Campus Culture Archives - Page 20 of 26

“Going to school…gives me a chance to wear my clothes.” Upper School Reflects on Return to Campus

Daria H. and Lucia P. • May 16, 2021

After spending over a year online, Westridge Upper Schoolers finally returned to campus. Although some students have returned to campus for SEL activities and sports conditioning, others haven’t seen...

For the Westridge Community, this Summer is Filled with Family, Friends, and Traveling

Jessica W. • May 15, 2021

With this unpredictable school year of remote and hybrid learning coming to an end, faculty and students have begun making plans for the summer. Some have decided to travel; others are staying close to...

Westridge’s DEI Efforts Part 2: How Involved are Students in the DEI Process?

Katie S. • May 15, 2021

A large part of the DEI effort involves student input — receiving student feedback, checking in with students’ sense of belonging, and having ongoing conversations with students about changes they...

Westridge’s DEI Efforts Part 1: Increasing Student Body Representation

Katie S. • May 9, 2021

DEI initiatives and efforts to increase student diversity are not new to Westridge’s admission process. “There are some strategies we have expanded upon and some newer initiatives that are underway to spread the word about Westridge to families that may not hear about us through traditional marketing and outreach efforts,” explained Margaret Shoemaker, Director of Admission.

A Year in Review: Westridge Looks Back and Forward at its DEI Efforts

Katie S. • May 9, 2021

Westridge published their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) planning strategies in January 2020, located in the Westridge Strategic Plan. Among other initiatives, the DEI plan includes: increasing DEI training for all Westridge constituencies, identifying biases in curriculum, and creating a plan to increase student body and faculty & staff diversity.

Tiger Week: A New Experience For Teachers and Students

Verena W. and Sabina P. • April 26, 2021

While the Interim week before spring break at Westridge is usually filled with school trips and activities, ranging from the on-campus to the international, this year was different. Due to COVID-19, Tiger...

Youtube, Yoga, and Outdoor Walks: How the Westridge Community Has Been Staying Active

Jessica W. • April 11, 2021

As we reflect on one year of lockdown in the pandemic, one thing is for sure: our lives have quickly become more stationary, and many began searching for new ways of incorporating movement into their...

What Do Students Think About In-Person School?

Katie X. • April 11, 2021

After spending a little over a year entirely online, students have begun returning to campus. Lower and middle schoolers have already been back for on-campus remote learning as well as social and emotional...

When Did The Pandemic Become Real To You? Students and Faculty Respond.

Daria H. and Julia W. • April 11, 2021

On March 13, 2020, Westridge closed its doors after a coronavirus case was diagnosed in Los Angeles. Most members of the community believed that everything would go back to normal after spring break, but...

Alumnae and Faculty Honored During Alumnae Weekend

Lucia P. and Mckenna D. • April 11, 2021

Vintage music played in the background while Westridge alumnae joined the Zoom meeting, some unmuting to chat or report a tech problem. The organizers of the online event stayed muted and allowed past...

Share their Views or Remain Neutral? The Difficulties of Navigating Politics for Teachers

Katie S., Writing Editor • April 11, 2021

It was near the end of Westridge’s Modern Middle East class when some students began clicking the leave button to exit the Teams meeting. They had just finished watching a movie and were about to head...

Student Well-Being Improves with Later Start Times

Brittany A. and Isabella W. • April 11, 2021

Since classes have shifted to remote learning, the adjusted schedule now has a later start time. Previously, a Spyglass article titled “Opinion: Late Start Gives Students a Head Start in School” discussed...