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Dear Parents,
We are excited about the upcoming class trips in grades 7 and 8. The teachers have prepared the students for the trips, and everything is set for departure on Monday, March 9.
MADMUN begins today! Over 300 delegates will be on campus this weekend for our Model United Nations conference. We are looking forward to a busy weekend of debating and conferencing at ASM! On behalf of the conference coordinators, I want to thank our parents who are able to host the visiting delegates at their home this weekend. The homestay is a key part of the overall experience for the visiting students.
Last Monday, the MS students enjoyed a wonderful concert from a high school in Montreal, Canada. Over 100 musicians entertained the students with beutiful music for about an hour. These cultural experiences are an important part of our overall program.
Finally, grade 8 students have begun preparation for upper school class registration. On Thursday, Mr. Bolster, the US director, spoke with the students about grade 9 and the class that they will take next year. The students had many excellent questions for Mr. Bolster.
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
This week in Grade 7 advisory, our focus is on understanding identity and its connection to microaggressions. Students began the week by creating "Identity Portraits" to explore both their visible markers, like appearance, and invisible markers, such as culture and passions. On Tuesday, the group attended a special presentation by INTERSECT Madrid, followed by a debrief on the different types of microaggressions—jokes, compliments, and non-verbal cues—and how they can make individuals feel marginalized. Throughout the rest of the week, students are engaging in scenario-based activities to analyze the systemic impact of these behaviors and discuss how to build a more inclusive social environment.
Additionally, please remember that the deadline for completing all requirements for the upcoming overnight trip, including PowerSchool updates and online forms, was this Thursday, February 26.
GRADE 8 ADVISORY
This week in Grade 8 Advisory, we kicked off a foundational series on Empathy as a Power Skill. Rather than viewing empathy as just "being nice," students explored it as a form of Social Intelligence—a critical tool for navigating complex social and professional environments.
We moved beyond sympathy (pity) toward true empathy (connection). We discussed how "reading the room" provides a strategic advantage in leadership and teamwork. Students analyzed how empathy looks different in Social settings (building loyalty with friends) versus Professional settings (solving problems and building a reputation in school or future careers).
Finally we practiced "Perspective-Taking" by looking for the "Missing Piece"—the hidden reasons behind someone’s behavior—to avoid jumping to conclusions during a conflict.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Parents, please mark your calendars for these key MS events.
March 6-9: Madrid Model United Nations (MADMUN)
March 9-11: Grade 7 overnight class trip
March 9-12: Grade 8 overnight class trip
March 18: Early release day
Pingui Vuelve a ASM
Desde el Departamento de Lengua Española, nos hace mucha ilusión compartir con toda la comunidad educativa la programación especial que hemos diseñado para estos días. Nuestro objetivo es claro: transformar el aprendizaje de la lengua y la literatura en una experiencia viva, emocionante y, sobre todo, compartida. Para lograrlo, contaremos con un invitado de lujo: Jesús Moreno, más conocido como “Pingüi”. Su trayectoria como actor y narrador profesional garantiza que estas jornadas serán mucho más que simples clases; serán recuerdos imborrables para nuestros alumnos. Durante la jornada escolar, los estudiantes participarán en sesiones de animación a la lectura y narración oral. A través de la interpretación creativa de Jesús Moreno, buscamos despertar esa chispa de curiosidad que convierte a un estudiante en un lector apasionado. Los talleres de los que disfrutarán nuestros estudiantes serán: “Antología del cuento”, “El poder de la palabra” y “Don Quijote de la Mancha”. En este último taller pedagógico vivencial, podrán disfrutar de una puesta en escena única donde sus hijos darán vida a personajes icónicos de la obra de Cervantes. Veremos desfilar la noble locura de Don Quijote, la sabiduría popular de Sancho Panza, la inspiración de Dulcinea y la elegancia del Caballero del Verde Gabán. Estamos convencidos de que la voz y el gesto son las mejores herramientas para redescubrir el placer de una buena historia. -- Departamento de Lengua Española
Digital Citizenship in the Middle School
In Middle School, we take digital citizenship seriously. We believe that helping students navigate the digital world responsibly is a vital part of their education. Through our Advisory program, students receive regular, age-appropriate instruction on key aspects of digital citizenship. Topics include online safety, responsible social media use, digital footprint awareness, cyberbullying prevention, screen-time balance, and ethical online behavior. We use resources from Common Sense Media to guide our work in this area. Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and values they need to become thoughtful, respectful, and safe digital citizens—both in and out of the classroom.
As parents and guardians of Middle School students, it is essential to recognize your important role in monitoring and guiding your child’s use of social media platforms. While social media can offer opportunities for connection and learning, it also presents risks related to privacy, online safety, and emotional well-being. Parents are encouraged to have open, ongoing conversations with their children about responsible digital behavior and to stay informed about the platforms their children are using.
It is important to note that Spain is currently revising age limits for most major social media platforms, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook. The legal age limit is expected to change to 16 years old and is designed to protect the privacy and safety of children online. We urge parents to ensure that their children are not accessing these platforms before they meet the minimum age requirement and to supervise their online activity closely thereafter. By working together, we can help promote a safer, healthier digital environment for all students.
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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