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A MESSAGE FROM
Middle School Division Director
Mr. Ron Hamilton
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Greetings!
Welcome to the 2022-2023 Middle School Director Monthly e-Newsletter! This communication will come out on the second Friday of every month – with the exception of December – throughout the academic year, and will include information on upcoming events and happenings for CSS’s Middle School students and families.
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Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Hispanic & LatinX Authors
Did you know that Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15 and will last through October 15? I thought that, in honor of that observance and our students and families, I would share the names of some of my favorite Hispanic and LatinX authors. After teaching Latin American Literature for many years, I fell in love with the voices of Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabelle Allende (who writes great young adult literature), and – just because he is so atmospheric and weird – the surrealist author Juan Rulfo. These authors mostly write for adults; however, there are an abundance of lists detailing Hispanic YAL authors and themed-novels online as well. Here is one for students to start with!
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Welcome to our new 6th & 7th grade Science Teacher, Ms. Fuller!
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This October, The Colorado Springs School is pleased to welcome Ms. Emily Fuller to the Middle School division as our permanent science teacher. Ms. Fuller holds a BA in Earth and Oceanographic Science and a minor in Mathematics from Bowdoin College in Maine, where she gained experience with teaching throughout her undergraduate career. Ms. Fuller also comes to CSS with a wealth of knowledge in experiential education!
In her most recent role as a senior guide and trip leader for Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Company in Buena Vista, Colo., Ms. Fuller was responsible for managing groups of up to 100 people on rafting trips; navigating the wilderness and tending to the medical needs of guests on backpacking trips; and setting up rope systems for rappelling and rock-climbing.
We look forward to introducing Ms. Fuller to our Middle School science classes beginning October 6. A special thanks to Ms. Surritte for acting as a short-term substitute during the first few weeks of school. Ms. Surritte and Ms. Lindeman will be mentors for Ms. Fuller as she plans and assesses amazing learning experiences for our 6th and 7th graders this year!
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Middle School Charge for 60th Birthday Gift Challenge
The Middle School challenges our Upper and Lower School divisions to beat our number of birthday bag donations! In addition to CSS's own 60th Birthday celebration, we're throwing 60 Birthday parties for individuals in need in Colorado Springs. Help us build 60 Birthday bags to celebrate 60 years by adding the items below to a gift bag and delivering your Birthday surprise to Brooke Kelly-Rawls on the first floor of Trianon before the end of the month. A drop-off station will also be available at Carnival on September 23.
How many gift bags can CSS Middle School families donate by September 30?
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Homecoming Spirit Week Begins Monday, September 19
Beginning September 19 through September 23, the Middle School will participate in Homecoming Spirit Week! Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the following themed days:
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Monday: Team Day - support your favorite team, athletic, musical, or otherwise
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Tuesday: Pajama Day - school appropriate PJs are necessary
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Wednesday: Crazy Hair and Hat Day
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Thursday: Twin Day
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Friday: Kodiak Spirit Gear Day - wear blue and white
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Picture Day Retakes
We understand that parents and students alike are eagerly awaiting the distribution of their family’s picture proofs and student IDs. Students will be receiving a proof sheet, or photos if their family has pre-ordered, from LifeTouch in the very near future. Students will also receive their new IDs at that time. The Middle School division will distribute these materials through class advisors, and your family will be notified by Ms. Runte on the day that students do receive them. Students who missed picture day, or whose families would prefer to have their photos retaken, will have the opportunity to do so on the morning of Thursday, October 6. If your student is having their photo retaken despite previously purchasing a photo package, simply ask your student to bring the package to school and to return it to the photographer on retake day.
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The Revue
Each year, CSS hosts Revue wherein students work together or solo to perform before fellow peers and families. Similar to a talent show, The Revue gives students the chance to take center stage and to create their own performances. This year’s theme, in honor of CSS’s 60th Anniversary, is the ’60s! Mr. Andujar and Ms. Pratt, our AMAZING theatre teachers, have met with interested students and are currently holding rehearsal times during lunch from now until performance day. Additional rehearsal times may be incorporated into students’ academic flex time as well. This year, Revue will return to the LPAC stage, and we are hopeful that faculty performances will once again take place after being absent during the pandemic. Be on the lookout for posters and fliers, which will start popping up all over campus in the coming weeks!
