To smooth the transition from summer to the school year, many new and returning students participated in orientation and welcome events before the first day of school. The goal is to help students and their families become familiar with the campus, teachers, and administrators, and create an environment where early connections can form while they learn new routines. Below are some highlights of the welcome events that helped each student feel more comfortable, confident, and excited before stepping onto campus for the first day of school.
LOWER SCHOOL
Lower School New Student Welcome & Open House
Students new to the Lower School gathered at the newly renovated Ronald S. Beasley Lower School campus to explore the halls and classrooms, meet their teachers, and connect with each other for a short time before returning Lower School students and families arrived for an all-school Open House. Head of School Chelle Wabrek, along with other administrators, offered warm welcomes as families poured into the new spaces. Lower School teachers were on hand with hugs and smiles, encouraging students to explore their classrooms, make art, play with blocks, meet new friends, and play on the playground. The library, halls, and dining space were filled with chatter as parents mingled, reconnected, re-oriented themselves to the new layout, and made new friendships. Overall, it was a buoyant atmosphere, filled with fresh faces and smiles, which readied our youngest learners for the year ahead.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School Bridge
For new fifth through eighth-grade students who are joining MICDS Middle School, the Bridge program helps students transition with ease through an orientation to campus, academic enrichment, and time to connect with the MICDS community. “There’s no better way to start the year than with our Bridge Program,” said Callie Bambenek, Middle School Science Teacher. “Welcoming over 90 new Rams and offering them a sense of predictability before school officially starts makes all the difference. Seeing their nerves turn into excitement as they navigate the halls and make new friends is the best part of the job.”
During the five-day program, new Middle Schoolers dive into the Middle School Theme and Mission: LEAD. LEAD stands for Learning with curiosity and joy, Embracing challenge, Advocating for self and others, and Demonstrating collaboration and teamwork. Each day focuses on one letter from the LEAD acronym, using it as the theme for the day’s activities. The new students were also introduced to the Middle School Honor Code.
This year’s cohort activities included get-to-know-you games, a scavenger hunt, campus tours, a school history lesson, and team-building games such as the Tarp Challenge, the Water Challenge, and a Straw Tower Challenge. They also received their school-issued laptops and learned how to set up their email and find their schedule while acquainting themselves with platforms such as Canvas and Google Docs. At the end of the week, students created a video for their parents sharing what they learned about the LEAD motto and what they enjoyed about Bridge.
Middle School Welcome Events
The week before school started, two days were set aside for middle schoolers to purchase their school textbooks and supplies from the Campus Store, set up their lockers, and have their school photos taken. They also participated in grade-level welcome events, getting to know each other, playing icebreaker games, and enjoying snow cones in the courtyard while parents joined an informational session with teachers and administrators.
Check out the welcome day photo albums for each grade below!
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL
Pathfinders Summer Institute
Pathfinders is a week-long summer program for African American students in Middle and Upper School. This year’s group centered on the theme “The Present & The Gift.” Students explored local history, from Creve Coeur to the Sharp End district in Columbia, Missouri, and engaged in meaningful dialogue with our community.
Upper School English Teacher Celeste Prince said, “Our theme, The Present & The Gift, asked students to think about inheritance, legacy, and responsibility while the country observes its 250th year of existence. The milestone urged us to consider how much history has been covered over these many decades, how much has changed, and how students can use what others have experienced to help them chart their own path forward.
“Upper schoolers also talked about defining success for themselves and learned the legacy of Dr. Howard P. Venable and eminent domain, which was a helpful segue for our field trip to the Sharp End district in Columbia, where the African American Heritage Trail commemorates key historical sites of the predominantly Black-run neighborhood, which is similar to the history of Mill Creek Valley in St. Louis.”
Upper School History Teacher Changa Bey added, “For me, Pathfinders is always a great way to connect with students before the year starts and help them center and get ready for the year. This is my 17th year, and every year feels different in a good way. The energy of the kids and the support from parents is a great feeling and gives me a spark as well. This year, we saw a lot of new faces with freshmen and middle schoolers. We also saw so many alumni come back. It was amazing.”
