We in the boarding community of San Domenico have a lot to be grateful for: we live in a beautiful setting among friends, the weather allows us to get outside and have fun, summer is just around the corner, and, of course, we have the best commute!

It’s hard to believe we’ve come to the end of April and are moving into our last four weeks of school! In the dorms, however, we always have new and exciting changes, and we’re constantly striving to improve our program.

We had a beautiful week to celebrate Earth Day! Sustainability is an important school value at San Domenico, and that begins with celebrating and valuing our planet. We have taken measures throughout the dorms to promote sustainability.

Last weekend was busy with many students returning to campus after a spring break and a week of distance learning. This week we headed back to the classrooms and a return to our routines.

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks in the dorms, as many of our students returned home for the short break and extended distance learning.

The arrival of Daylight Savings gives us a little more time to enjoy each day: more time to play on the fields, hike the trails, or enjoy the Garden of Hope.

As spring blossoms erupt all over campus, it’s difficult to believe that a year ago many of our students were leaving campus to engage in Distance Learning at the start of the pandemic.

Last week we said good-bye to Yuqi and Andy after spending the last 3 ½ years (and the last year uninterrupted) with them.

Each year, students apply and interview to become prefects, our student leaders in the dorms. Prefects serve as liaisons between the students on their floors and Resident Faculty, serving as role models, and planning fun activities for the floor.

Last weekend, we celebrated Lunar New Year with a special dinner of take out Chinese food. Epicurean heated and served a delicious meal from The China Palace in Novato.

With fall and winter holidays coming in quick succession, and most weeks punctuated by birthdays, it feels like we're always celebrating something in the dorms!

We've had another fun and productive week in the dorms! On Friday, we baked Mexican wedding cookies by special request, while students played a rousing game of Taboo using "Mercedes" rules.

After a long month of break and a week of returns, we are settling back into our routines this week. While some students stayed at San Domenico throughout the break, most went home and returned before classes began last week.

This last weekend was all about getting into the holiday spirit. We baked and decorated cookies, made gingerbread houses, enjoyed barbecues with Santa Churchill, made strings of popcorn and cranberries for our beautiful tree in Mercedes, watched Christmas movies, and drank endless cups of hot cider.

It's the Holiday Season and we are feeling it in the dorms! With our beautiful holiday-trimmed tree in Mercedes, menorah on the table, lights hanging outside, a chill in the air, and lots of fun plans for the weekend, we're experiencing many of the joys of the season.