Middle School Email
6/15/09
McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE
Dear McLean Families,
The last two weeks of school flew by pretty quickly. As we were busy organizing the Closing Ceremony, the grades 7 and 8 students were finishing their final exams. Then on Monday, June 8 we distributed the yearbooks and we held our Fourth Quarter Awards Ceremony with our proud recipients of the PRIDE, Effort and Honor Roll awards. That same evening, we celebrated the traditional Grade 8 Dinner with all the eighth grade parents in attendance.
On Tuesday, June 9, grade 5 enjoyed a day of mountain boarding, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, and grade 6 went to the rope courses as part of outdoor education. Students enjoyed good weather and found joy with their classmates on a day of fun. Grade 7 spent their time canoeing and wall climbing. Meanwhile, on the gorge of the Potomac River, grade 8 students went rafting and upon their return, we saw more smiles on sunburn faces and an air of adventure and accomplishment. Every student felt exhausted but all had smiles on their faces from the great outdoors.
On Wednesday, June 9, the gym filled with parents and family members who accompanied us in celebrating our end-of-the-year Closing Ceremony. Many thanks to all the parents who came to see their children participate in the moving-up ceremony and year-in-review that not only summarized their academic successes, but also the many activities they participated in throughout the year. These activities contributed both to their personal growth and intellectual curiosity.
We also acknowledged the students who participated in the Climate Committees, and handed out two Citizenship Awards in grades 5 and 6. In addition, we also bestowed the Terry J. Edwards Award (Daniel K. ‘15), the Charles H. Levine Memorial Award (Andrew Y. ‘14), the Arnold Cornblatt Second Mile Award (Katie K. ‘13), the William P. McClure Citizenship Award (Danielle W. ‘12), the Gareth C. May Leadership Award (Michelle S. ‘12), and the Jamie Kleeblatt Friendship Award (Ezekiel S. ‘12) to deserving students. Once again this year, we were honored with the presence of Mrs. Betsy Kleeblatt and her son, Michael Kleeblatt. Mrs. Kleeblatt’s words to the audience filled the air with profound emotion as she greeted this year’s recipient of the Jamie Kleeblatt Friendship Award, given annually in tribute to her late son. The Friendship Composition, written and read by Jennifer W. ‘12 reinforced the power of friendship.
Our grade 8 students received their certificates of completion of four years of Middle School and shortly after that, Darlene Pierro proclaimed the end of the 2008-2009 school year. In the midst of cheers and confetti, the entire student body in the Middle School left the hallways and classrooms to enjoy their summer.
This past week our teachers worked diligently to get the comments and grades ready for mailing on Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16. Together with Report Cards, you will find the Stanford-10 scores and letters from the Literature and Math Departments with information regarding summer work.
SUMMER READING recommendations for rising grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 students, and SUMMER MATH REVIEW PACKETS for rising grades 5, 6 and 7 students can be found on our web site. Regarding Math for rising grade 8 students, Mathematics Department Chair Paul Belliveau will be emailing the summer review work by June 19. We ask that you have your child complete the REQUIRED MATH Review exercises.
SUMMER MATH: http://merlin.safeport.com/middle/1153/
SUMMER READING: http://merlin.safeport.com/middle/1141/
If you do not receive your Report Cards by Friday, June 19, please contact the Middle School office.
We are finishing the year with teacher training on Reading and working on next year’s Middle School schedule. It is a big task but critical to be able to provide our students with the learning environment that fosters reading and the understanding of language as a student strategy for seeing beyond themselves and learning the lessons of life from yesterday and perhaps for tomorrow.
This is my last newsletter of the year. Later in the summer, we will be sending updates on the Middle School. In the meantime, enjoy the summer months with your children, family and loved ones.
As I finished my first full year as Head of Middle School, I thank you all one more time, for your support, your contributions and your trust. Enjoy your summer, stay cool and be safe.
With my warmest wishes,
Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org
REMEMBER!
Monday, August 31 9:00AM K-5 Parent Orientation & Student Visiting Day & New Students only for Grades 6, 7, 8
Tuesday, September 1 Opening Day of School
Tuesday, September 1 3:15PM Dismissal
Tuesday, September 1 3:20 Club After School Program Begins