Embedded Files
Dear Parents,
I want to wish everyone a very safe and relaxing Semana Santa holiday. This is an important break for everyone as we gear up for the final stretch of the school year.
Last evening's Grade 8 Science Fair was exceptional. We wish to thank our parents who were able to attend the fair. The student presentations covered a wide variety of investigations. It was great to witness the enthusiasm with which the students presented their work. Hats off to Mr. Doug Peterson for guiding our grade 8 scientists through a very challenging investigtaion process and offering our community this valuable exposition of scientific learning and knowledge.
As mentioned in last week's Parent Weekly, 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 obligatory "Advisory Conference" with their parents on this day. 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. After the holiday, we will provide more detailed information regarding conference sign ups.
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, students focused on building a caring and connected community through a series of reflective and action-based activities. We began by exploring what it truly means to be a “good person” through a collaborative activity that helped students identify shared values and behaviors that define kindness. Students then moved from discussion to action by planning intentional acts of caring to complete over the break, supported by learning about the positive impact kindness has on both individuals and communities. We also dedicated time to executive functioning with a “To-Do List Day,” where students organized their academic responsibilities, and ended the week with community-building activities to celebrate their efforts and strengthen relationships.
At home, you can support your child by continuing conversations about kindness and encouraging them to follow through on their planned acts of caring over the break. Asking simple questions like “What is one kind thing you did today?” or “What got in the way?” can help reinforce reflection and accountability. You can also support their executive functioning by helping them check upcoming assignments, organize materials, or set small goals before returning to school. These small habits help students build independence, empathy, and a stronger sense of responsibility both in and out of the classroom.
GRADE 7 ADVISORY
This week in advisory, students shifted from being passive media consumers to becoming "digital architects" as they explored the mechanics of fake news and online misinformation. Following "The Viral Loop" students were challenged to "scroll with a purpose" by analyzing the psychological triggers and algorithmic "hooks" used in popular social media videos. A highlight of the week was again our special guest session withVerónica García López, Editor-in-Chief at Newtral, who shared expert insights on using data and technology to fight disinformation. To wrap up, students practiced using a "Digital Garbage Detector" checklist to verify sources, identify AI-generated "glitches," and trace the original context of online images before they hit share.
GRADE 8 ADVISORY
This week in Advisory, we officially wrapped up our unit on speaking-up strategies. The students did a great job finalizing their learning on how to confidently and respectfully advocate for themselves and others in various situations.
We also reached a major milestone this week as students officially input their subject choices for High School. It has been wonderful watching them think critically about their interests and take ownership of their future academic paths.
Wishing you and your families a restful, safe, and very Happy Spring Break! We look forward to seeing the students refreshed and ready to go when we return.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Parents, please mark your calendars for these key MS events.
April 8: Early release day. Students leave campus at 2:00
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.
Page updated
Report abuse