Middle School Email

11/14/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Over 200 visitors filled the hallways of the McLean Bethesda campus on Wednesday and Friday of this week. Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 students and teachers enjoyed a tour given by the Head of Upper School Josephine Diemond. The students strolled through the hallways accompanied by their advisors and homeroom teachers admiring the dining room, auditorium, the spacious classroom areas for humanities, foreign language, theater, science, music, dance, an athletic wing and future athletic fields. The students liked the many “extras” they will enjoy once they move to this Upper School campus: an outdoor patio, student lounges, lots of windows and natural light, two fireplaces and the beautiful views of grass and trees.

Kudos go to all our thespians who participated in the fall drama production of The Good Doctor that took place this past weekend. Special recognition goes to two of our Middle School students, Paul W. and Charlie R. for their roles in the play and performance.

The Fall Sports Awards ceremony honored 16 Middle School athletes that contributed significantly to their teams due to their leadership, dedication, sportsmanship, and hard work achieving many of their personal goals while helping their school stand out in the community. Congratulations to all awardees and team members for your participation.

Our Grade 5/6 Learning Specialist Cathy Patterson is now well integrated in our Middle School support team. Cathy is providing support to students as well as teachers with strategies to be used in the classroom to help our students learn more efficiently. If parents have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Cathy at cpatterson@mcleanschool.org or 301.299.8277x674. Grade 5/6 Counselor Gregg Moses continues to take care of his health and is in treatment. In the interim, Chris Whitaker is helping us with counseling support twice a week, specifically on Mondays and Thursdays. You can reach her at cwhittaker@mcleanschool.org or 301.299.8277x768 with any concerns or questions.

Our students enjoy a variety of lunch foods every month including the catered hot Lunch Program, Pizza Lunch and treats that are provided by the Parents Association during holidays and school celebrations. In grades 7 and 8 our parents also provide special advisory lunches and we recommend one special lunch every quarter. Discretion should be used if parents choose to deviate from our suggested quarterly recommendation.

On Tuesday, November 18, the grade 8 students will go to the Lisner Auditorium to attend a series of mini-plays as part of their literature class. On Thursday, November 21 at 9:00 am, McLean welcomes Dr. Ross Greene, author of the Explosive Child. He will speak to parents and teachers about how to identify the specific cognitive factors that contribute to noncompliant behavior and effective interventions. Dr. Greene has vast experience on the topic of teaching children and adults on how to solve problems collaboratively.

Warmest wishes,

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 ——-

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
School Photo Make-Up Day
K-8 Pizza Lunch

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Grades 7-12 Interims
Grade 8 Field Trip to Lisner Auditorium

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 ——-

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
6:30PM Upper School Information Night for Middle School Parents

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
9:00-10:30AM Dr. Ross Greene Presents “Collaborative Problem Solving”
Parents please reserve your seat at rsvp@mcleanschool.org

K-12 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club Available)
3:30-4:45PM Boys & Girls 5/6 Basketball Begins

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 ——-

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 ——-

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Author’s Day: The Planet Hue
Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom (Sikh)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 ——-

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Day of Covenant (Baha’i)
Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha
Advent Begins (Christian)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1
NO SCHOOL-FACULTY/STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Dr. Erin McGurk speaks to the faculty about Differentiated Instruction.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
Classes Resume

11/07/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Many thanks to all the parents that attended the Parent Conferences held on Wednesday and Thursday. We appreciated your attendance at these meetings and welcome any feedback. We hope you have taken a closer look at your child’s Student Learning Profile™ that was distributed during the conferences. The Student Learning Profile™ includes the accommodations provided and strategies that work best in the classroom. If you have any questions about this document, please feel free to contact either your child’s Advisor/Homeroom teacher and/or our Learning Specialists, Cathy Patterson at cpatterson@mcleanschool.org and Piper Caswell at pcaswell@mcleanschool.org.

The Upper School began welcoming the first visiting group of Grade 8 students on Friday. Each student will follow a “buddy” through a regular school day. 7/8 Dean of Students Frankie Engelking has been sending individual emails to parents notifying them about their child’s assigned date. These visits will serve as a prelude for the Informational Meeting with Grade 8 Parents to be held on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 pm.

On Wednesday, November 12 all Grades 7 and 8 students are scheduled to visit the McLean Bethesda site on Old Georgetown Road. Grades 5 and 6 will visit the site on Friday, November 13. The tour will be lead by Head of School Darlene Pierro and the school will provide the transportation; students on both days will leave the McLean Potomac campus during their first period and are expected to be back during fourth period. Field Trip Forms were sent home on Friday, and are expected back to the Middle School Office with your consent signatures on Monday, November 17.

