We are hoping that all of our students enjoy today’s Zoom Giant Relay Day and Final Assembly.  We will start things off at 8:30 am with an all-school assembly which celebrates this year AND the Senior class. Kids will then move to advisory activities designed to help each reflect on the year and the relationships built in advisory. We finish appropriately with a modified Giant Relay Day competition. Of course, since we can’t do the usual obstacle course, we decided that a Trivia Contest would be a good substitute. Each grade has put a team together so we will see which class triumphs. Just for fun, there is an elite faculty trivia team in the mix, as well. I'm not sure how we “old” folks will fare as I know a few of the questions are related to Tik Tok dances and contemporary music. In any case, we hope that we capture the spirit of Giant Relay Day by focusing on community building and helping the kids recognize their progress so far this year.

 

In other news, our Eighth Graders start their Capstone Projects next week. Each student will tackle a real-world challenge and along the way demonstrate their ability to problem solve, collaborate, be creative, and communicate their solution—all skills we believe will be essential to their future. Each capstone also involves working with and learning from experts from the Denver community. I have listed the challenges for this year below. We are very appreciative of the support we receive from architects, lawyers, artists, business people, and community leaders to pull this together for our students.

 

Challenge: After learning about our judicial system, students will work with lawyers and learn to argue a criminal case before a judge.

 

Challenge:  Redesign an aspect of the CA campus to adapt to the changing needs of the community. Students will work in teams with professional architects and deliver final proposals to the Director of Building and Grounds.  

 

Challenge: Working with Sarah Wright, CA’s Director of Inclusivity, students will redesign the Middle School LevelUP equity and inclusivity program for next year.

 

Challenge:  Work collaboratively to design, create, and run a virtual puzzle room for members of the CA community to solve. Students will work with professional puzzle and escape room designers.  

 

Challenge: With the help of a local artist, design and create public art that supports your neighbors during the pandemic.

 

Challenge:  Film a 3-5 minute public service announcement about an issue/cause (drug addiction, homelessness, etc.) that you care greatly about. You will write, film and edit your piece.

 

Challenge:  Create a podcast telling the story of a community member isolated by the current social distancing guidelines, with the help and guidance of a journalist and editor from Colorado Public Radio.  

 

It is amazing how quickly this year is moving. Next week, I will be sending out information regarding our Summer reading and math expectations so that we are on the same page. I am excited for this wonderful group of Eighth Graders. They have done wonderful work this year and are so close to moving on to high school.

 

If you have any questions, or if I can be helpful in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Best,

Bill