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| All Blogs, Ben, Gillian, Jessica, Bizzer, Michael, Sophie, Aaron, Gia |
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Every year, the 8th grade students at Portledge School travel to Washington D.C. and this past week, it was my turn to go. We toured all around D.C. and saw the memorials, monuments, and museums. At the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, I learned a lot about the history of America. The most interesting out of all the sights, for me, was the Smithsonian Museum because we saw a great IMAX movie about the Haitian earthquake. I also liked seeing the first airplanes, and I learned about the gradual development of the aeronautics industry. My favorite exhibit at the Smithsonian was the rockets and missiles display. I enjoyed the atomic bombs and the ICMBs because they were a huge military advancement in the U.S. This year’s trip to Washington was an enormous success because everyone had a good time and learned a lot about our country’s history.
Aaron '16
Posted on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 8:52AM |
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Last week my family was fortunate to have a French exchange student live with us. Along with many other Portledge families, we had the opportunity to both enhance our knowledge of the French language and learn about French culture. Throughout the week Laura (our French student) came to all of our lacrosse games and after school activities. She enjoyed watching lacrosse because she didn't know what it was until she came to America. My sister also took Laura into New York City to walk around and see the sights. During school hours, Laura went to classes with my sister, and hung out with her friends to reflect on how life in America was. She also came to the Middle School Parent vs. Child hockey game which was a lot of fun. Lastly, Laura got to spend quality time getting to know the American lifestyle and brought that knowledge back to France with her.
The French Exchange Program was such a success this year that next year there is hope that the Spanish classes will be doing an exchange program with a school in Spain. The following year Portledge will once again exchange with a school in France. I plan on making that trip to France to both live with a French family, and visit Laura.
Aaron '16
Posted on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 11:24AM
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So it’s been 8 months, and here I am - done with my first full year as a college freshman. I’m filled with mixed emotions. Yes, it’s exciting and fulfilling, but more than anything it’s a bit terrifying. I feel like I was walking the halls of Portledge just yesterday, and now I’m getting ready to take my last final and then move home for the summer. Portledge was my home for four years. My friends and teachers at school were like a second family to me. When I graduated last June, I didn’t know what I would do without this second home that I had grown to know and love. One of my teachers then reminded me that Portledge helped me grow up to be the person I am today. Portledge enabled me to create this second home filled with the people I call my family. I then realized that I found a home within Portledge, and I can find a home wherever I end up after Portledge. Looking back on that and each experience I’ve had throughout high school, I’m not so surprised to find myself wanting another week or so at college. Similar to Portledge, I’ve now found a third home, this one in Lancaster, PA. Although I am currently dreading those final goodbyes with my college friends and my freshman dorm, I cannot wait to get back to New York. I’ve already planned a visit to Portledge within my first few days home! Although I’ve been an official alum for almost a year now, I know I will always be able to find a home in Portledge, and whenever I need a little visit to my alma mater, I can always get myself lost in my high school memories for a moment or two.
Jessica '11
Posted on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 9:42PM |
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My last Science Fair was this past week. Being in 8th grade, we not only made display boards to present our experiment and data, but we also created websites. The websites gave background information and ways to help prevent whatever issue we researched. This year the 8th grade selected an earth science topic. I did my project on the effects of acid rain on buildings. Some of the other projects that were done in 8th grade involved testing acid rain and beach erosion. Students in the 7th grade selected a physical science topic. We participate in Science Fair beginning in 3rd grade and continue each year through 8th grade. Every year, the projects get more detailed and complicated. Although the Science Fair is a lot of work, once you have your display board and experiment done, it's a big relief!
Aaron '16
Posted on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 4:08PM
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This year I am taking a class known as TAILS, which stands for Teacher Assistants in Lower School. Every Friday, I go to the third grade class and assist the teachers and students with projects, writing, math, and much more. On Thursdays, all of the upper school students who participate in the TAILS program have a class about childhood development. I have always said that teaching has been a profession I am interested in and this class is the perfect way to gain a good sense of what it truly is all about. Not only do we spend time with and teach the lower school students, we also learn about why certain things are taught certain ways to the children during our class.
