Dana Hall's 127th academic year opened Wednesday, September 5. The School begins the year with 485 students, the largest enrollment in recent history. Students and faculty joined together for the Opening Convocation in Bardwell Auditorium, where they heard greetings from the All-School Co-Presidents and Middle School Co-Presidents. Head of School Blair Jenkins welcomed new and returning students, and offered some insights as she begins her final year at Dana Hall.

"Every year is a new beginning. And every year, especially at the start of every year, is also a time for looking back, for reflecting, for thinking about what's important," Jenkins said. "At times like these, we look BACK to the things that have supported and sustained us (to past successes, to old and good friends, to family, to teachers, to people we can depend on) -- and we look FORWARD (to goals, dreams, and ambitions; and new friends and new teachers; -- to things we're curious about (the wider world around us), things we want to try (perhaps the climbing wall or a new language), to risks and challenges of all sorts of kinds (such as starting a new school or becoming a boarding student)."

The entire school then sang a special Opening Convocation song, which was written by Choral Director David Coleman.

After a special schedule of classes, the entire school boarded buses for the Annual Harbor Cruise around Boston Harbor. The rest of the week will be spent in class retreats. Students in the Middle School will be involved in a variety of activities to that focus on areas of trust, communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. The Class of 2011 will spend time on-campus learning about different aspects of the Upper School and then take the Commuter Rail into Boston, as well as participate in team building and problem solving activities at the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA Outdoor Center. The Class of 2010 will engage in hands-on community service learning projects, group discussion, and interactive workshops surrounding social justice issues like homelessness and poverty. The Class of 2009 will head to Maine for a rafting trip organized through North American Whitewater Expeditions, Inc. The Class of 2008 will stay on campus and prepare for the college application process as well as for senior traditions.

Check back on www.danahall.org for photographs of these opening days' activities.