Alcuin School

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, we had a special visitor on Friday! Clint Gresham, Alcuin parent and Super Bowl XLVIII winner, spoke to Ms. Whitney’s class about his experience playing in the NFL and what it was like to win the Super Bowl! 🏈

Mr. Gresham even brought a replica Lombardi trophy, his authentic Super Bowl Ring, a game-worn helmet, and his jersey for the kids to get their hands on. 🏆

“Our family loves Alcuin for its warm, inclusive environment that celebrates each child for who they truly are. The unique blend of Montessori and IB curricula nurtures curiosity and independent thinking, allowing students to explore their passions. The small, close-knit community fosters strong relationships and a sense of camaraderie across all grades. From his adventures on the campout, to participating in the spelling bee, to performing in the all-school musical, Michael has felt supported and encouraged every step of the way by caring guides who inspire him to grow and explore his interests with confidence and joy.”
-Lauren Blitzer

And pack the gym we DID! 🤩 Yesterday, we had our Pack the Gym night, and both Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys took home the W! 🏀 Varsity Girls won 41-17, and Varsity Boys won 51-39 against Cambridge. Thank you to everyone who came to support the and our senior athletes as they soared and scored! 🏀

新年快乐 🎊 Last week, we had a full celebration of the Lunar New Year, starting with special lunches and presentations in classrooms and ending with performances by our Lower, Middle and Upper School students in the Wyly Performing Arts Center on Friday! 🎉 Take a look at some of the most exciting moments from our Lunar New Year festivities!

Opportunities are endless for our students AND staff! ✈ Upper School teacher Steven Sim recently flew into the Windy City to attend a rare program for educators at The University of Chicago! 🎉 The "fly-in" event, typically reserved for college counselors, was opened up to teachers around the country and featured a variety of academic sessions and panels for educators.

Steven also caught up with Class of 2024 alum Jiara Luna, who is a freshman at the University of Chicago!

Fly-in included:
- A campus tour led by a student guide,
-Networking opportunities during a cocktail mixer and dinner with UChicago staff, admissions representatives, and students,
-Academic sessions on topics such as "Explaining Dollar Dominance" with Professor Paul Poast and discussions on freedom of expression with Professor Leila Brammer,
-Insights into UChicago's renowned Institute of Politics through a panel discussion, and
-Meals with students, providing firsthand perspectives on life at UChicago.

We are so proud of Mr. Sim representing the throughout the country! ✈

Drum roll, please! As the curtains close on another week, our students spent some time rehearsing for "The Music Man, Jr." 🎶 Under the direction of John Kuether, rehearsals have been truly
🎵note-worthy🎵 as students began running through the wide variety of songs in this musical.

"I’ve been at Alcuin for eight years, and I love working here. I’ve always felt supported by my colleagues, who are incredibly skilled people. It’s an environment where you really feel part of the mission. We curate a variety of opinions among our staff. There are so many people from different walks of life here and many of us have been doing this for a long time, some of them for more than 20 years. Ultimately, it’s about using the skills and knowledge you have to create a better environment for the children." - Patrick D'Hoostelaere

Today, we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his incredible journey for justice and harmony. His courageous vision was instrumental in the pursuit of peace and acceptance for all. We look forward to seeing our students back on campus tomorrow, January 21, after the holiday!

Our Upper School students have been making the most of 2025 already as they finished their travel throughout Europe and Southeast Asia! ✈️ Sophomores visited Bavaria, Switzerland, and Austria for over a week, and Juniors touched down in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam for 10 days!

As our students become global citizens, they are encouraged to take in the history, architecture, and so much more as they experience different cultures across the world.

"I’ve been at Alcuin since fifth grade, and my younger brother has been here since he was in second grade. This environment is so unique, that it’s hard to put into words. Whenever I’m talking to my friends who don’t know about Alcuin, I tell them how wonderfully inclusive this school is, as well as the real-world application of the lessons we learn in the classroom. There’s an open-mindedness here that allows everybody the opportunity to follow their passions and pursue something they really want to do, so right now I’m just experiencing it and loving every minute of it." - Kysar Shalabi

We could definitely use some of Ms. Oliver's students' hot cocoa right now! ☕ We hope everyone is staying warm in this winter weather! ❄️☃️

Teamwork makes the dream work! Varalika Taparia, like all of our other students, learns important life skills alongside everyday curriculum. "One of the things I love about our classroom is that each student has a job to do to help keep the classroom in order," said Taparia. "At the end of each day, we pair up and do things like wash the dishes, sweep the floors, water the plants, and feed the fish. Those kinds of things help bring us closer together. Even if you’re tired, you will always have someone willing to help you out."

Caring for a space and contributing positively to a community are significant life lessons that shape our students into successful citizens, especially those with a heightened ethic of care. "Whether it's my experience in the classrooms or even going to the nurse when you’re sick, you always have people who care about you. That’s not something you find everywhere," said Taparia.

Happy New Year from all of us at Alcuin! 🎆 What was your favorite memory of 2024? Let us know in the comments!

Global Community...Literally! ✈️ Nicolas Baca-Storni found family in Alcuin after moving his family across the world a few years ago. 🌎

"Our experience at Alcuin has been exceptional. Being part of a community where we can share our interests, witness our daughters’ development, make friends, and feel at home has been crucial since we moved from Argentina over two years ago. Seeing our children, Camila and Isabel, surrounded by teachers and friends who share a passion for learning is truly inspiring. We feel blessed to provide them with the most innovative Montessori and International Baccalaureate education while also contributing to the school’s growth," said Baca-Storni.

Our holiday celebrations are coming to a close as we get ready for winter break! ❄ From the Jingle Bell Run to craft parties, treats and more, the last few weeks have been the best way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!