| Middle
School eNewsletter
Issue
IV, January, 2006
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
-
Thursday
- Friday, February 9, 10: 7th Grade Winter Ecology Trip,
W. Alton Jones Campus, West Greenwich , RI
Friday,
February 17 – Monday, February 20: NO SCHOOL – Headmaster's
Holiday and Presidents' Day
Friday
- Saturday, March 3, 4: MS/US musical production Anything
Goes, 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Center
March
7th – 10th, World Cultures Week - TURKEY
NEWS:
At
this time last year I was remarking just how cold it had been
leading up to the end of January. The School had already been
closed because of multiple snow storms, a crew of MS boys
had spent a week of recess indoors having quality time with
me after a spirited, and thoroughly unacceptable snowball
fight in the courtyard, and we were in the midst of a full-blown
winter season. Today I noticed the tops of the daffodils poking
through last year's mulch along the side of Hale. It is hard
to argue with my son to wear a coat in the morning these days.
January
was a big month for the 8th grade, which is why they are highlighted
in this newsletter. Both the 6th and 7th grades are full speed
ahead at this juncture of the trimester. The 6th graders are
putting the finishing touches on their watershed animal project
for Mr. Wheeler, while also beginning their research for their
Greek Myths with Mr. Greenwood. The 7th grade has just completed
its second major Harkness Summit in geography, looking at
various river systems around the globe, and is preparing for
their Winter Ecology Trip to Alton Jones next week. There
is a lot of hard work taking place in the Middle School during
these mild days, and still a lot of work to do.
8th
GRADE EXPOSITIONS: January
was certainly “the” month for the 8th grade class, beginning
with the presentations of their expositions and ending
with our journey to Québec. Beginning in December,
and running through the month of January, each 8th grade
student presented his or her exposition on something
Rhode Island. This is the second time we have
used this theme for our expositions and it is truly
amazing how many fascinating and diverse topics this
little state can provide. Each student was required
to research and present his or her topic to the entire
MS community in the Flynn Lecture Hall. Speaking in
front of a packed room, our students talked about: Rose
Cliff Mansion, the Big Blue Bug, Quonset Point, Sweet
Berry Farm, the Newport Jazz Festival, Sweenor's Chocolates,
coffee syrup, the Family Guy, Helen Glover, the Tennis
Hall of Fame, Don Bousquet, the America's Cup, the Providence
Bruins, the Paw Sox, Kenyon's Grist Mill, Roger Williams
Park, Sandy Point Stables, Brown University, the Golden
Age of Narragansett, the Hurricane of 1938, Rhode Island
Lighthouses, and Vincent “Buddy” Cianci. Congratulations
to all of our presenters for another strong exposition
series. |
|
WORLD
CULTURES WEEK: Merhaba!
That's how to say
hello in Turkey, the country we'll be studying during this
year's World Cultures Week. From our kickoff with a Turkish
prayer call on Monday the 6th of March to our culminating
Turkish Bazaar on the 10th, the Middle School will be immersed
in all things Turkish. We will investigate belly dancing to
baklava, geography to folk tales, and ancient history to modern-day
culture. Our goal is to give studens an appreciation
for the rich heritage and magnificent artwork, as well as
current relevance of this beautiful country.
It
always enriches the experience if families participate in
our week. We'd especially appreciate assistance with cooking
and with the Bazaar, but welcome any offers that would help
give the students an understanding of the country. Please
contact Mrs. Siegemund ( ksiegemund@rockyhill.org
) if you'd like to help in any way.
|
CARNIVAL
DE QUEBEC!:
There is nothing like 16 hours of quality bus time (8
hours up, and then back again) to make one appreciate
where we are, and where we have just been. The 8th grade
class had yet another magnificent journey to our northern
neighbor to partake in the opening ceremonies of their
winter carnival, the third largest winter carnival in
the world. As ambassadors of Rocky Hill School, our
students were wonderfully open to trying new things
and experiencing the culture of the province of Québec.
Beginning with a dinner in the oldest building in Québec
City, we enjoyed the celebratory mayhem of the opening
ceremonies, where the students danced outside to live
music, welcoming the “Bon Homme” as he announced the
beginning of this two-week celebration. Some of the
students even saw themselves on the local television
news that night.
Other
activities included a historical tour of Old Québec,
a traditional French breakfast of croissants and hot
chocolate, an evening at the “Cabane à Sucre”
where maple syrup is made, and of course poured on everything,
snowshoeing up the side of a mountain for chocolate
fondue, a visit to Mont Morency Falls and an authentic
Heron Village, ending with a night of snow tubing at
Village des Sports. Perhaps a highlight of the trip
for most 8th graders is having two hours of free time
to explore and shop the streets of Québec City.
In groups of 3 or more, the students are given the responsibility
of finding their own lunch, communicating with the locals,
and returning to the meeting place. I was stunned, as
well as proud, of the way this year's 8th grade class
made every deadline and meeting point on time. Not having
any heavy sleepers also meant that we were up and ready
to go each morning, climbing aboard our “Moach” with
Vincent our guide for another exciting day. All in all,
ce voyage était très bien!
|
QUEBEC
PHOTOS:
Snowshoeing
Enjoying
maple taffy |
ADMISSION
ESSAYS: Each
year at this time, I like to include in the winter newsletter
one of the many fine Admission Essays submitted by our current
8th grade students. Each 8th grade student states his or her
intention to enroll in our Upper School with the submission
of this essay.
Dear
Mrs. Washburn,
I
have learned many things at Rocky Hill and hope to learn more.
I don't think I could have done a project like the 8th grade
expositions before, but Rocky Hill taught me how. My exposition
was about the cartoon Family Guy that is set in
Rhode Island. At Rocky Hill I learned how to use PowerPoint
and edit movies, but most importantly, I gained the self-confidence
to speak to a large group.
Learning
at Rocky Hill goes beyond the classroom, whether walking to
the water in science class, kayaking up the Providence River
and testing the water during Enviroweek, or going to Chewonki
to learn teamwork in the 9th and 10th grade, the world is
our classroom.
Rocky
Hill is a very special school. The campus is located next
to Narragansett Bay, where you can watch the sailboats skimming
on the water. The historic buildings are neat and clean. The
teachers are helpful and friendly, they are always there when
you have a question for them, and they make learning interesting.
The small classes let the teachers help everyone individually
and create a close-knit community where everybody knows each
other. There is a wide variety of courses and clubs for me
to choose from.
If
I am accepted at Rocky Hill, I can use the many skills I have
learned to help others. I work hard and do my best at everything
I try. The drama class in Middle School sparked an interest
in performing, so I would like to take advantage of Rocky
Hill's wonderful drama program. I hope to participate in the
school play if it is West Side Story. I have played
soccer, basketball and lacrosse all through Middle School
and have taken Rocky Hill sailing camp over the summer. I
plan to continue these activities through Upper School. And
I hope to use my love of math to add to the math league.
Sincerely,
Samuel
LeBlanc
EMAIL
ADDRESSES: Please alert Barbara
Streuli of your email address changes at bstreuli@rockyhill.org
with a copy to Mike at mjedrey@rockyhill.org
.
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