University High School’s annual Sweet Sixteen Challenge begins today, and the goal is to raise $16,000 for The U Fund in 16 days.
During this challenge, we will periodically share new glimpses into the University High School community, all tied to the number 16. This is the first in that series of posts.
Morning meeting is a cornerstone of the University High School experience. A typical morning meeting begins with students and faculty making announcements, and then there is a brief presentation. Sometimes the presentation is operational, like when the Spirit Club teaches the whole school a new cheer. Sometimes it’s educational, like when the Eco-Blazers teach us about proper recycling. Sometimes it’s heartfelt, like when Ms. Dean speaks on Veterans Day or when a student shares their passion with us. Whatever the topic, this shared experience helps us grow together as a community.
In celebration of the University High School morning meeting, here are the top 16 things you’ll hear at a UHS morning meeting:
16. Announcements of the day’s shadow guests. Any time a student spends a shadow day at University High School, their student guide introduces them to the school at morning meeting. Often, the guide will share the prospective student’s name, current school, and a fun fact — like “she plays violin” or “he loves history.” This helps our students get to know the shadow guests better and can lead to introductions and conversations later in the day.
15. Facts of the day. In February, students often share Black History Month facts each school day, and sometimes in March, students will share Women’s History Month facts. On occasion, Alex Brinkman or Mr. Bradley will share other fun facts from that day in history.
14. “If you’re from Zionsville/a cheerleader/in Model U.N./going on a field trip/in Nancy Webster’s mentor group, please meet in the corner after morning meeting.” Because morning meeting is the only time each day when the full community is together, it is a great opportunity to gather small groups of students for short, specific announcements. Often, these groups will gather immediately after morning meeting ends.
13. Birthday greetings. Often, a student’s friends or siblings will wish them a happy birthday in an announcement at morning meeting.
12. Club meetings. Whether it’s the Eco-Blazers, Black Affinity Club, or State Beverages Club, club meeting times and locations are almost always announced at morning meeting. Also, if you’re wondering what’s consumed at State Beverages Club, for most states it’s water.
11. “Check your email.” Morning meeting announcements are often good reminders for students that their email contains much relevant and useful material, like registration forms for school events, information about club meetings, and details about donation drives.
10. “No, don’t check your email right now; put your phones away.” From time to time, students need a gentle reminder to put their phones away and be present with the school community during our 15 minutes together.
9. Reminders of how many school days remain until finals. Toward the end of each semester, LaMags likes to remind the students and faculty just how close — or far — we are from finals week. She also urges students not to wait until the week before finals to finish class projects, make up tests and quizzes, or turn in missing work.
8. LaMags rapping. She does a pretty stellar Vanilla Ice.
7. College announcements. At one morning meeting each spring, the college counselors ask senior students to share their college application results — where they were accepted — with the school community. We love to celebrate with our senior class.
6. Drink Shop’s latest menu items. When Drink Shop, our student-run lunchtime concession stand, adds a new item to the menu, it’s big news. These announcements are shared at morning meeting. Jon Gray is almost always involved.
5. Dr. Vesper’s annual reminder about disease prevention. This particular morning meeting is a student favorite because Dr. Vesper shows this video about proper cough/sneeze technique: “Do It In Your Sleeve.” (Available on YouTube)
4. LaMags reminding everyone of the unofficial school motto: “If it’s not yours, don’t touch it.” Sometimes she does it in a call-and-response style.
3. 5 People, 5 Questions. This popular University game began several years ago when a scheduled presenter became unavailable to speak at morning meeting. It has become a beloved game among students and faculty alike. Here’s how it works: LaMags chooses five people (at random sometimes, by asking for volunteers other times), and each person gets to answer one question that LaMags makes up. Sometimes the question is based on something LaMags already knows about the student, like “What cool thing did you do this summer, Alex?” Other times, they are random, like “What’s your favorite thing to listen to, Grace?”
2. Applause. We are all about the applause at University. We clap for every announcement, every presenter, and every time someone makes an interesting or funny point.
1. The building of a true community. This time spent together, face-to-face, is vital in building the kind of community we value. The practice of simply being together each day makes it a little easier to look out for one another, to respect and support one another, and to appreciate each other as people.
The Sweet Sixteen Challenge ends on Friday, March 30, 2018. Give online today.