Just a few short weeks back we welcomed 312 students to the middle school. Along with an excited faculty, the smell of freshly painted walls and waxed halls greeted the students. Cucumber soup was on the menu as was the annual community handshake ceremony and the ever-popular middle school faculty skit. It was a wonderful opening day and the enthusiasm of the students, faculty and parents set the tone for 17-18 school year.
Much has transpired since August 15th. Students have settled into the routine of their schedules and are adjusting to new grade-level expectations. Seventh and eighth graders are getting used to the new Tuesday/Thursday schedule and sixth graders have been receiving ongoing technology training. Students are meeting new friends and getting involved with various club activities. Our fall sports teams are in the thick of the season with some wins and losses and a lot of spirit.
To help with the back-to-school transition, each grade level participated in activities designed to provide students and advisors the opportunity to develop and strengthen their relationships (6th grade trip to Camp Hanes, 7th grade Bowling, and 8th grade E-lympics day). There also have been grade level conversations about the community values of respect, integrity and compassion. Recently, Jason Franklin and I enjoyed working with our seventh grade students on the ever important topic of Thoughtless and Hurtful Language.
Much of the programming these past weeks was designed to help middle school students feel comfortable and established in their new grade and/or new school. This support through intentional planning will continue throughout the year as our students grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically. A few future events follow below. In upcoming days we will run Charger Trails activities focused on the grade level themes of Community (6th), Collaboration (7th), and Compassion (8th). Parents will have an opportunity to learn more about the topics by working on activities with their children at home.
Scheduled in October is our annual Charger Cup Challenge where the collaborative, physical and logic skills of students are tested as they work in advisory groups to help their team (Blue or Gold) capture the coveted cup. This fun-filled afternoon would not be possible without the tremendous support of our parent volunteers.
October also marks the mid-point of the trimester and the time for parent/student/advisor conferences. The purpose of the conference is to allow for an exchange of impressions by the advisor, the parent, and the student on what has gone well and what has been a challenge thus far. The goal of the conference is for everyone to come away with a clear understanding of what the overall social and academic experience has been, and what areas, if any, need support. The role of the advisor is to look at and support the student in a broad context. If there are specific questions about a particular content area, it is important to follow up with that teacher directly. We look forward to seeing parents and students alike!
School is truly underway at CA. Just walk into the middle school and listen to the sounds that mark the daily routine of the academic day. Most of the time there is a quiet hum – a type of collective energy in the building when the students are deeply engaged in their classes. And then, there is the time between classes, when all that is heard is the muffled din of three hundred plus adolescent voices. While the fresh paint and wax smell has faded, the enthusiasm and energy has not!