The 2nd Annual Canned Food Drive Competition in the Middle School will begin on Monday, November 10 and will run through Wednesday, November 19. The canned food collected will be donated to the local food bank, Manna Food Center, in Rockville, Maryland. Students are encouraged to bring in cans every day of the competition to their Homeroom/Advisory. Tallies will be taken on the number of cans collected by day and by Homeroom/Advisory. At the end of the competition, the Homeroom/Advisory with the most cans’ contribution will be the winner; there will be one winner from Grade 5/6 and one winner from Grade 7/8. The winners will receive a free breakfast and a free dress day. Last year the winning Homeroom brought in over 200 cans and the goal this year is to exceed that amount. Please get your kids excited about helping this cause. If you have any questions, please email Heather Crabtree at hcrabtree@mcleanschool.org.

In order to avoid any delays on the bus departures at the end of the school day, we ask you to please send a note with your child to the Middle School Office or email our Administrative Assistant Robin Forbes at rforbes@mcleanschool.org advising us of any changes in your child’s transportation after school dismissal. In lieu of an email or a written note, an early phone call to our office before 2:00 pm will work as well and would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 ——-

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Canned Food Drive
K-8 Pizza Lunch
3:30-4:30PM Practices Begin for Boys & Girls 7/8 Basketball & Wrestling (grades 5-8)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Canned Food Drive
8:30AM Fall Sports Awards

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Canned Food Drive
Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Canned Food Drive
6:30PM Head of School “Decaf” Coffee at McLean Bethesda. All Welcome.
Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikh)
Lakash Jayanti (Jain)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Canned Food Drive
7:30-9:30PM GRADE 7/8 DANCE!!! DJ and prizes courtesy of the Parents Association

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
1:00PM Admission Open House Nativity Fast Begins (Orthodox Christian)

REMEMBER! Monday, November 17 School Photo Make-Up Day

Tuesday, November 18 Grades 7-12 Interims

Thursday, November 20 Upper School Information Night for Middle School Parents at 6:30 pm.

Friday, November 21
Dr. Ross Greene Presents “Collaborative Problem Solving.”
K-12 Noon Dismissal (3:20 Club Available)
Practices Begin for Boys & Girls 5/6 Basketball from 3:30-4:45 pm.

10/31/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

We are thrilled to welcome our parents next Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6 for the fall Parent Conferences. We trust that productive discussions on our students’ performance during the first quarter will result in enhanced strategies on how to better help our students learn about learning. During the conferences parents will also receive their child’s Student Learning Profile™ that includes the accommodations provided and strategies that work best in the classroom for each individual student. Remember that there is no school during the two-day Parent Conferences; please make appropriate arrangements for your children on these days.

Over 150 parents filled our All-purpose room to witness our celebration of students’ achievement during the first quarter Award Ceremony on Wednesday, October 29 for Grades 5, 7 and 8 and Thursday, October 30 for Grade 6. Art, Effort, PRIDE, Honor and High Honor Roll awards were handed out to proud students. The cheers from their peers and applause from their families and teachers made this public recognition event very special. My heartfelt gratitude goes to all the families and community members who honored our students with their presence and support.

The Grade 8 students will begin their visits to the Upper School on November 4. The students will be paired with a “buddy” in Grade 9 and will shadow them during a typical day in the Upper School. These visits will serve as a prelude for the Informational Meeting with Grade 8 Parents to be held on November 20. More information on this meeting will be provided through the Head of Upper School Josephine Diemond. This is an important opportunity for the students to get acquainted with Ms. Diemond as well as Upper School students and faculty. With the future expansion and move of the Upper School to the McLean Bethesda site, it is inevitable that, beyond curiosity, students will enjoy getting to know the setting and pace of their future education.

On Thursday, Arleen Bloom’s English class invited me to share and read aloud the non-fiction and fiction scary stories celebrating Halloween that they wrote during class. The descriptive stories were both entertaining and well written, from exciting titles to the onomatopoeia used in the body of the text.

We held our mini walk for Help the Homeless in support of Interfaith Works, a non-denominational organization recognized nationally for their work with homeless individuals and families. With the participation of students and faculty, we collected 135 volunteer forms, raising $2,023 in donations for this cause. This was an outstanding response from the Middle School. Wearing the Help the Homeless t-shirts, the students and teachers embarked on a mini-walk around the school neighborhood last Wednesday, on a beautiful and cloudless afternoon, capping off our participation in this effort for this year.

Please help me welcome Chris Whitaker to our Middle School Support Team as the interim Counselor for Grades 5 and 6 while Gregg Moses’ health improves. As the interim Counselor, Ms. Whitaker will work together with Mr. Moses and Hope Hallock on providing support to our students. Ms. Whitaker has over 25 years experience working with adolescents and their families. Mr. Moses continues to serve the Middle School as his health allows and his constant communication with Ms. Whitaker and Ms. Hallock is making this transition period smooth.