I have become so close with each and every one of the students in the third grade class that I assist. Whenever I see the children during big school events, we are all so excited to see each other, giving and receiving big hugs and telling stories about our days at school. I constantly brag to my friends and point out my TAILS class when I see them. I am so grateful to have the chance to participate in such a great program.
Sophie '13
Posted on Tuesday, April 30, 2012 at 7:42AM |
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Winter sports are over and its time for the spring sports season. During the spring you can play either tennis, lacrosse, baseball, or softball. I am playing lacrosse. I have played since I was very little, and it is my favorite sport. We have only had a few practices so far, but everyone on the team is very dedicated and hardworking. Everyone gets along really well, and I know we will have a great time playing together. I am lucky enough to have all three of my sisters on my team, too. Our first game is coming up soon with two or more games a week until the end of the season. I think we will be a tough competitor this year because we all care so much and play very well together. We have been working really hard, and I am so excited for the rest of the season.
Bizzer '15
Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 7:52PM
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The week before spring break was probably the most fun so far this year. We had just finished up the chapters we were working on in class and we had barely any test or quizzes. We would play "educational" games in class and it was very relaxed. It was good that we got a break from school for a while considering the second trimester is the longest. During my spring break I went to Windham Mountain the first week to ski. Although there wasn’t much snow because of the worm weather, it was still a lot of fun. The second week I went to Puerto Rico for five days. We went to the beach, played lacrosse, went shopping, and relaxed. I have been to Puerto Rico three times before and every time I go I have so much fun. All of the houses are colorful and very festive. My spring break was so much fun and very relaxing. At the end of my vacation, I was ready to go back to school because even though I love to take a break, two weeks is a long time to be away from my friends!
Bizzer '15
Posted on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 7:36PM
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Winter sports has come to an end. Now students have to transition from either hockey, basketball, fencing or squash to any of the spring sports including baseball, softball, lacrosse or tennis. It was fun doing winter sports but now its time to start with something fresh. Honestly, I was getting tired of all the cold air, I’m ready for a heat wave! You will get new coaches for the select sport you do, and it might be different then any of the other sports you’ve done in the fall or in the winter. Good luck to all of the sports teams!
Gia '17
Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 7:15PM |
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After the cumulative exams students think that they deserve a good rest and vacation. Thanks to Portledge, they give us two full weeks in March as a vacation. It is time to sleep in and relax from school. The options are endless for the things you could do over the break! For example, you could go on vacation in a foreign place, visit a loved one, go to a friend's house, or just simply rest easy at home! In my opinion, the students and faculty are both relieved to have some time home away from home! At the end of those priceless two weeks it's time to jump back into school mode and get back to work. Until then, I wish you a great vacation everyone, where ever you are!
Gia '17
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 4:02PM |
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Well its that time of year again, yep that’s right its time for Cumulatives. A Cumulative is an exam that is based on the information one has learned from the grade before and bits and pieces of information from this year. The exams are taken in the Wellington Gym and everyone sits at separate tables. We have two hours to take the exam and an extra half hour at the end. The key to any test is to stay relaxed and focused. It seems intimidating at first but you get used to it and it feels like a regular test. The gym was so quiet that you could here a pin drop. At the end of the two hours, you can tell that the students were relieved through their eyes. My advice, never leave things last minute and study!
Gia '17
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 9:25AM
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Last week I was given the chance, along with two of my friends, to speak to parents who have children entering Portledge Upper School next year. My friends and I had conversations with parents, answered questions, and satisfied parents’ concerns. Even though it was great to speak to the parents and inform them on everything about high school the best part was remembering all of the good times we had when we were in middle school and speaking about our memories. Being able to share our personal experiences and laugh about all the good times we had throughout the years was great. By the end of the night, I realized that even though I am excited to go to college next year and start new, I am going to miss Portledge a lot. The family that I’ve gained here and the memories I’ve made are going to be something I will really miss.