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Eighth Grade PreACT Testing
On Wednesday, October 12, the Class of 2027 will take the PreACT in an on-campus location that will be shared prior to the test. Testing will begin at 8 a.m. on the morning of the test, so 8th graders will not have a later start on this day. Students will be released when the test is complete, which should be by no later than 1 p.m. unless a student is allowed extended time. After the test, lunch as well as 8th grade specific activities will be provided on campus until 3:15 p.m. If a student is allowed extended time, they should plan on bringing food to eat during breaks because College Board’s testing breaks do not offer sufficient time to go to the dining hall for lunch. Students and families will receive a more detailed letter from our Upper School College Counselor Mr. Playe as we near the testing date.
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Service Learning Day
Each year, CSS faculty pair with nonprofit organizations to help students further develop their value for service to the community. This semester’s Middle School Service Learning Day will take place on the morning of Friday, October 28, during which students will participate in guided service opportunities both on- and off-campus depending on their grade level. In the past, the Middle School has partnered with local organizations such as Care and Share, The Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Flying Pig Farms, and The Concrete Couch. At times, we also work with CSS’s facilities crew to update and/or beautify our school’s playgrounds, garden, creek, and other areas around campus. This year’s service day will occur prior to our Middle School pumpkin-carving extravaganza, through which we will work together to decorate the Quad for our Lower School Halloween Parade later on that same afternoon. Middle School students are encouraged to bring their costumes and will have the chance to dress up during lunch, prior to participating in pumpkin-carving and games as well as serving as a spectator during the Lower School parade. Dress up and be part of the fun!
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Homework Hall
Beginning Friday, September 16, students may be assigned to Homework Hall for not submitting an assignment or completing an in-class step on time. Homework Hall will meet on Mondays and Fridays from 2:22 to 3:15 p.m. Parents will be notified by email if their student is required to attend. Students assigned to Homework Hall must complete the intervention even if they submit the assignment prior to their assigned Homework Hall date. Homework Hall will meet in Ms. Price’s classroom, Trianon 21.
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Carnival
A reminder to all families: school will be dismissed at noon on Friday, September 23, for Carnival. Buses will depart at 12:15 p.m., and there will be no Homework Heaven or 3:30 p.m. buses on that day. We hope you will join us out on the Quad for this fun-filled, community-centered event. A BBQ lunch will be served al fresco at Carnival, which is a cash only event, so please make sure that students bring funds for lunch, games, and concessions. Thank you for supporting our Parents Association and, in turn, supporting our school.
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Morning Drop-Off
Middle School student drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m. and classes begin at 8 a.m. Students are expected to remain on the Trianon Terrace, under teacher supervision, until hallways and locker rooms open at 7:50 a.m. Families who need accommodation to drop their children off prior to 7:45 a.m. should contact me at rhamilton@css.org to develop a plan for doing so. Please remember that families can also sign students up for Homework Heaven in the Library on Wednesday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m.
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Have a great rest of the month and feel free to reach out to share what your Middle School student is loving most about this semester at CSS!
Yours,
Ron Hamilton, M.A.Ed. Leadership
Middle School Division Director
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This year, the students came to the mountain - Mt. Sherman that is. It was a great trip, with games, meal prep, and evening circles that helped to build connections among faculty and students. The hike itself had other-worldly views, and it provided everyone with the right amount of challenge. Congratulations to everyone on an energetic climb. Though I was among those who did not make it to the summit, I know several students are already plotting how to get back to Mt. Sherman in the future so they can add summiting to their list of accomplishments. If your family would like to get a taste of the hands-on learning that happens during our school’s experiential learning activities, please join us at this year’s ExEd Expo on Saturday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. >>
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