Science teacher Heather Crabtree will be spearheading again this year the 2nd Annual McLean Canned Food Drive Competition. Last year this was a huge success with the Middle School raising over 1000 cans of food to help fight hunger in Montgomery County. We are going to try and beat that number this year. The competition will take place between November 10 and November 19. Each day our students are invited to bring in non-perishable items and drop them off in their advisory or homeroom. The items will be collected daily and then displayed on a graph so each student can see where their advisory/homeroom stands. The winning homeroom last year brought in more than 250 cans. At the end of the competition the winning homeroom, from the Grades 5 and 6 students, will win a free breakfast and free dress. The winning advisory, from the Grade 7 and 8 students will also win a free breakfast and free dress. The Climate Committee will then help pack up all of the food items and will deliver them to the local food bank, Manna Food Center, in Rockville, Maryland. Please help our cause while having fun, too! If you have any questions, please email Heather Crabtree at hcrabtree@mcleanschool.org.

Four of our students Ashley B., DacRon H. , Zach S., and Daniel S. will be part of the Middle School Advisory Group to help plan the Metro D.C. Middle School Diversity Leadership Conference which will take place on February 19, 2009. The theme of this year’s conference, “The Social Justice Puzzle: Understanding the Identity Piece” will guide participants’ work as they explore multiple identities and what students can do to make their schools more accepting and affirming of different identities. Congratulations to our Advisory Group members, and we will be sending more information about the conference in January.

Enjoy the week and remember to vote on Tuesday!

Best wishes,

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

PARENT CONFERENCES will be held on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6. There will be no school for K-8 students and no child care available on conference days. If you have not already done so, please confirm your conference by calling the Middle School Office at 240.395.0670.

GRADE 7 & 8 WINTER CONCERT DATE CHANGE TO THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 We would like to provide the opportunity for both Middle and Upper School families to enjoy performances by our grades 7-12 students by combining the concerts and performing together. This combined Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 6:30 pm. Students in both divisions are excited about the opportunity because they will perform their own music, and then perform a few pieces of music together. We hope you will enjoy a variety of vocal and instrumental music spanning from classical to jazz. We look forward to seeing you on December 11. Music Department Chair Greg Mugione

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 All Souls’ Day (Christian) Commemorate the faithfully departed through prayer and mass.
Jnana Panchmi (Jain) Some Jains celebrate this day of transcendent wisdom by fasting or 36 hours. Others perform rituals and pray.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Shadow Day for Prospective Students

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Election Day

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
NO SCHOOL-PARENT CONFERENCES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
NO SCHOOL-PARENT CONFERENCES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
7:00PM The Good Doctor Drama Performance. Bring family and friends for a night of theater. All welcome.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 7:00PM The Good Doctor Drama Performance-All Invited!

REMEMBER!
Thursday, November 13 6:30 pm “Decaf” Coffee with Head of School at McLean Bethesda - 9111 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda.

Saturday, November 15 Admission Open House at 1:00 pm.

Winter sports are almost upon us. All practice and game schedules can be found under Athletics at www.mcleanschool.org.

The following practices begin on Monday, November 10 from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm: Boys 7/8 Basketball Girls 7/8 Basketball Wrestling (grades 5-8)

The following practices begin on Friday, November 21 from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm:
Girls 5/6 Basketball
Boys 5/6 Basketball

10/24/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Please help me welcome Cathy Patterson to our Middle School Support Team as the new Learning Specialist for Grades 5 and 6. Cathy was previously at McLean for seven years as one of the Speech and Language Pathologists, and has over 25 years experience working with children with language based learning difficulties. Cathy’s responsibilities will include working with the grade 5 and 6 teachers to provide support to students who require short-term intervention with implementation of strategies in the classroom. She can be reached at cpatterson@mclean.org or 301.299.8277x674.

Last Friday, the Middle School was treated to a fabulous concert from the Upper School Chorus, Jazz and Rock-Pop-Blues band. The performance not only kicked-off the Fall Festival weekend, but was an effort from the Music Department to give the Middle School a taste of the ensembles that are offered in the Upper School. The chorus was crisp and the bands were phenomenal. There is great talent at McLean.

We need to improve our communication between home and our Middle School office. Please remember to email Robin Forbes at rforbes@mcleanschool.org or to send a note to school with your child advising us of any changes in your child’s transportation after school dismissal. Lately, at the end of the day, we have been in confusing circumstances when students are trying to change plans and trying to reach parents at the last minute. Consequently, this is delaying the bus departures while staff is trying to check the lists of passengers on board. In lieu of an email or a written note, an early phone call to our office will work as well.

Grade 5 visited the movies on Tuesday to watch the film version of the science fiction novel City of Ember which they have been reading in class. The students had the opportunity to watch heroes Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet, two curious and enthusiastic adolescents lead humanity back into the fresh air and sunlight, after years of underground life.

