Middle School Update

Volume 7 Number 1

August 7, 2006

CALENDAR:                                                                   

You, hopefully, remember hearing about the MYP at various times through the past couple of years.  It is official, we have been authorized as an MYP school! This framework will help to ensure that our curriculum produces students who are internationally minded and have the traits of  being Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

It was not a pretty day on August 2nd but the smiling faces of the middle school students eager to start the new school year brought warmth to the day.

Our new students come to us from a variety of countries. They are arriving after living in Zimbabwe, Poland, Canada, USA, Chile, Peru, and Ukraine.

The schedule was challenging for all of us the first week as classes were out of order and we had many special meetings and activities. All in all, however, the students seemed to find the way to where they were going and tardiness was low.

We have a new Student Database program this year.  It is called Power School.  You will receive a letter in the August 7th Monday Envelope with the student ID and password. For those who were in Middle School last year, it is the same as you used for Basmati.  Now when you enter you are able to see the student’s attendance as well as grades. You can, from the same page, read the daily school bulletin.  We will give you more information on accessing grade information after students have done some work to earn grades.

Back to School Night is fast approaching when parents have the opportunity to listen to a speech from the principal, just as the kids did on opening day and then attend 7 classes.  This is a fast paced evening. If you arrive late or leave early you will miss the opportunity to meet some of your child’s teachers. Therefore, please plan ahead. Arrive at FDR before 7:00 as parking will be difficult. 

Gate Passes for students who live nearby and use the walking gate on Las Palmeras are being issued now. Students need to pick up a form from Ms Rosi and bring it back with parent signature and photo.  This gate is open for this purpose at 3:30. Students should NOT go out the main gate unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.  These rules are in place for safety and to try to make the dismissal of students efficient for the hundreds leaving at 3:30. Thank you for your cooperation.

PLEASE LABEL student belongings.  Thursday there were 5 lunch bags left out. Only one of them had a name on it.  thank you.