As the second term of the academic year gets underway and cold weather sets in, anticipation is building at George School for Holiday Weekend, a beloved annual tradition scheduled for December 11 through 13, 2009.

Activities for students on Friday, December 11, will include a van to the light festival at Shadybrook Farm, screenings of holiday films in Marshall Center, and vans to area gift shopping.

Once brunch ends on Saturday, December 12, students will begin decorating the Dining Room in Main building in preparation for the semiformal Holiday Dance that night. Many weekend events at George School are sponsored by student groups, and the Holiday Dance is sponsored by the day student prefects. Like the school’s boarding student prefects, day student prefects provide leadership and support for their peers. As sponsors of the dance, they have chosen this year’s theme—the “Nutcracker” story—and will organize the decorations and clean up after the event. Scheduled from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., the Holiday Dance will also include snacks and treats provided by Parents Association volunteers.

Parents are invited to join students, faculty, and staff for Holiday Meeting for Worship on Sunday, December 13, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in the George School Meetinghouse. A variation on the traditional silent worship practiced by Quakers, Holiday Meeting for Worship is held by candlelight, with music before, during, and after silent periods of worship. Live musical performances by George School students will begin at 7:15 p.m. for early arrivers.

Head of School Nancy Starmer said, “As with the regular meeting for worship that is held on campus for students each week, Holiday Meeting for Worship is an opportunity for school community members of all faiths to gather for quiet reflection.”

The holiday spirit will carry over into the morning assembly on Monday, December 14, where George School dance students will present the annual Holiday Dance Performance from 9:50 to 10:25 a.m. in Walton Center Auditorium. The conclusion of assembly will bring another George School tradition—a group of surprise visitors offering holiday candy.

Additional information for parents about Holiday Weekend is available in the December issue of the Parent Plan-It. Holiday Weekend is one of thirty-one themed weekends with social and educational activities for students during the 2009-10 year. Other themes include the Outdoor Challenge, Philly Arts, Harvest, Halloween, Live Music, Food and Fun, Mardi Gras, Environmental Awareness, Sibling Weekend, Alumni Weekend, I Love New York, and Commencement.