Olympic Torch Run Opens Games at Chatsworth Hills Academy

From Chatsworth Hills Academy:

As part of its educational philosophy of bringing learning to life, Chatsworth Hills Academy (CHA) recreated the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies on its own campus to kick-off its year-long Olympics theme, coinciding with the 2012 Olympic year.   CHA’s Opening Ceremonies on Monday, which emulated the sportsmanship and pageantry of the Olympic Games, included a Torch Run, the Parade of Nations and the release of doves.  Additionally, each student, dressed to represent one of seven countries from six continents, recited the Olympic Oath.

The Torch Run began the morning, originating at the uppermost corner of the campus and featuring runners from each of the countries – Australia, Argentina, India, France, Kenya, Mexico and South Korea.  The country teams followed the torch to the school’s sports field, which was transformed into an Olympic stadium, where the teams gathered for the Parade of Nations, release of doves and the administering of the Olympic oath.

“Experiential learning is an essential part of a CHA education,” said Ann Gillinger, Head of School.  “We know that children learn and retain more when they experience the curriculum first-hand, rather than solely reading about it in a book.”

The Olympic Oath was administered to all students, from preschoolers to eighth graders, by Carol Shibel, a founding member of the CHA faculty and winner of the 2011 Science and Technology Teacher Award.  The gathered crowd of students, parents, teachers and administrators were then awed by the release of doves, which circled the field several times before flying off into the beautiful clear, blue sky.

Chatsworth Hills Academy (CHA) is an independent college preparatory school serving students from Early Childhood (ages 2 1/2 – 5) through grade 8.  CHA is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by both the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  For the past three years, CHA was voted the Best Private School by readers of the Daily News.