Gillian '12
Posted on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 11:39PM
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This week both the boys and girls varsity basketball team was in the IPPSAL championship. Our championship games were back to back on Thursday, February 16th. The girls’ game was first at 5 and we were all so pumped to play. After school we went into the art room and decorated signs as a team, we played music and we also decorated shirts spelling out Portledge on one side and each of our numbers on the other. We then went down to the gym and got ready for our game. We started warm-ups and the gym began to fill with people. The music was blasting, and the crowd was cheering for their teams. All of the players were getting themselves focused and ready to play. At the end of the game, we had won! We all ran on to the court in excitement. We had just won the championship for the third year in a row! We received our trophy and took pictures. We ran into the locker room and quickly got dressed in our shirts for the boys’ game. We found our spot on the court’s side lines in order of the letters on our shirts. I was the letter ‘E’ in Portledge. Again the stands filled with people and the crowd roared in excitement for the beginning of the game. The game started and at the end of the first half we were ahead, but only by a little bit and we weren’t giving up. At the beginning of the second half both teams came out strong and ready to win, but in the end Portledge won by 10 points. The crowd ran on to the court screaming and yelling. The girls and the boys’ teams took pictures together and the boys received their trophy. Afterwards both teams celebrated in the gym and ate pizza. It was a great night for me and for the school!
Bizzer '15
Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 8:04PM |
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There are many highlights of the school year; however, some of the best are the Inter-School Exchange dances. These dances are special because many schools in the area such as East Woods, Friends Academy, and Green Vale meet once or twice a year and socialize. Last Friday was the Valentine's Day dance hosted by East Woods. ISE dances are always something to look forward to because you see kids who you play sports against during the seasons, and other friends as well. Other components of the dance, such as the DJ, the hosting school and your friends from your own school, make these special dances enjoyable and exciting.
Aaron '16
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 8:51PM
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This past weekend I took the dreaded SAT. I have been preparing since last July, studying over two hundred fifty words, doing four full practice tests, and countless amounts of practice problems. Thanks to Portledge, I was well prepared for every section. The day before the test our math teacher even went over some of the tricky questions after class. I was definitely prepared for any level of question. I always feel best prepared for the grammar and usage section because last year in English class my teacher gave us a “crash course” on important grammar tricks that I never forgot.
The hardest part of the test is definitely how long it takes. I arrived at 7:45 am and did not leave until 1:00 pm. After a couple of hours my neck began to hurt while taking the test! I could not have been more relieved the second the proctor said “Time’s up, please put your pencils down.” When I walked in to take the test it was still almost dark outside, but by the time I was done, it was already a beautiful afternoon. As long as the test was, I walked out feeling that I had been well prepared. Waiting these next few weeks to hear the results will be nerve wracking!
Sophie '13
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 5:19PM |
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From the start, I was always involved at Portledge. Whether I was in the school play, the Vice President of my class , a member of the Green Team, or even just singing in chorus, I was always doing something. Portledge taught me the time management skills to organize my schedule so that I can fit in all the activities and clubs I wanted to join. Luckily my four years of involvement also let me feel confident to try out for both new things and also things I’ve been involved with before. In college, you’ll quickly learn that you can’t doeverythinglike you were able to do in high school. Nevertheless, becoming involved was easy for me because at Portledge there was no way to not be involved. When I arrived at Franklin & Marshall my outlook was the same, I wanted to join clubs and meet new people. Last semester I was a member of the Catastrophic Relief Alliance where I volunteered at local projects in a program similar to habitat for humanity. I was also on the Blue and White Society which is in charge of generating and maintaining school spirit. This semester I’m adding a few more activities and clubs to my already busy schedule. I recently interviewed to be a tour guide at F&M. I loved being a tour guide and student ambassador at Portledge because I was given an excuse to brag about everything I loved about my school and community, why not try for the same opportunity here? I also recently started VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, which is an organization that spends fall semester becoming IRS certified to do tax returns during spring semester for locals who cannot afford accountants. This past weekend the VITA site opened and I used my math and social skills that Portledge taught me to submit my very first official tax return! One last thing I will be throwing into my schedule this semester is Greek life. I will be going through rush for the sororities on campus this week; it’s all very exciting! My spring activities just started so I’ll keep you posted with any new advancements my semester has to offer.
