A Steamy Update

It is hot. While I was sad to see the summer weather quickly turn to cooler mornings and evenings, I am conflicted that it has returned.  I was emotionally prepared to start enjoying pumpkin flavored beverages, but today has made me question that all over again. The outside temp today did not help the fact that things have been cooking in all of our classrooms.  As we come to the close of week two, I am happy to say that I have been able to visit all of our classrooms and witness every student engaged at some point or another in some wonderful learning opportunities as they continue to build skills communicating, collaborating, creating and critically thinking.  We took time last year to begin identifying all of the places in our curriculum where those crucial skills are supported and developed and we will continue to reflect on where it is successful and where we can continue to enhance those opportunities for our students.  Whether it was the Relay Races in Latin reviewing the third declension or the multiple math classes asking students to present ways to identify themselves in numbers or formulas, students were exhibiting skill development.  Science classes engaged students in creative ways from scavenger hunts to competitive analysis of fumbled case studies as they exhibited their knowledge of lab safety in preparation for upcoming experiments; again, students were exhibiting skill development.  Summer reading takes on all shapes and sizes as each grade level uses the students' favorite books to kick start various ways for them to think critically about what they read; students continue to exhibit skill development. With skills developing all around us, we also provided an opportunity for students to exhibit their ability to make wise decisions in emergency scenarios...we conducted a fire drill this morning before it got too hot. One of the many inspiring things about working with middle school students is that they are becoming more and more aware of the world around them even when they seem to be thinking more and more of themselves.  While they might not notice...or pretend to not notice adults asking them help around the house, they are quick to notice things that they deem, "not fair" for themselves or others that they choose to support.  This year, we are using the powerful concept of "Be the Change" as a consistent reminder to all of us that we can have immediate impacts on something that we might not think is right.  We looked at quotes from Mahatma Gandhi, Maya Angelou, Albert Einstein, and Mother Theresa to name a few that all supported this notion of being the change that we want to see in the world when we see things that concern us.  Part of our responsibility in addition to nurturing the development of skills is preparing our students to be responsible contributing members of a community and it starts with their ability to make a difference.  While we took the time to start this conversation last week,  the students might have only mentioned to you some foolish video in which their principal and assistant principal tried to sing some really old song that only parents would like... Stress is something with which many of our students and adults are concerned.  We are making a concerted effort this year to model and promote strategies that help individuals reduce and manage stress.  The monitors installed in our lobbies are projecting simple reminders as folks enter the building to breath and relax in addition to posting current photos of recent classroom activities or simply sharing the daily announcements.  Peaceful images of sandy beaches and other nature scenes scroll across the monitors in the cafeteria while students are enjoying their lunch.  Teachers are implementing opportunities for students to engage in moments of relaxation as they transition between activities and classes whether it is a group of friends contributing to a large coloring project mounted on a classroom wall or soothing music playing while student enter a class and settle into a lesson or teachers prompting the class to take a deep breath and slowly exhale as they prepare to end or begin a class. Even though the weather is not always cooperating, we are focusing our energy on a climate in the building that is supportive and nurturing. For those of you new to these weekly emails, I will often include information at the end of the message from our many community partners about opportunities and events available to our families.  Please take time to look at the messages included this week! Have a wonderful weekend, Chris

Opening Update!

Well, great news!  

For those of you worried about how you could possible have your first day outfit back in the rotation before picture day on Sept 9...the date has been changed!

Now you have more time to either research different reactions to other outfits before committing to one for posterity, or you can space it out a bit more as the new picture day is September 16!

Phew...now, I can consider some of my autumnal outfits, as well, since it will be much closer to the next season :?)

Both First Days have been seemingly successful.  Students arrived...no search parties were needed to locate lost students or teachers...and students went home.  I did not see any actual tears from students or staff, but that doesn't mean there weren't a few quiet sniffles here and there.

There was a lot of laughter!  On multiple occasions, we heard laughter in classrooms, throughout the halls, and I even witnessed it in the auditorium when we shared the video we created to make sure we gave all three grades the same expectations.  At the risk of listening to more laughter throughout town, feel free to check out our version of Car Karaoke ; I think we successfully modeled for the students our willingness to risk failure and try something new to make them smile.  We talked about the importance of believing in themselves and knowing that they all have something to contribute that makes us such a great school.

This is a short week with only one more day before a nice long weekend...just to get our feet wet.

Next week, we will try for four days in order to build up our endurance for full weeks later in the month.

Sincerely,

Chris