4 August, 2010

Dear Middle School Parents,

Welcome to the 2010-11 school year! It was a pleasure to see your children this morning, ready and excited to be back at school. The Middle School team is looking forward to a productive year with your children and you.
As of today, we have 18 new students who have come to us from schools around the world, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Netherlands, U.S. and Venezuela. Counselors, teachers and students will work to make them feel welcome in these first weeks as they get established in their new grade levels and routines.
This year we’re also joined by many new faces among our faculty:

Ms. Amy Exah – Drama 6,7 and 8
Ms. Jaime Johnston – Math 6, Science 8
Ms. Myriam Lay – Spanish Language B
Mr. Lewis Leclerc – Programming, Digital Photography
Ms. Nancy Loseke – Learning Strategies, Counseling, Grade 8
Ms. Jeannette Prazen – Science 6 and 7
Ms. Laurie Stone – English 6, Humanities 7
Mr. Robert Smal – PE 6 and 7
Ms. Rocio Philco – Technology Assistant

In addition, Mr. Jonathan Field has joined grades 6-10 as the new Middle Years Program (MYP) coordinator.
In the office you will get to know Ms. Sandra Burranca, our new MS Assistant. Ms. Rosi Alcántara’s position is now Assistant to the MS Principal. In the Guidance Department, Ms. Roxana Remy will continue her work with 6th and 7th grade students. Together with our core of returning Middle School teachers, we form a dedicated and experienced team that offers your children an interesting, challenging educational experience to meet the academic, emotional and social needs of young adolescents.
The Middle School at FDR strives to provide a rigorous and developmentally appropriate education for your child. The highest priority for teachers and administrators is to help your children learn as students and grow as well-rounded individuals. The MYP aims for students in Grades 6-10 to gain knowledge and skills in the content areas as well as develop thinking, learning and decision-making habits and attitudes so that they can continue to learn throughout their years of formal education and into adulthood.

We know that students learn best in an environment in which they feel safe and comfortable. All MS students meet in small Advisory groups four times a week. In these classes, students develop a personal relationship with their adviser, build a sense of belonging with members of their group and participate in grade level activities in order to feel secure, respect their own and others’ individuality and celebrate their accomplishments. We encourage students and parents to use our network of advisers, teachers and counselors if they have questions or concerns about MS.

Parental involvement is an integral component of student achievement - when parents are involved, students achieve more and exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior. We feel fortunate to have such a dedicated and active parent cohort! The PTA is tireless in their efforts to improve communication, programs and facilities at our school. Individual parents also make contributions of time, ideas and materials. A recent example of one parent’s contribution was the donation of books to 7th grade classroom libraries, which was much appreciated by teachers and students. There are many ways to get involved – we encourage you to find a way that suits your schedule and talents and look forward to the many ways our parents help to enrich our community.

As your child launches on her/his journey this school year, how can you help?

• Check your child’s schedule – this year, all classes meet three times weekly. Take a look at your child’s agenda; ask him or her to show you their courses on the school’s web-based application, Moodle. Using these tools, help him or her organize time and manage assignments.
• Read through your child’s handbook to become familiar with Middle School expectations and practices. Please make special note of our policies on Attendance, Tardies, Electronics and Uniforms.
• Keep the lines of communication between home and school open; check the Weekly Bulletin, Friday Envelope, Monday Messenger and Power School for events, activities and updates. Let your child’s advisor, teachers, administrators and counselors know about any good news or concerns involving your child.
• We are a community of readers! Encourage your child to continue to read for pleasure. This year our One Book, One Community title is I Was a Rat, by Philip Pullman. The Media Center and teachers will host activities and events to motivate students and maintain interest in reading.
• Attend school events such as Back-to-School Afternoon, student-led conferences and other special activities scheduled throughout the year. This allows you and the school staff to know each other and to learn about ways to help one another.

The beginning-of-the-year events for MS include:

• Middle School Back-to-School Afternoon, an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers and learn about his/her classes, will be held on Wed. Aug. 18th from 1:30-4:00 p.m.
• An informational session on the Middle Years Program (MYP) will be held on Wed. Aug. 25th at 8:00 a.m. in the Little Theater.

With the opening of school today, we’re off to a great start! The Middle School team and I look forward to working with you and your children this year.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Salem
Middle School Principal