Twelve students formed a tunnel, six on each side, and one by one, each student from the eighth-grade class at Pennfield School shimmied through the tunnel with a unique dance move. All the while, “let this groove / get you to move / it’s alright, alright,” lyrics from “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire blared through the speakers on repeat. The spirit in the gymnasium was infectious.    

Is this how they start school every day? At 8 a.m., with so much energy — moving and shaking to the beat of the music? The answer is — mostly — yes.    

Each day of the week has a theme. On this particular day, it was Takeover Tuesday, where kindergarteners took over the assembly. A small girl with blonde banana curls shyly began the day, stumbling over her words and looking to her teacher for support as she asked the crowd, “Is there any birthdays?” A few students ran up to where the little girl was standing at the microphone, and the entire crowd in the gymnasium sang “Happy Birthday,” almost in unison.     

The kindergarteners had the Takeover Tuesday helm until ...    

The eighth grade decided to usurp the throne. The eighth-grade class began an impromptu dance with permission from Kristin Emory, senior director of enrollment and advancement. Emory had no idea what this performance was going to look like. She watched with as much anticipation as the other staff, students, and parents in the crowd. She shook her head and laughed, saying, “I had no idea they were going to be doing this today.”    

“We are the most supportive audience you will ever perform for,” commented Mathew Bottone, coordinator of student life at Pennfield, as part of his announcements just before the eighth-graders brought their dance moves to the floor.    

Character takes action    

Bottone, or Mr. B., is one of Isla Ackman’s favorite teachers at Pennfield. Ackman, a seventh-grade student who was awarded the first Character in Action Scholarship to enter Pennfield School in September of 2024, sat center stage. She watched the eighth-graders dance with a big smile on her face, surrounded by the ten students who make up the entire seventh-grade class at Pennfield — she knows them well.      

Paul Amadio, head of the school, spoke about the need for a scholarship based on kindness. “Education has changed so much. We need people who are collaborative, creative, and who add value and voice to the community,” he said. He also noted that scholarships for sports and academics are common, but this one focuses on kindness and community. “The hope is that each student who gets this opportunity will pay it forward to the community,” he elaborated.

Ackman, who said she loves being a student at Pennfield School, cited reasons that match Amadio’s hope. “One of my favorite parts of being here is the buddy program, where we pair up with a kid from another grade and help them make bird feeders or have a dance party, and other things like that.”    

She also enjoys the small class sizes. The total number of students at Pennfield is 174, compared to her previous school, where her entire grade had 138 students. The difference is significant — at Pennfield, she is in a small class and has been able to form lasting, meaningful relationships with students of all ages, from preschool through eighth grade.   

This experience highlights the importance of school choice. Finding a school that fits a student’s needs can be a difficult task. Ackman’s mom found Pennfield School on social media. There are other ways to discover the best school options for a child, too. One opportunity is National School Choice Week, which just so happens to be this week. It runs from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2025. Some schools will be having events, some opening up opportunities for scholarships — one of those being Pennfield.     

Three more students will be awarded the opportunity to attend Pennfield next year. The application deadline is Feb. 21, 2025. Pennfield School is offering three $12,000 scholarships to incoming students entering grades 6 to 8. These scholarships will recognize outstanding middle school students who embody kindness, helpfulness, and a love for learning. The staff, students and families that make up Pennfield look forward to welcoming more students for a dose of groovy kindness and energy each morning at their social hour — the assembly.