Author: Avani Shah
May 16, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Next Monday will be the last day of classes for our seniors. Somehow, this school year seems to move faster as May arrives. But, when I pause and look back, I’m struck by how much we’ve seen together – new beginnings, joyful milestones, and real, meaningful growth. Here are a few of my most cherished …
May 2, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook – On Alignment
I’m always so grateful to see parents when they return to the Mesa during Family Weekend. The small interactions, the warm hugs, and casual conversations are a delightful reminder of our important, interconnected work of raising young people together. During my talk over the weekend, I shared insights and observations about this very connection …
May 1, 2025
2025 Spring Family Weekend Celebration of Writing Winner
Winners of the Golden Box Contest “Occupying The Now: A Response to ‘The Contrafactual Traveler’” By Flora Adair, Class of 2026 “All Angels are Transexual” by Mags Albrecht, Class of 2025 “Coyote” by Coco Kliman, Class of 2026 “It’s Beneath the Fig Tree” by Elise Tsai, Class of 2026 “Southern Gentleman” by Elliott Paige, Class of 2026 “Prince of Fish” by Alison Wang, Class …
April 11, 2025
Head of School’s Notebook: Pacing and Pause
Last week, the pace on campus shifted. We moved into April, and everything started to move faster. End-of-year projects, exams, planning for Commencement – all of it now feels just around the corner. My inbox is full of questions about the years ahead: 2026, 2027, 2028. This time of year always comes with urgency. But …
December 20, 2024
Head of School’s Notebook: Service in Spirit
As we head into the final days of the year where giving and receiving gifts is central to many cultural practices, I find myself reflecting on the adage, “It is better to give than receive.” Here at Cate, our ethos of Servons codifies our shared belief that life is made meaningful through regular and generous …
December 19, 2024
This Week in Athletics: Winter Break
As we head into Winter Break, we want to give thanks to all of the coaches and instructors who put so much time, effort, and energy into the afterschool program. Seeing the joy on our students’ faces when they are doing something they love, practicing, playing, and competing makes it all worth it! This winter …
September 12, 2024
Desi Student Union Celebrates Holi
The Desi Student Union hosted a vibrant Holi celebration on Friday, March 22, 2024, featuring a dynamic two-hour dance workshop led by Aakansha Maheshwari, Founder and Artistic Director of BollyPop in Los Angeles. The workshop, filled with energetic music, movement, and celebration, brought the spirit of Holi to campus. Open to the entire school community, …
September 12, 2024
New Inquiry Collaborative Fosters Community and Curiosity
At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Cate opened the doors to its new hub for learning and inquiry, the Inquiry Collaborative (CoLab). Housed in the CoLab is the Wykoff Library run by Director of Libraries Carolyn LaMontagne and Librarian Alesia Aceves. Both new to the Cate community, they bring a fresh and revitalized …
September 12, 2024
2024 BIPOC Community Reception
Prior to the 2024 Sunset Ceremony, students, faculty, staff, and community members of the Mesa attended the largest-ever community reception, with over 100 guests in attendance. With desserts, yard games, and a curated playlist of music spanning cultures, the event offered space for students and adults to come together in community for meaningful connection and …
April 12, 2024
Desi Student Union Celebrates Holi
The Desi Student Union hosted a vibrant Holi celebration on Friday, March 22, 2024 featuring a dynamic two-hour dance workshop led by Aakansha Maheshwari, Founder and Artistic Director of BollyPop in Los Angeles. The workshop, filled with energetic music, movement, and celebration, brought the spirit of Holi to campus. Open to the entire school community, …
December 8, 2023
Head of School’s Notebook: Love & Perspective
This fall, I was invited to join The 1911 Group established one year after the founding of Cate. I recently attended the annual conference at Princeton and as the newest and youngest member of the group, I had the opportunity to listen and learn from an incredibly impressive array of school leaders. As part of …
September 15, 2023
Head of School’s Notebook: Beginnings
After the excitement of the start of the year, we are more fully back into the routine of the school and students are settling into the rhythm of their lives on the Mesa. Part of what makes this transition into regularity so seamless is that last week, we all spent time away from Cate in …