Middle School Update

Volume 7 Number 14

November 6, 2006

CALENDAR:                                                                   

The summer is approaching and with it comes more leisure time and freedom for middle school students.  By nature, adolescents are risk-takers.  This is a good thing. It is one of the characteristics of the IB Learner Profile we strive to have students develop.  However, the kinds of risks we want to encourage are not the kind they face during the summer.

We want students to be willing to take a risk and try something they think is beyond their ability. We want them to push themselves to excel rather than take the easy the way out.  In making these decisions, however, we want them to think of the positives and negatives of the decision.

A student might decide to choose a group for the 8th grade Community Focus project that includes students he/she does not know well. If the reason for doing so is that each student is bringing different necessary skills to the process, then it is a risk worth taking.  If a student decides to take a risk and not study for the next math test, he/she must be ready to accept a low grade without complaining.

The summer risks that students might face are of a different type. Parents must be ready to help students recognize that it brings many additional freedoms, such as the possibility of being included in parties, with older teens and young adults, and easy access to illegal substances. With all these freedoms there is a price. Eleven to fourteen year olds do not see the big picture. They live in the moment.

ACEPTA - We have scheduled 4 hours of Acepta drug and alcohol workshops for all middle school students.  During this time, students will receive valuable information about these topics, including how to handle themselves when put in the position of temptation.  The ACEPTA Drug and Alcohol program is coming in on December 5th at 7:00 pm to help parents prepare for the summer challenges.  This meeting will be held in the Little Theater.  We hope to see you there.

NOSOTRAS - We have also scheduled a second set of workshops for our Middle School students.  Gina Graham, a psychologist who works with Nosotras, is coming in to work with our Middle School students on a one our session about the Difficult Years of Adolescence.  The first meeting was held yesterday with one group of 7th graders.  Our students had the chance to discuss the challenges they face growing up, ask questions about physical and emotional

changes, and talk about peer pressure and possible solutions. 

Congratulations to Yeriz Nuñez for obtaining 3 Golden medals in an Interclubs Tournament in the category of Synchronized Swimming, representing ACUATICA. The competition was held October 28th in Campo de Marte.

WEDNESDAY CAS ACTIVITIES:

Grade 6

Acepta Drug Education Program will be presented to all 6th grade students.

Grade 7

Group F:  Old Ladies

Group A: Babies

Group B: PSA

Group C: Co-Op games

Group D: Tech

Group E: Creative Writing

Grade 8

Blue Group:  Speakers

Yellow Group: Counselors

Pink Group: PEBAL

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

IN ACTION:

MEDIANOS BOYS’ BASKETBALL – ADCA Championship

MEDIANOS GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – Copa Roosevelt

CATEGORY SUB-16 (1990+) GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL– Copa San Jorge de Miraflores

COMING UP…

INTRAMURAL GIRLS’ AND BOYS’ SOCCER – Copa Roosevelt

Just a reminder that these programs will be starting up the week following the CWW trips. For 8th grade—the week of Oct. 23. For 6th/7th grade—the week of Oct. 30.

Boys will be meeting Mondays and Fridays. Girls will be meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Plans are underway for a MS Boys’ and Girls’ Copa Roosevelt to begin on Saturday, Nov. 4.

(Please see boys’ schedule below; girls’ will be posted when available.)

1993-1994 BOYS’ COPA ROOSEVELT   (teams “A” and “B” will be determined)