We welcome Meridith Price, 2001 as the new Spanish teacher for grades six and seven. Ms. Price is a graduate of James Madison University and is currently studying for a degree in Higher Education and International Education at the University of Maryland. She has extensive experience living abroad in Spain, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and a number of other countries, and she also has experience in the world of journalism and communications. We are delighted that she has joined us!
CONGRATULATIONS to two Middle School teachers who celebrated their weddings over the Thanksgiving Break. Eighth grade science teacher Elisha James-Palmer, who will now be known as Mrs. James-Pringle (still “Ms J-P” to the girls!), was married in Baltimore on November 28, and Wei-Li Yuan, our Chinese teacher, was married in Iowa on November 26. (She will continue to be knows as Ms. Yuan.)
CUMULATIVE EXAMS for Grades 7 and 8: Exams are scheduled for seventh and eighth graders on December 15, 16, and 17. The purpose of exams in the Middle School is to introduce students to the process of reviewing and synthesizing larger amounts of material. Thus, while we ask students to take the exams seriously, we also try to place them in their proper perspective. No college has ever asked about Middle School grades! Students are expected to review and prepare conscientiously. It is not appropriate for Middle Schoolers to study for 10 or 12 hours a day! During the three exam days, classes are suspended for seventh and eighth graders, and they may dress down. Students are dismissed for the day at the end of the exam period. Students involved in some winter sports and students involved in the Living Reproductions performance will be asked to stay longer. Although students may stay on campus, I urge you to make other arrangements, as an unstructured day can be very long.
6th grade Announcement As a culminating activity for its interdisciplinary unit on Habibi, the sixth grade will hold a luncheon on December 15. The menu is based on foods from the book, and parents will be asked to make food contributions for the luncheon. More information will follow.
Please note that the sixth graders will have regular classes throughout the exam period. School will be in session for all students in grades 6, 7 and 8 on Thursday the 18th and Friday morning the 19th. The Middle School will close for Winter Break at 11:15 on Friday, after the sleepover. There will be no after-school study hall on that day.
EXAM SCHEDULES:
|
7th GRADE |
Monday, Dec 15 |
Tuesday, Dec 16 |
Wednesday, Dec 17
|
|
8:15 |
English |
French, Spanish, Chinese |
History
|
|
10:15 |
Science |
Math |
|
|
8th GRADE |
Monday, Dec 15 |
Tuesday, Dec 16 |
Wednesday, Dec 17
|
|
8:15 |
English |
Latin |
Science
|
|
10:15 |
Math |
History |
French and Spanish
|
DECEMBER 18 IMMERSION DAY AND SLEEPOVER: A flyer will go home with students in early December giving details about the Sleepover. Our Immersion Day will have an international theme. Featuring focused discussions and activities on the theme of world cultures. At 2:00, all students are invited to attend the Upper School Christmas Concert. Students must go home at the end of the day and return at 8:00 ready for the sleepover. (I would not dare say “ready to sleep”!) This is one of the most well-loved events of our year, and we appreciate your support – especially by not scheduling conflicting events. We ask students to pay $10 for snacks, pizza, and a scrumptious hot breakfast.
LIVING REPRODUCTIONS AND THE UPPER SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT: This long-standing RPCS tradition continues in 2008. All middle school students are invited to attend the US Concert on Thursday afternoon following Immersion Day. A number of middle school students will be featured in “tableaux” recreating notable works of art. Parents are welcome to attend!
HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING: As always, we ask that girls refrain from exchanging gifts with each other in school. There is tremendous potential for hurt feelings and we feel that such exchanges, if they happen, should happen outside of school. We rely on your help and support with this. Our Middle School sleepover and Immersion Day are school-wide celebrations that everyone can enjoy.
SUMMER WILDERNESS OPPORTUNITY: This coming summer, Boys Latin teacher Jay Parker and his wife Carolyn, together with RPCS teacher Kim Daly, will lead a hiking trip in New England for RPCS. On December 11 at 4:30 in Room 103, there will be an interest meeting for parents and students. Flyers can be obtained by contacting Mr. Parker directly: jparker@boyslatinmd.org. This is a wonderful opportunity for adventure and fun! Click here to see flyer.
~ R.M.