Dear Parents,
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Halloween Carnival on Sunday! Hats off to the moms who decorated the Middle School with spooky witches hats and spider webs. We really appreciate your efforts to get us all in the Halloween spirit!
I want to highlight here the topic of tutors. 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.
Last week, I provided parents with information about the K-12 learning conferences on October 30-31. Parents, once again, please review this information carefully: MS Learning Conferences Overview Fall 2025. Please note that due to space and time limitations during conference scheduling, it is not possible for parents to meet individually with every one of their child’s teachers in the Middle and Upper Schools. We encourage parents to speak with their child about how they are doing in each class and to regularly review their progress in PowerSchool. This will help identify any concerns or areas where a follow-up with a specific teacher may be needed.
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 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!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.