Hello, Middle School Students and Families! Here’s a look at what’s happening in the Middle School this week.
We have a fun trip coming up on November 30 to Dave & Buster’s in Natick! Students must sign up using this form by this Thursday.
As a reminder, Thanksgiving Break begins this Friday at 2:25 p.m.! Classes resume on Monday, November 27.
Conor McKinley ’29 and Lee Jacobs ’29 ran today’s meeting. You can check out the slides from this week’s meeting here.
THE BVR STUDENT
At Middle School meetings throughout the year, students present elements of The BVR Student.
Mira Bedi ’28 and Sky Bernon ’28 presented Values Mistakes and Takes Responsibility for Actions.
It’s important to value mistakes because without them you can’t grow. You grow from mistakes if you can own them, accept them, and want to do better next time. Taking responsibility for your actions can make things better and clear things up. When you make a mistake you need to admit to your actions and apologize. It takes a lot of courage to own up to your actions. But it can make you a better person.
FEED YOUR BRAIN BOOK BUFFET
Marshmallow & Jordan
by Alina Chau
Recommended by Kaedin Janvier ’28
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK …
It is a graphic novel about a girl named Jordan, named after the basketball player, who discovers an intriguing white Elephant who becomes her friend. Throughout this book, Jordan struggles to balance her newfound passion for water polo swimming with her love for basketball which she is no longer allowed to participate in since she is now in a wheelchair. I like this book because it is a very sweet book and the art is incredibly captivating.
WHY I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE IT …
I think you’ll like it if you are interested in reading something from a perspective that we often don’t get in many books. It is also a great read for those of you who would like something shorter/less wordy to read or like graphic novels.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rishaan Chowdhury ’29 recapped yesterday’s Hiatt Leadership Institute titled Designing for Impact.
We came up with solutions to help beached whales. We built prototypes and shared them with the group. My favorite part was building the prototypes where we got to do hands-on designing. At the end of it, I had learned a lot about how to come up with a tailored solution to a problem you want to fix.
-Rishaan Chowdhury ’29
Reid Bugbee ’28 and Addie Marsh ’28, Student Council president and vice president, announced that all Middle School students will be taking three surveys this week to give their teachers feedback in the following areas: what they’re learning, their teachers’ expectations for them and how connected they feel with their teachers. The survey is anonymous, and teachers will receive a summary of the results. Teachers will not receive student’s individual answers.
The BVR Counseling and Wellness Team will be serving waffles as a lunch dessert tomorrow.
Alessandro Traverso ’30 announced the winter session of the Speech and Debate group.
I enjoy doing debate because even though it’s educational, the instructors still make it a lot of fun. I’ve learned how to structure an argument and how to think about all sides of an issue.
-Alessandro Traverso ’30
The program is run by Lumos, and meetings take place here at Beaver from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Students who are interested should email Coach Kuntz at akuntz@bcdschool.org before Friday. We have space for six students.
Congratulations to all fall athletes! Students must turn in their fall uniform to Coach Kuntz by Friday. Looking for team pictures? They can be found on the Beaver SmugMug.
6th Grade Student Council Reps Alessandro Traverso ’30 and Olivia Smith ’30 reminded everyone that tomorrow’s spirit is BVR gear/BVR colors (blue and white), and gave props to everyone who dressed up as a superhero yesterday and in sports clothes today.
The Fall Music Exhibit is tomorrow! On the day of the exhibit, students stay on campus after school. We’ll have an early dinner, then rehearsals will take place with music teachers. Students need to be in their rehearsal space ready to play by 5:00 p.m. The exhibit starts at 6:00 p.m. and lasts less than an hour followed by sweet treats at the end of the exhibit!
Members of last year’s yearbook staff, Charlotte Abramowitz ’29, Maddy SaCouto ’29, Noa Shatz-Cauley ’29, and Maddie Stoesser ’29 announced that the yearbook design is starting soon.
You should join the yearbook staff because it was cool that we got to choose the pictures we wanted in the yearbook. There are a lot of pages like athletics, student life, dedication, and 8th grade baby pictures. We will start meeting after Thanksgiving break, Mondays during 2nd lunch on the D-Level. Fill out the application that Ms. Hollos sends out later today.
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 of 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. Ms. Smith announced new language on our rubrics and reiterated that students should be aiming for green ‘I am right on target’ feedback.
Reid Bugbee ’28 and Addie Marsh ’28 announced a fun optional after-school trip happening Thursday, November 30 at Dave & Buster’s in Natick.
TRIP DETAILS
- The bus will leave Beaver at 3:45 p.m. and return to campus at 6:45 p.m. on November 30.
- Dinner is included.
- The trip costs $20
- Students must sign up using this form by Thursday.
We talked about a BVR way: dressing for cold weather! MS Moment, snack, and recess are often outside even in the winter. Students are encouraged to bring a hat, coat, and gloves to stay warm.
PROGRAMMING & EVENTS
LUNCH & RECESS PROGRAMMING, CLUBS & AFFINITY GROUPS
RISE
Today’s RISE activity was making pumpkin pie playdough. Through fun activities, students learn how to deal with stress and worry.
ADVISORY AGENDA
This week’s advisory agenda: writing letters of gratitude in honor of Thanksgiving. We also will be creating a chain of gratitude using colored strips of paper. Each person will write down things they are grateful for, and the chain will be displayed in the hallway.
WELLNESS
Wellness classes this week:
History 7.2, today @ 12:35 p.m.
History 7.3, Wednesday @ 12:35 p.m.
History 8.3 Thursday @ 8:50 a.m.