Beyond history, the institute focused on mentorship, name-learning, and building lasting bonds across grade levels. Their week culminated in the annual faculty, staff, and alumni Q&A panel, offering a variety of perspectives and advice and preparing students for the year ahead.
UPPER SCHOOL
Upper School Bridge
The Upper School Bridge program supports new students in their successful integration and transition into the life of the Upper School at MICDS. In the two-day program, students were introduced to the academic and community expectations of MICDS Upper School, as well as the large array of opportunities and activities via clubs, sports, arts, and several long-standing school traditions. They heard from the student support team and learned about helpful school resources. Current students serving as Bridge Mentors also warmly welcomed the new students, providing information about student life and answering a multitude of questions. Arissa A. ’27 said, “Being a Bridge Mentor was like speaking to my younger self when I was first starting at MICDS. I was a new student in 2023, and using that experience to benefit newcomers is my favorite part about being a Bridge Mentor. We know what it’s like to be a new kid, so we’re happy to help students who are feeling overwhelmed by the transition.”
“My favorite part of Upper School Bridge is how our current students as Bridge Mentors have a sincere interest in helping our newest Rams to understand what it means to go to this school,” said David Hotaling, Upper School Counselor and US Bridge Coordinator. “The challenges, the opportunities, the student culture, and sharing all kinds of tips to be successful, not just academically, but in their activities and social lives as well. They impress me every year!”
Bridge Mentor Dhruv A. ’27 said, “Having experienced Bridge myself as a new student, I was really able to comprehend how important it was for other students in understanding and assimilating with the community, through my three years as a Bridge Mentor. The premise of the program’s aim to not only inform students of the culture and life at MICDS, but also allow them to make early friendships with their peers and upperclassmen, makes it super effective at ensuring that everyone is comfortable in their transition.
“Each year, my favorite activity has probably been Bridge Bash, a competition taking place at the end of each program, where everyone, mentors and mentees, are able to compete in a couple of fun games like The Price is Right (MICDS Campus Store edition) and paper airplane contests. All of us have a really great time reflecting on our experiences for our mentees while showing them the ins and outs of the campus!”
“I love Bridge because it is such a fun way to show new students around and show them the atmosphere of the school”, said Gertie H. ’27. “Especially as a new student in my freshman year, it’s so helpful to have someone there to help you out and show you around.”
Aside from understanding academics and opportunities, students enjoyed icebreakers, campus tours, outdoor games, and the traditional Bridge Bash, a series of interactive games. At the end of the program, new students were well equipped with the guidance and confidence they needed to navigate their first few days at MICDS.
Ninth & New Upper School Student Orientation
All rising and new ninth graders, along with new students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, were invited to a fun afternoon of New Student Orientation. These few hours were the first chance for students to meet their advisor and fellow classmates. Each advisory was paired with three seniors who are members of the Senior Leadership Group (SLG). SLG’s role was to help translate, in student terms, the day-to-day life in the classroom and around campus, with tips and notes on just about every nuance. The new students’ parents met with Upper School Dean Daniel George for a brief Q&A, while the SLG led an event in the gym before everyone reunited to shake off the nerves and enjoy Italian Ices.
“One of the things I enjoy most about our orientation program is seeing the entire community come together to welcome our newest students,” said Upper School Dean Daniel George. “This year, I had the opportunity to work closely with our senior student leaders, advisors, the Head of School, and Upper School leadership to make the experience meaningful and personal for our ninth graders and new Upper School students. It was also wonderful to connect with parents, hear their questions, and hopefully answer some of those ‘burning questions’ that come with starting a new school year. Most importantly, there was a real sense of positivity throughout the day, and I think we helped students and families begin the year feeling connected, confident, and genuinely excited to be part of MICDS.”
Welcome and welcome back, Rams!