Our teachers have closed their grade books for the first quarter and report cards will be mailed on Monday, October 27. Teachers do not provide written comments during this period, yet any academic concerns are open for discussion during Parent Conferences held on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6. All of the Middle School faculty and staff look forward to an exciting second quarter, which will be starting on Friday, October 24. For Grade 7 and 8 students, this also means that most students switch to a new elective rotation cycle, with the exemption for students in the Middle School Band, who will be exempt from the elective rotation for the rest of the year.

The Middle School Effort, Pride, Art and Honor Roll Ceremony for Grades 5, 7 and 8 will be held on Wednesday, October 29. Due to a pre-arranged field trip on Ancient Worlds at the Walters’ Museum in Baltimore, the Grade 6 Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 30. Awardees’ parents will be contacted and invited to the ceremony by the respective homeroom teacher.

On Monday, October 27, Grade 7 students participating in the Architects-in-School Program will take an educational excursion to Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. While in this residential area students will choose their building of choice to initiate their final design project. And on October 28, the History Department has invited Grade 7 and 8 students to participate together with the Upper School students to a Mock Electoral Debate on Tuesday, October 28.

Many thanks to all the students and families who donated school supplies to benefit the Hanoi, Vietnam School Project. The students brought in seven cartons of school supplies that were received by the Upper School Service League. I also want to thank the Climate Committee for choosing this special project that will benefit many students’ education in Vietnam.

Best wishes,
Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

GRADE 5 & 6 STUDENTS At Judy Townsend’s recent coffee, the idea to include Grades 5 & 6 students in the 7/8 Study Hall was discussed. Currently, the 3:20 Club is for students in grades K-6. I am asking parents to please let me know your thoughts and/or preference to having grades 5 & 6 included in the After School Study Hall. If there is a large response in favor of combining grades 5-8, we will consider changing the current structure to accommodate our families. I am also interested in knowing whether you would need this service on Friday afternoons, as Study Hall is currently only Monday-Thursday. However, this can certainly change too if there is a need. Please email me directly at jwhichard@mcleanschool.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 ——-

MONDAY, OCTOBER 27
6:45PM Board Meeting
Grade 7 Architects-in-School Field Trip to Dupont Circle

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Grades 7 & 8 Upper School Mock Electoral Debate

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Grades 5, 7 & 8 End-of-Quarter Awards Ceremony Grade 6 goes to the Walters Museum in Baltimore

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30
Grade 6 End-of-Quarter Awards Ceremony
Grades 7 and 8 Field Trip to the Kennedy Center to watch “Mermaids, Monsters, and the World Painted Purple

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
9:00 Halloween Parade
K-8 NOON DISMISSAL ONLY (3:20 Club NOT AVAILABLE)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 ——-

REMEMBER! Winter sports are almost upon us. All practice and game schedules can be found under Athletics at www.mcleanschool.org.

The following practices begin on Monday, November 10 from 3:30 to 4:45:

Boys 7/8 Basketball
Girls 7/8 Basketball
Wrestling (grades 5-8)

The following practices begin on Friday, November 21 from 3:30 to 4:45:

Girls 5/6 Basketball
Boys 5/6 Basketball

Wednesday, November 5 K-8 ONLY NO SCHOOL-Parent Conferences

Thursday, November 6 K-8 ONLY NO SCHOOL-Parent Conferences

Friday, November 7 & Saturday, November 8 The Good Doctor Drama Performance at 7:00 pm

10/17/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Many thanks to the group of parents who attended the first Head of Middle School Parent Coffee. I gave an overview of a number of events that have taken place in the first six weeks of school and those to take place in the coming weeks. It gave me an opportunity to hear some of their comments and suggestions. It was a very enjoyable meeting and it provided me with the opportunity to get to know parents better and their involvement in their children’s education at McLean.

As most of you probably know, early this week, our grade 5 and 6 counselor Gregg Moses finished a round of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We are pleased to report that he is responding well to treatment and resting at home. He will be undergoing additional treatment on and off for several months but he plans to be at work as often as he is able. For additional support during his absence, the school is bringing in a counselor that the school has a relationship with two days a week. In the meantime, please feel free to send cards to the Middle School office and we will be delivering them to his residence. Join us in wishing Mr. Moses a full and speedy recovery.

I would like to remind all our parents not to send their children with any medication to school, including analgesics and other over the counter medicines such as Tylenol, Advil or even cough drops. We cannot take chances with students finding medications around the school and ingesting them. The Health Room is well equipped with analgesics and cough drops, should they be needed. We take these measures to protect all students.

Over twenty dozen tulip bulbs have been donated by a McLean family to be planted in the school’s green areas as a memorial garden honoring the late Lower School technology teacher, Barbara Greer. Students from K-6 will each drop a bulb into a pre-drilled hole, and wait to see the memorial garden bloom next spring.

