Inspiring Minds to Learn, Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve
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The seventh graders made accordion books in the first quarter as they learned about spices changing the world and eventually becoming the catalyst for slavery being introduced to European colonies in the West. Accordion books are a thinking partner for students that allow them to demonstrate creativity as they reflect on learning. Students retold the story and inquired further by expressing personal feelings about events covered in class. Look how beautifully they turned out!
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Cardinal Character Trait of the Month: RESPECT
"There is no respect for others without humility in one's self."
-Henri Frederic Amiel
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Dear Middle School families,
I know many of you have been waiting anxiously for word on in-person instruction for the middle school students. While our virtual program has been quite strong, we recognize that middle school education is not just about academics. Important socio-emotional growth occurs during these vulnerable years, and the stress of the pandemic this year has augmented that need. With that in mind, Mr. Parker and I have been preparing alternative plans contingent on the changing COVID environment and recommendations from Maryland health professionals.
A primary focus for us is building relationships in the classroom, both between students and with teachers. With that in mind, we are beginning Middle School Meetups on alternate Wednesdays. Students will be invited to campus by grade for some outdoor activities including Music, PE, advisory, and just some “chill time.” These will be optional but highly encouraged. (A separate Constant Contact will be sent to MS parents with more details about next Wednesday, November 18th.)
Mr. Parker and I are also exploring different models for implementing an in-person hybrid for Middle School. Based on feedback from various sources, we can see potentially offering a half-day hybrid model where students come to school in the morning and leave by noon every day. Virtual classes would be offered in the afternoon. The reasons that support this model are the following:
- Students are not required to sit in one class and one desk for an entire school day.
- Winter months make weather more unpredictable and thus outdoor time is less of an option for breaks during the day.
- It eliminates the need to manage cohort lunch shifts, spaces, and extra coverage.
- Students get to spend time with each other and their teachers everyday while still reducing risk, allowing for better communication and understanding.
This is not fixed yet, but I wanted to alert you to this possibility so that you can look to your own circumstances and start thinking about your own transportation arrangements.
Finally, we are also making plans for some in-person activities and events during the week before Christmas. Please stay tuned for more information as Christmas approaches.
Again, please let me reiterate that all of these plans may be adjusted depending on the current environment. I appreciate all of your support and patience as we navigate these very challenging times in education.
Respectfully yours,
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Nicole Stone
Assistant Head of School
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GRANDPARENTS' & SPECIAL FRIENDS' DAY
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Tuesday morning, November 24, 2020
Beginning at 9:00am
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Dear CES Grandparents and Special Friends,
We hope you will be able to join us for this year's Virtual Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day on the morning of Tuesday, November 24th. There will be a mix of live and pre-recorded content for you to view. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us (virtually)!
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The morning will include:
Welcome from CES Administration
Musical Performance
Lives sessions with Middle School classes
Preschool & Lower School Grandparents will be invited to log into a dedicated hub where they can view slideshows and pre-recorded sessions of their grandchildren's classes.
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CALLING FOR YEARBOOK PHOTOS
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You take great photos every day. Whether in school or learning from home, send us your best photos for consideration in the CES Yearbook!
To submit your photos to the yearbook staff:
Download the Yearbook Snap mobile app from the App Store or Google Play to upload photos straight from your phone. Our access code is: CES
- OR -
Go to yearbookforever.com, enter our school name, click on Community Upload to send in pictures from your computer. Our access code is: CES
Thank you for your support in capturing this unique year!
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SHAKESPEAREAN INSULTS FROM THE 8th GRADE
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The Eighth graders are reading the novel The Wednesday Wars in English. The protagonist of the book is a seventh grade boy named Holling who reads Shakespeare plays with his teacher on Wednesday afternoons while the rest of his classmates go to religious classes. (Half the class goes to Hebrew school on Wednesday afternoons while the other half goes to Catechism class -- Holling is the only Presbyterian.) The second play read is The Tempest, and Holling is delighted with all the curses from Caliban. He says, “Caliban...really knew cuss words...I decided to learn them all by heart - even if I didn’t know exactly what they meant...It’s all in the delivery anyway.”
So our eighth graders came up with some Shakespeare-inspired insults of their own. Here are a few examples, all in good fun!
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"Thou puny, plume-plucked pigeon-egg!"
"Thou infectious, hedge-born hugger-mugger!"
"Thou artless, dizzy-eyed barnacle!"
"Thou mangled, motley-minded measle!"
"Thou villainous, tickle-brained wagtail!"
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"Thou puking, ill-nurtured maggot pie!"
"Thou mammering, fly-bitten lout!"
"Thou lumpish, half-faced clotpole!"
"Thou yeasty, milk-livered malt-worm!"
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Next time you’re at a loss, try one of these. Remember, it’s all in the delivery!
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Now that Halloween is over, the Preschoolers have begun looking toward Thanksgiving.
They are learning about the Wampanoags and the first Thanksgiving, reading lots of turkey-related stories and poems, and creating turkey art. In non-turkey-related topics, they began studying 2D shapes, patterns, and words that start with the letter "G." Keep up the good work, PreK!
Pictured: the PreK class enjoying a mock Thanksgiving feast.
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PRESCHOOL 2s - 4TH GRADE ARE ON CAMPUS!
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- Minimized class sizes
- Socially-distanced classrooms
- Option to remain virtual
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Preschool is fully open! We welcome applications for our 2s, 3s and PreK-4 classes. Contact Janet Gerber, Director of Admission, at 301-424-8702 or jgerber@cesrockville.org to inquire or apply.
We're also excited to have Kindergarten with us five days per week and 1st - 4th Grade students happily learning on a hybrid schedule. Looking for an in-person learning program for your child? Please contact us!
Our Middle School (5th-8th Grades) students are continuing their robust virtual learning model, with plans underway for bringing them on campus as soon as possible. Interested in applying? Give us a call!
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
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This year, due to COVID-19, we are unable to hold our traditional Operation Christmas Child collection. Instead, we encourage you to create boxes on your own as a family. Please visit the Operation Christmas Child website for more information. They offer many helpful resources, including an option to fill a box virtually!
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NEWS FROM CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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Pet Memorial Service
Sunday, Nov. 22 at 7:00pm
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St. Francis Flock Animal Welfare Ministry of Christ Episcopal Church invite all of you to attend our annual Pet Memorial Service, this year to be hosted via Facebook Live. Please see our Facebook page for our outreach video and event poster.
The photo submission deadline has passed, but you are still encouraged to attend the Facebook Live event on Sunday evening, November 22nd at 7:00pm.
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