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

During this shorter week, students revisited their end-of-year report cards using the Pluses and Deltas protocol, a reflective approach that helps them identify both strengths and areas for growth. Through one-on-one conversations, they are exploring how these insights apply to their current year. This reflection serves as valuable groundwork for next week’s preparation for the upcoming Student-Led Conferences, scheduled to take place at the end of the month.

GRADE 8  ADVISORY

This week in Advisory, students have been busy preparing for their Student-Led Conferences. They are reflecting on their growth, analyzing their work, and setting academic goals.

Please use this time to have conversations with your child about their growth and goal setting. Encourage them to think about what they're proud of and where they plan to improve.

Don't forget to book your conference times!

Student-Led Conferences (with your child): October 30th

Academic Conferences (optional with student & teachers): October 31st

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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.

• Nov 10: No school. Holiday!

• Nov 19: Early release day. Students dismissed at 1:45.

• Nov 27-28: No School. Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!

• Dec 4: MS Parent Coffee, 9:00-10:00 MS Steps. Topic TBA.

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.

LANCER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL BAKE SALE

The Lancer Leadership Council is having a Halloween Bake Sale on Tuesday and Wednesday during break. Students can bring in a few euros to purchase a sweet treat to support our young leaders as they raise money for various causes.  

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 see 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.