December 15, 2022

Like a family, a strong community requires work and dedication from its members. One of the ways that we work on being a large family at Applewild is through the all-school assembly block built into our 7-day schedule rotation. While these periods never look exactly the same, each one has the same goal: building community.

This year we have used the all-school assembly block to bring our campus closer together through our buddies program. Older students are paired up with younger ones and together they share conversations, play games, and work on common goals or projects. This connection allows students to feel more comfortable across campus, and has led to class activities such as the great Becornville art project, where 8th and 9th graders shared their artwork and short stories with their younger buddies.

The all-school assembly block has also been a time to bring everyone together for outdoor fun, such as our tradition of green and white games. Students love low-stakes competitions, and it is a great way to have a shared experience. Similarly, it is those shared experiences that make special performances memorable. The Middlebury Mamajamas visit to Applewild was an introduction for many students to a cappella, and it was a chance for all of us to support Mr. Lambert as he joined the group and shined on stage. It truly was a magical moment when the entire student body gave a standing ovation! At another all-school assembly, Mr. Goodwin’s return to campus allowed us to hear more about our school’s history, including funny anecdotes from his time as a young teacher 45 years ago. For the rest of the day many of us found ourselves humming “stay on the sunny side of life”, a song associated with Mr. Goodwin and his many years as a core member of the Applewild family.  

All-school assemblies will continue to play a part in how we come together as a community. It is a time for us to be together, have shared experiences, and to show support for one another. The assemblies are part of who we are as an Applewild family.