Middle School Update

Volume 7 Number 30

May 26 , 2008

CALENDAR:  

ALCOHOL is, unfortunately, a part of the lives of many of our students.  This past Wednesday night we had a presentation by Flavio Mirella and Isabel Palacios from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime here in Lima.  The discussion revolved around the most common drug – alcohol. The dangerous effects of binge drinking, especially on the bodies and brains of adolescents, were discussed. The parents present expressed concern and a desire to work together to increase the age when students have easy access to parties with alcohol and to try to help find ways to help older students be responsible drinkers.  We hope to be able to get interested parents to gather together by grade level to come to common agreements on how to make some changes.  The current 7th grade has a head start on this with a pledge/contract that has been signed by more than half of the parents in the grade level. It details party rules including ending time, role of parent chaperones, and alcohol policy.  If you are interested in learning more about the Wednesday presentation, please stop by the Media Center and check out the DVD.  If you are interested in becoming involved contact your grade level rep.

FINAL MUSIC CONCERT was this week. It marks the last middle school music concert for all of the eighth graders and for the 7 sixth and seventh graders moving at the end of the year. Also, Ms Cochenour will be moving to Canada to be married.  It was a great concert culminating a year of hard work. Congratulations to all of them.

El Chasqui 2008 will arrive in June.  This yearbook has more than 200 pages all in color. We have ordered only 100 extra books. If you would like one of them, please pay S/. 70 in the Cashier’s Office. They will be sold on a first come first served basis. If we still have books available you may pay for them at the Kermesse also.  We have a number of advertisers to thank for making it possible to lower the price of the book this year.

THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER (June 23 –27) includes many activities students will not want to miss.  There will be tests, quizzes, and presentations through Tuesday the 24th in various classes at each grade level.  Wednesday is the end of year recognition assembly for eighth graders to celebrate the “Moving On” to high school.  Thursday is the end of year picnic for 8th graders. Thursday afternoon we will have a swim meet for all students in grades 6 & 7. Students will ALL get the chance to compete on behalf of one of four color teams (red, blue, yellow, or green.) No one is excluded because they are not fast enough. Points are awarded for participation not just for winning.  Thursday will also include the second talent show of the year. Students will be able to perform individually or in groups with either vocal or instrumental – or dance.  Friday is a half day and at the end of it, report cards and school records will be distributed.  Report cards and records will not be available before then as teachers will still be grading papers and computing grades through Wednesday.  Please remember also that students who have outstanding books or obligations will NOT receive report cards on that day.  They may be picked up when school reopens on July 14th. 

PE and BOOK LOCKERS must be cleaned out and all belongings taken home. Locks which remain will be cut off and the contents of the lockers donated with other lost and found items not picked up by the last day.  Please encourage your child to clean out lockers and check ALL lost an found boxes before the last week.

RECORDS - If your child will be attending a different school next year please see Ms Marquez for the withdrawal form soon. We need time to photocopy records and have the packet ready for June 27th.  Some schools will ask for forms to be filled out or letters of recommendation from certain teachers. Do not wait to ask for these. As the year draws to a close everyone is busy. Thank you.

CALCULATORS:  Is your child going into 8th grade or HS? Students must have a graphing calculator. It is best if this is a Texas Instrument, TI83 or 84 model.  If it is a different brand some of the functions will work in a different way and make it difficult for the student to get help in using it. Save the manual!!!  These are easily available online. Go, for example, to www.amazon.com and search for TI84 graphing calculator.  You can have this shipped to someone who will be in the US to bring it back for you, or if you are in the US you can find them in many stores – Best Buy, Target, Office Depot, etc. 

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

We've just made it easier for you to support Condor Athletics! Visit the FDR website (Middle School/After School Activities) or click on the URL below for access to all of our sports schedules. All ADCA and Copa schedules can be accessed. Photos...coming soon!

http://www.amersol.edu.pe/ms/info/afterschool/index.asp