Last Friday’s Game and Casino Night was a great success. Hats off to the MS Student Activities Committee and its faculty sponsors, Eric Augustin and Abel Ramirez. We also had help from a number of Upper School students who joined the fun as dealers at various tables. There was a traditional game room and a wide variety of casino games. Each child received "$250" and, by the end of the evening, there were a few moguls and many paupers! I do have to admit that I got a kick out of the $5 bill that featured my visage—step aside Abraham Lincoln! 

 

This year, Olivia Wall, one of our wonderful Grades 7 and 8 English teachers, started a student newspaper, The Mustang Express. Some highlights from the winter edition include: a special section of World Cup coverage; a deep dive into the CA vs. Kent Denver rivalry; a biographical profile of NBA player Dwayne Wade; and a probing inquiry into which is better to use, backpacks or lockers? Plus, lots more! There was something for everyone in this issue. 

 

Each trimester there is a new writing staff for the Mustang Express. Tri 1 had an Eighth Grade staff, Tri 2 featured Sixth Grade writers, and next trimester will allow our Seventh Graders the same chance to learn about journalism and have fun. Congratulations to the Sixth Graders for working hard to pitch, research, report, write, edit, and photograph/design this amazing issue. The Sixth Grade newspaper staff was comprised of: Aaron Bergsieker, Annika Bhandari, Ella Bilir, Lydia Blessing, Mason Douglas, Caitlin Hess, Ellie Jones, Will Kelly, Emma Kim, Saiya Langefels, Elle Mize, Owen O'Neill, Finn Rodriguez, Victoria Rodriguez, Kaden Rossiter, Siena Smith, Emmaline Sprick, Harrison Wynne, and Keelan Yi. 

 

Trimester 2 Grades:  Today at 4:00 p.m., grades go live. Because we have student-led conferences next week, you will receive an overview of what was learned during the second half of the trimester, category averages, and a summary grade. If a student earned a C+ or below, the teacher also included a personalized comment. 

We are looking forward to next week and the opportunity for our students to take charge of their learning experience by running the conference. In this sense, it will be your student who will share with you their thoughts about their progress so far this year. This includes goals for next term and how other aspects of school are going for them so far. This opportunity to “run the show” is an important step in taking greater responsibility for their progress as learners and is right in line with the growth we are hoping for during the Middle School years. 

 

If I can be helpful in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Best,

Bill