In this post...
- MYP: Authorization & Assessment
- How was school today?
- Social Media
- Upcoming Dress Uniform and Civvies Days
- Homework over break
- Transcript Requests
- What We Are Learning...highlights from Arts and Math Programs
- Things To Do in our Community
MYP: Authorization & Assessment
On October 1, we submitted our application for authorization as an MYP school. This was the result of several years of reflection, planning, analysis, and professional development. Recently, we heard that our application was accepted, and we have scheduled a visit from an authorizing team in April. For that visit, we will welcome a small group of educators who will meet with faculty, students, and parents. As we get closer to April and we come to understand what the visiting team wants to see and whom the team wants to meet, more information will be disseminated. In preparation for that visit, the MS faculty will be systematically reviewing and reflecting on the materials we submitted and collating evidence to demonstrate implementation of the philosophy and practice of the MYP framework. It's important for all members of the community to be familiar with the policies we've articulated to implement the MYP framework, and in this blog, we'll be sharing some important information for MS families to become more familiar with our MYP implementation.The first policy to put on your radar is the MS Assessment Policy, which is integrated in the Day School Handbook. The Assessment Policy captures the variety of forms of assessment that teachers use throughout the program and articulates how the policy reflects our mission and aligns with the MYP framework. An important aspect for families to reflect on is the purpose of assessment and the practices that come out of it (grades, reports, conferences, etc.). The policy articulates much of the faculty's reflection on the purpose of assessment, essentially indicating that assessment is much bigger than grades and academic progress - it is used to measure intellectual growth and to promote students' self-awareness as learners and as people. Parents have a role in assessment as well - including understanding that assessment is about individual growth (not comparison or competition), understanding that assessment is holistic and address considers the academic, social, emotional, and physical growth of students (not just content acquisition), and partnering with the school by providing as much information about students as learners as possible to get the fullest view of each student's profile.
How was school today?
When I was in Middle School, my mom would pick me up at the end of the day and transport me from school to rehearsal, which was a 10 minute trip. Whether it was a good day or a bad day, I was always looking forward to rehearsal, which gave me a different space to relax, have fun, and connect with my friends, and I spent most of that 10 minute ride turning my head to what would happen next. Most days, I'd hop in the car and my mom would ask, How was your day? For 11-, 12-, and 13-year old me, that question was overwhelming - there was too much to sort, too much to react to, too much that I didn't understand - so my daily response was, "Fine." Looking back, I wonder how frustrating that was for my mom. Was she really longing to hear the details of my day? Did she want an insight to whether I was in a good space or a bad space in my head? Did she just want to talk and maximize the 10 minutes we had alone together? I'm the youngest of a big family, so I'm guessing she understood the workings of the pre-teen mind years before I hit that phase, and I do remember very clearly that I'd get a handful of very specific questions about the events of the day at the dinner table, and that's where the real conversations began.At the end of October, Edutopia published a useful article that addresses this problem directly - how do you get your kid to talk to you about the day - and offers a series of conversation prompts that target specific feelings, efforts, or interactions. Some questions invite the positive moments, like excitement about learning or moments of pride, and some lean into more difficult territory. To me, one of the most important questions - and one of the hardest for students to answer - is, What did you learn about yourself today? The ability to be self-reflective is an important indicator of both social and intellectual maturity, but it also enables kids to develop their voices, their ability to advocate for themselves and to carve their own space in the world.
Social Media
Earlier this year, I sent a message to MS parents about the use of technology by students. The original message can be found here. Technology will always be a powerful tool and a powerful distraction, and misuse of technology can have immediate and long-lasting effects. If you haven't already, we urge you to open a dialogue with your student about the use of technology and social media. The letter linked above includes a couple of resources that might be helpful in engaging this topic. In the past and coming weeks, Middle School students are also engaging in a unit on cyber safety as part of the PHE curriculum with a particular focus on cyberbullying. Ms. Heath has prepared a series of slides on the topic that clarifies definitions, legal implications, and strategies for responding to cyberbullying. Please review these slides, which include a few poignant and brief videos to illustrate the meaning and effects of cyberbullying, and engage your student in a conversation about what it means.
Upcoming Uniform & Civvies Days
- Tuesday, December 13: Dress Uniform (Lessons & Carols)
- Wednesday, December 14: Civvies Day (MS Holiday Celebration)
- Thursday, December 15: Dress Uniform(MS Holiday Tea)
- Friday, December 16: Dress Uniform (Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day), Noon Dismissal
Please remember that Dress Uniform includes black dress shoes, a black belt for students wearing khakis, black tights for students wearing the uniform skirt, the AWS sweater vest, and a uniform tie.
Homework over the Break
Please note that over the breaks, we encourage students to really take a break! While many students plan to use time during breaks to catch up on work or to get ahead on projects, we encourage students to focus on their families, on being well, and to close their laptops.
8th Grade: High School Applications and Transcript Requests
Just a gentle reminder: If your student’s application will require any components from Annie Wright, such as a transcript or letters of recommendation from teachers, please notify and deliver any relevant materials, such as forms or templates, to Alicia Mathurin, Middle School Office Coordinator. Please provide any forms that need to be completed at least three weeks ahead of the submission deadline. Teachers’ recommendations, transcripts, and other requested materials will be collated and mailed directly from Annie Wright to the schools unless specifically requested to be picked up. If information or recommendations are to be completed online, please ensure that recommenders receive that link at least three weeks ahead of the submission deadline. For more information about local schools' processes, please refer to the High School Application Process that was emailed out at the beginning of the school year.What we are learning...
This week, we highlight our Arts program!
In the sixth grade strings class, students are getting ready to perform “Carol of the Bells” with the MS orchestra at the Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day program on December 16. They are turning in videos of excerpts from the song to help them assess their readiness for the show.
Middle School Orchestra is very busy the next two weeks, playing three pieces in Chapel December 7, performing eight different songs with US orchestra at Lessons and Carols on December13, doing a special ‘Rudolph on the Balcony’ appearance at MS Tea on December 15 and rocking ‘Carol of the Bells’ with the 6th grade class on December 16.
6th grade visual arts have been creating their 3-D models and clay facades of ancient Greek architecture. They began by researching a building and finding a picture. They then translated that picture visually into a 3-D model and used parts of their models as templates to cut their clay.
7th grade visual arts has focused on the social histories that may have influenced the aesthetics of a culture's pottery. Some discoveries include how Majolica came to be used in Italian pottery, modern decorations on ancient stone steps, and the symbols used by specific cultures.
Things To Do in our Community...
- The Christmas Revels: A Welsh celebration of the winter solstice with traditional music, dance, and drama. Performances on December 17, 18, 20, and 21 at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma. This year's production includes Annie Wright students!
- Looking for ways to explore Tacoma and Seattle? Stay up to date with the events calendar on The Tacoma Weekly and Visit Seattle.
