MIDDLE SCHOOL MEETING
Dear Middle School Families,

Here's a look at what's happening in the Middle School.
Click here to see the slides from today's Middle School Meeting and watch the video recap where we welcomed BVR Alumna, Joddy Nwankwo '18!
Meeting Recap
  • Today we were thrilled to welcome Joddy Nwankwo '18 to Middle School Meeting where she talked about the relationship between identity, self-care, and social justice. During her talk, Joddy reflected on her experience attending Beaver’s Middle School when she often asked herself “Who am I?” After you watch Joddy’s presentation, consider exploring the following questions together as a family: 

  • What did you notice about yourself while listening to Joddy’s story? 
  • What factors shape our identities? 
  • What happens when others view us differently than we view ourselves? 
  • How do our identities influence the choices we make about how to treat people in our communities?
  • In what ways do you feel parts of your identity connect to the BVR community? Are there ways you feel disconnected?

  • After Joddy's keynote, Ms. Wildes shared the following definition of social justice with the Middle School: "To become aware of race, class, gender, sexuality, and accessibility through realizing our own privilege or oppression, and then to take action toward equity."
  • The virtual AISNE Students of Color Conference is Saturday, February 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A form was sent to students to sign up; students can see Ms. Smith with any questions. We encourage all students of color to attend!
  • Gabe Cohen '25, Student Council President, announced the Student Council meeting today at 11:25 a.m.  

  • We love having students run MS Meeting! Nora McBride '26 and Lauren Wagner '26 ran the meeting two weeks ago; Nikki Berger '25 ran last week’s meeting. We encouraged students to reach out if they are interested in running a MS Meeting.
Feed Your Brain: Book Buffet
BVR loves reading! Ms. Smith and I talked about why reading is important. It helps you succeed in school (by improving your concentration, your memory, your vocabulary, and your critical thinking skills), and it makes you happier: regular readers sleep better, have lower stress levels, higher self-esteem, and lower rates of depression than non-readers.

At MS Meeting, we will have faculty and students share books they like. Our first presenter today was Mr. Greenberg.
Mr. Greenberg recommends King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender.

"I like that the author weaves themes of loss, racism, family, homophobia, coming-of-age and more into this unique story. I think students would like this book because there's a lot going on in King and the Dragonflies. That means there is a lot to like about it."
We shared the Middle School Books Online Browsing Page and encouraged students to check out a book. To check out a book, students can let any teacher know or they can stop by the bookshelf outside of Ms. Smith's office, take a picture of the bar code, and email a teacher to let them know. We encouraged students and teachers to present books they’ve enjoyed reading at MS Meeting.

🤫 Secret note for you: Please let me know if you want to secretly volunteer your child to present a book they read at Middle School Meeting. I will reach out to them never admitting that you told me to!

☃️As a reminder, we will continue to have windows open as part of our safety practices. Please remind kids to dress warmly.
Associate Director of Middle School
617-738-2780
🎒
Reminder: All the latest information you need about the 2020-21 Beaver Middle School experience—including links to past MS Meeting Recaps—is available on the Middle School section of our website.