CARPOOL INFORMATION: You should have received on Monday of this week an email blast from me regarding some changes in the Middle School morning carpool routine. As we continually seek to improve the safety and convenience of our carpool traffic patterns, the Middle School morning carpool procedure will adjust on Monday, February 6. As always, your entry onto campus will remain Rosie Mae Bell Drive. However, the drop-off points will now include both the north and south sides of the Horseshoe area—much like it is for the afternoon carpool. The traffic map below charts the shift. You’ll notice that in both lanes, drop-offs are made on the north side of the lane only to ensure the girls’ safety. We do not want girls crossing lanes of traffic except at the regular, monitored crosswalk. We will also be adding another security officer to help manage traffic flow and use of the crosswalk. Thank you to Karyn McCoy, Director of Safety and Security, for her diligence in always seeking new ways to make our lives more convenient and for adding security personnel to keep our girls safe and on time!

UPCOMING “ONE HOCKADAY” EVENT: The entire school will support our Upper School winter sports teams as they prepare for SPC at a pep rally on February 7. I must say that Middle School girls “rocked” the last “One Hockaday” pep rally with their enthusiasm, singing, dancing, and very, very loud cheering. We intend to do so again on the 7th!

 

SPRING CONFERENCES: After Winter Break, you will be able to sign up online for Middle School spring conferences which will be held on March 23 for grades 5-7 and April 3 for grade 8. Details will be forthcoming that will tell you both how and when to engage in the process. As you know, conferences are a great opportunity to engage in conversations regarding your daughter’s day-to-day life at Hockaday; we look forward to meeting with you in the spring. Fifth through seventh grade students, parents, and teachers will discuss goals set in the fall conferences and summer study plans while eighth grade families and advisors will plan for the upcoming ninth grade year.
 

EIGHTH GRADE EXAMS: Remember that eighth grade exams are taking place today and tomorrow. The girls are to be commended for the diligent effort they put into preparing for these assessments. Thanks to our teachers for leading the girls through the process so graciously and thoroughly! 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.

SIXTH GRADE PARENT COFFEE: I will be meeting with sixth grade parents in Clements Lecture Hall on Monday, February 6 from 8:00-9:15 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 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 7:30-10:00 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.

 

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: As always, our Middle School students have many educational opportunities for meaningful activities with others beyond the Hockaday community. Sixth graders recently Skyped with the author of one of their classroom literature selections, Caroline Starr Rose. Ms. Rose discussed both that novel, May B., as well as her writing process and motivation. Thank you to Michelle Mount, Tanya Ivey, and Barbara Allen for setting that up for our girls. Our Middle School Spanish students will be meeting with exchange students from Argentina this week. Our visitors will not only speak about their country, but also about travel experiences and exchange programs.

 

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: The month of February has started out as a busy one for special activities at Hockaday. We’ll continue on with the following: Sixth - Parent Coffee with Linda Kramer on Monday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m. in Clements; 7/8 Spring Sports Coffee on Tuesday, February 7 at 8:15 a.m.; a Black History Assembly; the conclusion of our Food Drive on February 6; a Habitat for Humanity household items drive; and Winter Break on February 13.

My best,

 

 

Linda Kramer
Head of Middle School