Fall 2024

As we approach the end of another year, we take pride in reflecting on a vibrant 61-year legacy of nurturing and inspiring young minds. This season has been filled with remarkable achievements, from our students’ outstanding performances in fall sports and captivating school plays to the enriching experiences provided by our field trips. Each event has showcased the talent, enthusiasm, and dedication of our school community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional teachers, dedicated staff, supportive families, and enthusiastic students for their contributions to these successes. A special thank you also goes to our alumni whose continued support helps drive our mission forward. As we conclude this trimester and look toward the new year, we are excited about the opportunities and achievements that await. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community, and here’s to a joyful and productive year ahead!

In each edition of the Hawk Newsletter we honor of our past and present, by highlighting Alumni. In this edition of the Hawk Newsletter, our featured alumni loved it here so much that she is now a St. Albans teacher! We had the pleasure of interviewing Miss Michelle Maher to gain insight into her journey from student to teacher.

Dedication of the Jani Frey Lower Grade Playground

We unveiled a new playground to our students, but it was also a very special surprise for Mrs. Jani Frey. Mrs. Frey established our pre-kindergarten program in 1988, teaching with love, kindness, and endless patience until her retirement in 2004. Her classroom was more than just a place where our youngest students learned letters, sounds, and numbers; it was a space where they discovered the importance of sharing, cooperation, and perseverance—values that remain the cornerstone of our program today.

Dr. Frey wanted to honor his wife, Mrs. Frey, with a gift to St. Albans that would help commemorate the 16 years that she was our Pre-kindergarten teacher. With help from their children, Doug ('87), Greg ('88), and John ('95), Dr. Frey stealthily brought Mrs. Frey to St. Albans under the guise of showing John’s children where their father went to school. Little did she know, the real reason for their impromptu visit was the unveiling of the Jani Frey Lower Grade Playground.

The Frey family has our deepest gratitude. Thanks to their dedication to St. Albans, their passion for fostering joy in learning and play, and their investment in children, our beautiful playground has become a reality Dr. Frey and Mrs. Frey’s belief in our vision and their willingness to invest in our community’s future is deeply appreciated, and without their exceptional generosity this playground would not have been possible. 

Adventure awaits at the new playground, featuring four thrilling slides, a clatter bridge, and endless climbing challenges for students to explore! The playground was made complete with six new swings, a stand-n-spin, and five concerto conga drums. The Jani Frey Lower Grade Playground offers endless opportunities for imaginative play and physical activity.

Photos from Around Campus

As we wrap up an incredible start to the year, we're thrilled to share the highlights from our fall, filled with cherished traditions and unforgettable moments. From August to December, our students have fully embraced every event. This year, the annual powder puff game was a thrilling display of school spirit and camaraderie. The Halloween Parade and Songfest brought a festive touch to our campus, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students. Our class buddies program once again fostered meaningful connections across grades, while the egg car races offered a delightful mix of innovation and fun. The performances by our talented band members were truly enchanting, and our field trips provided enriching experiences that extended learning beyond the classroom.

It simply wouldn't be the start to a St. Albans school year without our traditional flag raising ceremony and cheers to welcome in the new school year!

Our 8th & 7th grade Powder Puff teams.

Excitement filled the air as students from grades one through eight gathered in Taber Center for an all-school rally designed to celebrate unity and build school spirit. The event kicked off with a rousing performance by the advanced band. Their lively tunes echoed through the gym, setting an energetic tone as students filed in with smiles and laughter.

Adding to the fun, the seventh and eighth-grade boys took center stage to perform original cheers for their respective classes, hyping up the crowd for the upcoming Powder Puff game. Their high-energy chants and creative routines had younger students clapping and cheering along. While the 7^th and 8^th graders headed off to get ready for the game, representatives from each class participated in a competitive relay race while cheered on by the rest of the school. The sense of camaraderie among students was unmistakable!

The rally moved outdoors so that we could all watch and cheer on both the 7^th and 8^th grade as they battled for the title of Powder Puff Winner! 

