Dear Middle School Parents and Students,
We hope you all have had a restful and relaxing vacation. There are a number of events in the Middle School to update you about and some coming up that you'll want to put on your calendar. We feel strongly that it is important to celebrate and recognize the achievements of our students in order to foster their reflection and growth. As a community, we collectively take responsibility for ensuring their academic, social, emotional well-being. Thank you for the the trust you have given us; we take it seriously and depend on your cooperation and participation to achieve success for each and every student in the Middle School.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to the PSA and to all of the parents for an amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! Here are some photos from the week. Thank you for making us all feel so special about what we do every day!
Pi Day- Wednesday, April 1st
Although we celebrated our AISB Pi Day on a different day that their widely accepted date, our celebration was fantastic nonetheless. The MS Math department, led by Mr.Matlock, designed an array of activities for students highlighting Pi! Thank you, Nancy Perzel (6th Grade), Charlie Robinson (8th Grade), and John Matlock (7th Grade).
We had all students in the multi purpose room and grouped by advisory while "competing" with one another to answer questions about Pi. In addition we had one team from each grade squaring off to see who could recall the most consecutive numbers of Pi. The students did a wonderful job preparing for this event. There was a great deal of energy in the room due to prizes being awarded to advisories and grade levels for the various competitions. Some of the awards included getting to throw a pie in the face of any teacher! Many thanks to the teachers who were "selected" for pie throwing for their willingness (Mr.Scanga, Mr. Gibson, Mr.Ducharme).
The event ended with students and teacher sampling Pie! These pies were baked by the parents of our MS students. There were so many wonderful pies; many thanks to the parents of the students who sent pies in. Also a big thanks to the PSA who oversaw the pie contributions and came on the day to help slice and distribute over 200 slices of pies for teachers, students and parents!
We look forward to welcoming you to the PST Conferences in April. Please put this date on your schedule so you and your child are able to come and talk with our teachers.
End of the Quarter-Report Cards
Third Quarter Report Cards will be available on Wednesday, April 15th on VeraCross and the Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, April 16th.
At the Parent-Student-Teacher Day on April 16th, hard copies of the Report Cards will be available for all students. The Report Card includes, feedback on the student's Habits of Learning, a grade for each class, and the student's own reflective comment.
In the reflective comment, students focus on what obstacles they overcame, what they are proud of, where they have shown growth and/or what are they still struggling with. In addition to the student-written comment, teachers will write a comment for some of their students. Please be sure to bring your child with you to the conference day to get the most out of the conversation.
We hope you all have had a restful and relaxing vacation. There are a number of events in the Middle School to update you about and some coming up that you'll want to put on your calendar. We feel strongly that it is important to celebrate and recognize the achievements of our students in order to foster their reflection and growth. As a community, we collectively take responsibility for ensuring their academic, social, emotional well-being. Thank you for the the trust you have given us; we take it seriously and depend on your cooperation and participation to achieve success for each and every student in the Middle School.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to the PSA and to all of the parents for an amazing Teacher Appreciation Week! Here are some photos from the week. Thank you for making us all feel so special about what we do every day!
Pi Day- Wednesday, April 1st
Although we celebrated our AISB Pi Day on a different day that their widely accepted date, our celebration was fantastic nonetheless. The MS Math department, led by Mr.Matlock, designed an array of activities for students highlighting Pi! Thank you, Nancy Perzel (6th Grade), Charlie Robinson (8th Grade), and John Matlock (7th Grade).
We had all students in the multi purpose room and grouped by advisory while "competing" with one another to answer questions about Pi. In addition we had one team from each grade squaring off to see who could recall the most consecutive numbers of Pi. The students did a wonderful job preparing for this event. There was a great deal of energy in the room due to prizes being awarded to advisories and grade levels for the various competitions. Some of the awards included getting to throw a pie in the face of any teacher! Many thanks to the teachers who were "selected" for pie throwing for their willingness (Mr.Scanga, Mr. Gibson, Mr.Ducharme).
