Hello, Middle School Students and Families! Here’s what happened at today’s MS meeting:
El Strom ’27 and Grace Batycky ’27 ran today’s meeting.
You can check out the slides from this week’s meeting here.
THE WEEKLY FEATURES
THE BVR STUDENT
Beckett Freid ’27 presented Asks for help when they are struggling.
To me, this means you can’t be afraid to ask a peer or teacher for help when you are stuck. If you pretend like you know what you’re doing but you actually don’t you might fall behind. In conclusion, if you are stuck, ask for help.
FEED YOUR BRAIN PICK
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Recommended by Iris Jurkiewicz ’28
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK …
It has a great plot and lovable characters. The pictures are great and it’s very entertaining.
WHY I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE IT …
I recommend this book to anyone who likes frogs and toads. If you want an upbeat cheerful story this book is for you.
WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT
Phoebe Stoesser ’27 and Ruby Nielsen ’27 recapped yesterday’s Hiatt Leadership Institute, The Science of Character Shaping.
They talked about how they learned to set goals:
We learned that in order to achieve goals you must create a ladder of how you are going to achieve your goals. What this means is deciding what your goal is, how you want to achieve it, and how long it will take you. Just like anything, creating a plan for your goals is how to achieve them.
Next up: Social Justice and Change Making on Monday, December 12, 8-9 a.m.
Zico El Abd ’27 talked about this week’s advisory activity, talking about gratitude—what it is and why it is important.
Zico asked everyone to start thinking about answers to questions like:
- What is something that is truly worth having (that is not technology related)?
- What is something that you’ve witnessed recently that reminds you that life is good?
- And simple questions like one thing you enjoy about the weather
We will be creating paper chains of gratitude to display in the hallway.
We shared another video from Middle School Science Teacher, Kevin Rohn who was hiking the Appalachian Trail. The video was about two invasive species he saw on the AT in Massachusetts that we also have on campus and across the street in Dane Park.
The big news of the week is that Mr. Rohn has completed his hike on the Appalachian Trail!
The Fall Music Exhibit is tomorrow! Students will stay on campus after school. Ms. Smith and I will be hosting an early dinner, then rehearsals will take place with music teachers. Students need to be in their rehearsal space ready to play by 4:45 p.m.
The exhibit starts at 6 p.m. and will last less than an hour. We are asking parents/caregivers who plan to attend to please arrive by 5:45 p.m.
There will be sweet treats at the end of the exhibit!
Ms. Smith spoke about feedback in the Middle School, using the metaphor of a racetrack for student learning.
In the race track of learning, it’s time for a pit stop. All teachers are completing feedback for each student based on three areas the BVR Student.
- I am ready to learn.
- My behaviors and choices allow me and others to learn.
- I am committed to growing as a student.
Families will receive this feedback the week of Thanksgiving. Then students will use advisory the week after Thanksgiving break to reflect on their teacher’s feedback.
Student Body Advisory Council (SBAC) is meeting today from 11:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to talk about BVR athletics as we search for a new Athletic Director.
El Strom ’27, Student Council Vice-President announced that Lee Jacobs ’29 won yesterday’s competition for “anything but a backpack day”.
A Dam Good Week continues for the rest of the week
- Wednesday was neon day
- Thursday is BVR day: wear BVR gear or BVR colors (blue, white, gray)
- Friday is PJ Day
I spoke to students about the ways we can help stop the spread of germs:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap
- Use hand sanitizer whenever entering a classroom
- Use disinfecting wipes found in all classrooms to wipe down desks
- Keep air purifiers plugged in
I also reminded students they can only eat in designated spaces on campus—never in the hallways or classrooms without explicit permission from a teacher.
Thanksgiving break starts at 2:25 p.m. this Friday! We will have no afternoon activities and all buses will depart by 2:40 p.m. We’ll see everyone back on campus on Monday, November 28.
THIS WEEK’S LUNCH & RECESS PROGRAMMING, CLUBS & AFFINITY GROUPS
Today’s RISE activity was making gratefulness rocks. Through fun activities, students learn how to deal with stress and worry.