Semester One Reports: The first semester ended on January 25, and reports will be prepared the following week. We will give them to the girls on or around February 4 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. Please note that exam grades are not averaged in to the semester grade. Instead, they count as 5% of the year-end final grade.
Attending Performances: Middle schoolers are at that wonderful, but complex age where they can do some things independently but need adult support for others. Our performing arts department and our faculty work hard to teach and support the girls in practicing proper audience behavior. However, when groups of girls are sent to a non-Middle School event (such as an Upper School concert) without any adult supervision, they sometimes have difficulty remembering good behavior. Having at least one parent from the group nearby to support the girls can be a helpful bridge towards independence.
Parent Coffees: In conjunction with Life Skills classes this winter, we are pleased to offer parent coffees for each grade level during the month of February. (See dates above) Please take advantage of this chance to step in out of the cold, savor a warm cup of tea or coffee, and enjoy good conversation in the company of other parents.
Alumnae Association Valentine’s Day Lunch, Tuesday February 12: All students and faculty need to bring a complete bag lunch on this day because the cafeteria will be in use by the Alumnae Association. Alumnae mothers, aunts, and grandmothers are invited to join their daughters, nieces, or granddaughters for a special luncheon in the dining hall at noon.
Middle School Musical: Seussical I hope you are all setting aside the weekend of February 22 to attend the Middle School musical. Ticketing policy: All tickets will be sold online. Beginning February 15th, 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. Please note that again this year we will have three performances (see dates and times above). All tickets will cost $7.00.
Life Skills Classes: During February, our 7th grade girls will have an opportunity to work with Jill Jahres of The Bloom Project on issues of friendship and how to develop and sustain healthy relationships. The 6th grade will be spending the spring months with Mrs. Harrison looking at issues of health and wellness, including instruction on puberty. An introduction to human anatomy and human sexuality take place in the late spring. Over the next few months, 8th grade Life Skills classes will be focusing on human sexuality education. Students will have three class sessions with noted sexuality educator Deborah Roffman, author of Sex and Sensibility: The Thinking Parent’s Guide to Talking Sense About Sex. You can also read more about Debbie Roffman’s work at www.sexandsensibility.net.
News Flash: Middle school girls are continuing to grow. Skirt length needs to be adjusted to not shorter than 4” above the knee. The skirt needs to fit well enough for the zipper to be closed. Thank you for your help with this matter.
~ R.M.