson’s” during fall parent/teacher conference week. Since Mrs. Nelson’s retirement, RAA has hosted Scholastic, Literati, and Scholastic again this year, all of which have provided a wide variety of books that have delighted students and gotten them excited for their next read!

This year, Kindergarten through 6th grade students were invited to participate in an Online Book Fair Scavenger Hunt. They searched for books they wanted to hug, a book they couldn’t wait to read, an author with the same first letter as their first name, and more. Students that participated had their names thrown into a raffle and one winner was chosen from each class. These winners got to pick a FREE book from the book fair to take home and enjoy!

When asked why they liked the book fair, 10th grader Dahye Kim said, “First, there are a lot of cute things. The pens are so cute it motivates us to want to do our work! Also, I like how there are lots of different topics that are good for our education.” Sixth grader Ellie Harding said, “The best thing about the book fair is to get to experience all the new books!” And finally, 5th grader Sterling Wilson stated that many students were overheard saying, “I love all the Taylor Swift books!”

Whether buying books to take home for their next read or enjoying a quiet place to peruse and read while waiting for mom and dad during P/T conferences, the book fair was well-attended and well-loved…again!