Verna M. Moore, Middle School Head
Semester One Reports: The first semester ended on January 27, and reports will be prepared the following week. We will give them to the girls on Tuesday, February 7, to carry home, after providing time in advisory for review and reflection. At this time, Arts and Physical Education teachers provide narratives and an effort grade. Teachers of academic subjects record the final grade for the semester, as well as the effort grade, and the December exam grade (7th and 8th). When needed, teachers may add a brief comment to accompany the grade. Although exam grades appear on the semester report card, they are not averaged in until the end of the school year. For 7th grade mid-semester exam grades constitute 5% of the year end grade. For 8th grade, mid-semester and final exam grades constitute 10% of the year end grade.
Association of Independent Maryland Schools Workshop – Wednesday, February 8: We will be the host site for an Aims Professional Development day long workshop on February 8th. Students will need to bring a bagged lunch and eat in their advisory.
Alumnae Association Valentine’s Legacy Luncheon on Wednesday February 15: Alumnae mothers, grandmothers, aunts and cousins are invited to join their daughters, granddaughters, nieces and cousins for a special luncheon in the dining hall at noon. All students and faculty not attending the luncheon need to bring a complete bagged lunch on this day because the Dining Hall will be in use for special event.
Schools Attuned Parent Workshop: Paying Attention: February 23 This workshop will explore the different parts of Attention and their impact on learning. Participants will learn strategies for helping students manage the different parts of Attention.
Middle School Musical: Beauty and the Beast
I hope you are all setting aside the weekend of February 24th, 25th and 26th to attend the Middle School musical. Ticketing policy: All tickets will be sold online. Beginning February 13th, please visit www.rpcs.org and click "BUY TICKETS NOW" to purchase tickets. Follow the on-screen instructions to purchase tickets. You will need to print your E-Ticket and bring it with you to the show. Tickets will only be available online through the RPCS website. No tickets will be on-sale at the door or in school! Any questions, please contact Amy Anderson at andersona@rpcs.org. Please note that we will have four performances (see dates and times above). All tickets will cost $8.00.
Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) followup:
Please check the following website: http://fcd.org/content/index.asp for more information and resources on Parent Education Programs and other services you may find helpful as you continue your conversations on this very important topic with your daughters.
8th Grade Parent Coffee: How To Talk To Your Daughters About Sex and Relationships: 8th Grade Parents, an attachment describing this coffee is included in this Newsletter. We hope that you will be able to join us for this very important talk.
Closing Exercises: The Middle School Closing Exercises are scheduled for Friday, June 3rd, at 2:00 pm. All Middle School students are required to attend. Sixth and seventh graders are to be in full uniform.
Dress for the 8th Grade Closing Ceremony needs to be white, preferably "true white", with no other colors. It should not be long (gown like) and it shouldn't be overly short either. If you are not sure if the color or style meets these guidelines, please send a picture to Mrs. Faith Jaspan, and she will let you know if it is appropriate. Most families find that looking for white dresses in early spring works best. Keep in mind that it can be chilly in the theater. Shoes also need to be completely white. Please make sure your daughter's shoes are easy to walk in (we suggest no more than two inches) as the girls have to process down the steps and walk across the stage to get their certificates. Have fun looking for a dress!
LOOKING AHEAD TO UPPER SCHOOL with Ereni Malfa and Jean Brune
A Message for 8th Grade Parents: Moving to another division within the school is always an exciting time. Although it is still early in the year, many Eighth Graders and their families are already excited about the upcoming move to Upper School. Like the Lower School, we too have a careful and thorough transition process in place.
· The Upper School Head hosts an 8th grade Intro to the Upper School Parents’ Coffee on Tuesday, January 31st at 8:00am in the
Apgar Lecture Room.
· The Upper School Head meets with 8th grade girls, and their parents, on Tuesday, April 3rd at 7:30pm in the Lower School MPR to present the curriculum overview.
· At spring conferences on Thursday, April 5th, MS advisors will give parents the course sign-up sheet and section recommendations.
· US Head is available to answer any parent questions on Parent Conference Day.
· Course selection sheets are due in April.
· Advisors are assigned by the US Head in consultation with the MS Head and 8th Grade Team recommendations.
· Schedules will be mailed home, or available on-line, in early July.
· There will be a Latin Camp, free-of-charge, to prepare students for the transition to the Latin Program at Gilman in Upper School. This camp is required for students going into Latin II Honors and is recommended for students going into Latin II during the week of August 13.
· On the day just prior to the first day of school in August, all students new to the Upper School attend an Orientation Day designed to help them get to know the Upper School and its teachers.
· Please don’t hesitate to contact Ereni Malfa, Head of Upper School, if you have any questions about this process or would like to hear more about the Upper School firsthand. It is always exciting when our girls move “up” to 9th grade and begin a new chapter in their memorable RPCS lives.