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Dear Parents,
It has been another great week in the Middle School! We are looking forward to a very busy month of October. Please check out this important daily information as well as the announcements below.
Here is another reminder about our MS After-school Program Procedures 25-26. We are so pleased to see increased participation in our after-school activities program.
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.
Please also note that the Middle School offers extensive after-school learning support for our students. The MS After-school Extended Learning Labs are great ways for students to get extra help in key areas. This document also includes teacher "office hours" when students can drop in to see their teachers for individual assistance.
We also want to remind parents about absences from school. When students miss even one day of school, it is difficult to make up school work and classroom instruction. Google Classroom is an excellent tool that helps students who are absent keep up with their school work. However, Google Classroom does not replace classroom learning and has limited utility for students who are absent for extended periods. Parents are reminded to plan vacations around our school calendar. We recognize that there are occasions when a student will be absent from school for an extended period of time for family reasons. Parents are asked to contact the Director at least two days before the absence.
Here is a reminder that the grade level "coffees" are coming up next week. We hope that parents are able to join us. Please see the dates and times below. Josh Chambers will speak about developmental levels of the students, and I will provide an overview of the school year and answer questions.
Once again, we kindly ask that parents supervise the snacks that our students are bringing to school in the morning. Candy, bags of chips, and soda drinks are not acceptable snacks. In addition, we continue to remind students that they should not share their individual snacks with others. In addition, birthday treats are allowed but should take place during the advisory time.
As always, please make a special note of the general announcements below.
Kind regards,
Mike Nugent
Middle School Director
American School of Madrid
THIS WEEK IN ADVISORY
GRADE 6 ADVISORY
To be updated next week!
GRADE 7 ADVISORY
Last week, we had a field trip to Valle Abedules for zip lining, ropes courses, and wall climbing. Additionally, "All About Me" presentations continued, helping us learn more about each other.
This week, on Monday, we had a special greeting and weekly set up, addressing the issue of students leaving trash behind at Valle Abedules, which prompted a campus cleanup. Additionally, we practiced active listening through various activities. On Friday, we had a special assembly presented by Dr. Derrick Gay.
We recently reviewed expectations for the Flex Space as well as after-school activities procedures with students. We truly appreciate your continued partnership in reinforcing these routines at home. Together, we can ensure a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for all students.
GRADE 8 ADVISORY
This week, our Advisory time shifted focus to an area critical for student well-being: friendships and social dynamics. This unit will span several weeks, during which we'll discuss topics like the nuances of different group dynamics, how to build and maintain positive relationships, and resolving conflict respectfully. We believe these skills are essential for both their time here and beyond.
On a separate note, we held a Town Hall where students were formally introduced to and granted their Grade 8 Privileges. These are special opportunities earned as a mark of their seniority and readiness for increased responsibility within the school community.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 HORUS, 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.
Sept 22: NEW DATE OCT 6: MS Grade 6 Parent Information Coffee, 9:00-10:00 A.M., MS Steps
Sept 23: NEW DATE OCT 7: MS Grade 7 Parent Information Coffee, 9:00-10:00 A.M., MS Steps
Sept 24: NEW DATE OCT 8: MS Grade 8 Parent Information Coffee, 9:00-10:00 A.M., MS Steps
Oct 9-14: MS MAP testing
Oct 13: No school
Oct 15: Early release day. Students are dismissed at 13:45.
Oct 30-31: Learning Conferences. Note that conferences are virtual. More info to be published soon.
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