Volume 23| February 16, 2020
Middle School News
Sign up for Student-Led Conferences- Feb. 27 & 28

All Middle School parents are asked to sign up (with their child) to attend student-led conferences with them Feb. 27th and 28th. Conference slots will begin after school and run until 7:30pm on Thursday Feb. 27th, and will run all day (8:30am-3:45pm) on Friday the 28th. [There will be no school on Friday the 28th for Lower and Middle School students to accommodate conferences].

How many teachers should we sign up to meet with?
Please sign up for a slot with each of your child's teachers and your child's advisor.

What will happen during student-led conferences?
Your child will show you what they have been working on in each class and will talk with you about their areas of strength and areas of "not yet." Teachers will be on hand for the conferences, however, it is expected that the student take the lead during these meetings. Advisory periods and some class time has been dedicated to the preparation for these conferences so that the students are ready!

What is the value of student-led conferences?


  • students take ownership of their learning
  • students recognize that parents and teachers are partners for their success
  • students strengthen communication and presentation skills
  • students think about their thinking (metacognition), which is proven to have impact on depth of learning
***NOTE- Sixth Grade French-Drama Workshop students should choose BOTH Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Michaelson for their conference in the SAME TIME SLOT, so you can meet with them together.
Lots of Activity This Past Week in Roycemore's Middle School

We had another House Competition this week during Program time. This time, four-team capture the flag. Gryffindor was the winner. 
6th grade explored printing using radial symmetry in Ms. Stein’s art class. They started with small exploration plates, measuring symmetrical lines on their printing plates and testing their plates in mirrors. After making basic radial prints 6th grade explored reductive printing by carving even more designs into their original plates and layering a second color on top of their prints. Reductive printing requires students to take risks while planning and thinking ahead as to how their print will turn out. Bravo on a successful exploration on this the step by step process of printing 6th grade!
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While the middle schoolers were at recess, the pre-k students came out to collect rocks to turn into "Kindness Rocks" as part of their Friendship Unit. It was super exciting to see each other outside of the classroom. Huge smiles all around! 
The 8th grade science class is learning to isolate and identify common bacteria found around the school and on themselves. They sampled different locations around our school, inoculated media and grew colonies on agar slabs. They are learning to do the gram stain which is one of the ways bacteria are identified in labs today. The students loved every minute of it and we have more to do.
The Seventh and Eighth Graders continued their exploration of slavery in America with a primary source analysis. They analyzed two photographs and one map from the 1850s and speculated where the moniker “Bleeding Kansas” came from. 

Childhood is short enough already, and Fifth and Sixth Graders are still quite young human beings. Sometimes, we have to stop and celebrate the moment. To that end, we had a wonderful Valentine's Day celebration together. Humanities is about community and connection!
In Fifth Grade Humanities, the students have been reading the novel “The Egypt Game.” We have been focusing on characters and characterization. Like the characters in The Egypt Game, the Fifth Graders used their imaginations to create their own characters. A few volunteered to present their characters to the class.
Re-Enrollment Reminder- March 2nd deadline

March 2nd is quickly approaching and all re-enrollment documentation is required by the deadline in order to secure your student's spot for next year. If you have any questions or problems with your re-enrollment packet, please be sure to reach out before the deadline to Tanise Robnett .
Submissions Invited for Roycemore's new Literary Magazine

Started by Upper School students, with submissions invited by students throughout the school- we celebrate the launch of Roycemore's new Literary magazine!! Please encourage your children to turn in submissions. Accepting Artwork, Photos of sculptures, stories, and poems from students of all grade levels. 
Midquarter Reports
Early this week,  midquarter reports for any new student and any student receiving a C- or lower in a class will be emailed home. A reminder that these are not final grades, but are designed as a check-in to help any student who is struggling to formulate a plan for success. Families are also encouraged to sign up for student-led conferences using the link at the top of the newsletter.
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Help Us Help the Earth!



This semester, the Upper School Roycemore National Honor Society is recycling all of your plastic bags, printer toner/ink, and old electronics and batteries . You can find bins in the lobby, and if they are not there, please bring them to Cara Marantz or Mrs. Byrnes. We will be collecting until May 15th, so please check your homes for any of the items that we are taking!
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Sports and Activities this coming week!!
Mon:

NO SCHOOL- PRESIDENT'S DAY

Tues:   
  • Homework Club 3:30pm-4:20pm

Wed:
  • Homework Club 3:30pm-4:20pm
  • Robotics Club- 3:30-4:30pm

Thurs:
  • Math Club 2pm
  • Community Yoga 5:00-6:00pm

Fri:
  • Improv 3:30-4:30pm
Upcoming Dates

  • Feb. 17th- NO SCHOOL- Presidents' Day
  • Thurs. Feb. 20- after school- Intramural Basketball games
  • Feb. 27th- Student-Led Conferences 2pm-7:30pm
  • Feb. 28th- NO SCHOOL- Student-Led Conferences
  • Mar. 2nd.- Re-enrollment & Priority Sliding Scale Application Deadline
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 GRIFFINITY!!
The Roycemore mascot, the Griffin, is legendary, powerful, and magical. Show your Griffin LOVE by wearing Roycemore Spirit items!! You can find them 24-7 through our online store at    www.roycemoreschool.org/schoolstore