On Wednesday, the entire grade 5 traveled to the Smithsonian’s Air and Space museum. They started their visit with a private show in the Planetarium where they learned to identify several constellations and planets. Following, they had a guided tour in the museum, lunch and fee time to explore a variety of exhibits, from World War I planes to the current Mars’ explorer. They had many opportunities for hands-on activities and the excitement was topped with the sight of actual air and space crafts.

Have you noticed the added feature of holidays in our weekly Broadcast email? We have included these holidays in an effort to affirm the religious/spiritual practices of all members of our McLean community. This recognition enriches our community and encourages our students to be better leaders and more responsible citizens.

On that same note, the flags of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, the Netherlands, Colombia, Greece and Botswana have been raised and are now on display in our All-purpose room. These flags honor the country of origin of our student body, faculty and staff. Please stop by the APR when visiting the school and see the new arrivals. If you feel that your nationality is not represented, please contact me.

Best wishes,
Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19 ——-

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 ——-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21
7:00-9:00PM Grade 8 Parent Social at Manuel & Isabel Contijoch
7:00PM Grade 5 Stargazing with Middle School Science teacher Kris Chappell. The third and last opportunity to stargaze. Spectators will meet on the upper field behind the school. Please feel free to bring your own telescope. Refreshments are served.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22
9:00AM Admission Open House — Tell your friends!
Grades 5-8 Walk-for-the-Homeless after lunch

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
End of First Quarter

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Grades K-6 Laser Show
Memorial Garden Planting in Memory of Barbara Greer
Grade 6 Parent Social at the Colin & Janet Vissering

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 ——-

REMEMBER!
Friday, October 31 K-8 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club NOT available)

10/10/08
McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Grade 5 students are learning about astronomy and will be looking at the stars on Wednesday, October 15 during a field trip to the Smithsonian Air and Space museum. The students will visit the Planetarium, the exhibit on the development of the telescope and the Lunar Lander.

Continuing with the astronomy theme and celebrating our Community Stargazing Month, our grade 5/6 science teacher Kristen Chappell is hosting three star observation nights at school. The first star gazing took place on Tuesday, October 7 with the participation of over 20 contemplating spectators. The next observations will take place on October 14 and October 21. Interested stargazers should meet on the upper field behind the school. Please feel free to bring your own telescope. Refreshments are served.

Congratulations to Helena C. in grade 5 who was selected to participate in a 3-day camp sponsored by the Montgomery Country Office of Human Rights on October 17-19, 2008. This program is designed to bring together students from diverse racial, cultural religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds for a weekend experience in support of interracial and intercultural understanding.

The Middle School Free Dress Fundraiser in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society held on Wednesday, October 8 raised $563.57. The funds will be donated to support research to find a cure for blood cancers and to support families that are fighting this terrible disease. The Middle School joined efforts with the Lower School as two of our students are leukemia survivors. The Free Dress Day was enjoyed by both students and faculty.

Many thanks to the Parents Association for supporting the school’s Scholastic Book Fair from Monday October 6 through Saturday, October 18. On Wednesday, October 8, they also provided a Faculty and Staff Breakfast/Book Preview for teachers to browse the selection of books and create “wish lists” for their classrooms.

Our best farewell wishes go to Rachel B. and Bradley B. who leave the DC area with their families to set up a new home in south Florida. Rachel has been with us since KinderFirst and Bradley since grade 3. They have been an integral part of our school community and we wish them the best of luck and a smooth transition to their new school.

Best wishes,

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

GRADE 7 & 8 STUDY HALL This After-School study hall has officially begun, if you would like to take advantage of this on a regular basis please download a Registration Form http://merlin.safeport.com/dictator/media/830/study_hall_form.pdf from our website and return to After-School Program Director Jenny Whichard. If you would like your child to attend on a drop-in basis, please make sure to notify the Middle School office on that day.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroasterianism) celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
Columbus Day/National Indigenous Peoples Day
Pizza Lunch
Book Fair

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 Paravana (Buddhism): Coming at the full moon, Pavarana marks the end of the rains retreat.
Sukkot (Judaism) a pilgrimage feast and a time of thanksgiving, celebrates God’s presence in creation and among the Jewish people. The Eight Day, Shemini Atzeret, is a distinct festival. Sukkot begins at sundown the previous day.
Drive/Drop/Donate — Done in 31
Book Fair

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Book Fair

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
Ghambar Ayathrem (Zoroasterianism) Ends
Book Fair

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: This day, established by the United Nations, is an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.
Book Fair
8:30AM Upper School Fall Concert for Students

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
11:00AM-2:00PM Fall Festival for Everyone! Get a great Car Wash! Find a bargain at the Yard Sale! Help the Juniors and Seniors raise money for Prom 2009!
Book Fair Ends

REMEMBER!
Wednesday, October 22 9:00AM Admission Open House — Tell your friends!
Thursday, October 23 End of First Quarter
Friday, October 31 K-8 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club NOT available)

10/3/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

“Tea for more than two” happened during a literature class in Selena Smith and Gwen Goad’s grade 5 class. After reading the second chapter of The Year of Ms. Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill. The class had a magnificent tea party as part of the re-enactment of the story plot. Also in their social studies class students created a map of the classroom to demonstrate their understanding of the terms legend and scale. The students enjoyed drawing and measuring items in the classroom to present the project.

