Middle School Newsletter - April 26, 2023

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Message From Division Director

We are excited for our full day of field trips to Washington, D.C. this Friday. Please review the information below and help reinforce with your child the importance of remaining vigilant, respectful, attentive and responsive as they navigate museum exhibits (seventh grade) and metro travel (eighth grade) with lots of other people seeking a positive experience.

Please also remember that:

Regular morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times apply.
All of our students and advisors will be off campus for the day.
There are no classes or athletic practices.
Seventh graders will need a bag lunch; eighth graders will need money for lunch.

Brian Lamont
Director of the Middle School

Announcements

End-of-Year Schedule

Here is an overview of the final week of school. Eighth grade families have received additional information via email.

Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day, no school.
Tuesday, May 30 — science and language exams in the morning, flexible time in the afternoon, and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal.
Wednesday, May 31 — history and English exams in the morning, flexible time in the afternoon, and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal.
Thursday, June 1 — math and makeup exams in the morning, Huskyfest (similar to Field Day) in the afternoon, and a regular 3:30 p.m. dismissal. This is the last day of school, and there is a dance for eighth graders in the evening.
Friday, June 2 — Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony, 10:30 a.m. Eighth graders arrive by 9:45 a.m. and may leave after the ceremony. Seventh graders may attend as audience members, but their attendance is not required.

Middle School Exams

Students will have exams in English (an in-class revision of an essay), history, math, language and science, and each exam counts as 10% of the semester grade in a particular course. Each exam will be one hour with extended time as needed, and the remainder of the school day will consist of games and activities. Like with everything else in middle school, we are trying to hit the sweet spot with exams — helping students engage in what will be an increasingly important academic process while still treating it as a low-stakes learning opportunity. Our focus is more on the review process and long-term study skills than the results. We want them to prepare thoughtfully, strive for their best, and feel the “good stress” that can motivate, focus energy, and enhance performance. We hope the students come away from the experience with the realization that exams don’t have to be scary and with an understanding of how they may adjust their preparation in the future based on what worked well for them and what didn’t.

Upcoming Field Trips — Friday, April 28

We look forward to taking all of our students off-campus at the end of the month for enrichment and community building. See below for grade-level details.

7th Grade Museum Trip — Friday, April 28

As part of our current theme in U.S. History, students will visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture to better appreciate and understand the ongoing journey of African Americans from slavery to equity. Students will be prepared for the trip through the use of various in-class activities, readings, videos and discussions.

Regular 8:00 a.m. arrival and 3:20 p.m. dismissal times.
There are no academic classes or athletic practices.
Students should be in regular school dress with comfortable walking shoes.
Students should leave MacBooks at home.
Students will need a daypack, water bottle, bag lunch, an additional snack and a hat/sunscreen as needed.
Please contact your child’s advisor, history teacher or 7th Grade Team Leader Travis Keatley if you have questions.

8th Grade Advisory Day — Friday, April 28

With the goals of connecting with each other and exploring key areas of our nation’s capital, advisory groups will travel by Metro to Washington, D.C., and participate in a photography scavenger hunt.

Regular 8:00 a.m. arrival and 3:20 p.m. dismissal times.
There are no academic classes or athletic practices.
Students should be in regular school dress with comfortable walking shoes.
Students should leave MacBooks at home.
Students will need a daypack, water bottle, money for lunch (~$20), an additional snack, and a hat/sunscreen as needed.
Students will travel by Metro and participate in activities throughout the city.

Please contact your child’s advisor or 8th Grade Team Leader Leslie Bumgarner if you have questions.

Kaleidoscope Parent Book Club Discussion, "Words We Don't Say" — Monday, May 1

The Kaleidoscope Book Club provides an opportunity for parents to connect and discuss a variety of topics through books. The group will discuss the book "Words We Don't Say" by K.J. Reilly on Monday, May 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m., in the Hazel Lower School. You are welcome to attend even if you haven't read the book. We look forward to building and deepening relationships through this shared learning opportunity. Please contact Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Miles Henderson if you have any questions.

Community Service Updates

On Tuesday, May 2, our 8th graders will be making brief presentations in small, mixed groups as the culmination of their independent service project. The goals are to reflect on their learning, share their experience with others, highlight things we can all do to alleviate the problem, and give 7th graders a model as they consider their service project for next year. Additional information and resources about the program are available on the Husky Hub Community Service tile.

