Anne Hutch Fifth Graders Bond at Boundless Adventures

Balancing academic rigor and social-emotional growth can sometimes feel like a high-wire act for students, but this week, Anne Hutchinson students showed that it is a challenge they’re more than up for—literally.

On Monday, Anne Hutchinson fifth graders enjoyed an outing to nearby Boundless Adventures for a day of team-building exercises at the aerial obstacle course nestled into the woods on the SUNY Purchase campus. And while the students gleefully traversed the rope-ladders and zip lines that wind through the tree-tops, the purpose of the trip was about more than fun; it was also an opportunity for the youngsters to test their limits and engage in meaningful team-building activities. (changed it just for variety from the first sentence)

Anne Hutchinson Principal Laura Cappiello said she has long been a believer in the lessons that students can learn from outings like this, having organized trips for her students to the same Westchester obstacle course in her previous position within the Rye School District. Last year—her first as the principal at Anne Hutchinson—she was able to book a spring trip to the venue for her fifth graders. This year, she explained, the goal was to use the Boundless Adventures trip as a launching point for some of the SEL work the school will be doing all year long.

“My hope was to do it first thing for the fifth graders in the fall, and it went exactly how we wanted it to go,” said Cappiello. “What I saw was students looking out for each other, encouraging each other and really putting their heads together and problem solving.” 

Matthew Fanelli, a fifth grader in Jennifer Piciocchi’s class, said that sense of community was palpable throughout the day’s events, noting that it was the support of his classmates that helped him to overcome some of his initial misgivings and tackle the ropes course with enthusiasm. 

“This was my first time, and I’m not really a big fan of heights,” said Fanelli. “At first I was with my big group of friends and they were encouraging me, saying, ‘you got this’ and offering to help me, and I felt much safer than I thought I’d feel.”

Chloe Santiago, who is in Melissa Zaccagnino and Lindsay Vertucci’s class, echoed Fanelli’s sentiments, adding that it was inspiring to see her classmates cheering on their peers. 

“When you encourage others, you bring that motivation to other people,” said Santiago. “And when people are encouraging you, you can get more out of yourself and you can accomplish more than you think you might be able to.”

The event also aligned with the ‘Anne Hutch Has HEART’ initiative, a year-long program aimed at fostering camaraderie and good citizenship across the school. September’s theme was “Teamwork,” something that Cappiello believes will inspire students to continue to support their classmates throughout the school year and beyond.

“They were communicating, they were problem-solving, and it makes me feel so great to see how encouraging they were,” she said. “It was exactly what we envisioned when we put this together.”

Moving forward, added Fanelli, this outing could continue to inspire future generations of Anne Hutchinson leaders.

“It was a good event, especially for student council members  and our HEART helpers,” he added. “I think it helped us to learn how important it is to be kind to everybody and to be good role models.”