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A MESSAGE FROM
Middle School Division Director
Mr. Ron Hamilton
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Greetings, Middle School Kodiaks!
Happy Autumn! A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of guest teaching in the 6th-grade science class, where students learned about the phases of the moon, the phenomenon of eclipses, and the solstice and equinox. It’s thrilling to see students introduced, or re-introduced, to these concepts at the turn of the season. The leaves are changing on the Quad and in the mountains, and the morning air is crisp; this is my favorite time of the year. But, enough of that. Some news for you:
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Winter Sports & Activities Coming Soon
It’s hard to believe the last day for fall sports practice is today, October 14! Middle School winter sports and activities begin on Friday, October 28. On Monday, October 17, students who have registered for or are interested in playing basketball are invited to attend a Winter Sports Information Session in the Tutt Field House at 2:30 p.m. Both boys’ and girls’ basketball practices will kick off on October 28 from 3:30-5 p.m. and will be followed by the Middle School Social that evening. MS athletes are asked to report to their first practice with basketball shoes and gear (shorts and a t-shirt).
Students who will not be playing basketball, and who are not involved in outside athletics or activities necessitating early pick-up on Mondays and Fridays, are expected to attend an Activity and Clubs Information Session on October 17. Following this session, these students will be required to attend an activity or club each Monday and Friday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. This year, we will continue to offer Game Club, and will also be establishing a Weights and Cardio Activity and a Reading Buddies Activity with the fifth grade. Stay tuned for potential late additions as well.
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End of Quarter I
Need to Know Info. on Student-led Virtual Conferences
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Beginning this week, parents will receive email invitations to Quarter I conferences from their student’s respective Advisor. Virtual conferences will be held on Monday, October 31, throughout the day (no school for students), and after school until 5 p.m. on November 1-3. Each virtual Middle School conference will be held in a 20-minute session. It is imperative that students attend this virtual conference with their parents. Faculty Advisors work closely with MS students to prepare for these conferences, with the expectation being that students will lead the meeting and their Advisor will support them by sharing teacher comments as well as the student’s reflections. Teacher comments will be posted in the FACTS Portal on Friday, October 28, to allow parents to preview them, along with their student’s grades, prior to the appointment. Parents may work with their child’s Advisor to request a follow-up conversation with any individual teacher after the student-led conference has taken place.
To support families in effectively monitoring student classwork, assignments, and grades via Google Classroom and FACTS/Renweb Grade Books, kindly refer to the following document, which explains how to log in to both platforms. I recommend that parents ask students to show them their grades and openly discuss what is happening in each class weekly on Wednesday or Thursday. This allows students to follow up with teachers prior to the weekend if there are any issues. It is great practice for students to email their teachers with any questions or concerns, and to copy their parents on the communication when doing so. This routine helps students learn self-advocacy and confident communication while keeping their strongest advocates – family – informed.
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MS Student Council to Host Several Social Events This Semester
We have two social events* planned for Middle School students this semester, including:
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Game Night
Friday, October 28
5-8 p.m.
Students are invited to join us for a fun evening! This outdoor game night around campus will feature the sale of pizza, drinks, and snacks to students as well as fun games within the boundaries of CSS. Pick-up and drop-off will be held at the Trianon. Students should dress for the weather and bring cash if wanting to purchase food or drinks!
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Party with Music
Friday, November 11
5:30-8:30 p.m.
This indoor event will include music, dancing, prizes, and competitions. Pizza, drinks, and snacks will also be available for sale.
*Guest students who do not currently attend CSS are permitted, however, students must obtain advance written permission from Mr. Hamilton in the form of an email to parents. When personally requesting permission to bring an outside guest, students may send Mr. Hamilton an email as long as they’ve copied their parents.
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Service Learning Day
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Middle School division will soon participate in part one of its annual Service Learning Days*, organized by grade level. Sixth- and seventh-grade students will be working off-campus with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, a long-time partner organization to CSS. Meanwhile, the eighth-grade class will remain on campus to serve the school in a variety of projects ranging from prepping CSS’s community garden for winter to putting the finishing touches on the green screen and music production studio in El Pomar.
*All students should wear layered clothing, sturdy shoes, and hats that can get very dirty (these may even be ruined due to paint). Students should also bring a water bottle and snack and may carry a daypack. Please have students apply sunscreen in the morning and bring more to re-apply throughout the day. Lunch will be provided as usual on campus at noon.
Spooktacular Halloween Celebration
1-3:15 p.m.
Middle School students will engage in Halloween fun sponsored by our Middle School Student Council, beginning with pumpkin carving from 1-2 p.m. on the Trianon Terrace. These pumpkins will be placed along the Lower School Halloween Parade route on the Quad, but students are encouraged to take their pumpkins home with them at the end of the day.
Students are also encouraged to bring their costumes to school on this day to be changed into after carving pumpkins. We will not be marching in the parade, however, hope Middle School students will show their Halloween spirit by dressing up to cheer on the Lower School classes. Costumes may be stored in lockers prior to the afternoon activity. All handbook dress code rules apply on Halloween. In addition, students may not bring simulated weapons to school, may not obscure their faces completely with a mask, and may not have excessive blood or gore as part of their costumes while at school.
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Veterans Day Ceremony
8:15-8:35 a.m.
Parents, grandparents, and family members are encouraged to join us in this yearly celebration of veterans. The CSS community will gather in front of the Trianon (weather permitting) to show its gratitude for the individuals currently serving our country and those who have served in the past. If you plan to attend, kindly RSVP by Thursday, November 10, at bit.ly/veterans-day-22.
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Lost and Found
We have several places where students’ items may be placed when they are left behind during the school day. Please ask your student to check these locations if they know of something that is missing:
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Trianon - downstairs closet near the 6th-grade locker room outside of Mr. White’s classroom
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Maytag - downstairs on the shelves near the microwaves
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El Pomar (Upper School) - across from Dr. Hidalgo’s office and Señora Laucella’s classroom; in Locker #1
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Tutt Field House - downstairs on the north end of the building near the lockers
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Louisa Performing Arts Center - downstairs outside of the Green Room
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Carriage House - in the hallway between the art classrooms; on the coat hooks
Periodically, we will display all lost and found items on a table in the Terrace Room of the Trianon prior to donating them. Items left on the floor in locker rooms, including band instruments, may be taken to the lost and found. Band instruments should be taken to the band room before the school day begins.
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Have a fabulous weekend and thank you for your continued partnership with the Middle School division!
Yours,
Ron Hamilton, M.A.Ed. Leadership
Middle School Division Director
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Revue
On Friday, October 7, the Louisa Performing Arts Center was filled with the sound of laughter and applause for our student and faculty performers at the annual Revue. Moved back indoors this year, the Revue was again a smashing success. Pictured here is one of our Emcees for the evening, Lucas B. '28, with audience members in the background.
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Spotlight on Mr. White’s Ancient Civilization Projects
This week, 8th graders created and presented their own civilizations as part of a history project assigned by Mr. White. This project allows for student choice, hands-on construction, and the ability to showcase what students know in a variety of mediums. We are very proud of the work that the 8th graders are doing as they step up to the rigor of Mr. White’s class!
Text Li
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