September 4, 2026

Dear Middle School Parents and Guardians,

Having completed two great weeks of school, we look forward to seeing you all next Wednesday, September 9, at Back-to-School Night from 6:30-8:50 p.m. To begin, there will be a short program at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall, including key instructions for the night. Afterward, all parents will go to their children's advisory room, where you will receive hard copies of your child’s class schedule, which will guide you through the evening. Advisors will also be emailing you electronic copies of your student’s schedule upon our return to school this Tuesday, September 8. 

After School Reminder

If you are not picking up your child after school via the car line or using CASE, please contact the middle school office so we can understand any after-school arrangements you have for your child. As I walk through the school and athletic lobby at the end of the day, I ensure all students are accounted for. If athletic contests or practices are canceled and you are picking up your child, please pick up from the car line or, if you are arriving later, from in front of the Middle School. We are aware that plans can change depending on the day and circumstances, so please keep us informed so we can ensure our students' safety. If you have questions, please email me or Lori. 

Key Dates

Please refer to the Middle School Key Dates Calendar in the middle school section of parent resources on the school website for important upcoming dates for the remainder of the month and the school year. You can click here to access it. 

Save the dates for our upcoming parent coffees:

September 29 - 6th Grade

October 6 - 7th Grade

October 8 - 8th Grade

Each event will take place from 8:15-9:15 p.m. in the Dining Hall.

Sixth Grade Trip

Sixth-grade families, with your class trip coming up in the next two weeks, please review this letter from Julie Keating with information about Camp Fitch.

Lastly, I want to share a resource with you. Over the summer, I started a selective yearlong fellowship for experienced independent school division heads. Thus far, it has been the most transformative professional and personal development experience of my life, influencing my day-to-day work as both educator and parent. One of the fellowship's facilitators, and now-retired Head of School Russell Shaw, has launched a parenting course and blog titled Raising Resilient Children. His writing is informed by more than 30 years of experience in schools as a leader, teacher and parent, and you may find some of his reflections helpful. Here is the link to view Raising Resilient Children.

Have a great long weekend. 

Regards,

Shaka Arnold

Head of Middle School



Lori Robison-Embry

Assistant to the Head of Middle School