Lower School Archives • St. Luke's School

Spooktacular St. Luke’s

Arianna Ori — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:04:00 +0000

2024 Fall Fest.

BOO!
Did I scare you? I know that I probably didn't, but I do know that the 5th graders did! As the leaves turned and the days grew shorter, excitement grew at St. Luke's Japonica Campus, where the annual Fall Festival was held in a season of celebration. Among the many activities that bring the St. Luke’s community together, one tradition is the haunted house hosted by the 5th graders every year. This remarkable festivity not only provides thrills and chills for attendees but also fosters a sense of teamwork and creativity in the young participants. The haunted house crafted by the 5th graders has evolved into an immersive experience, involving much planning, creativity, and hard work.

The students began their plan early in the month with students brainstorming themes for their haunted house. Some popular themes have included classic horror stories and ghostly schools. Eventually, they came to terms with mummies and an Egyptian-themed atmosphere for their haunted setting. While each initial theme was different, the common goal is to create an engaging experience that encapsulates the spirit of Halloween! From cobwebs to skeletons, each element helps to transport guests into a different world. Spooky sounds added an auditory layer to the experience, heightening the sense of suspense, and dim lighting and flickering effects created mysterious shadows and unexpected jumpscares!

When the festival date finally approached, the excitement among the students reached a peak, and they participated in final preparations. To get ready for the haunted house, students practiced their roles and got acquainted with their props. The Fall Festival’s haunted house at St. Luke’s is more than just a spooky attraction. It celebrates creativity, hard work, and community spirit. Each year, the event draws in visitors who leave with not just a scare but with a sense of joy and connection.

This tradition educates the students in teamwork and creativity and strengthens the community's bonds. As they continue to refine this beloved tradition, one can only imagine the exciting, scare-filled experiences that await at future festivals. It's a perfect blend of fright and delight that serves as a hallmark of the season. Highlight remains the haunted house, and it's an attraction that has developed its lore over the years.

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HOCO 2024: Pajama Day

Arianna Ori — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:24:35 +0000

It's Pajama Day!.

B
y far, one of the coolest things that happens during St. Luke's Episcopal School homecoming week is Pajama Day. Of course, kids at school couldn't wait to get out of their normal school uniforms and into their comfiest, coziest PJs. So, this was going to be a special day, right? The always so buttoned-up and formal school hallways completely devolved into a pajama party. You have students walking around in flannel pants, huge t-shirts, and even a onesie or two. Gone was the usual serious vibe, replaced by this relaxed, fun energy, more so since teachers got in on it, too, trading in their slacks and button-downs for comfy robes and fuzzy slippers.

My favorite part of homecoming week is pajama day, because pajamas are comfortable for school. And I like homecoming because I get to go to the pep-rally at the upper campus.
Lauren McGinnis

On the University Campus, you get to see students hanging in small groups during breaks and at lunchtime to show off the designs on their pajama bottoms or even someone taking advantage of their comfort and dozing off! It was, for sure, a day of relaxation, and frankly, some let their hair down just to enjoy some simple joys of being a kid, or at least to pretend to be one for the day.

My favorite part of about pajama day is that we get to wear pajamas to school!
Charley Hernandez

Of course, the little ones on the lower campus got in some of the fun and silliness of Homecoming Week too. Seeing the hallways and classrooms full of those little feet in fuzzy slippers, vibrantly patterned pants, and character onesies instantly just makes one feel so warm, happy, and all nostalgic. These children get all pumped up so much like little bunny rabbits skipping and then laughing their way to their desks, super stoked at that rare chance when comfort and chilling take priority over regular school clothes. This is a fabulous time for most of them to show off their favorite jammies with cartoon characters or bring along to school their favorite stuffed animal that has special memories attached.

The best part of pajama day is wearing my flower pajamas.
Katherine Burge

Pajama Day is not only a load of fun, but it's really cool for kids to feel that connection through something as simple as showing off their interests through their PJs. That's like a little break from the normal, letting them dive into learning with even more enthusiasm and happiness while chilling in the comfort vibes of "home." For many students, the best day of homecoming week was pajama day, which gave them a break from all the stressors at school and allowed them to chill with their classmates in a relaxed, comfy vibe.

I can wear pajamas!!
Axel Ball

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HOCO 2024: Socks

Joseph Tiemann-Mena — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 21:17:25 +0000

More Than Silly Socks.

