EIGHTH GRADE EXAMS: Remember that eighth grade parents may click here for information regarding the exam process and eighth grade students have received a hard copy of the details. They are to be commended for the diligent effort they are putting into preparing for these assessments. After exams are completed, we will actually begin a very slow “transition” process for our eighth graders as they gain valuable information about our Upper School throughout the spring. I’ll keep you updated about future transition opportunities for both the girls and then for you.

FIFTH GRADERS GETTING SCHOOL EMAIL: In the next few weeks our fifth graders will receive their school email accounts. The Hockaday email provider is Microsoft Outlook.  Our Middle School technology faculty, Mary Clark and Natalie Bravo, will first work with the girls on email etiquette and management. Specifically, students will be instructed on the following skills: 

ELECTIVE CHANGES: Middle School students (not in a year-long elective) were offered the opportunity this past week to make requests for an elective change if they so wished. Mrs. Brandt managed the requests and made the necessary schedule changes. The new elective term, including meetings of our new Student Council representatives and alternates, begins tomorrow, January 20.

 

SIXTH GRADE PARENT COFFEE: I will be meeting with sixth grade parents in Clements Lecture Hall on Monday, February 6 from 8:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m.  We’ll be discussing the girls’ first report card with letter grades and all things “new” that will be coming up in the spring for our sixth graders. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

VALENTINE’S IN MIDDLE SCHOOL: With February almost here, Valentine’s activities also will fill our calendar. Eighth graders will host their peers from both St. Mark’s and Cistercian at our Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 4 in the Small Gym from 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. In addition, Valentine’s parties for all grades will be held on Tuesday, February 14 during advisory. Valentine’s bags are being handed out and decorated in advisory; there is no need to bring in “special” boxes or sacks from home. Our Valentine’s parties are held during the morning advisory period and are very low-key events, allowing time for girls to enjoy valentines from one another and some treats provided by the advisory volunteers for your daughter’s advisory. Students will be able to wear valentine-themed/colored tops and accessories with their uniform skirts and shoes on that day as we celebrate.

 

7/8 SPORTS: Tryouts for spring sports (softball, track, and lacrosse) will be held for seventh and eighth grade athletes beginning on Tuesday, February 14 at 3:30 p.m. There will be no tryouts for spring tennis as those were held in November.  Spring tennis athletes will report to practice on February 14. Athletic Director Tina Slinker will hold a meeting for parents of spring athletes on Tuesday, February 7 at 8:15 a.m. in Clements Lecture Hall.  Please note: in the period between the end of winter sports and the beginning of the spring sports season, afternoon carpool will be more crowded. You might want to adjust your pick-up time just a bit.

EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATION DRESSES: While our eighth graders have another term to complete before the end of their journey through Middle School, it is not too soon to start thinking about Eighth Grade Graduation on Thursday, May 25. You’ll receive more details about the event later this spring, but I did want to provide you with requirements for the girls’ dress that day. It is traditional that eighth graders wear white dresses or white skirts and blouses and white shoes to Eighth Grade Graduation. The governing principle at this end-of-year celebration is to dress with modest taste, meaning skirt lengths should be no more than four inches above the knee--no mini-skirts, please. If a dress is strapless or has spaghetti straps/halter top, a sweater or jacket must be worn also. The white is to be a true white, not ivory or off-white, and should not have colored trim. The required white shoes may be sandals but must have a strap around the back of the heel. The heels and soles may not be black or another color, but may be wooden, cork, or metallic.  In addition, adornments on the shoes may not be colored but may be metallic. For comfort and safety reasons, girls must wear flats or heels no higher than two inches. Remember…the girls are walking up and down multiple steps at this graduation ceremony!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 8th grade early dismissal at 11:10 a.m. on February 1; 8th grade Exams on February 2 and 3; 8th grade Valentine’s Dance on February 4 in the Small Gym from 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sixth grade Parent Coffee with Linda Kramer on Monday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m. in Clements; and 7/8 Spring Sports Coffee on February 7 at 8:15 a.m.

 

Linda Kramer

Head of Middle School