Dear MS Families,

This week, I saw this cute and creative meme created by Franklin G. Although visually adorable, it reminded me of just how challenging it is to be a middle school student in 2024. Staying focused on academics while Fortnite and a host of other games and social outlets are only a click away requires great focus and responsibility.

As parents, we decrease the draw of technology by setting limits on tech time, charging devices in common spaces overnight rather than in bedrooms, and using access restrictions and filters to protect our children from inappropriate content online.

In our lesson planning, teachers thoughtfully integrate technology purposefully into their lessons while also planning low-tech and no-tech learning experiences. Our "Away for the Day" policy of no phones allows our students to engage fully with their friends and teachers throughout the day - and most especially during lunch, recess, and activity block.

We know raising children in 2024 is not easy, but thanks to the close connection and communication between home and school, we know that our kids are deeply cared for and protected. It really does take a village!

Finally, during Experience Week, as our kids dive deep into their passion projects, we like to provide snacks throughout the day to keep their energy and creativity levels high. If you would be willing to drop off snacks for the student work spaces the week of March 18-22, that would be greatly appreciated. Please send in either fresh fruit or individually packaged snack packs with your child.

In partnership.

Adrienne

Roycemore MS Division Head

March 18-20 - Francophonie week

March 22 - P3 Expo @ 2:30 pm

May 14-17 - 7th & 8th Grade NYC Trip

For all-school events, please see the all-school newsletter.

Our Personal Passion Projects are ramping up to what promises to be an exciting conclusion! Experience Week, a week spent entirely focused on P3, is just over a week away (March 18-22). 

Over the past few weeks during P3 time, students have completed ideation activities to brainstorm solutions to their chosen problem. They then focused on one of those ideas to design further. Our work over the next two weeks, including Experience Week, will continue with further design of the solution idea, creation and testing of prototypes, receiving feedback, and iterating on the chosen solution. All middle schoolers will share their work at our P3 Expo on Friday, March 22, at 2:30 pm. Most students should have some sort of prototype of a solution to share, in addition to a presentation and “elevator pitch” explaining their idea.

One exciting addition this year is that several of our P3 students will be participating in the Illinois Student Invention Convention! Students with an invention-related project will participate in a “shark tank” style competition on the first day of Experience Week. The top several inventions will be invited to participate in the state convention, a virtual event held on April 6. More information about the Invention Convention will be sent to participating families soon.

On a practical note, please remember that the Experience Week planning documents, which require a parent's signature, are due on Tuesday, March 12. Any student who has not fully completed any of our P3 numbered assignments should work to do so before Experience Week begins on March 18. Lastly, if you have not reviewed our Experience Week Parent Info video, we highly recommend it- particularly for new families.

Tie up those laces, it's time for another PE update! 

This quarter has flown by faster than a badminton serve hit at top speed.  In this quarter our fifth and sixth-grade athletes have sorted their badminton unit, their floor hockey unit, and are now just starting the foundational skills of team handball. 

Seventh and eighth-grade students have enjoyed a very active unit of floor hockey, and have gotten into several fast-paced games of team handball in the last two weeks. Team handball is one of my favorite units to teach because it incorporates so many of the skills that we have already learned so far this year in PE using our offensive and defensive strategies of basketball, floor hockey, and soccer with our jumping, planting, and agility of volleyball, benchball, and badminton. A larger crease makes it so fun to watch our students make exciting saves on goal as goalkeepers!  

In the upcoming quarter, we will explore the sports of Tchoukball, Kickball, Flag Football, Yoga, and Outdoor Recreation. While sexual wellness has wrapped up for each class, we are now into our weekly health class with me in the classroom. 

Track is starting for middle school next week with an informational meeting on Monday and full practice starting on Wednesday of next week.  Palio is right around the corner as well! 

Lots of exciting opportunities await, go have some fun!

Middle students had the opportunity to make outfits for Lucy Goosey, a two-foot-tall ornamental lawn goose! They started by carefully measuring Lucy's torso and neck dimensions, then got to work. Some sketched their ideas on paper before committing to cutting fabric, while others dove right in, combining different colors and textures to fashion the best ensemble. It was like an episode of Project Runway in the Innovation Center! "This is SO fun!" said Joie. "I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up!" 



Group Photo (L to R): Beth, Esme (front row), Isra, Edith, Ms. B, Lucy Goosey, Joie, Rory, and Sage

Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Justin Wynn Leadership Academy 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament! This fun community event, to be held on March 10 at ETHS, is open to players of all levels from 3rd to 8th grade. There are both co-ed and girls' tournaments.

The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament honors the legacy of Justin Wynn, a young Evanston leader who died at the age of 9 in 1987. This year, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Night Ministry.



For more information and to register, go to wynners.org.  

When your child is absent, arriving late, or leaving early, please email [email protected].

Questions or concerns about lunch with HandCut? Email at [email protected].

Is your Roycemore Middle Schooler doing extraordinary and exciting things outside of school? Please share news and pictures for the Student Spotlight newsletter feature with Adrienne Floro at [email protected].