Two of our Middle School students, Helena C. and Ethan W. have been nominated to participate in a 3-day camp sponsored by the Montgomery Country Office of Human Rights, on October 17-19, 2008. This Human Rights program is designed to bring together students from diverse racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds for a weekend experience in support of interracial and intercultural understanding. We wish the best of luck to Helena and Ethan during the selection process.

Senior Speech-Language Pathologist Ellen Fye will be contacting new Middle School families for whom additional services or further evaluation are being recommended as a result of the Speech-Language screenings. If you are not contacted about the screenings, your child has met the age-based criterion of the screening tools.

Although it is just the start of fall we are already planning our annual ski trips. This year there will be a grade 8 overnight weekend trip to Seven Springs, Pennsylvania, Saturday, January 10 to Sunday, January 11, 2009. A second ski trip (day only) open to students in grades 5 through 8 will be on Saturday, February 28 at Massanutten ski slopes in Harrisonburg, Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Contact math teacher Elyse Cantor at ecantor@mcleanschool.org if you have questions regarding these two Middle School trips.

In recent weeks, we have held a number of meetings with parents, teachers and support staff to discuss concerns about students and ways to help them get a good start on their school performance. In these meetings the candor of the exchange and observations regarding your children help us to better understand the students and the families we serve.

Our welcome to the new Parents Association grade representatives: Lisa Kazor (grade 5), Leslie Lane (grade 6), Joyce Crowe and Michael Lennon (grade 7), and Ellen Kirsch and Beth Swartz (grade 8). Thank you for coordinating and supporting the upcoming activities that benefit our students. Your time, effort and generosity are greatly valued.

Enjoy the cool weather!

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 ——-

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 ——-

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:30PM New Parents Reception at Darlene Pierro’s Home

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8
Book Fair Begins
Grades 5-8 will hold a Free Dress fundraiser in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society —Contribute $1 or more and students can have Free Dress rights for the day and help a good cause.
K-12 NOON DISMISSAL (3:20 Club Available)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9
K-12 NO SCHOOL-YOM KIPPUR

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
Sally Foster Gift Wrap Orders Due
8:30AM Parent Coffee with Middle School Head Judy Townsend
Book Fair

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 ———

REMEMBER!
K-8 PIZZA LUNCH BEGINS Monday, October 13 (Bring a bag lunch if you have opted out of this special treat—no school lunch will be served on Pizza Lunch Day)

BOOK FAIR Monday, October 13-Saturday, October 18

FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 am-2:00 pm

9/26/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

Dear Middle School Families,

Grade 5 students have taken on the world and are embracing languages like never before. During morning meetings in Diane DeCrosta and Traci Wagner’s homeroom, students are learning and using greetings in several languages. They have begun learning simple words or phrases from the languages of the students’ ancestors and are keeping track of their ancestry marking their diversity on the world map in the classroom.

In the next eight weeks, 15 students in grade 7 will take part in the Architecture in the Schools (AIS) program. The program’s objective at McLean will be to enrich the learning experience of our students using architectural concepts to bring math and art to life. The volunteer architects from AIS will guide students to exercise their analytical and creative skills through the architectural design process. This program will involve four of our Middle School teachers (Art teacher Claudia Alp, Learning Specialist Piper Caswell, Math teachers Monica Lewis and Jonathan Tyson) and two architects from Muse Architects who will meet the students once a week to develop a project based on the theme “Geometry: Forms, Structures, Spaces.” The students will study a range of units from scale, forms and patterns, to geometry in structures, the neighborhood and the world around us before taking a visit to an urban neighborhood. After a field trip to a location in Washington, DC students will initiate their final project of designing a building of their choice, building it as a model and applying both the concepts discussed and the appropriate architectural elements within the building’s design. We are very excited to welcome this program to the Middle School.

We would like parents to be aware that your children cannot stay on campus after dismissal time unsupervised. Students in grades 5 and 6 who do not participate in after-school team sports, drama or are enrolled in the 3:20 Club cannot stay to watch a home game unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or a care-giver. If your schedule prevents you from picking up your child at the bus satellite or cluster after school, you need to make arrangements with us via a phone call to Administrative Assistant Robin Forbes in the Middle School office at 240.395.0670. There is a charge for providing supervision after school.