Fall Sports

This fall, we had two exciting fall sports teams for students: volleyball (grades 6-8) and cross country (grades 3-8). Volleyball provides a fast-paced, team-centered experience, while cross country focuses on endurance and individual achievement through long-distance running. Both sports encourage teamwork, discipline, and personal growth, making them great opportunities for students to stay active and engaged this fall.

Fall Traditions

Our annual Fall Carnival was a fantastic success! Families enjoyed an evening packed with fun, featuring exciting games and prizes, delicious offerings from food trucks, the always popular cake walk, and a festive photo booth to capture memories. The DJ kept the energy high with great music, making the event even more vibrant. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our school and make this celebration so memorable!

The Day Care Halloween Party continues to be a favorite fall activity!

Our students had a spook-tacular time celebrating Halloween! The day was packed with excitement, starting with the 8th Grade Haunted House that gave everyone a thrilling scare. Trick-or-treating in the office brought lots of smiles (and candy!). The Halloween Parade and Song Fest had students showing off their creative costumes and singing festive tunes. To top it all off, classrooms were filled with delicious treats and fun activities, making it a day to remember.

Helping local families in need through the collection of non-perishable food donations always helps to kick off our holiday season.

Fall Field Trips

Field trips enrich our students’ education by offering hands-on learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. They provide opportunities to explore real-world settings, reinforce classroom concepts, and spark curiosity through direct engagement. By immersing our students in new environments, field trips help develop critical thinking, social skills, and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, history, and science. 

Middle school retreats provide an invaluable opportunity for students to build camaraderie, strengthen problem-solving abilities, and develop essential social skills. Through team-building activities and shared experiences, students deepen their relationships with peers and grow as individuals. These retreats foster a supportive community, encourage collaboration, and help students navigate challenges together, preparing them for both academic and personal success.

Bishop's Pumpkin Patch is a favorite with our Pre-K and kindergarten students.

4th grade spent a day at Maidu Museum & Historic Site learning about the Nisenan Maidu as a part of their studies about California's history.

Third grade students enjoyed an exciting day of hands-on activities, stepping back in time to experience the daily lives of children in 1889 on a historic fruit farm. They built, baked, laundered, crafted, and played as they engaged in authentic chores and games from the era. Everyone on-site was dressed in period clothing, fully participating in the immersive living history experience.

Fall Play- Honk

This November, students in grades 5-8 brought the barnyard to life with their delightful performance of Honk! The Musical. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale The Ugly Duckling, Honk! is a heartwarming story about self-acceptance, family, and embracing our differences. Catchy songs and humorous dialogue entertained audiences while delivering a meaningful message.

The talented cast showcased their hard work and creativity, transforming the stage into a whimsical world of farm animals. The students brought their characters to life with energy and charm. The production also featured vibrant costumes, imaginative sets, and toe-tapping choreography that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.

The show was more than just entertainment; it was a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the students, teachers, and parent volunteers. Weeks of rehearsals, set construction, and costume-making came together to create a performance that left the audience smiling and inspired.



Whether it was a student’s first time on stage or the culmination of years of performing, Honk! was a memorable experience for everyone involved. Bravo to the cast and crew for a spectacular show that celebrated the unique beauty in all of us!

The true impact of a St. Albans education often becomes most apparent after our students graduate—when they excel in high school, stand out among their peers, and launch into their futures with confidence.

One of the highlights of our Major Donor Party each fall is hearing from some of our young alumni about how a St. Albans education has propelled them towards success in high school. This year we had the honor of hearing from Kai Switlick and Olivia Tse. Olivia shared her speech via video and has graciously allowed us to share it in our newsletter.  Please take a few minutes to listen to how Olivia’s St. Albans education has had a lasting impact and prepared her for the next steps in her educational journey.

One of the things we love most is hearing from our alumni, as we continue to root for them and cheer on their successes long after they have graduated. Each spring, we ask our alumni that are graduating from high school where they are headed next. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and academic excellence of our alumni. Their achievements in high school have led to attendance at an impressive array of colleges and universities. 

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