I Think We're There

I hope you found my first letter informative and will look forward to these monthly communications. I welcome any feedback you might have regarding life at the Middle School. The first month of school is usually a little bit crazy as students and teachers work together to establish a normal routine and expectations for life at Darlington, but I’m glad to say that I think we’re there.

Our fall athletic programs are winding down, and winter sports are gearing up. Our teams have been extremely successful this fall with volleyball, cross country and softball ending their seasons on a positive note. As always, our cheerleaders go the extra mile to support our teams. Our football team ended with a perfect 7-0 record and will host Coosa Tuesday, Oct. 25, for the Floyd County Area Championship. The game is set to kick off at 4:45 p.m. at Chris Hunter Stadium. Please try and make plans to attend. We need those Tiger Fans out in full force. Tuesday will be a Tiger Spirit Day and we encourage students to wear purple and white to show their school spirit.

I want to share some exciting news! After an extensive and thorough, national search, Darlington has hired Kate Willingham for the sixth-grade Humanities position recently vacated by Sally Muschamp. Kate graduated magna cum laude in May from Sewanee: The University of the South, where she secured a Bachelors of Arts in English and minored in Spanish. There, she received many accolades for her academic and athletic successes, including The Presidential Scholarship from 2007-2011. She also graduated as a member of the prestigious academic society, The Order of the Gownsmen, which is a badge for academic distinction. While at Sewanee, Kate served as captain of the varsity soccer team and was named All-SCAC in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. In addition, she was recognized as All-SCAC Honor Roll for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

I am very excited to have Kate join our Middle School team. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Mary Margaret Mauer for filling in the last several weeks. Our students didn't miss a step under her guidance. Please join me in welcoming Kate and thanking Mary Margaret.

The fifth grade enjoyed another exciting academic adventure at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah. Skidaway is a 588-acre barrier island and part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Learning truly came alive during this three-day trip as students journeyed into salt marshes, observed the coastal flora and fauna, and learned to appreciate the abundant wildlife that makes their home there.

I would like to remind parents that the dismissal time for fifth and sixth grade is 3:15 p.m. and the dismissal time for seventh and eighth grade is 3:25 p.m. Seventh- and eighth-grade parents should refrain from joining the afternoon pick-up line until 3:20 p.m. as this is causing a back up. If you are in the line early, we will ask you to circle around again.

Our first two Parent Forums have been well attended and informative. I will continue to host this event monthly and alter the days, as to give everyone the opportunity to attend.

Please be reminded that there will be no school on Friday, Nov. 4, due to parent-teacher conferences.

I also encourage you to check out the first of several One-Minute Technology Tips, brought to you by Instructional Technology Coordinator Cynde Reneau and eighth-grader Daniel Morris.

As always, if you have any questions about life at the Middle School or just want to stop by and chat, I welcome it!