The Dana Hall community is reshaping tradition this upcoming Parents’ Weekend. It will be the second to have classes on both Friday and Saturday. While all sporting events have traditionally taken place on Saturday, this year Varsity sports will be held in the evening on Friday after a show from the Performing Arts Department. The J.V. sports will occur Saturday afternoon after classes.
A Tuesday schedule will be split over the weekend; Tuesday is a day that is guaranteed to have all academic classes. Friday will consist of the first classes of the day that occur before lunch. On Saturday, all the Tuesday afternoon classes will happen in the morning. The Saturday classes are a controversial topic on campus. English teacher Linda Derezinski says, “As a working mother, I really think it important that we offer non work days to participate in your daughter’s life at school. It is hard, and it’s not fun to have a Saturday and come into work.” Current seniors Meliza Etwaroo and Sophia Bacchus agree that the changes in class times are a good way to let working parents see their children’s school. Bacchus adds, “I am very excited about homecoming this year because my sister is a freshman and my whole family will be involved in the events!”
All Dana Hall sports teams played at NCDS homecoming on September 20. All of the teams tied or lost that day. Varsity athlete Sarah Galligan ’16 acknowledges the volleyball team’s loss but says, “We are a new and young team, but we are now much improved and I think our team dynamic is very strong.” Field hockey player Elyanna Coutracos ’16 says that although her team tied against NCDS Varsity Field Hockey, she and her team are “okay with the result as long as we play[ed] our hardest.” Now, she is “excited about homecoming.”
This year the Parents’ Association is providing the funding for many food trucks. Blue Ribbon BBQ, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese Nation, Compliments, and Cool Cow ice cream trucks will be serving dinner on Friday. On Saturday, Cool Cow will be back as a complement to the cookout that will take place at lunch.
To support the environment, Dana Hall encourages every student and visitor to bring their own water bottle, which they can refill at the water bottle filling fountains. If anyone forgets to bring reusable bottle from home, there will be Dana Hall reusable bottles available.
According to Kari McPartland, the Associate Director of Special Events, there has always been a fun run/walk on Parents’ Weekend, but to initiate more involvement, it has recently been changed to the Dana Dash. This event traditionally supports breast cancer awareness, as it is Breast Cancer Awareness month and many teams show support by incorporating pink into their uniforms. Last year the Dana Dash helped the Cradles to Crayons coat drive, but this year the profits from the run will go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Women’s Cancer Program.
Additionally, there will be a Dana Spirit Stand to offer decorations to help show Dana support. The stands will consist of face paint and decorations for thunder sticks and cow bells. Freshman Natasha Joukowsky said, “I am excited for this weekend,” as it is her first year and her parents will get to come to her classes.
Photo: The Dana Dragon celebrated with athletes at last year’s Parents’ Weekend pep rally.
