GRADE 6 ADVISORY 

This week in Advisory, students have been reflecting on their transition to middle school and preparing for their upcoming Student-Led Conferences. They began organizing their slides and practicing how to share their growth, challenges, and goals with confidence. Through reflection prompts and connection games like “Middle School Moments,” students explored how they have adapted to new routines, built friendships, and developed academic habits. Advisors encouraged them to take ownership of their reflections, celebrate their progress, identify next steps, and recognize how far they have come in these first months of sixth grade. Students will continue preparing for their conferences next week.

GRADE 7 ADVISORY

This week in Advisory, your child has been preparing for their Student-Led Conference. This is a valuable opportunity for them to reflect on their achievements so far, both as a student and as a member of our school community. This is an important task, and we encourage students to approach it with honesty and maturity. The conferences are scheduled for next Thursday, October 30, and all middle school students are expected to have a conference with their family and advisor.

Thank you for your support and involvement in this important process.

GRADE 8  ADVISORY

This week, our MAP testing window came to its conclusion, students who need to finish, or complete MAP tests will have opportunities next week.

We are now actively preparing students for our upcoming conferences. The focus of this preparation is a structured reflective and goal-setting process.Students are learning to analyze their recent performance, to identify both their current strengths and areas for improvement. They are then being guided to set specific, actionable goals for the months ahead. Our aim is to make students the central agents of their own education, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. We look forward to a successful round of student-led conferences!

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.

IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

Here is a reminder about the importance of sleep. Our Middle Schoolers need at least eight hours of sleep each night. Keeping devices out of the bedroom will help in this regard. Check out here this excellent article about sleep from the John Hopkins medical center. The article treats something called "delayed sleep phase", a topic that came up with several parents at the morning coffees.

GRADE 8 AFTER-SCHOOL OFF CAMPUS PRIVILEGE

Grade 8 students who have submitted the Grade 8 After-school Off-Campus Privilege Form may go off campus beginning on October 8 at 4:00 and return to campus at 5:00 to take the activities bus or attend a late sports practice. Students in grades 6 and 7 do not have this privilege. Once grade 6 and 7 students leave campus at 4:00 P.M., they may not return to campus. Parents should be aware that some students go off campus at 4:00 P.M. to hang out with friends at the mall or in the local neighborhood. Friday is often a popular day for students to gather off campus after school. We kindly ask that parents be aware of their children’s after-school plans. 

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.

EXTENDED LEARNING LABS, OFFICE HOURS, AND FLEX SPACE

The Middle School provides two key opportunities for students to seek out extra help with their academic progress. Students can receive individual and small group assistance after school, beginning at 4:00 P.M. The Teacher Office Hours document indicates when teachers are available for drop-in assistance. Also, the Middle School offers extended learning labs from 4:00-5:00 P.M. in three key areas: Math, Writing, and Spanish. The MS Extended Learning Labs begin on September 29.

TUTORING

Throughout the school year, we learn that some students receive tutoring outside of school. Parents are reminded to contact the Middle School support teachers before seeking tutoring or professional support for their children. Eric Hofschire, our Middle School learning support teacher, will advise parents about the need for outside support. The Middle School has an extensive academic and social/emotional support system in place at school. Most students' academic and social/emotional needs can be met by the resources that we have at school. Our learning support team will recommend tutoring only in exceptional cases. 

FROM THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

If your family is being transferred during this academic year, please contact Admissions - admissions@asmadrid.es 

BIRTHDAY SNACK 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. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Parents, please mark your calendars for these key MS events.

• Oct 30-31: Learning Conferences. Note that conferences are virtual. Students do not attend school on these days. More info about conferences will be published soon.