THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
2015-16
MIDDLE SCHOOL
WEEK 1
The Future Starts Now! The start of a new school year brings renewed excitement, both old and new friends, and big plans for achieving new goals. These forms of engagement were alive and well in the halls of The Independent Middle School this last week. Independent Middle School teachers spent the summer tweaking old and developing new ways to challenge and support our students to be their best. We encourage families to be active on our campus and invite families to participate in all of the fun and learning that is planned for the year. THANK YOU for choosing The I n d e p e n d e n t S ch o o l fo r y o u r student. As the mother of an Independent graduate, I can say with great certainty, that by taking advantage of all that we have to offer, your student will be ready for the future and all that awaits him or her. Mrs. Debra Cole Associate Middle School Head
THIS WEEK’S UPCOMING EVENTS August 24: 8th Hour Explore Electives begin
August 25: Meet the Teacher Night - 6:00 to 8:00pm August 28: Back to School Social Bowling & Pizza at The Alley 3:15-5:45pm Remember: Students Need to Be Picked Up AT The Alley
at 5:45
Meet the MS Teacher Night
School Photos SCHOOL PHOTOS were taken on Friday. If you did not have a chance to order, there will be an ordering options heading your way with the proofs.
You are invited to Meet the Teacher Night this Tuesday, August 25th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The evening begins in the Middle School Commons with a “Welcome to Middle School!” session with Mrs. Cole. After the Welcome session, parents are invited to follow a modified version of their child’s daily class schedule. A copy of your child’s schedule will be available in the MS Commons. We look forward to seeing you!
6th Grade We are off to a great start! Thank you for sending us such bright and inquisitive young people. The transition to middle school is going very smoothly. Our 6th grade students have survived learning the locker combinations, figuring out schedules, finding classrooms, juggling books and binders, and climbing to the third floor. Whew! They are beginning to settle into their routine and are getting comfortable with the expectations of life in the Middle School. We have many exciting things planned and are looking forward to having a great 6th grade year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e-mail an individual teacher directly or Mrs. Argetsinger, the grade level leader. - Mrs. Argetsinger
7th Grade What a wonderful first week of school! It is great to have all of the 7th graders in class and the hallways again. If you have any extra magazines that you are planning on recycling, 7th grade Science would love to have them. Enjoy the weekend! - Mrs. Brosius
8th Grade Eighth grade students have done a terrific job of transitioning back to school! There have been many classroom discussions, and they did a fantastic job with the different activities during Explore time. Students practiced emergency drills, wrote positive messages, communicated why Independent was important to them, participated in a couple of team building exercises (which they aced!), and had fun in gym games with Mr. Elman. The eighth grade teachers are excited to work with such bright students this year. If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail the specific teacher or grade level leader, Mrs. Barrett at julie.barrett@theindependentschool.com.
Helpful Hint When your student receives their daily class schedule with their locker number and combination, use your cell phone to take a picture of it. The saved picture of the daily schedule and locker information may come in handy when making appointments or accessing your student’s locker when they miss school.
JOYFUL FACES
Still Time to Join Us Bowling!
The returned forms for our Friday Social Event with Bowling & Pizza at The Alley HAVE BEEN PLENTIFUL! If you did not sign your student up for this event, there is still time. Please have forms and payment turned into the office by this Tuesday. We will be transporting students to the alley by using the Panther Bus and parent volunteers. Mrs. Cole will be contacting interested parents this week. If you can help out, please let us know.
Physical Education Students are encouraged to get in the habit of taking their PE attire home on Friday afternoons to wash.
A special big THANK YOU to all our generous parents for the classroom school supplies! They have been delivered to classrooms and will make their way to students as needed.