Middle School eNewsletter

Issue III, November, 2005

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Tuesday, December 6 – Field trip to URI to see Romeo and Juliet
• Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 PM – 8th grade parents and students visit Upper School
• Wednesday, December 7 – EARLY DISMISSAL at 12:45 – faculty workshops
• Thursday, December 8 – Dress Up Day – support Katrina relief efforts
• Monday, December 12 – 6th grade program with URI Animal Veterinary Science Club
• Wednesday, December 14 – 8th grade expositions – Day 1 (Farrales, Harnett, Sutcliffe, Tazawa)
• Friday, December 16 – EARLY DISMISSAL at 12:00 – Winter Break begins!
• Wednesday, January 4 – Classes resume

NEWS:  One down, two to go! This newsletter is being sent with just two short weeks remaining in our fall term. Whoosh! Time flies when you are analyzing the mineral composition of granitic intrusions and uploading images onto your digital portfolio, I always say.

The first trimester wrapped up last week, just prior to Thanksgiving. Although the students don't really notice the ending of one term and the beginning of another, this does mark the time of our first formal reporting period for the school year. This can be a time of excitement for some students, as well as a moment of disappointment for others. For many of the 6 th grade class, these will be the first formal grades they receive for each of their academic courses. The philosophy we share in the Middle School is that the grades need to be an accurate reflection of student performance. Earning an “A” should be a challenge, requiring a great deal of work, commitment, and fully meeting all of the teacher's expectations. For some, earning a “B” is a wonderful accomplishment. For others, it might be a statement of underachievement or the need to raise self-expectations. Keep in mind that every Middle School child is a work in progress, and that the first trimester is just the beginning of a year full of accomplishments and learning. Please take the time to discuss your child's report with him/her and to set some concrete goals for the current trimester. The faculty will be doing the same with each of their advisees. Every student should recognize his or her accomplishments, successes, and areas for improvement.

JAMESTOWN FIELD TRIP: The 7th grade class traveled to Jamestown on Thursday, November 17th to explore the diverse geologic formations found there. It was a perfect weather day as the light breeze meant for calm water as Mr. Wheeler, the students and I picked our way along the 500+ million year old igneous outcrops at Ft. Wetherill, marveling at the massive quartz intrusions. These are the lessons that you just can't have in the classroom. From Ft.Wetherill, we drove to Beavertail, which is composed of a metamorphic

schist, easily eroded by waves, making it clear to the students why one finds lagoons on this part of the island. After a bag lunch and a lot of wet feet, we ended the trip on the northern part of the island to stand atop a sedimentary conglomerate, allowing us to hit all three of the rock families. It was a spectacular field trip.

8th GRADE EXPOSITIONS: December marks the beginning of the 8th grade exposition season. The first student presentations will take place just before winter break, and continue through the month of January. This year's theme is Rhode Island, and each topic needs to focus on some aspect, current or historical, of our fair state. By now, the students have chosen their topics and most have begun planning their presentations and interviews.

The 8th Grade Exposition is one of the nodal MS experiences for each student. It involves creating and giving a 15-minute, multimedia presentation to the entire MS community. It is expected that the research for each exposition will include an interview with someone closely related to the student's topic. For last year's theme “People Who Have Made a Difference”, the interviews included Barnaby Evans (Waterfire artist), Lance Armstrong (email interview), Katie Couric, and Sam Horne (former Red Sox slugger), amongst many others.

This class of 8th grade students have chosen the following topics: Rosecliff Mansion, the Big Blue Bug, Quonset Point, Vincent Cianci, Narragansett Bay's Golden Age, Sweet Berry Farm, Newport Jazz Festival, Sweenor's Chocolates, Coffee Syrup, “The Family Guy”, Arlene Violet, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Don Bousquet, the America's Cup, the Providence Bruins, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Kenyon's Grist Mill, Roger Williams Park, Del's Lemonade, Brown University, the Hurricane of '38, Gilbert Stuart, and RI Lighthouses.

If you happen to have a contact to one of these topics, don't hesitate to pass a name along. The interview is one of the best aspects of the exposition process and finding the right contact is critical.

HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS: Since our fall fund drives, the MS students have sponsored two more money-raising events: a soda sale during our first dance, and a 7th grade bake sale before Thanksgiving. Together these two events earned over $250, bringing our total for the fall to more than $400. Many thanks to all who sent in baked goods and donated soda. On Thursday, December 8th we will hold an all-school DRESS-UP Day. To put a twist on the traditional dress-down day, students are asked to make a donation to dress-up for the day. Mr. Young has agreed to match the funds raised for this day. Additionally, these donations, along with any other cash contributions made by December 31st , will count toward the Feinstein Challenge.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Prior to Thanksgiving break, the Middle School held an adviser group food drive for non-perishable items, which were then brought to both the Rhode Island and North Kingstown Food Banks. Approximately 500 pounds of canned and packaged food items were donated. Again, thanks to all who helped us by donating to this cause.

HALLOWEEN PHOTOS:

The 8 -teen Wheelers	The McDonald's Furbies
Grannies Day Out	Lessons in Shop Safety

FALL ATHLETICS: Awards and Recognition: A fine fall season came to a close the first week of November. Our students have packed away their cleats, shin guards, and racquets for the time being, replacing them with new sneakers for growing feet, yoga mats, or winter parkas for Outdoor Recreation. On Thursday, November 10, the MS had its fall sports assembly and the coaches each recognized their teams for their accomplishments. They also awarded medals for Most Improved Player, Most Valuable Player, and for the Coaches Award. This year's recipients are:

GIRLS' SOCCER: MVP – Erica Santos (7), MIP – Abby DeBlois (8), Coaches Award – Devyn Maher (6)

BOYS' SOCCER “A”: MVP – Tory Dumas (8), MIP – Zach Pierce (7), Coaches Award – Ian Sutcliff (8)

SOCCER “B” MVP – Will Pontarelli (6), MIP – Laura DeBlois (6), Coaches Award – Joey DiBiase (6)

EMAIL ADDRESSES: Please alert Barbara Streuli of your email address changes at bstreuli@rockyhill.org with a copy to Mike at mjedrey@rockyhill.org .