The event ended with students and teacher sampling Pie! These pies were baked by the parents of our MS students. There were so many wonderful pies; many thanks to the parents of the students who sent pies in. Also a big thanks to the PSA who oversaw the pie contributions and came on the day to help slice and distribute over 200 slices of pies for teachers, students and parents!
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences: April 16, 2015 at 8:30-3:30
We look forward to welcoming you to the PST Conferences in April. Please put this date on your schedule so you and your child are able to come and talk with our teachers.
End of the Quarter-Report Cards
Third Quarter Report Cards will be available on Wednesday, April 15th on VeraCross and the Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, April 16th.
At the Parent-Student-Teacher Day on April 16th, hard copies of the Report Cards will be available for all students. The Report Card includes, feedback on the student's Habits of Learning, a grade for each class, and the student's own reflective comment.
In the reflective comment, students focus on what obstacles they overcame, what they are proud of, where they have shown growth and/or what are they still struggling with. In addition to the student-written comment, teachers will write a comment for some of their students. Please be sure to bring your child with you to the conference day to get the most out of the conversation.
Transitions: 5th Grade -> 6th Grade and 8th Grade -> 9th Grade
We have started having transition discussions with staff and students in 8th grade in oder to get ready for next school year! The 8th graders have made a draft course schedule for next year at this point. In addition, there will be a number of events for 5th graders and 8th graders that will help them prepare for the movement to another division next year.
Each division principal works closely with their respective staff to ensure a smooth transition for students and parents alike. As we start this process, I want to highlight the many ways our divisions are similar. For example, in ES, MS/HS we eat in the same cafeteria and use the same World Language rooms and teachers. The students also might have some of the same teachers in other subject areas (Health and Wellness). In the MS and HS, students share World Language teachers, classrooms, Fine Arts classrooms and teachers, and the same library and librarian. In addition we are all on the same class period bell schedule. We will be here to support you and your child in this transition period.
Our Transition Night for parents of 5th Graders and 8th Graders is on May 20th, at 6:00pm for 5 Grade parents and 7:00pm for 8th Grade parents. This event is designed for parents, not for the children.
For students there will be a number of events that take place to prepare for the move next August. The counselors from each division will visit the incoming students. In addition, there will be informational surveys sent to the students and parents to find out what their questions and concerns.
School Wide Food Frenzy Drive
Many thanks to all the families who participated in a successful school-wide food drive this year. We are very proud of our whole community for their commitment and efforts to make this drive a success.
Counselor's Update:
Many thanks to all the families who participated in a successful school-wide food drive this year. We are very proud of our whole community for their commitment and efforts to make this drive a success.
Counselor's Update:
Due to an overlap with MS Conferences, the next MS Parent Book Club will start on April 23rd. We will be reading and discussing Robin Pascoe's RAISING GLOBAL NOMADS: Parenting Abroad in an On-Demand World. Please join us in the MS Counseling office for some lively discussion!
Book Meeting Dates: April 23, 30, May 7, 14.
VISION 2019 Conference: Grade 8 Career Days
Job Shadowing Day (May 28th from 8:30 to 3:30)
If you are interested in participating but not sure exactly what to do with 8 grade eight students for a day, please consider this:
*Start with an introduction to the product you sell or work you do.
*What is unique about your business?
*Tour students through your facility.
*Simulate with the students a particular client interaction.
*Introduce different company departments and their functions.
*Plan mock interviews, skill reviews, role play client/specialist exchanges.
*Talk about company growth and innovation.
*What is sustainable and non-sustainable about your workplace.
So far there are several job sites scheduled, though more would be welcome. Some students are interested in Fashion Design or Hotel Management, or green industries. Please let me know what you do and if you would like to share a glimpse of your work with our Grade 8 students.
Departing Students and Families
Please contact AISB Admissions Office, MS Office and your child's teacher if your family is planning to move after this semester.
I will be planning Departing Student activities to start the end of April.
Happy Spring Break!
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