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February 10, 2024
Hello Middle School Families,
I hope this letter finds everyone well. The month of January went by quietly, and now the anticipatory excitement for spring break is in the air. The prospect of an early spring has been energizing in our building, along with the above-average temperatures we are experiencing. We have been able to take advantage by taking your children outside more and more. The more sun, the better!
There are several upcoming events that I want to preview, including those in March and April.
Middle School Socials
Sixth-graders are invited to a game night at Columbus School for Girls from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23. Click on the following links for an information letter, event flyer and permission form.
A dance for grades 7-8 will be held in our Jones Gym on the same evening from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Those interested in attending must complete and turn in this permission form. Also, we are in NEED of several PARENT VOLUNTEERS. Please reply to this message or contact Michelle White by Friday, February 16, if you are interested in helping us on that evening.
Permission forms for both events need to be turned in to Mrs. White in the middle school office by Wednesday, February 21.
Lynn Lyons Virtual Book Talk
All parents and guardians are invited to register for an online discussion from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, with psychotherapist Lynn Lyons, who visited our campus in December. The book that will be discussed – “Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents” – provides “jargon-free, step-by-step plans to solve the puzzle of anxious, avoidant kids.” To learn more and register, please click here.
February 14 Dress-Down Day
Students will be allowed to dress down next Wednesday, February 14. Jeans, sweats and joggers are allowed and should be free of holes. Hoodies are permitted. Yoga pants, leggings, short shorts and skirts (legs must be covered, as we will be outside for recess) are not permitted. We will provide treats for all students.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences will take place March 6-8. Thursday, March 7, is a noon dismissal for the entire school, and there is no school for students on Friday, March 8. All middle school conferences will be online via Google Meet.
- March 6: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- March 7: 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- March 8: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Be on the lookout for a schoolwide conference letter with signup links in the next few weeks. Advisor-only conferences will be held on May 10, and advisors will email parents directly to schedule them.
ERBs
All middle-schoolers take ERBs during the week of March 11. Academic periods take place after testing is completed in the morning. As such, school hours are normal with a regular 3:20 p.m. dismissal. If your children will be absent for any of these days, please be sure to reach out to me and Mrs. White in the middle school office.
Spotlight on Science
Grade 8 Exit Project Presentations
Our eighth-graders are working hard on their Science Exit Projects. They will be presenting their experiments, data and conclusions on Thursday, March 14, from 1:15-2:45 p.m. To learn more, click here.
Organ Day in Middle School
We are excited about our seventh grade science’s annual Organ Day on March 15, coordinated by science teacher Genevieve Adkins. She will send information directly to seventh grade parents in the coming weeks to provide more information.
Solar Eclipse Day on April 8
Students will be dismissed at noon on Monday, April 8, to enjoy the solar eclipse with families. If you are unaware of how rare this event is, the last total solar eclipse in Ohio was 218 years ago in 1806, and the next one won’t be for another 74 years in 2099! For Academy’s community to share this phenomenon, the school has reserved a pavilion at Coffman Park in Dublin that lies in the path of totality. Several of our science faculty members will be ready to welcome families with eclipse glasses and eclipse-related activities. Please click here to learn more.
Rising-Grade Parent Meetings
Parent meetings will be held in April for each grade to give information for the 2024-25 school year. Each meeting will take place from 6:45-8:00 p.m. in our dining hall.
- Rising Sixth Grade on April 16
- Rising Seventh Grade on April 18
- Rising Eighth Grade on April 25
Families of current eighth-graders will be hearing from our upper school administrators soon about information sessions they host for rising ninth-graders. The information for the rising sixth grade parent meeting will be sent directly to current fifth grade parents separately.
Please continue to communicate with teachers and the middle school office as different needs for your children need to be addressed. We appreciate your partnership and support.
Regards,
Shaka Arnold
Head of Middle School
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