Start of school at Darlington is much more than registration and first day of classes. House prefects and faculty prepared well in advance of the start of school for the return of students.
The week prior to the first day of school the six Houses’ prefects, day and boarding, move into the Houses for a full week of planning and preparation. The prefects work to set goals and plan events in support of the School’s six mission areas.
“For community service, we discussed our projects for the year, both local and global,” Josey Goldner, Erlandson House head resident prefect, said. “We chose Heiffer International as our global project and volunteering at Anna K. Davie as our local contribution.”
“We also brainstormed some new student activities events for the year and discussed how we might get more day student participation. We planned socials with our brother House and came up with a weekly newsletter to circulate among all the day and resident House members. We have implemented a debate team and are in the midst of planning bible studies,” she said.
“We have some great student activities planned,” Elyse Moody, head day prefect, echoed. “Movie night in the pool, rafting, pedicure night, Sadie Hawkins Valentine’s Day Dance, dinners, Capture the Flag, S’Mores bonfire, “Margaritaville” Dance, and trips to theaters are some of the activities we planned.”
During prefect week, the Erlandson House prefects completed redecorated their second floor lounge, including purchasing a DVD player. As welcoming gifts to new and returning students, they gathered together cups and picture frames along with some candy. They also purchased, painted, personalized, and assembled a vanity stool for each House member.
“We rearranged our kitchen, painted the hallway, and fixed up the House duty teacher’s office, too,” Moody said.
“This past prefect week was the best!” Goldner said. “There was an enormous amount of organization and participation, which wasn’t the most prevalent in past years. Numerous tasks were accomplished and House moral was set high.”
“I had a blast. I love Ms. Erlandson,” Moody said.
Brian Costas, Barnes House social prefect, worked with his faculty coordinator, Michael Van Cise, XXXX, to plan social activities for the boys. “We already have socials planned for this year,” Costas said. “For one event we will invite the girls to come over to our House to have ice cream sundaes.”
Other social events planned are Italian night with lasagna and varieties of pasta, build-your-own-sub-night, and build-your-own-fajita night.