Homecoming week is a staple of high school tradition. Every day has a different fun theme to it, such as “Character Day” or “Pajama Day.” However, one of the class’ favorites has always been “Silly Sock Day.” It involves the expected: people wearing the silliest socks they can find. Students can be seen sporting dill pickle socks, beer pint socks, TMNT socks, and Catholic saint socks. Daniel Newman, a senior at St. Lukes, spoke on his enjoyment of Silly Sock Day, saying “Silly Sock Day is the goofiest day of the year!” The history of socks extends far beyond St. Lukes, however.

Socks have existed for millennia, since their invention by John Sock during ancient times. Back then, society dealt with major issues due to a lack of socks. Chafed, sweaty, and cold feet were all commonplace. Something had to be done, so with a stroke of genius, the first socks were created. Early models were very rudimentary, simply being animal skin that was tied around the feet. However, sock technology steadily advanced, and an updated version was released by the Romans around 200 BC, known as udones. These were the first fitted socks, now made of cloth instead of skin. Being cheaper and much more comfortable, they spread throughout all of Rome.

Socks saw their next major improvement centuries later during the Industrial Revolution. Socks could now be produced six times faster, and their dirt cheap price meant even rural peasants could enjoy them. Nylon started being incorporated into socks starting in 1938, meaning socks were now more durable and elastic. Rubber bands were also added to socks, meaning garters were no longer needed to hold them up. A famous journalist from the Foot News Network commented “Socks have been greatly improved in recent years. I recently purchased a pair of white stockings, and was impressed with the superior craftsmanship, convenience, and luxury.”

This leads us to today’s modern sock, the culmination of millennia worth of innovation. They are extremely affordable, almost anybody can purchase them. They keep feet dry in sweaty conditions. They are durable enough to withstand the most active lifestyles. Socks are often unnoticed despite the convenience they bring us and the incredible technology they are constructed with. “Silly Sock Day” at St. Lukes is not only a day for students to have fun, but one to commemorate one of the most invaluable articles of clothing in our lives.

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HOCO 2024 Lower School

Connie Jackson — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:31:47 +0000

Get all your 2024 HOCO INFO for Lower School, grades 1-5 here!

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St. Luke’s 5th Grader Reads 6 Million Words

St. Luke's Staff Writers — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:03:49 +0000

On St. Luke's Japonica Campus, we witness countless moments of academic and personal achievement among our students. Today, we are thrilled to highlight a truly extraordinary accomplishment by one of our 5th grade students, Rose Perez. This year, Rose has read over 6 million words, adding to her impressive record of reading more than a million words each year since she started lower school.

Rose's journey with reading began the moment she stepped onto campus for K5. From the very start, she demonstrated an insatiable curiosity and a deep love for books. Whether it was picture books or the early chapter books that many of us fondly remember from our own childhoods, Rose immersed herself in stories and characters, always eager to learn more and explore new worlds through the pages of a book.

By the end of her first year, Rose had already read over a million words. This was no small feat for a five-year-old, and it set the tone for her future achievements. Each year, her passion for reading grew, along with her vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic prowess. Teachers noticed not only her reading ability but also how her expansive knowledge from books enriched class discussions, fueled her creativity, and enhanced her writing skills.

This year, as a 5th grader, Rose has reached an incredible milestone by reading over 6 million words. To put this into perspective, that’s the equivalent of reading the entire Harry Potter series ten times over! It’s a testament to her dedication, discipline, and most importantly, her love for reading.

Rose’s accomplishments have also had a positive ripple effect on her peers. Her enthusiasm for reading is contagious. She’s often seen recommending books to friends and even helping younger students find books that might interest them. She’s become a true reading ambassador on St. Luke's Japonica Campus, inspiring others to discover the joys of reading.

As a school, we are incredibly proud of Rose’s achievements. Her dedication to reading exemplifies the values we strive to instill in all our students: a love for learning, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. Rose’s parents also deserve a special mention for fostering a reading-friendly environment at home and supporting her literary interests.

Rose’s story is a powerful reminder of the incredible things our students can achieve with passion and dedication. It’s a privilege to support and celebrate such a remarkable young reader, and we look forward to seeing all the wonderful things Rose will continue to accomplish in the future.

Congratulations, Rose, on your extraordinary achievement! You make St. Luke's proud.

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