Welcome to this edition of The Westminster Weekly, where you will learn about what has been happening recently at Westminster School! 

We welcome story suggestions from parents, students, teachers, and alumni. Please email your news to Dr. Charlotte Foster..

Upcoming Events

K - 8th Grade Monthly Assembly

Monday, October 6

8:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

3rd Grade Field Trip, Luray Caverns

Tuesday, October 7

8:10 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.

(Casual Clothes)

7th Grade Field Trip,

Shakespeare Theater

Tuesday, October 7th

9:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

(Blazer and tie)

7th - 8th Grade, High School Fair

Tuesday, October 7

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

* Bus leaves Westminster at 6:10 p.m.

Congressional School

(Dress-up Attire)

Bake Sale

Wednesday, October 8

Upcoming Events (cont'd.)

4th Grade Field Trip, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, October 8

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

(Blazer and tie)

1st Grade Field Trip,

National Children's Museum

Friday, October 10

8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

(Blazer and tie)

NO SCHOOL,

Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day

Monday, October 13

WPC Wine Tasting,

Fall General Meeting

Wednesday, October 15

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

K-1 Community Helpers Day

Thursday, October 16

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

3rd Grade Field Trip, Building Museum

Thursday, October 16

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

(Blazer and tie)

Eighth Graders Experience Magic at Kennedy Center Performance of The Sound of Music

On Thursday, October 2nd, eighth-grade students had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to experience a spectacular production of the beloved musical The Sound of Music.

The students had careful preparation for the performance in both English and music classes. In English class, students have been studying memoir, exploring how personal stories are crafted and shared which serves as a perfect complement to Maria von Trapp's real-life story that inspired the musical. Meanwhile, in music class, students delved into the world of Broadway production and the legendary partnership of Rodgers and Hammerstein, learning about the creative genius behind some of theater's most enduring works. This interdisciplinary approach transformed the field trip into a rich educational experience. Students arrived at the Kennedy Center with a deeper understanding of both the historical context and the artistic craft behind what they were about to witness.

The Sound of Music, with its timeless story set against the backdrop of Austria in the 1930s, came alive on stage through powerful performances, creative choreography, and incredible musical numbers. The production tells the heartwarming tale of Maria, a spirited young woman who becomes a governess to the seven von Trapp children and ultimately helps the family find hope and courage during a difficult period in history.

The students were captivated by the performances, breathtaking set designs of the mountains and the church, as well as with the beauty of the orchestra's live accompaniment. Having studied Rodgers and Hammerstein's compositional techniques, they could appreciate on a deeper level iconic songs like "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." The field trip served as an enriching cultural experience, exposing students to the performing arts while reinforcing themes of family, courage, and standing up for what's right. The careful academic preparation ensured that students could fully engage with both the artistic merit and the powerful story at the heart of this classic musical.

Many thanks go to Dr. Foster and Mr. Locke for arranging this meaningful trip and preparing the students for it and to Ms. Jacobson and Mrs. Van Bevers for accompanying as chaperones.

Help Support the Class of 2026!

Order your Spirit Wear now! The deadline is this week, October 8th. Use the QR code to order your Westminster swag now, and you can also use the same code to order Bake Sale treats as well as raffle tickets. Online Bake Sale orders must be received by Monday, October 6th. All proceeds go to help the Class of 2026 purchase their class gift. Thank you for your support!

The crisp September air provided the perfect backdrop for two unforgettable outdoor adventures as the sixth and eighth graders traveled to Hemlock at Camp Horizons for an adventure filled with challenge, teamwork, and plenty of thrills.

On September 22, the sixth-grade class embarked on this exciting field trip, heading to the scenic grounds of Camp Horizons. The students anticipated a great day, prepared for an adventure that would push them to meet personal challenges and bond together as a class. A highlight of the day is always the zipline course, where students harnessed up and took turns soaring through the trees. For some, it was their first time ziplining, and the mixture of apprehension and exhilaration was evident on their faces.

The climbing wall presented another challenge, requiring both physical strength and mental determination. Students encouraged one another from below, cheering on classmates as they scaled the wall inch by inch. The sense of accomplishment was wonderful each time someone reached the top or pushed themselves further than they thought possible. After working up hearty appetites, the class enjoyed a well-deserved lunch in the great outdoors, sharing stories from the morning's adventures and refueling for the afternoon ahead.

Just one week later, on September 29, the eighth-grade class followed in their younger peers' footsteps, tackling the same course with their own brand of enthusiasm and determination. With an extra two years of maturity under their belts, many eighth graders approached the challenges with confidence, though the zipline and climbing wall still managed to inspire plenty of excited shouts and nervous laughter. The outdoor lunch provided a chance for the class to bond outside the traditional classroom setting, strengthening friendships and creating memories that will last well beyond middle school.

Both trips served as powerful reminders that learning extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. At Camp Horizons, students built confidence, practiced problem-solving, developed trust in their peers, and learned the value of stepping outside their comfort zones. As the leaves continue to change and fall arrives in full force, these September adventures at Hemlock will remain bright spots in these students' memories when they proved to themselves that they were capable of more than they might have thought possible. A big thank you to the P.E. teachers for putting together and chaperoning these trips that have started off the year with such great class bonding activities.

Announcement of October's Dream

at Monday's Assembly

On Monday, October 6, the Westminster student body will gather for the first of our new monthly assemblies, a forum to discuss the Westminster Way and what it means to be a Griffin, promote participation in school events, celebrate our students' accomplishments through the Let Grow initiative, and highlight our annual theme, "Dream It; Achieve It!" In fact, at tomorrow's assembly, the first of this year's inspiring dreams will be revealed, and below is a hint of the great achievement we will be focusing on for the month of October.

Clue: The interior cabin of the vehicle that made the final leg of this dream journey was so small that there was not space for seats, and the intrepid explorers had to travel standing up for the last several miles.

Children Who Perform Reap Great Rewards

Westminster's approach of having every student participate in grade-level plays certainly gives us great entertainment and shows, but it's also about giving each child access to transformative life skills that extend far beyond the stage. Research shows that children who perform are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, with enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development. But Westminster's inclusive model ensures these benefits aren't reserved for just those who seek out the theater. Instead, every student gets the opportunity to grow.

When students participate in these productions, they learn to think on their feet and handle unexpected challenges. No performance is ever perfect, and when someone forgets a line or misses a cue, their classmates learn to improvise and cover for each other. These quick-thinking skills transfer directly to classroom presentations, group projects, and countless situations where students need to adapt under pressure. Westminster's grade-level plays also help students master performance anxiety in a supportive environment. By normalizing nerves and providing repeated opportunities to perform, students build confidence that serves them throughout their academic careers and beyond. Each successful performance becomes evidence that they can handle high-pressure moments, whether that's a big test, a college interview, or a future presentation at work.

The ensemble nature of grade-level productions teaches something rare in a child's world: personal responsibility to a larger group. Every student matters, and they each know that their classmates are counting on them to show up and do their part. This weight of responsibility, combined with the reward of audience applause after weeks of practice, creates powerful moments of achievement that boost self-esteem in lasting ways. Perhaps most importantly, Westminster's inclusive approach means that even shy or reluctant students get to experience the magic of becoming someone else on stage. For children who struggle to express their feelings, playing a character provides a safe way to try out new emotions and develop empathy by stepping into another person's shoes. Dance and movement opportunities within these productions offer yet another avenue for students to explore their interior world and express themselves beyond words.

This article reinforces these ideas and expresses how and why the performing arts are so important to a child's development: Performing Arts and Benefits