Traditions mark start of year at Woodlands Academy
Students, faculty and staff reporting for the first day of classes at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart on Aug. 22 were greeted by a variety of spirited signage and decorations inside and outside the building.
They were all designed and created by the Class of 2023 as part of the traditional "Seniors Rule Day," in which members of the graduating class at the all-girls college-prep high school in Lake Forest celebrate their newfound status at the beginning of each school year.
Another tradition is observed just before classroom activities begin. The Woodlands Academy community gathers for the annual commissioning of faculty and staff.
"These adults at Woodlands perform the important ministries of teaching, coaching, moderating, advising and attending to the administrative needs involved in running a school," Associate Head of School Christine Schmidt said.
"Each one of them plays a vital, unique role in creating the Sacred Heart community."
And yet another Woodlands Academy tradition took place on Aug. 19. The New Student Prayer Service marks the end of orientation for first-year students.
"Coming to Woodlands, in many ways, is like joining a new, extended family," Head of School Susan Tyree Dempf, Ph.D., told them. "You are becoming part of a school that was founded near downtown Chicago and then moved to Lake Forest in 1904. In addition, you are joining a tradition of Sacred Heart education that traces its roots back to France in 1800.
"On behalf of the thousands of members of the International Sacred Heart community, I am deeply honored to welcome you to Woodlands Academy."
The New Student Prayer Service features a candle-lighting ceremony. Each first-year student is given a candle, which is then lit. At the end of the ceremony, all new students process out of the school's chapel carrying their lit candles.
Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent, Catholic day-and-boarding college-preparatory high school for young women of all faiths in grades nine through 12. It's part of an international network of more than 150 schools on six continents.
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