The Full Story
In the vibrant atmosphere of Terra Schools, Mentorship & Traditions intertwine to shape a remarkable sense of community and foster a deep sense of belonging. As we strive to provide an enriching educational experience, traditions play a vital role in creating lasting memories and building strong connections among our students. Throughout the year, our school proudly hosts a diverse range of events and captivating trips, designed to immerse students in the beauty of shared experiences. Whether it's an exciting trip, a lively cultural festival, or a heartwarming holiday celebration, each tradition at Terra Schools leaves an indelible mark on our students' lives. At Terra Schools, our commitment to mentorship and traditions reinforces the bonds within our community, nurturing an environment where students thrive and discover their true potential.
CĆMO APLICAR
Student-led Ski Trip
Terra Schools organizes a student-led ski trip for its upper students. This trip is not only a chance to have fun and bond with friends, but also an opportunity for students to learn and practice essential life skills within a real-world context. The ski trip is well-supervised with a student-adult ratio of 5 to 1, including parent chaperones. The trip's goal is to give students a chance to develop their executive functioning skills, such as planning, organization, and time management, while also learning how to be responsible and independent in a group setting. Throughout the trip, students are expected to set the table, prepare their food, clean after meals, dress themselves to ski, and be responsible for their ski gear. Through this experience, students gain valuable skills that they will use throughout their lives. The ski trip is intentionally planned to happen on the week that high school acceptances are announced, this way our 8th graders can take a break from the stress and spend some device-free time having fun.
Fun Run
The annual Fun Run is more than just a fundraising event. It's a celebration of community and tradition, where students, families, and faculty come together to support a common goal. Participants are encouraged to challenge themselves and test their limits by running laps around the designated course. As they strive to achieve their personal best, they develop valuable life skills such as perseverance, goal-setting, and self-awareness. But it's not just about the competition - the Fun Run also promotes a healthy lifestyle and diversity, bringing people from all walks of life together in a fun and inclusive environment. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, the Fun Run is a great way to get active, connect with others, and support a worthy cause.
Upper School
International Trip
We place great value on the power of international experiences to shape our students into well-rounded individuals. This year, our 8th graders embarked on a journey to Madrid, Spain, where they not only have the opportunity to explore a new culture but also learn valuable life skills in the process. For this annual trip, our students took the initiative to find creative ways to raise funds and organize the trip. Through hard work, perseverance, and team effort, they were able to make their dream a reality, learning valuable financial management, planning, and teamwork skills in the process.
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Additionally, our school's pen-pal program provides an exceptional opportunity for our students to connect with their peers whom they get to meet in person during their annual international trip. Each year, the country changes, and the students get to explore a new culture and engage in real-world experiences. As part of the program, our students are paired with pen-pals from the destination country, with whom they communicate before and during the trip abroad. This pen-pal system not only allows our students to practice their language skills but also provides them with a firsthand understanding of the culture and a unique opportunity to form new friendships. We believe that fostering global connections and cross-cultural understanding is essential for our students to develop into responsible citizens of the global community.
Lunar New Year
Our event aims to bring together people of different cultures and backgrounds to experience the rich and diverse traditions of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities. The purpose of this festival is to create a fun and educational environment for families and individuals of all ages to learn about and appreciate the cultural diversity that surrounds us. Each year, hundreds of community members gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year through children’s performances, multicultural food and drinks, and family-friendly games and activities. We are grateful for our exceptional performers, volunteers, and sponsors for creating this spectacular event.
All School Play
At the Terra Schools, we believe in the power of the arts to unlock creativity, build confidence, and foster self-expression. Every Terra Marin drama performance is student-powered, student-produced, and student-performed. Often, it is also student-written. That's why we place equal emphasis on drama and other creative pursuits alongside more traditional academic subjects. Our annual drama performance is a prime example of this philosophy in action. Each year, our students take center stage, producing, writing, and performing in a show that showcases their unique talents and perspectives. This year's production, Fiddler on the Roof, was a heartwarming and entertaining performance that left audiences of all ages cheering for an encore. From the witty dialogue to the rousing musical numbers, the show was a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and the power of the arts to inspire and delight.
Fall Camping Trip
We believe that building a strong sense of community is essential to creating a successful learning environment. That's why we kick off each new school year with a Fall Camping Trip that brings together our teachers, staff, parents, and students for a weekend of fun, relaxation, and bonding. Over the course of the trip, we share meals, swap stories, and explore the great outdoors, forging new friendships and deepening existing connections. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a city slicker, the trip is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience the joys of nature in the company of like-minded individuals. By the time we return home, we've not only created a community but a family that will support each other throughout the year and beyond.
Mentorship / Buddies
We believe that education is not just about academic achievement but also about fostering social-emotional growth and development. That's why we have implemented a Mentorship Program that pairs older students with younger students, allowing for a mutually beneficial relationship to form. For younger students, the program provides a friendly face and a support system that helps them feel more comfortable in their new school environment. For older students, it offers an opportunity to develop leadership skills while fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy for their younger peers. Through the program, students learn important social-emotional skills such as conflict resolution, self-regulation, responsible decision-making, and positive relationship-building, all while creating a real sense of community and respect among our students. By supporting and learning from each other, our students are better equipped to navigate the challenges of life both inside and outside the classroom.
Parent Committees
We believe that a strong community is built on the collective efforts of its members. That's why we have established multiple committees that help support the school in various ways. By volunteering on a committee or participating in school wide initiatives, our community members are able to take an active role in shaping the future of our school and making a positive impact on the lives of our students.
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Why volunteering with the Terra Schools will benefit your family
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Teach your child the importance of giving back
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Build closer relationships with your child’s teachers, classmates, and families
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Explore your child’s school life, and experience how the program mission comes to life
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How families can get involved
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Room Parent
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Parent Association
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Building & Grounds Beautification
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Lunar New Year
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Nutrition
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Yearbook
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Performing Arts
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Fundraising
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Admissions
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Earth Ed Camping Trip (first week of school)
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Other ways to volunteer
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If you have a special skill that you’d like to contribute to the Terra Schools, we welcome your support. In the past, parents have taken professional photos of our events, donated weekly volunteer time for miscellaneous tasks, made sushi lunch for our staff, and found many other creative ways to express their appreciation for the Terra Schools community.
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An invitation to volunteer
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Each year, families are invited to contribute 10 hours of volunteer service (in the case of a single parent household) or 20 hours of volunteer service (for two parent households) to the school community.
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