Jessica '11
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:27AM
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Any college student knows that the time between Thanksgiving and winter break is filled with papers, exams, and finals—all three lead to stressful days and caffeine powered all-nighters. I never understood why college students got a month long break, but now I understand how necessary a full month of pure sleep and relaxation is. For the first time, we are given a period of time off of school where we have absolutely no work due the week we return to classes. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy this stress free period of time. Every break thus far has been less than a full week at home, which is clearly not enough time to see all your friends and family, as well as eat all your favorite foods that are miles away from you when you’re at school. I spent my month off with family and all my friends from Portledge. A bunch of us even visited campus together and it was as if nothing changed. As my month of just hanging out comes to an end, I’m fully relaxed and ready to get back to college! A new semester awaits with new classes, new professors, and new experiences - sorority recruitment and pledging, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and interning, just to name a few. It’s an exciting time of year for both college students and high school seniors, so I’d like to say congratulations to those Portledge seniors who know where they’re enrolling next fall and good luck to the rest of the Class of 2012 as they await their college acceptance letters!
Jessica '11
Posted on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:16PM
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I am so lucky to have a sister that is close to me in age. We have always gotten along so well; she is truly my best friend. Although we went to middle school together, we did not see each other much in school then. This is her first year at Portledge and I could not have asked for a better addition to the school. Since we are lucky enough to have freedom during our free periods at Portledge, my sister and I can spend time together. It is always nice to be around a family member, especially at school.
One of the best parts of having my sister at Portledge is that we now have one big group of friends: her friends who are freshmen and my friends who are juniors. This is a perfect example of the community at Portledge. There is no such thing as age discrimination. It is truly the best of both worlds here . . . you have the benefit of small classes, but you never feel like there is a limited amount of people because students in all grades are friends. I am so lucky to be at a school with such a great community.
Sophie '13
Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:44AM |
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This Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend my family and I went up to Mount Snow in Vermont for the long weekend. We skied all day long and had so much fun. After we were done skiing we went back to the condo we rented and watched movies and played games. The first day of skiing it was very windy and cold, but the second day was even colder, it was negative two degrees. It was extremely hard to ski because of the temperature and we had to take many breaks inside to warm up. Also, on the second day my cousins from a different part of Vermont came down to ski with us. After we skied we went back to the condo and watched the football game. The next day we packed up and drove home. The trip was a lot of fun and I love skiing with my family. When I got back to school I got right into my routine of school work and I was assigned and essay. I also got right back in to basketball and saw my friends.
Bizzer '15
Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 7:30PM
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As an active member of the Portledge community, sports has always been one of my favorite activities. Although I may not be an avid basketball player, I decided to try to play for the boy’s varsity basketball team this year. I admit, I was quite nervous at first, but I soon realized just how fun playing for the team could be. Coach Woll pushes each and every one of us to the best of our ability, while teaching us life lessons along the way. By just playing with this team I have learned perseverance, determination, and just how far I can push myself. Next stop: the championships!
- Ben ‘12
Posted on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 1:17PM |
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The feeling one gets after receiving the e-mail or letter one has worked for his or her entire high school career is amazing. On December 16 I was able to experience that feeling! That day I received an e-mail saying that a college "application decision has been made" and luckily I was accepted to my first choice school (Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management)! Many students in my grade have been finding out about colleges and universities in the past few weeks. The buzz between students, teachers, and advisors is all about where the senior class will be attending school for the next four years…and I have to say it is a very exciting thing. Although this is a great time in my life and I am so excited, I am also somewhat upset because I now think about how next year the Portledge Class of 2012 will all be going our separate ways. Through my years at Portledge I have realized how close my class has become and how much of a family we are together. I am so happy to see everyone excited about going on to college but I also know that I will most definitely miss the small community and family aspect of Portledge more than I can ever explain.
Gillian '12
Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2011 at 12:42PM
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