JTD Launches Family Program
For many years, JTD students in Grades 1 and 6 have benefitted from buddy partnerships, but in an effort to build community, starting this year ALL JTD students will have a buddy, and groups of buddies, along with JTD faculty and staff will form a family.
On a beautiful September afternoon, JTD students gathered together to launch the new JTD Family Program. As Sister Sledge's hit song "We Are Family" echoed through campus, faculty and staff eagerly waited on the Upper Lawn, dancing and smiling, while students, abuzz with excitement, made their way to the Lawn from all corners of the School.
Students, faculty, and staff members, assigned to one of twenty-one family groups, gathered together across campus. Sitting in circles, community members had the chance to learn about one another as they introduced themselves to the other members of their family. Grade 6 students then took the lead as they posed questions to their family and encourage students to share their answers, "If you could make up any holiday, what would it be called and how would you celebrate it?” or "If you were on a deserted island, what three items would you take with you?" Students, faculty, and staff were excited to take a break from the regular routine to share their favorite ice cream flavors, laugh as they explained the most interesting thing thing they’ve ever eaten, and settle the debate as to which is the better superpower: the ability to fly or the ability to become invisible.
Students, faculty, and staff members, assigned to one of twenty-one family groups, gathered together across campus. Sitting in circles, community members had the chance to learn about one another as they introduced themselves to the other members of their family. Grade 6 students then took the lead as they posed questions to their family and encourage students to share their answers, "If you could make up any holiday, what would it be called and how would you celebrate it?” or "If you were on a deserted island, what three items would you take with you?" Students, faculty, and staff were excited to take a break from the regular routine to share their favorite ice cream flavors, laugh as they explained the most interesting thing thing they’ve ever eaten, and settle the debate as to which is the better superpower: the ability to fly or the ability to become invisible.
The JTD Family Program was started to foster the strong sense of community that is already so deeply rooted at JTD. This special family connection will tighten and grow as community members learn more about each other, embrace differences, find common ground, and experience traditions as a family. As students foster connections across grade levels and faculty/staff foster connections across divisions and departments, we aspire to further weave a tight-knit bond between the children and adults in each family.
Just as Sister Sledge sings, "Living life is fun and we’ve just begun!" the JTD Family Program is just getting started. We look forward to many more activities, Family Fridays, buddy events, and opportunities to connect and learn from each other through the JTD Family Program.
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The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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