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Dear Parents,
Phew! It has been a very long week. Our grade 7 and 8 students returned from the overnight class trips exhausted, and by all accounts having enjoyed the experience very much. We want to recognize the efforts and dedication of our teacher-chaperones. Their vigilance and attention to detail helped to make our class trips a success. A special thank you goes out to the grade level lead teachers, Ms. Hernandez and Mr. Greally, for spearheading the organization of the trips.
MADMUN 2026 will go down as one of our most successful conferences. Over 300 students were on campus last weekend for this event. It is worth noting that our MS students did a great job at the conference. They were prepared well by Mr. Stuart and Mr. Blair, and they represented ASM with great pride. I want to also recognize and thank our parents who were able host the visiting delegates. The host family experience is a valuable part of the MADMUN program. Thank you!
The April 17 spring learning conferences are just around the corner. The conferences are virtual, and all MS and LS students remain at home on this day. All students in grades 6 and 7 will have an "Advisory Conference" with their parents on this day. The "Advisory Conference" is obligatory for all grade 6 and 7 students and their parents. We have a different format for our grade 8 students. We will be offering "Subject-area" conferences for teachers who request to meet with parents. Parents will also have the opportunity to request a subject-area conference with their child's grade 8 teacher.
Mr. Peterson, the grade 8 Science teacher, is excited to invite our grade 8 parents to our annual Science Fair on Thursday, March 26 at 4:45-6:00 PM in the ASM Middle School Commons area. This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their learning and communicate their scientific findings to an authentic audience. Your presence not only supports your young scientist, but also helps them develop essential scientific communication skills.
Finally, our grade 8 teachers will record their signatures on the yellow "Grade 9 Class Registration Form" on March 16-19. The signature indicates the class placement level in their grade 9 subjects like math, Spanish and music. Parents will also need to sign the form. The form is due back to the student advisors on March 20.
As always, please check out This Week in Advisory and the weekly announcements below.
Kind regards,
Mike Nugent
Middle School Director
American School of Madrid
THIS WEEK IN ADVISORY
GRADE 6 ADVISORY
This week in Advisory we focused on social dynamics and how small moments can turn into bigger conflicts. Students explored how teasing, side comments, peer pressure, or even silence can escalate situations, and we introduced a strategy called SEAL to help them respond calmly and set boundaries. SEAL stands for Stop, Explain, Affirm, and Lock in a choice. We also discussed different roles students may play in social situations (starter, amplifier, silent watcher, target) and reflected on how awareness and early action can prevent drama. In addition, students had a dedicated organization day to check PowerSchool, update agendas, and set an academic focus for the week.
You can support this work at home by asking about “small moments” rather than just big problems and encouraging your child to think through how they might use SEAL in real-life situations. Reinforcing daily agenda use, planning ahead, and follow-through will also strengthen their executive functioning skills. As always, our goal is to build self-awareness, accountability, and healthy communication skills that support both learning and relationships. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
GRADE 7 ADVISORY --
What an unforgettable three days our students had during their overnight field trip to El Jarama! The days were packed with adventure and team-building as students challenged themselves with rock climbing, navigated canoes, and engaged in spirited sports and cooperative games. A highlight for many was the hands-on farm experience, where they spent time with horses, cows, pigs, and a variety of smaller animals, including some very popular baby goats! Beyond the outdoor activities, students tapped into their creativity during the leather workshop and a cooking class, where they prepared a delicious "bizcocho" to enjoy for breakfast the following morning. From the energy of the disco night to the quiet moments of friendship in between, the trip was full of laughter and the kind of fun that creates lifelong memories.
GRADE 8 ADVISORY -- Class Trip Week!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Parents, please mark your calendars for these key MS events.
March 18: Early release day
March 26: Grade 8 Science Fair, 4:45-6:00 PM, MS Commons
April 17: Grade 6 and 7 advisory conferences; Grade 8 subject-area conferences. LS and MS students remain at home on this day. Conferences are virtual.
April 21: Rising grade 6 PARENT “Intro to MS” Information meeting, 18:00-19:00, MS Steps
Digital Wellness at ASM
Supporting student wellbeing has been one of ASM’s strategic priorities for the past four years, and digital wellness is an important part of that commitment. As educational technology has evolved rapidly, so too have the opportunities, and challenges, it presents for problem solving, collaboration and communication as well as focus, distraction, and healthy development.
Over the past year, our faculty and leadership team studied current research, learned from other schools, and analyzed our own Day in the Life of a Lancer data to better understand how technology is currently used across our campus. This thoughtful process informed the creation of our ASM Digital Wellness Progression, a developmental framework that informs instructional practices and directs student experiences with technology at ASM from early, protected experiences with technology toward increasingly purposeful, balanced, and responsible use as they grow.
This progression will help ensure that technology at ASM enhances learning rather than replaces human connection-supporting problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and wellbeing at every stage. It also provides clear guidance for age-appropriate expectations, digital citizenship, and healthy habits, so students are prepared to use technology effectively and ethically both in school and beyond.
Lost and Found
We have many lost PE items hanging outside the MS/US PE change rooms. Some items have student names on them. If you have lost an item, please check here asap! Any items not collected by the Winter Week break will be donated to charity. Thank you!
Absence Reminder
As a reminder, parents, please let us know at least two days in advance if you plan on taking your child out of school early for vacation. You can email our attendance clerk at msattendance@asmadrid.es. I also want to repeat the importance of planning vacations around our published school calendar. Every day of school counts, and it is often difficult for students to catch up with their learning when they are absent from school.
MS Health Units Overview
Our PE/Health teachers have updated the Middle School Health Units Overview 25-26 document. The overview provides a look at the key health topics covered in the MS curriculum.
MS Advisory Program Overview
We have updated our Middle School Advisory Program Overview 25-26. This document provides an overview of our MS advisory program, including topics that are pertinent at each grade level.
THE PULSE! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
The Middle School communicates important information to students through the MS Lancer Pulse. Students are asked each week to read the announcements in "The Pulse" during advisory time.
AFTER-SCHOOL SUPPORT: BUILDING STUDENT SELF-ADVOCACY
Helping students learn the art of self-advocacy and taking responsibility for their own learning is essential for their growth and success. We encourage students to take charge by seeking extra help when needed. Our after-school extended learning labs and teacher office hours provide excellent opportunities for students to demonstrate this responsibility and get the support they need. Please read this document for more information about after-school support.
ATTENDANCE AT AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Our students have been reminded that they must attend their after-school activity. We have noticed that some students have chosen to skip their ASA. The ASA sponsors take attendance, and parents will be contacted if their child does not attend the ASA regularly.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROCEDURES
Parents and students should be familiar with our MS After-school Procedures. Please ask the Middle School Director if you have any questions about these procedures. Please also note that students must leave campus after their ASA, sport, or private music lesson is completed. Students are not allowed to remain on campus unsupervised. We ask that parents make arrangements to pick up their children as soon as the activity ends.
FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
If your family is being transferred during this academic year, please contact Admissions - admissions@asmadrid.es
BIRTHDAY SNACKS IN MS
Students are welcome to bring in a snack to share with their advisory to celebrate their birthdays. We ask that students not bring in snacks to share with their friends, as this can lead to students feeling left out or food frenzies during break and lunch times. Parents are kindly reminded not to bring surprise treats to their children during the school day, including at lunch time.
PUNCTUALITY IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Punctuality is very important in the Middle School. We kindly ask that parents drop their students off at no later than 8:45 A.M. This allows the students plenty of time to walk from their car to the MS building, pick up their materials from their lockers, and move on to their first class.
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