SOLD OUT / Waiting List Available: “Mamma Mia!" — April 28-30

All three performances of the Upper School musical production of “Mamma Mia!” are sold out! If you would like to be put on the waiting list, please email Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus. "Mamma Mia!" is a jukebox-musical based on the songs of ABBA, following the story of a young bride-to-be trying to uncover the identity of her father before her wedding on a Greek island, leading to hilarious and heartwarming hijinks. Performances will be held on Friday, April 28, Saturday, April 29, 7:00-9:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, 2:00-4:30 p.m. in the Olson Theater, in the Activity Center of the Hazel Lower School. The address is 10409 Academic Drive, Oakton, VA 22124.

7th Grade Parents: Virtual Upper School Preview — Wednesday, May 17

R.S.V.P. for the Class of 2028 Parent Virtual Upper School Virtual Preview on Wednesday, May 17, at 9:00-10:100 a.m. You’ll hear from Upper School leaders and participate in a Q&A session with current Upper School parents. Don’t miss this important event! Register by Friday, May 12.

Catch Up with Us on Flickr and Vimeo

A friendly reminder that we’ve been documenting the 2023-24 school year in photos and videos. Our Flickr page includes photos of community events like Arts Jam and Night on the Hill as well as school events and classroom activities across all divisions. Our Vimeo page features short videos from the year that have also been shared on our social media channels.

Upcoming Events

An Evening with Alum Author Caralena Peterson ’10
Wednesday, April 26
Upper School Learning Commons, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

7th and 8th Grade Field Trips to Washington, D.C.
Friday, April 28, 8:00 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
All Middle School students will be off-campus for grade-level trips. No change to school arrival and dismissal times.

Upper School Musical: “Mamma Mia!”
Friday, April 28
Olson Theater, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
SOLD OUT — to be added to the waiting list, please email Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus.

Upper School Musical: “Mamma Mia!”
Saturday, April 29
Olson Theater, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
SOLD OUT — to be added to the waiting list, please email Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus.

Upper School Musical: “Mamma Mia!”
Sunday, April 30
Olson Theater, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
SOLD OUT — to be added to the waiting list, please email Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus.

Kaleidoscope Book Club
Monday, May 1
Hazel Lower School, Room 201, 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Grades 5-8 Spring Choral Concert
Tuesday, May 9
Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Grades 5-8 Spring Percussion Concert
Thursday, May 11
Olson Theater, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Parents’ Association

A Night on the Hill Photos

A Night on the Hill was a night to remember! Look back on the evening through these event photos and photo booth images.

Spring Concessions Volunteers Needed

Volunteering in concessions is a fun way to make new connections with other parents across divisions. Check out the schedules and invite a friend to join you!

Serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador for 2023-2024 — Sign Up by Wednesday, May 10

You are invited to serve as a Parents’ Association Divisional Ambassador next year. A sign-up form is open through Wednesday, May 10.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about the Divisional Ambassador role, the Parents’ Association will be hosting Q&A sessions along with Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement Meredith VanDuyne.

Friday, April 28, 1:45-2:30 p.m. Upper School Multipurpose Room (in person)
Monday, May 1, 7:30-8:00 p.m. (virtual)

You can also reach out to one of this year’s Divisional Ambassadors to hear about their experience. Please see below for more information:

Divisional Ambassador Description — Duties and Responsibilities

Divisional Ambassador FAQ

Don’t Forget to Register! Golf Invitational and Skills Clinic

Space is limited for the 18-hole tournament on Thursday, May 25, but there are plenty of spots available in the Skills Clinic. Join the Clinic co-chairs, KayAnn Schoeneman P’28 and Rachel Murdock P’25, ’27, for an hour-and-a-half of casual conversation and golf skills taught by pros. Afterward, enjoy lunch together and get a chance to win some great raffle prizes. All abilities are welcome, so grab your spot!

What do marshmallows and golf have in common? Volunteer and find out! No experience necessary, and it’s a fun way to support the community and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Uniform Donation Drop-Off: May 30 - June 9

Start cleaning out your closets because we will have another uniform donation drop-off at the end of the school year. Parents may drop off gently-used uniforms and spirit wear items on the Miller House front porch, from Tuesday, May 30, to Friday, June 9.