Interim Reports will be mailed on Friday, September 26 to all new 7 and 8 grade students and any returning students averaging a C- or below. Please review these reports with your children and follow the recommendations offered by the teacher and ask for their guidance and help. Self-advocacy, what we want to instill in the student to be a better learner, is a key and a good strategy that students should continue to develop. I suggest that your child establishes a plan on how to take advantage of his/her strengths and set short-term goals to make improvements and complete the quarter in good standing.

The grade 5 and 6 Climate Committee has been selected and is comprised of 14 grade 6 members and six grade 5 members. At their first meeting the students enthusiastically generated a long list of potential community service projects and will begin working on one of these in the near future. The grade 7 and 8 Climate Committee has also been selected. Eleven grade 7 and twelve grade 8 representatives are actively working this month on a community service project in conjunction with the Upper School Service League collecting school supplies to benefit a school in Viet Nam.

As mentioned during our Back-to-School Nights, several new flags will be displayed in the All-Purpose Room (APR). We have ordered flags from Botswana, Colombia, Greece, Jamaica, the Netherlands and Trinidad and Tobago. This project started about four years ago with the purpose of honoring the country of origin of our student body, faculty and staff. If you feel that your nationality is not represented, please contact me.

Have a good weekend.

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 ——-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 ——-

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
NO SCHOOL-ROSH HASHANAH

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
Ramadan Ends

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 ——-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 ——-

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 ———

REMEMBER!
New Middle & Upper School Parent Reception at Darlene Pierro’s Tuesday, October 7 at 6:30 pm

K-12 Noon Dismissal Wednesday, October 8

K-12 No School-Yom Kippur Thursday, October 9

Parent Coffee with Head of Middle School Judy Townsend Friday, October 10 at 8:30 am

Book Fair Begins Friday, October 10 at 8:30 am (after Parent Coffee)

9/19/08

McLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2008

Dear Middle School Families,

On Tuesday and Thursday this week, we celebrated our Back-to-School Nights. We hope that meeting your children’s teachers and listening to their overview of this year’s curriculum left you with a sense of a commitment from our faculty to create an exciting learning community. This is the start of a new school year and as I highlighted on both nights, you are an important part of the Middle School. Please, feel comfortable to communicate to us your questions, concerns or needs and our support team and faculty will do our best to be responsive. My personal thanks to all of you for attending these meetings and to our student guides who helped us so professionally on Tuesday night.

We continue to revise and adjust some students’ classes and schedules. As part of our core values, we value flexibility so we are usually able to make these changes to facilitate students’ schedules and interests, while continuing to provide them with challenges that promote their intellectual and personal growth. We have asked students to work on important organizational skills, not only by keeping their lockers organized, but by making good use of their planners and binder/notebook/folder system. Before long, they will figure out what system works best for them and what strategies are useful to keep them on track. Our Learning Specialists and Counselors are working diligently to provide support to the students, parents and teachers to make these efforts successful.

The first informational meeting with Professore Leonardis for the Middle School Italy Trip scheduled for our Spring Break 2009 was well attended. Families of grades 7 and 8 students interested in this trip should address your questions directly to Foreign Language Department Chair Ms. Elizabeth Adum at eadum@mcleanschool.org.

Our grade 7/8 students participated on Thursday in our fall CALLEVA outdoor education experience. Grades 5/6 will partake in these activities on Friday. These excursions, seen as exclusively leisurely day-trips, are actually activities planned to develop technical skills, foster team work and enhance individual leadership skills while students enjoy age-appropriate outdoor activities.

As the new season approaches, and changes of all kinds are confronting us, we want the Middle School to be a source of stability and enrichment in your child’s life. Thank you for being there with us.

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

GRADE 7 & 8 STUDY HALL Thank you for the emails and interest in the Study Hall for grade 7 and 8 students. We are in the planning process and hope to have the program up and running by the end of the month. More to follow next week.

DID YOU SIGN UP FOR PIZZA LUNCH? Pizza Lunch sign up sheets are due on Friday, September 26? Remember the school lunch program does not serve lunches on Pizza Lunch Day—so remember to pack a sandwich for your child. Pizza Lunch Forms can be found at www.mcleanschool.org. Click on “Parent Center” on the top menu, click on “Lunch Program” on the side links, click on “Lower/Middle School Pizza Form.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 ——-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Outside Providers Begin

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 ——-

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 ——-

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Grade 7-12 Interims

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
8:30AM Parent Coffee with Head of School Darlene Pierro

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 ——-

REMEMBER!
No School-Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 30

9/12/08

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2008

Dear Middle School Families,

Soon it will be time to strike up the band!! Middle School Band for the 2008-2009 school year will begin during the second quarter (October 24) and will run through the rest of the year. Grade 7 students joining the band during the second quarter will be exempt from the Art and Creative Writing classes. Grade 8 students joining the band during the second quarter will be exempt from all the electives with the exception of Brain Works, which they must take during the first quarter. This change in arrangements is good for the students, the band, and the Middle School and we thank you for your support.

