This time of year, we enjoy the results of all of the teachers' and students' hard work. Activities and projects that started throughout the year come to a conclusion with a genuine sense of success. Projects in the classroom, activities by grade, special concerts and programs all happen with a flourish at this time of year because the students are more prepared now than any other time of year. It's a great time for building confidence from genuine accomplishment.
The annual Jack White event is changing this year from a track meet to a field day. It will be organized by advisories and include challenges that use the entire campus. The day is organized by the physical education department. Our PE teachers have developed fun activities that will keep students engaged all afternoon. The Field Day begins after lunch on Friday, April 27.
The Music Department will have culminating concerts for all of their groups and grades. Each concert will be performed in Columbus Academy's Schoedinger Theatre and begin at 7:00 p.m. The Viking Orchestras go first with a concert tomorrow (April 26), followed by Choir performing on May 9 and the Concert Band on May 17.
Summative Assessments will be taken in classes following the regular daily rotation schedule. There is no special schedule for the tests that come at the end of the year. The seventh grade summative assessments will happen from May 15 through May 17, while the eighth grade end-of-year assessments will happen between May 22 and May 24. The teachers will make clear to the students what they should focus on and on what days. The eighth grade's Cold War Trial will be held on May 24.
The seventh grade's CApstone Activities will begin on Monday, May 21, and continue until Wednesday, May 30. The CApstone Activities include four different kinds of pursuits that students can elect. They do research and preparation each day and spend some afternoons sharing with the other groups what they have discovered. The seventh grade team will share more with you at a later date.
The last day of school -- Thursday, May 31 -- will be a full day of school for all three grades.
At 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 1, the Middle School will hold its Closing Exercises. All students are invited. Seventh-graders and eighth-graders are required to come. Students should report to their appropriate gathering places at 6:40 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, a reception for eighth-graders and their families will be hosted in the Schoedinger Theatre lobby.
Later this week, sixth grade families will receive an explanation of next year's Electives and an Elective Sheet to indicate the family's choice for both World Language and the Arts. On May 3, eighth-graders will receive their course request forms, which will need to be signed and returned to their advisors by May 8.
Upcoming Important Dates for Middle School:
April 26: 8:00 a.m. Meeting for Rising Sixth Grade Parents in Dining Hall
April 26: 7:00 p.m. Middle School and Upper School Orchestra Concert in Theatre
April 27: 12:45 p.m. Jack White Field Day (all over campus)
May 4: 8:00 a.m. Meeting for Rising Seventh Grade Parents in Dining Hall
May 9: 7:00 p.m. Middle School Choir Concert
May 12: 7:00 p.m. Cirque du CA Spring Gala in Mackenzie Gymnasium
May 17: 7:00 p.m. Middle School Band Concert
May 18: 7:30 a.m. Middle School Conferences (no classes)
May 31: Middle School Awards and Talent Show (last day of school)
June 1: 7:00 p.m. Middle School Closing Exercises
