News and Announcements
Pop-Up Library, Monday, November 21, Ware 101—Our Middle School librarian Beth Reardon will be setting up a Pop Up Library during recess to encourage students to select a book (or two) to read over the Thanksgiving break. We hope students take advantage of this wonderful and easy opportunity to find a new favorite book!
Oxfam Hunger Banquet—Yesterday at lunch, students, faculty, and staff in grades 6–12 participated in a lunchtime Oxfam Hunger Banquet to raise awareness and empathy for worldwide issues of hunger and poverty. Our entire Middle School population—students, faculty and staff—ate lunches of rice and beans. Money saved from providing much simpler meals will be donated to Oxfam.
The Week Ahead
Speech Tournament, Sunday, November 20, Wilson Middle School—The bus will leave the Ware Loop at 7 a.m. Students planning to meet the team at the tournament should plan to arrive at the Wilson Middle School, 22 Rutledge Road in Natick, by 8 a.m. Light breakfast and snacks will be available—there will be no lunch options at Wilson, so speechies should plan appropriately. Also, please send your speechie with a canned good to donate in lieu of an entry fee. The estimated return to the Ware Loop is 2:30 p.m.
Winter Athletic/Play Season Begins on Monday, November 21—Students should come to school prepared to participate in their winter afternoon program activities.
Thanksgiving Vacation Begins, Tuesday, November 22, 3 p.m.—There is no After School Program on Tuesday. Buses will leave at 3:30 p.m. only.
Classes Resume, Tuesday, November 29—On that day, we will follow a Monday schedule.
Assessment Week Parent Coffee Presentation, Thursday, December 1, 8 a.m., Thacher—Join Will Crissman, Liz West and Amy Corral for a special presentation about how to help your children prepare for Assessment Week, December 5–9. Only students in Grades 7 and 8 participate in Assessment Week.
Photo Retake Day, Thursday December 1, Ware 101—School photo packages were distributed to students last week. If you were not satisfied with the package, email Samantha Cristoforo to schedule a retake. On that day, send your child with the entire, undamaged portrait package, which s/he will give to the photographers.
Robotics Tournament, Saturday, December 3, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sargent Activities Center, Boston University—Additional details about the tournament will be sent to members of the Middle School Robotics Team. Contact Bridget Sitkoff with questions.
Important Reminders
Thank you—On behalf of the K–8 Admission Office, thank you to the many students and parents who volunteered at our Open House. We hope that you will take a moment to complete this feedback form. Our goal is to run a successful Open House every year, and your insights and suggestions go a long way in helping us fine-tune the event.
Holiday Gifts for ABCD Early Head Start—As students prepare for the holidays, they are thinking of those in need. Next week, with their advisory group, students will discuss our holiday service project of providing a few small gifts for the children in the ABCD Head Start Program in Dorchester. Each advisory will be assigned a few children from infant to age 4. Within the advisory, students will choose whether to purchase individual items for their assigned child (Early Head Start requests new clothing), or to make a cash donation. Throughout the years, our students have visited the ABCD Head Start Program, learning about the mission of the program and getting to know the children. New to our relationship this year are the weekly Grade 7 visits by advisory. Grade 6 students will be delivering the gifts to the children and spending time in the classrooms. Gifts will be due by Tuesday, December 6 so that they may be wrapped. Contact Carrie Ferrin with any questions.
Mark Your Calendar for our Parent Speaker Series—We look forward to welcoming parents to campus for exciting presentations on technology and resilience. Join us:
- Tuesday, December 13 at 5 p.m. in King Theatre, Kellner Performing Arts Center—Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.
- Thursday, January 12, time and location TBD—Elizabeth Englander, director of MARC (Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center) and a psychologist will discuss online safety and digital citizenship.
- Thursday, February 2, time and location TBD—Maria Trozzi, assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and consultant to the Child Development Unit at Children’s Hospital.