Head of School Chelle Wabrek reports that one of the top priorities she’s gleaned from meeting with and surveying Ram Nation is strengthening our community. She’s collaborating with students and employees to foster a one-school mindset, seeking ways to bridge divides that naturally arise across our sprawling 100-acre campus with three distinct divisions. One of the best ways to live into our community is to be together in person at an all-school assembly, and we used our first to officially and formally welcome Ms. Wabrek.
The “Chellebration,” as some called it, kicked off bright and early this past Monday morning. Students and their teachers joined staff in the McDonnell Athletic Center as pop music streamed. Everyone knew they were in for a treat when they were greeted by our talented cheerleaders and Charger the Ram. The assembly was off to a great start!
First, Upper School student council co-heads Elle F. ’27 and Amey P. ’27 welcomed everyone and introduced a fun game. Knowing that we’d be hearing from both Ms. Wabrek and Mrs. McKay Baur Mills ’92, Chair of the MICDS Board of Trustees, Elle and Amey explained that when either speaker said one of three words, the crowd would react in specific ways. If someone said, “MICDS,” the crowd yelled, “RAMS!” If Mrs. Mills said, “Ms. Wabrek,” everyone yelled, “WOO!” And finally, since “amazing” is one of Ms. Wabrek’s favorite words, every time it was uttered, the crowd responded with spirit fingers. (Spirit fingers are when you throw your hands in the air and wiggle your fingers like crazy.) After practicing, Elle and Amey welcomed Ms. Wabrek and Mrs. Mills out from the Squash Courts while we had them stashed. They took the stage, and the festivities continued.
Mrs. Mills offered a wonderful introduction of both Ms. Wabrek and our new Head’s family and friends who had arrived from all over the country to show support. She asked the crowd to raise their hands and keep them raised if they had met or spoken with Ms. Wabrek or if Ms. Wabrek had visited their classroom. Even though she’s only been here for two months, it’s clear that Ms. Wabrek has already been everywhere and met so many people.
Then Ms. Wabrek addressed the crowd. She hopped off the stage, set down her notes, and told a story. She spoke of her father going to kindergarten for the first time many years ago, dropped off after his early-morning bus ride to an empty classroom because his teacher had not yet arrived. There was a wooden slide in the room, so he amused himself on the slide, over and over, while he waited. Suddenly, the door popped open, and his new teacher strode in, arms laden with books and papers. He was already halfway down the slide on yet another run when she appeared, and he could not stop. He bowled right into her, sending papers flying everywhere. And do you know what his teacher did? She sat herself right down on that floor next to him and introduced herself. She spent time getting to know him. This is exactly what our teachers do here, Ms. Wabrek pointed out. They get to know each of their students, building relationships that extend far beyond teaching math, science, English, world languages, history, physical education, and more. And through this work, they build community.
One junior kindergarten student helped Ms. Wabrek with her story by agreeing to demonstrate how to use the small slide she had brought to punctuate it. The MAC was filled with “awwwws!” and cheers as the little one climbed the stairs and enjoyed the ride down.
Ms. Wabrek also spoke about how excited she is to join our MICDS family, and how much she has enjoyed getting to meet students, teachers, and staff.
Elle and Amey then returned to the stage to introduce small groups of Lower and Middle School students to present Ms. Wabrek with some gifts to welcome her to the community, including a big cowbell for cheering on our Rams and an embroidered St. Louis pillow to go with the pillows in her office from other places she’s lived. Charger presented her with an MICDS hockey jersey, complete with “WABREK” on the back and the number 26.
Our cheerleaders came back front and center to perform to the Fight Song before everyone was dismissed to start their school day. What a great start to the year and to Ms. Wabrek’s tenure as MICDS Head of School! Thank you to all of Ms. Wabrek’s loved ones for joining us on this special day…it was AMAZING! [spirit fingers!]
