Welcome to Middle School!
By James Hutchins - FF/S
This is the first of a series of monthly messages to parents that outline what's going on at the Middle School. These messages are designed to help parents feel connected to our students, teachers and programs. I hope you will find this helpful and encouraging as we join together to help your child(ren) have a wonderful Middle School experience.
The school year has gotten off to a wonderful start! Typically, the first couple of weeks of school can seem turbulent, as students and teachers work together to establish a normal routine and expectations of life at Darlington. Just the other day, I shared with Headmaster Tom Whitworth that I think I need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming because the year has started so well.
Keep in mind, we offer cereal for students that want breakfast but are not getting here early enough to take advantage of a hot meal at the Upper School dining hall. If you wish to have your child(ren) take advantage of the hot breakfast, please drop them off no later than 7:30 a.m. at the Upper School.
Be mindful that flagpole starts at 7:50 a.m. Students are required to be flagpole, as this has become a tradition at the Middle School. We make announcements, sing happy birthday to those students celebrating birthdays, pledge to be honorable and treat others with kindness and respect, and lastly, join voices in honoring our great country by saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our whole-school assemblies on Wednesday have become an integral part of our efforts to live our Mission Statement: “To empower students to learn with passion, act with integrity, and serve with respect.” Please feel free to stop by on Wednesdays at 11:05 a.m. to join us.
For the third year, the Middle School faculty will be involved in a book study. This year we will be reading Rick Wormeli’s Fair Isn’t Always Equal. Wormeli offers the latest research and common sense thinking that teachers need when it comes to assessment and grading in differentiated classes. I’ll forward more to you as we move through the book as a faculty.
Our MacBook initiative in 8th grade has been met with a spectrum of feelings ranging from excitement to skepticism, but I think we can all agree that innovation is necessary as we seek to prepare our students for successful futures in the 21st Century. Click here for more information. We all will have a learning curve for a few months, so work with us and please contact us with any questions you may have. The MacBooks are to be used for schoolwork only during the school day, but students may take them home for homework. Teachers are being trained on how to integrate them in the teaching and learning process. Cynde Reneau, technology coordinator, has outlined some general information for you in this blog. We appreciate your partnership in this wonderful opportunity for our students.
Each month, I will be holding a Parent Forum. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other and to discuss any thoughts, questions or concerns you may have about Middle School. These certainly are not mandatory, but are open to anyone who would like to attend. The first Parent Forum will be Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School Library.
