MS Minutes 11.08.22

Posted on November 9, 2022

Hello, Middle School Students and Families! Here’s what happened at today’s MS meeting:


Layla Slocum ’28 and Aubrey Harper ’28 ran today’s meeting. You can check out the slides from this week’s meeting here.


THE WEEKLY FEATURES

THE BVR STUDENT

Misti Birnbaum ’28 and Layla Slocum ’28 presented coming to class on time with necessary materials and a ready-to-learn attitude.

To me, this means not wasting time when one class ends but by proficiently gathering your things. Take the 5 minutes that you have to use the bathroom or get water. It is important because we should be ready and prepared for class so we can learn stuff and participate in class because that’s important. Taking the time to refresh and take a little break between classes is important for everyone.


FEED YOUR BRAIN PICK
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Recommended by Natalie Moniz ’29

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK …

It’s set at the beach and reminds me of summer. The characters have really strong connections, and I like how the author includes perspectives from multiple characters.

WHY I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE IT …

You’ll like this book if you like realistic fiction, or if you like TV shows like Outer Banks.


WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Seniors Alice Molinsky, Nadya Ansari, and Josie Lawrence (who are all ‘lifers’ which means they started at Beaver in 6th grade) introduced our advisory content for the week. Each Middle School advisory will talk about microaggressions: what they are, how to identify them, and what to do about them.


Kellan Glass ’28, Lee Jacobs ’29, and Preston Toussaint ’29 spoke about our advisory coat of arms. Each advisory chose a shape, which was then cut into pieces so each person designed one. When these pieces come together they create an image that represents the advisory as a whole.

I made a 3D ski slope on my piece using cardboard, pipe cleaners, and spray paint. Skiing is one of my favorite activities, so I wanted to represent it in my piece. I particularly enjoyed making the trees on the slope.

-Kellan Glass ’28

I spray painted my cardboard blue and white then attached pieces of a real baseball on top. I really like playing baseball, and the color blue, so this was a natural choice for me.

-Lee Jacobs ’29

I designed a landscape that reflected Haiti as well as some sports I play. I really enjoyed working in a hands-on setting with my advisory, it was fun to see what everybody made.

-Preston Toussaint ’29

Lawrence Rosembert ’28 announced the third Middle School Hiatt Leadership Institute, The Science and Art of Character-Shaping happening on Monday, November 14 at 8 a.m. on the D-Level.

Students will take part in activities to help them understand how they can take an active part in shaping who they are and whom they dream of becoming to change the world. They will also be making something to take with them. Students received an email with a form from the Hiatt Center to sign up.


We shared two videos

1) Wild ponies in Virginia and

2) Wild ponies explained by Middle School Science Teacher, Kevin Rohn who is hiking the Appalachian Trail.


El Strom ’27, Student Council vice-president and Ruby Nielsen ’27, Student Council 8th grade representative announced A Dam Good Week happening next week to get excited for Thanksgiving break (break begins Friday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m.).

Students were reminded that whatever they bring/wear to school, they must be able to fully participate in their classes and school activities.

  • Monday: “Anything but your backpack day”
  • Tuesday: Neon day–wear neon colors or if you don’t have any neon, wear all black
  • Wednesday: BVR day–wear Beaver gear or Beaver colors (blue, white, gray)
  • Thursday: Bikers vs. surfers
  • Friday: PJ day

Amber Kuntz is looking for Middle School students to help organize our lost and found. This entails sorting and hanging clothes, and taking pictures of everything in the lost and found to post to the Lost & Found slideshow. Students can sign up via email.

All fall sports uniforms are due at the end of the week. Students can give them directly to Amber Kuntz or leave them in the box at the front desk.

I reminded students that except for the front doors of the school, all external doors are locked for safety reasons. Some doors have been found propped open lately, and I asked students to unprop any doors they find. I also reminded them that knocking or banging on locked doors to get someone to let them in is not appropriate because it is disruptive.

This Friday is Veteran’s Day and we DO have school. I reminded disappointed students that they get the whole week of Thanksgiving off.


THIS WEEK’S LUNCH & RECESS PROGRAMMING, CLUBS & AFFINITY GROUPS

Today’s RISE activity was making life-sized self-portraits. Through fun activities, students learn how to deal with stress and worry.