Cate School

Fall Family Weekend Preview

October 10, 2025

Dear Cate Families,

We look forward to seeing many of you on the Mesa for Fall Family Weekend, October 16-19! Whether this is your first or one of your last Family Weekends, we trust you will learn something new or unexpected, meet fascinating students and adults, and walk away with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Cate.

Family Weekend brings a palpable energy to campus. There’s music everywhere, the art shows are humbling, and the theatre performances are inspiring. Other highlights of the weekend include:

  • The CPO Welcome Reception at Mesa House, the historic head of school home, where we kick off the weekend with an outdoor social event for parents. Excellent local tacos and refreshments will be served.
  • The Registration Table, which will open on Friday morning, is outside Booth Commons. Stop by to pick up your nametag and student schedule for the weekend.
  • 30-minute classes and the all-school assembly, which you attend with your child, alongside students, faculty, and family members.
  • A College Counseling panel presentation featuring admission professionals from four California colleges and universities.
  • A unique Head of School session, The Power of Purpose, featuring Alex Lockett and Dr. Jennifer Beatty-Wright, professor and practitioner of positive psychology. Mark your calendar for this conversation about how young people develop a sense of purpose, belonging, and authentic excellence.
  • A meeting with your advisor to discuss your favorite topic – your child.
  • An Affinity and Language-Based Coffee to meet with people who speak the same language (Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese) or come from the same identity group (for Black families).
  • Sports practices and games — stay tuned for possible opportunities to join your child’s team in action!

All meals are provided on campus throughout the weekend for students and guests. Attire is casual, and we recommend comfortable shoes. Details about when your child can sign off (SISO on Reach) are provided on the schedule.

For those unable to attend, please be assured that the many Cate families and faculty members surrounding your child will take good care of them.

Warm regards from the Mesa,
Lindsay Newlove
Director of Parent Engagement

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