The below letter was sent following the Halloween weekend. It is a testimony to our entire South Middle School community. We feel very privileged to work with your children each and every day!
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Last year, students on 6-West wrote and sent books to Kibera, which is in in the Nairobi Area of Kenya, Africa. We just recently received a thank you and pictures of the students opening their books. Kibera is near the city of Nairobi. Most of Kibera residents live in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.00 per day. Conditions in Kibera are extremely poor, and most of its residents lack access to basic services, including electricity and running water. As a result, resources in their schools are very limited. This writing project is one way the children regularly receive "books" and literature to help them in their studies of English. At South, we are always working to promote the understanding that we are global citizens. This project is another wonderful example of the importance of service learning.
As we move into second quarter, this seems a good time to highlight all the ways we try to promote ongoing communication between school and home. School Information We use the South web page to post our daily written/video announcements, weekly Friday Packet links and messages, and our Twitter page. Additionally, we use the School Messenger email system to send home important messages and timely news and reminders. Class Information To start the year, we invited all parents to sign onto Edline, which is our online grade portal and link to class web pages. It is not too late to set up an account! We encourage parents to add email addresses to their Edline accounts. In addition to teachers updating grades on Edline by each Friday, teams will make phone calls and send home mid-term reports to alert families to academic or behavioral concerns. Home-School Communication We are looking forward to Parent-Teacher conferences later in November. However, we always encourage parents to reach out to teachers or administrators anytime there are immediate concerns. Our District 25 Parent-Student Handbook reinforces important communication channels on pages 4-5. "It is the district’s philosophy that issues can best be resolved if the individuals most closely connected to the problem work to resolve it." Teachers welcome ongoing feedback. As a staff, we would all rather be proactive and partner with families while issues are small, rather than waiting for them to become bigger or more pronounced. This month, I will introduce different Coffee and Conversations dates with Parents. I also look forward to the monthly PTA meetings to stay connected with families regarding school happenings and school improvement goals. It is difficult to believe the first quarter has come to an end and we are into the second quarter of the school year. Here is a short first quarter video montage we played at our Pep Assembly to celebrate some of the many accomplishments to start the school year. Sixth grade students were working hard during one of their weekly PE rotations in the South Middle School fitness room. Our PE Department and program prioritizes a learning component around promoting lifelong fitness and health. Plus, it is fun!
South and Thomas students have traveled to Japan for a cultural school exchange for the past six years. It is a special experience, where students have an opportunity to live with host families, attend school, and tour this area of the country. Below are some videos they have shared with the school community. We have partnered with the city of Shitara, Japan in Aiichi Prefecture for many years. Windsor families will be hosting the Damine group during the month of November. All South families are invited to a performance of Damine Kabuki, which is special in its own right. This spring, South and Thomas Middle Schools will be hosting these same students. The hosting experience has been equally rewarding for students and families who have participated in the past.
This week, I was able to spend time and capture some of the learning taking place in one of our sixth grade Spanish classrooms. A few years ago, the District 25 World Language Program moved to a new format where most incoming fifth graders choose one language to pursue for all three years of middle school. While this new format presented a change, it has really allowed students and teachers more time to delve into and explore all aspects of a world language. Teachers work to immerse students in culture and language. Each day and week, they challenge students to listen, speak, interpret, read, write, and present in the language they are studying. Our teachers continue to refine and enhance the curriculum. The goal of our World Language Program is to both promote mastery along with a lifelong love of the language.
Thanks to ABC/25 and South graduate-Andrew brooks...South Middle School applied for grant monies last school year to create a flexible outdoor space for students and staff. We just recently began inviting Cardinal Cash winners and friends to eat outside during all lunch periods. Former South graduate, Andrew Brooks, chose this project as part of his pursuit in becoming an Eagle Scout. With the funds from ABC/25 and the additional support and labor of Andrew, we have been able to realize this new outdoor space!. Andrew Brooks was honored for his efforts at a recent Board meeting. Each year, Mr. Lendy and Mr. Zimmerman like to end the week with eighth graders and ping pong! It is one of many extracurricular experiences the South staff works to bring our middle school students to keep them involved and connected!
This week, I had a chance to visit Mrs. Dyer's science class, where Mrs. Wano has been co-teaching a series of lessons challenging the students to lead their own inquiry-based study of a topic of their choosing. This lesson had the students focus on brainstorming. They will soon develop questions that will hopefully lead to an exploration with limitless possibilities! |
AuthorMs. Boston is the new principal of South Middle School in Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005. CategoriesArchives |