Students Reconnect at Upper School Retreats

While Lower School students began their first few days of school in the classroom, Upper School students took part in what has become a unique Ranney tradition – the annual Upper School retreats. This year, taking advantage of this distinctive educational experience, entailed Upper Schoolers venturing out into the New York and New Jersey countryside, as well as into Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and spending September 2-4 reconnecting with friends and teachers.

According to Adam Materasso, Director of Student Activities, the retreats serve as great ice breakers, giving students and teachers the chance to reconnect after the long summer vacation. They provide an especially good opportunity for 9th graders to become oriented to their new classmates and teachers as well as the Upper School culture. “The retreats teach students about team building, give them the opportunity to meet and greet teachers, and help them renew their commitment to the honor code standards,” explains Adam.

Ninth graders headed off to YMCA Camp Ralph Mason in Hardwick, New Jersey, located near the Delaware Water Gap. There, under the guidance of class advisor Dr. Nicole Martone, Head of Upper School John Lewis, and Assistant Head of Upper School Joe Tweed, students participated in a range of team and trust building activities, including climbing high/low ropes, hiking and riding a zip line. At the end of each day, they shared friendships and experiences around a roaring campfire.

The 10th grade retreat took place in Washington, D.C., where class advisor Doug Felter and administrator Adam Materasso, led the students in a city-wide exploration of historical sites, including the Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian, the Holocaust Museum, a guided bus/walking tour of monuments, a ghost tour, and a tour of Arlington Cemetery and Georgetown University, where they had lunch at the student union and met up with Ranney alumna Holly Shields ‘07. The highlight of the retreat was a visit to Capitol Hill, where students were treated to a tour of Congress and visited with Ranney parent and New Jersey State Representative Frank Pallone (6th District) in his congressional office.

The tenth annual 11th grade retreat was led by class advisor Dan Lippiello and administrator Kate Greenberg. In keeping with the retreat’s theme “Freedom and Responsibility”, the class headed to Philadelphia for a tour of the National Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell and the Freedom Rising presentation. Students took a Duck Boat land to sea tour, and explored haunted Philadelphia during a ghost tour. Then it was off to the Philadelphia Zoo, where they took part in a private class called Going, Going, Gone, and learned about endangered species and sustainability. A visit to the University of Pennsylvania included lunch at the 1920 Commons dining hall, and on a tour of Villanova that included a group information session and lunch, students met up with Ranney alumni Caroline Chitty ’09 and Mary Walker ‘09. The three-day retreat wrapped up with a visit to a major league baseball game – Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants. The Phillies won!

Guided by advisor Linda Abrams and administrator Myra Simpson, the 12th grade participated in its 15th annual retreat, which this year took place at Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, New York. Through a variety of activities which included hiking, square dancing and riding a zip line, students were able to focus on team and trust building, problem solving and leadership.

Upper School students were back on campus the day after Labor Day, September 8, ready to tackle the new school year with enthusiasm, vigor and with a little more understanding of their classmates, our country’s history and what it means to be both a leader and a team player.

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.