Upper school prefects and Community Council members attended their annual summer retreats from Aug. 16 to 18 and Aug. 18 to 19, respectively, at the same house in Escondido. Head Prefect Michael Lehrhoff ’20 said that the prefects got to know each other and formed stronger bonds through discussions and activities including kayaking, cooking and playing board games.

“The retreat was incredibly valuable because we developed healthy group dynamics,” Lehrhoff said. “It’s important to build a mutual trust and bond between the members. Our discussions allow us to better understand the issues we face from different perspectives, which in turn sparks new approaches and initiatives.”

Junior Prefect Cleo Maloney ’21 said that she enjoyed spending time with the other prefects.

“They’re all so devoted and committed, and it’s incredibly inspiring, especially concerning ideas we brainstormed together for this year,” Maloney said. “One night we all cooked pizza together and all ate at one big table after. It was so good plus just simply fun to cook with everyone.”
Lehrhoff also noted that the council discussed the schedule being implemented next school year.

“We spent a bunch of time talking about the implications of a new schedule through addressing misconceptions and finding solutions,” Lehrhoff said. The implications included educational benefits of revitalized courses, and also the drawbacks of overcrowded facilities during all community periods.”

At the end of the prefects’ retreat, all members met with Community Council members to discuss the culture of the school.

Community Council Member Noah Aire ’20 said that he hopes that the two groups work together to reach their goals over the course of the school year.
“We had a meaningful talk with Prefect Council about morality and how we can work together better this upcoming year,” Aire said. “I think both councils had great ideas that still need to be fleshed out with more frequent meetings.”

Aire also said that he was happy to meet many of the new members of Community Council and discuss the future of the club with them.
“It was really cool to have so many new people,” Aire said. “There were about four returning members and seven new members, which felt very refreshing.”

Community Council member Isabel von Mende ’20 said that the retreat was a fun way to get to know the other community council member.

“We took a bus to this gorgeous house in Escondido with a pool and a movie theater,” Von Mende said. “We spent lots of time discussing and bonding.”
Aire said that after meeting with the prefects, Community swam and watched movies while discussing goals for the upcoming year.

“Every year, we have two major events,” Aire said. “We’re trying to figure out a big event to start with.”