Middle School Newsletter

Middle School boys have discovered many ways to “get involved” this fall. Our student council elections presented many articulate, enthusiastic, and dedicated nominees who were eager to help lead the many service efforts of the Middle School. Many thanks to all of our nominees! We look forward to strong leadership of our class presidents. In addition, boys are participating in our club program in record numbers. From learning about the challenges of our financial markets during Investment Club to discussing the traditions of different religions in Diversity Club, Middle School boys are proving that their curiosity extends well beyond our required curriculum. Our Community Service Program is also under way. Eighth Grade students have begun their monthly visits to their service sites while student volunteers from all grade levels have signed up to work with our parent-run MS Community Service Task Force (see below for information). What a terrific start to the school year!

Dismissal: Thank you all for your patience as we worked through the opening weeks of school and our dismissal routines. Please remember that busses are picking up Middle School boys around 3:45PM now, making the bus circle very crowded. Please do not pick up students by car in the bus circle because it slows down the bus line significantly.

 

Homework Folders: Homework folders for each student can be found in the Middle School lobby. If your son is sick and he has homework sheets that cannot be downloaded from the website, teachers will put hard copies in his file. Files will be ready to pick up at the end of the school day. Note: you may want to call the office to check and see if there is work before driving all the way to King Street.

 

Middle School Curriculum Night: We look forward to welcoming all parents to our Middle School Curriculum Night that will be held on Wednesday, October 1^st at 7:00pm. On this night your son’s teachers will hold mini-classes and will give a brief overview of curriculum and teaching methods. Please remember that because of the condensed schedule this evening is not the time to discuss your son’s specific progress with his teachers.

 

The First Trimester Midpoint: The midpoint of the first trimester closes on Wednesday, October 8^th. The midpoint is not a formal grading period; thus no report cards will be issued. Rather, midpoints serve as an opportunity to review a student's performance halfway through the marking period and to provide you with written comments from each of your son’s academic teachers. These comments should help the boys understand how to focus their efforts for a strong end to the trimester.

 

Community Service: On October 3^rd, we will launch the BPA Middle School Community Service Effort. This program offers all 5^th – 8^th graders a chance to volunteer for three community organizations: Adopt-a-Dog, Family Centers, and the Greenwich Audubon Society. On seven Friday afternoons during the school year, the boys are given lunch and then driven by parent volunteers to their chosen sites, returning to King Street by 3:00 PM for pick up. Dates are: October 3, October 24, November 7, January 23, January 30, April 3, April 7. There is no limit to the number of Friday afternoons the boys can volunteer – please encourage your sons to give it a try! Signups will arrive via email. For questions, contact Beverly Floersheimer, Community Service Chair, at 203-661-7915 or bevflo@optonline.net.

 

Middle School Afterschool Program: The Middle School Afterschool Program is up and running. Please email Brian Callahan, director of the program, or call the Middle School Office for more information about this option for extended day coverage.