News & Announcements

At a time when many young people report feeling overwhelmed by global crises, students at Kirby School are proving that action is the antidote to despair. In celebration of Earth Day, the school hosted a full day of student-led workshops that not only promoted sustainability but also gave students a meaningful way to contribute to real-world solutions.

The event featured a varied lineup of interactive stations, each conceived and led by students, offering hands-on experiences rooted in environmental responsibility. Participants learned practical skills and discovered ways to reduce waste, protect ecosystems, and express their concerns through art.

Workshop topics included:

• Bike Fixing – Teaching basic bike maintenance to promote greener transportation options.
• Recycling 101 – Demystifying local recycling guidelines and encouraging better habits.
• Sewing Repairs – Fighting fast fashion waste through simple mending techniques.
• Recycled Paper Making – Giving discarded paper new life while illustrating resource cycles.
• Trash to Art – Transforming waste into artwork and sparking conversations about reuse.
• Recycled Jewelry Making – Creating wearable pieces from found objects and scrap materials.
• Pollinator-Friendly Native Planting – Restoring native habitats and highlighting the role of biodiversity in climate resilience.

For students, these workshops went far beyond environmental education—they provided a sense of agency in a world where climate news can often feel paralyzing.

Senior Emi Roberts, who co-led the recycled paper-making workshop with fellow senior Annabel Mahnke, shared what motivated them:

“Our future as young people on this planet is at stake. Guilt for being complacent by not participating in climate activism, anxiety about record high temperatures during summer, and panic from news about flowers blooming in Antarctica are all things that I experience as a young person that cares about my future,” Roberts said.

“Paper making with recycled materials not only unites through the rhythmic craft, but it also brings awareness to the community and everyone involved by helping them realize that everything returns back to the Earth. Annabel and I wanted to create a space that takes away the anxiety and fear of climate activism, and channels the energy into a creative outlet. The threat is global warming, and we are united against it through art.”

Roberts' words get at the heart of Kirby's approach: giving students real opportunities to take action will significantly boost their sense of purpose and self-efficacy At Kirby, Earth Day has become an annual vehicle for empowerment, as students take action to help shape their futures with confidence.
 

Kirby’s student-run entrepreneurship club kicked off their Griffin Gathering speaker series in a big way, hosting Nanette Mickiewicz, CEO of Dominican Hospital, as their first guest speaker. This student-led initiative was designed to bring industry leaders to campus, creating opportunities for students to engage with professionals across different fields and gain real-world insights into leadership, business, and innovation.

Dr. Mickiewicz, who has led Dominican Hospital for over 15 years, shared her journey in healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and staying mission-driven. She also highlighted the role of hospitals as both medical and business institutions, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of running a healthcare organization.

What made this event truly special was the initiative taken by our students. From outreach and planning to promotion and hosting, they were at the forefront of making this event happen. Their dedication to bringing meaningful learning experiences to their peers is what Griffin Gathering is all about—creating a space where students can connect with industry leaders and spark ideas for their own futures.

A huge thank you to Dr. Mickiewicz for her time and insight, and to our incredible student organizers for launching this exciting speaker series. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Kirby junior, Rowan Renner-Lassar's short story “I Still See Them” has been published by local Pulitzer Prize-winning daily Lookout Santa Cruz. Rowan’s story was the winner of Interrobang’s fall Spooky Story contest (the brainchild of editors Sam Ruttenberg and Emi Roberts). “I Still See Them” will also appear in the Winter 2025 issue of Interrobang (coming soon). Click here to read Rowan’s story “I Still See Them” on Lookout Santa Cruz. 

Dr. Yue Clare Lou '14 was recently featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare for her work at Sift Biosciences.

"Lou is the cofounder of Sift Biosciences, a startup using artificial intelligence and high-throughput screening to create next-gen immune boosters based on her PhD research. The company spun out of the Women In Enterprising Science program at UC Berkeley with a $1 million grant. She's now in the NVIDIA Inception accelerator program."

Congratulations, Clare!

As social media use has skyrocketed among teenagers, the need for education has never been greater. Kirby School had made a commitment to provide opportunities for our 6-12th grade community to reflect on their social media usage in non-judgmental, and fact-based seminars. 

Kirby faculty, staff, and students can present as part of the Social Media Literacy Series. Students have heard presentations titled "Ethical Consumption of Social Media: Algorithms, Monetization, Misinformation and You," and "Social Media and Body Image." These seminars provide students with tips for engaging with social media in ways that align with their values and supports their wellbeing. 

These seminars are presented to students across grade levels, but research suggests that middle school students may need stronger framework to support their healthy engagement with technology. Beginning in the 23-24 school year, middle school students at Kirby place their phones into storage as they enter class. They are free to engage with their technology during passing periods and breaks. We find that this balance sets students up to be successful in their classes, while still learning to navigate the digital landscape before moving up to high school. Our Student Technology Use Policy below shows the general guidelines every student is expected to follow.

All Kirby students learn to think critically about complex problems, and engagement with social media is no different. Through education, awareness, and support, we are helping our students develop the skills they need to lead balanced and fulfilling lives in the digital age.

The following resources were referenced when creating our Technology Use Policy:

1. Research about Tech in School

2. Surgeon General Advisory

3. Ted Talk about Tech Addiction