On Wednesday, September 17, our Upper School students spent the day in grade-level activities with their peers and advisors, both on and off campus, focusing on intellectual and social learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The “Community Day” event was designed to build community and emphasize the commitment to further live into the MICDS Mission Statement. The recap below is about the ninth-grade Community Day experience.
On Community Day, MICDS ninth-graders enjoyed the entire Upper School campus to themselves while the other grades were engaging in off-campus activities. The new-to-Upper-School students enjoyed a rare breakfast together before heading to their advisory locations for an AI-focused presentation and discussion led by our Senior Leadership Group (SLG). After the presentation, the seniors led a game of Codes Against Academy, a card game modeled after Cards Against Humanity and Apples to Apples. It includes a deck of conversation-inspiring scenarios pulled from realistic situations and true stories about AI usage in education.
To lighten the atmosphere after the in-depth discussion on AI, ninth graders enjoyed being led by SLG members in a variety of bonding activities, including icebreakers, arts and crafts, and problem-solving games, where they had to work hard while also having fun. Before the class of 2029 departed for lunch, the seniors led the students in a reflection exercise tied to the day’s theme: “Who Am I at MICDS?”
The first afternoon session included hearing and discussing Honor Council case studies, immediately followed by the different advisories designing a unique crest or flag that reflects their advisory community while embodying the values and mission of MICDS. The second afternoon session featured all ninth graders participating in a service activity, either making sandwiches for the St. Patrick Center or writing letters to veterans and first responders through Operation Gratitude.
SLG member Tommy Goodman ’26 said, “My favorite part of the day was getting to eat breakfast with the freshmen, as I got to meet a lot of the new class, and I also was able to get to know them better. For the second part of the day, my favorite part was playing games with them, like Pictionary. Personally, I had the Dorsey advisory, and they were amazing.”
“I am really impressed with how engaged the freshmen were throughout the day,” said Class of 2029 Dean Chris Ludbrook. “They dug into the tougher topics and still had plenty of energy at the end of the day for the service events. It was exciting to hear students and advisors asking how we could turn this one-time service project (sandwich making) into a bigger and more regular thing.”
All Community Day experiences were unique and compelling opportunities for our students to connect, learn, and grow together.