Kent Place School Begins 123rd School Year

From Kent Place School:

Summit, New Jersey - On Tuesday, September 6, Kent Place School kicked off its 123rd academic year. Cars and buses lined up to drop off more than 600 students hailing from 80 different communities across New Jersey.

The morning began with the traditional Opening Convocation, a ceremony where the entire school gathers together to ring in the new academic year, reflect on the school’s mission and honor the spirit of community. Each person received a single daisy, the school flower, as they joined together in the Field House.

Head of School Susan C. Bosland delivered opening remarks and shared her thoughts and hopes for the new school year: “We are a strong, scholarly, unique, caring and exciting school community filled with talented faculty, talented staff, talented students and bright and skilled people,” stated Bosland. “Thank you for being you and let’s have a great year.” Then, three students, one from each division, offered remarks and words of encouragement for their fellow classmates.

“At the beginning of each school year, there are a few things that we each hope for—we hope to get good grades, we hope to have fun throughout the year and we hope to stay focused,” said fifth grader Ava Zinna of Madison. “One of my personal goals for fifth grade is to be the best student I can be. As the oldest in the Primary, my classmates and I are good role models for all of the younger students.”

“Everything this year in eighth grade is so exciting,” stated eighth grade speaker Aya Mtume of Orange. “There are so many opportunities in the eighth grade and leadership roles. Being leaders of clubs, leading Morning Meeting, being captains of sports teams and having special eighth grade privileges are things that I’m looking forward to.”

“As we begin this year together, I would like to wish you all well as we embark on the adventure that is the latest school year,” said senior Babi Oloko of Berkeley Heights. “I know you are all capable of making great and lasting changes and I hope you find success in whatever you try to achieve this year.”

Convocation is marked with a special candle lighting ceremony symbolizing the school’s maxim —With Wisdom She Lights the Way. Mrs. Bosland lit the first of four candles, followed by the student representatives. A moment of silence, to give thought to the year ahead, followed the lighting of the candles. Everyone joined in singing the alma mater before returning to their classrooms and offices.

Also that morning, student “lifers,” who have been at Kent Place for 12 years or more, visited students in the Preschool and Kindergarten classes to present them with daisies and share thoughts about their early years as youngsters at Kent Place. This year we have 21 lifers, representing 30% of the senior class.

The 2016-2017 school year at Kent Place has officially begun.

Image via Kent Place School