Several additions will come this next week as we complete one full six-day rotation. The girls will begin attending electives from 11:10-11:40 on Days 1 and 5, and sixth grade students will have D Period study hall together in grade level locations. Fifth graders will have D Period study hall in advisories until after their trip to Camp Balcones Springs. Eighth graders have study hall/rehearsals during that D period, and seventh graders have D Period study hall in advisories. Any student who needs to work with a teacher may sign out to do so during that D Period. Further, Middle School athletic practices/tryouts will begin on Monday, August 29. Seventh and eighth graders practice from 3:30-5:00 on Monday-Thursday. As a result, you will always find carpool a bit busier on Fridays when all Middle School students leave at 3:15.

 

The teachers and I look forward to visiting with you all next Thursday evening, September 1, at Parents' Night. We'll begin the meeting with light refreshments in the foyer of the Nasher-Haemisegger Theater at 5:45 p.m. You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and advisor and hear about our academic program.

 

Expanding on the topic of parent/teacher communication, the Middle School online sign up procedure for fall conferences will open for your use within the next week. You will receive an email from me the day before that will fully explain how to engage in the process. Conferences are a great opportunity to engage in conversations regarding your daughter’s day-to-day life at Hockaday and for the goal-setting that will guide her endeavors this year. Parents will be able to sign up beginning on Friday, September 2. Conference Day for all Middle School grade levels is on Wednesday, September 21. Please be sure to mark your calendars accordingly.

 

I have just a few reminders about carpool that will continue to ensure student safety and efficiency. Please do not talk or text on a cell phone while moving through the carpool line; this is a school-wide policy. In the afternoons, you can help to ensure the safety of our students by not parking on the crossing lines, not stopping in the middle lane and maintaining a safe speed. Please also remember to pull all the way up to the end of the sidewalk in the mornings. This allows more students to exit cars simultaneously and shortens the time you spend in the carpool line. 

Eighth grade families have received an information letter and consent form regarding a study partnership between Hockaday and a research group from the University of Massachusetts. The primary goal of the study is to understand what factors in the classroom environments improve students’ interest in science and math, promote positive attitudes towards these subjects and motivate students to pursue science/math-oriented interests in the future. Researchers will visit eighth grade math and science classes in September, and participating students will complete two surveys at the beginning of the year and again at the end. Those forms are due by September 1 if your child is going to participate in the study. 

 

Our Middle School students continue to participate in Daisy Den which offers a monitored time of homework, recreation, arts and crafts, and more in a supervised environment. The 5/6 Commons is “home” for the Daisy Den and pre-registration is required. Fifth and sixth grade girls who remain on campus after 3:30 p.m. must be in Daisy Den. There is no charge for Daisy Den until 4:00 p.m.  Please contact Melissa Curtis, Director of Auxiliary Programs, if you have any questions about “Daisy Den.” 

 

Some seventh and eighth grade students continue to study in the LLARC library at the end of the school day from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. Participating students must report to the US Library by 3:30 p.m. For seventh and eighth graders engaged in our after-school athletic program, practices begin at 3:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday, no practice on Friday) and end at 5:00 p.m. 

We also will soon begin our Cornerstones Studies program in advisories next week. Our curriculum for these discussions and activities centers on the Hockaday Cornerstones of character and courtesy. The girls will find Cornerstones Studies “active” and student-led, blending into advisory periods, lunch announcements, the hallways, projects and such. Our goal is to build a community whose members look out for each other and have the courage to be kind and stand up for what is right—essentially the “Hock-a-Way.” Our program this year will stem from author Rachel Simmons’ leadership program for girls, “Girl Meets World.” It promotes communication, conflict resolution, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

Further, each student and faculty member will have a Cornerstones journal for the year. These may be used in advisory, Cornerstones lessons, etc. The journal is meant to give each student a place to internalize Cornerstone topics, formulate thoughts, or just have a moment to reflect. The Student Council character themes each week and Cornerstones lessons will provide some journal ideas, and students may also come up with their own. These journals will be passed along each year (even to Upper School) so that each child can review her previous thoughts and opinions. In order for the girls to feel free to express their opinions, thoughts, or feelings during Cornerstone Studies, advisory, or even in their journals, we will also include guidelines on respect for privacy and differing opinions in our first discussions. I encourage you to further broaden this important work at home by discussing these topics with your daughters and will keep you updated on the lessons we present in upcoming Daisy News communications.

Thank you again for partnering with all of us to provide your daughter with joyful, meaningful and inspiring experiences at Hockaday. Enjoy your weekend!

 

My best,

 

Linda Kramer

Head of Middle School