A Monday Morning Tradition That Makes a Big Impact

Ask a student at St. Matthew’s what happens at Monday Chapel and you’re bound to get a lot of different answers. And there’s a reason for that. Every Monday, Kindergarten through eighth grade students gather for an experience that brings together music, creativity, curiosity and confidence. Our Head of School and St. Matthew’s alum, Alley Michaelson ‘02, opens Chapel with welcoming and inspiring words before music teacher, Mrs. Clyde, gets everyone singing. Students might learn a new song with a meaningful theme or lively beat, or join in on a familiar favorite.

Monday Chapel is a place where students hear about the people, projects, and even the newest additions that make their school community special. One of the first announcements came from Lower School Principal, Dr. Maya Kelly, who shared the news of St. Matthew’s newest Falcon Friends: two chickens now calling our campus their home. Some students had already spent time getting to know the hens and even helped inspire the name of one of them. The chickens are more than a fun addition to campus. Caring for them aligns with the School’s Character Covenant, five values woven throughout a St. Matthew’s education. “It teaches children respect for our food sources, responsibility for caring for our school pets, and empathy for our animal friends It also provides fresh eggs we can use in cooking activities or to give to others,” Dr. Kelly explained.

Chapel also gives students a stage. Students from each grade take turns at the microphone where they may present an art project, explain a class lesson or share a special project with their peers. It’s a natural and supportive opportunity to practice public speaking from an early age. Over time, students become increasingly comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, expressing their ideas and celebrating their work while also developing confidence and finding their voice.

Students are introduced to cultures, traditions and perspectives beyond their everyday experience, often through special guests who share their expertise in engaging, age-appropriate ways. At the first Chapel of the school year, Rabbi Daniel Sher of Kehillat Israel (KI) in West Los Angeles, shared insights into the traditions of the Jewish New Year and offered a thoughtful lesson about new beginnings, reminding students that starting a new year isn’t about leaving the past behind, but carrying forward what we’ve learned and using it to grow in the year ahead.

What makes this Monday morning tradition so meaningful is how much happens at this one gathering. In a relatively short amount of time, students sing together, learn about other cultures, practice public speaking, share their work, celebrate one another, and hear about projects and experiences from classrooms they may not otherwise encounter, giving younger students a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Interested in learning more about how St. Matthew’s creates transformative experiences for students? Applications for the 2027-2028 school year are live. Visit us at www.stmatthewschool.com.