Reading and math assessments were performed for grades 5 and 6. These important strategies were coordinated by the Director of Learning Specialists Martha Ein, and K-6 Math Specialist Linda Pelzman in conjunction with the grade 5/6 homeroom teachers. The students have been grouped and teachers will be contacting parents to let them know their child’s reading and math teacher. These groups are fluid and flexible throughout the year. Should you have any concerns regarding your child’s learning needs, please do not hesitate to contact Martha Ein at mein@mcleanschool.org.

As this year’s Back-to-School-Night approaches, we are getting ready to welcome you during your visit to McLean. On this night, parents will be able to meet their child’s homeroom/advisor and sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences coming up in November. We welcome all of you in advance.

After the Grade 7 & 8 Back-to-School Night visit on Tuesday, September 16, the Foreign Language Department would like to invite parents to join us for an informational meeting at 9:00 pm to learn more about our McLean in Italy trip during Spring Break 2009. Any parent who has a child that is studying Latin and/or who is interested in world history is welcome to attend. Tentative departure and return dates are March 19 and March 27 respectively. The trip coordinator will address the parents on the tentative itinerary which may include exploring the Beautiful Bay of Naples, including Pompeii and the Herculaneum, Cortona. Hope to see you there!

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

AFTER SCHOOL STUDY HALL As we venture into another school year, questions have come up about After School Study Hall. Previously we have offered a supervised place Monday -Thursday from 3:20 pm - 5:30 pm for students in grades 7 & 8 to work on their nightly assignments. The cost for 2 hours was $20, however we did pro-rate the cost for those students arriving late from sports practices or tutoring. Before deciding whether to offer study hall again this year, we would like to get an idea of how many families would be interested in signing their child up on a regular basis (drop-ins are also welcome). If you are interested please email After School Program Director Jenny Whichard ‘92 at jwhichard@mcleanschool.org.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 ——-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
6:45PM Board Meeting

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
6:30PM Grades 7 & 8 Back-to-School Night
9:00PM Grades 7 & 8 McLEAN in ITALY Meeting

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
MS Community Meeting on Walk for the Homeless

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Grades 7 & 8 Experiential Education with Calleva
6:30PM Grades 5 & 6 Back-to-School Night

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Grades 5 & 6 Experiential Education with Calleva

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 ——-

REMEMBER!
Grades 7-12 Interims Thursday, September 25
Parent Coffee with Head of School Friday, September 26 at 8:30 am
No School-Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, September 30

9/5/08

MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS & SCHEDULE

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

Dear Middle School Families,

The sounds of metal locker doors closing, children’s voices commenting about their day, and lunches devoured—to provide more time for conversation—indicates that our school year has started and our first week was completed with great success. The new students to Middle School have quickly shed their fears and have fit extremely well into their homerooms; they now have adapted to the excitement of the transition. The returning students are also content to be back and master their day-to-day schedule, while getting to know their grade level teachers and school-work expectations.

During our Community Meeting we had our “Fashion Police” modeling performance on the dress code do’s and don’ts. In addition, we discussed the purpose and ways to participate in our student Climate Committee as well as in opportunities for Community Service.

Students in grades 5 and 6 received a visit from Grades 5 & 6 Counselor Mr. Gregg Moses and Grades 5 & 6 Dean of Students Ms. Rosie Waugh, who talked to them about the loss of Barbara Greer our Lower School Technology teacher. Ms. Greer taught the majority of our Middle School students while they were in Lower School. Lower and Middle School students and faculty will plant a Memorial Garden on-campus in Barbara’s honor in mid-October. Students and faculty will be invited to add pages to a Memory Book that will be presented to Mr. Del Greer, Barbara’s husband on the day of the planting. Parents are also welcome to contribute entries. The students will also raise funds for the Montgomery County Chapter of the Humane Society to purchase wish list donations in Ms. Greer’s honor. Details are forthcoming.

As we take another step into the second week of school, we thank you in advance for your support this year. Our teachers are ready and prepared for the challenges and successes the year will certainly bring, and we acknowledge their skills and service on behalf of the McLean community.

Judy Townsend
Head of Middle School
240.395.0676
jtownsend@mcleanschool.org
www.mcleanschool.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 ——-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
K-8 School Photos

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 ——-

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
8:30AM Parents Association Meeting-All Welcome!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 ——-

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 ——-

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 ——-

REMEMBER

Grades 7 & 8 Back to School Night Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm

Grades 5 & 6 Back to School Night Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 pm

Grades 7 & 8 CALLEVA OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Thursday, September 18

Grades 5 & 6 CALLEVA OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Friday, September 19

Forms for the Calleva Outdoor Adventures went home on September 2 and are due back in the office by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 with your signatures of consent. The students will participate in either rope courses with high and low elements, or split activities such as caving, mountain biking, and canoeing. McLean chaperones will accompany every group of students, in addition to the team of professional Calleva instructors.