Volume 8 | October 13, 2019

Middle School News

REMINDER- NO SCHOOL MONDAY OCTOBER 14TH - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY FOR FACULTY

Griffin Buddies!

Last Monday, 7th through 12th grade students partnered up with Pk-4th grade students as part of our Griffin Buddies program. Griffin Buddies is designed to connect an older student in our school with one of our young students to foster a greater sense of community, provide mentoring opportunities and enhance leadership qualities among our older students. The older buddies met their younger buddies in their home classrooms where they engaged in different activities designed by the teachers. 7th & 8th grade students were paired with pre-kindergarten through kindergarten students and they worked together on a craft project and then read a book together. Click here to see photos of middle school students with their Griffin Buddies!

Culture Club visits World Market Roycemore's culture club provides opportunities for students to appreciate and become familiar with a range of cultures. Even something as simple as a trip to World Market down the street in Evanston can provide opportunities for students to think about the origin of various products and the interconnectedness of our world.

Humanities Highlights!

Fifth Grade Humanities Students Shared Their Final Projects From Their Study of A Single Shard

Click HERE to see more photos!

Word Study- "I just gotta know..."

All Humanities students participate in word study on a regular basis. In Fifth and Sixth Grade, students are introduced to three Greek or Latin roots that are thematically connected. This week the theme was “I just gotta know,” and the roots were  mem ,  ology , and  sci . First, students choose the root they felt least comfortable with, and do a deeper dive. Then, they complete six activities over a period of a week and a half using a variety of words with the three roots to which they were exposed. Research shows that an individual needs to use a new word about 30 times before it sticks, so this is just a start- but we believe a strong one!

Homeroom & Advisory this past week

During Advisory period this past week, watched a TED talk by Angela Duckworth (linked above) about the concept of GRIT. They discussed the meaning of the term grit, offered their advice for what they would tell a fellow student who was struggling in class, and related that to how they personally could improve their effort at school. In Homeroom, this concept was taken an additional step as students learned how effort, persistence and personal responsibility lead to academic success. They discussed key ideas of what being responsible looks, sounds, and feels like whether you are a responsible friend, student, family member or community member.

Middle School Kids Guernica Mural Heading to Japan

The completed mural created by middle school students as part of the Kids Guernica Peace Mural Project will be heading to Japan soon. Before sending it off, we took a photo of the students with the mural. The student-conceived idea included the Chicago skyline with the theme "We Rise Above the Hate". At the bottom of the mural fire "burns" the words sexism, hatred, inequality and more. The two areas that were left white will be painted by students in Nagasaki when the mural arrives in Japan. Approximately ten murals from around the world will be installed alongside a river bank in Nagasaki next August to commemorate World War II.

Thank you for supporting the Book Fair!

PSAT Testing The PSAT will be administered during school hours THIS Wednesday, October 16. The test will be administered to all 8-11th grade students and is designed to allow them to practice skills for the SAT and ACT. It also allows qualified 11th graders to earn national recognition and scholarships. You do not need to take any steps to register for this test. Note that online education site Khan Academy (a great online free resource for most subjects) now offers free online test prep for the SAT and PSAT. Check it out here:  https://www.khanacademy.org/sat .

Sports and Clubs this coming week!!* Mon: NO SCHOOL- Professional Day Tues:    Homework Club 3:30pm-4:20pm Volleyball- practice 5/6 3:30-4:10pm; 7/8 3:30-4:30pm Cross Country- 3:30-4:10pm ROYCEMORE INVITATIONAL Butler Park; Lower School 3:40;            5/6 Coed 4:00; 7/8 Coed 4:15;            Upper 4:30 Soccer Practice/Scrimmage vs. Nichols Middle School Wed: Volleyball- 7&8 Grade Tournament 4:00 NSCD vs CMS 5:00 Parker vs Roycemore Robotics Club- 3:30-4:30pm Thurs: Virtual Reality: Video Game Programming & Design 2:00-3:00pm  Math Club 2:15-3:15pm Chess Club 3:00-4:00pm Fencing 3:15-4:15pm Community Yoga 5:00-6:00pm-FREE!-Begins 9/12 Sponsored by The Phoenix Yoga Project and taught by Roycemore Admissions Director, Amanda Avery, this FREE yoga class is offered to ages middle school to adult. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Blocks and blankets are provided. Volleyball- 7&8 Grade Tournament 4:00 2nd place teams from Wed. 5:00 1st place teams from Wed. Fri:   Drama/ Improv 3:30-4:30 Volleyball- Practice for 5 & 6 3:30-4:10;Practice for 7&8 3:30-4:30 Cross Country Practice 3:30-3:45

Upcoming Dates Mon. Oct. 14 No School Professional Day Wed. Oct. 16 PSAT testing for 8th-11th grade Thurs. Oct. 24 MS Social Outing to Altitude Trampoline Park Fri. Oct. 25 Carnival! - The Upper School puts on a giant fun fair for the Lower and Middle School students. Parents are welcome to come- and a few volunteers are needed.  MS Social/ Potluck at Roycemore 5-8pm Bring a dish- parents and students invited. Students will be able to spend time to spend time playing games while parents can socialize and get to know each other better.

Middle School Community Guidelines We will create a community in Roycemore’s middle school based on RESPECT. We will respect ourselves, our space, and our peers. In doing so, we will assume the best intentions of others and create a space where we are welcomed, feel we belong, and are known! (created by representatives from each grade 2019-20) SHOW YOUR GRIFFIN SPIRIT!! Please visit our online store at    www.roycemoreschool.org/schoolstore    to get   wonderful items to wear and use. I know you will all love what the RFA has chosen.  There are COOL NEW items available that you will love!!