When students arrived on campus on Monday, August 31 for the first day of school, the joy was instantly felt. The chatter of friends reuniting filled the halls, seniors searched for the best spots to take their (last) first day selfies, and faculty and staff lined the Front Circle to welcome the Beaver community back to the building.
This excitement continued throughout the morning, culminating in First Assembly—an all-school gathering celebrating the year ahead.
First Assembly began with an entrance from seniors, 6th graders, and Chestnut, who were all greeted with a round of applause. After meeting some new faculty and staff members and asking Chestnut about their summer (which reportedly included building dams and rooting for Scotland in the World Cup), Middle School and Upper School Division Directors Tiffany Smith and Alison MacDonald shared their enthusiasm for the year ahead. “We have your back, we are cheering you on, and we can’t wait to see the mark you leave on this place,” remarked Smith.
Middle School Student Representative Estelí Valenzuela ’31 and All-School President Cesi Kaplan ’27 also spoke, encouraging their peers to take risks, try something new, and spend the year making the most of the community around them.
I love Beaver because it’s just such a great school. I love how student-focused it is and the community it has. I think that this is an important part of Beaver—that even though we may not be friends with or know everyone, someone will always be there for you. Also, the lunch is really good.
Estelí Valenzuela '31
Head of School Sarah Pelmas spent time reflecting on Beaver’s 106-year history and its roots in progressive education, connecting the school’s history of innovation to the opportunities students have today to ask questions, follow their passions, and play a role in defining what Beaver stands for. “Today, we celebrate the start of the school year, we celebrate being together as one school, we celebrate our new classmates and teachers, and we celebrate new beginnings,” Pelmas said.
First Assembly closed with students and Chestnut leading the school cheer. As students went letter-by-letter to spell out “BEAVER” and laughed as they repeated “G-NAW,” they chanted in unison—sharing a moment of joy, school spirit, and togetherness before embarking on their own individual journeys.
Today is a day for all of us to start again, a new year. Despite what anyone may think, no one actually knows who and how you will become. So let’s smile through it all, whatever it may be. Let’s have a great year Beaver!
Cesi Kaplan '27