Last week, we held our 7th and 8th grade Middle School Sunrise Sessions. Similar to the sessions held for 5th and 6th grade families right before Thanksgiving, these sessions allowed parents and guardians to learn what their students are currently working on as the semester finishes out this month. These meetings included updates from the respective Dean on what students are tackling in advisory, resources from the Middle School Learning Specialist, a greeting from the Middle School Counselor, and a Q&A. Here are the summaries of the 7th and 8th grade sessions.
Seventh Grade Sunrise Session
After a welcome by Head of Middle School Jen Schuckman, parents and guardians heard from the Seventh Grade Dean Charlotte Dougherty. Dougherty began with an overview of advisory, including that advisory is talking about what heroes are and are using this conversation as a springboard into discussions about how to be one’s best self.
To illustrate how to be one’s best self, students wrote a page articulating what they’re working on. All of these best self visuals are being laminated, printed, and hung on the wall in addition to being available digitally. “These are nice, visual reminders of what we’re working towards as human beings,” Dougherty stated. Next, students are exploring the concept of LEAD:
- Learn with curiosity & joy
- Embrace challenge
- Advocate for self & community
- Demonstrate teamwork & collaboration
They are having group discussions about how they can LEAD as members of the MICDS community. The current goal is for them to figure out how to LEAD as teams. Right now, they are dreaming up proposals for the school on how to make MICDS a better place. They’re tasked with thinking outside of their immediate social bubble to ponder how to make a difference in the lives of our Rams. All of this is focused on building community and in keeping kids growing in the evolving hybrid model.
In addition to connecting as teams, Dougherty emphasized the importance of connecting with students individually. “The most important thing right now is that our kids feel known, especially in this hybrid model, whether they’re here at school or if they’re at home.” Dougherty also shared photos of recent school events such as Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities.
Next, Middle School Learning Specialist Susan Taylor-Alonso showcased a variety of resources for students that raise their awareness about their own learning journeys and experiences. Learn more about what she shared to both 7th and 8th grade families below.
Following Taylor-Alonso, Middle School Counselor Taquera Walker reminded families to keep looking in the Weekly News to learn about student support resources and opportunities. Lastly, Schuckman covered the next grading period expectations and shared a reminder of who the main points of contact are for 7th grade families should there be any questions.
Eighth Grade Sunrise Session
The 8th Grade Sunrise Session followed a very similar format compared to the 7th grade meeting. Schuckman welcomed attendees prior to passing the baton to Eighth Grade Dean Tim Storey. Storey began by talking about a major focus that’s presented to 8th graders at the beginning of the year: Each 8th grader focuses on becoming a young adult who is ready for life in Upper School. They also think through the question of “How is a child different from a young adult?” Storey shared some comparisons between children and adults regarding behaviors, morals, discipline, and more. He quoted NFL football player Rob Gronkowski who says, “When you’re growing up, you need to stay around people who are headed in the right direction and stay away from people who will take you in the wrong direction.” These are all points that are shared with 8th graders from the start of the year.
In advisory, 8th graders will also center on the concept of LEAD and how to spearhead the efforts in the Middle School behind the LEAD program. Storey also highlighted some highlights in advisory and community times. Students have studied Wayne Gilbert, a successful animator, to learn about what makes an incredible team. They learned that having a real identity matters, so advisories have been working on their own “advisory identities.” Each advisory has a banner online and printed where their respective identity is established.
Also, in community and advisory time, 8th graders engaged in gratitude activities around Thanksgiving, and gratitude with the Peer to Peer program most recently. Peer to Peer connects Upper School mentors virtually with Middle Schoolers to talk about subjects that will prepare the younger students for Upper School. In early December, 8th graders learned about healthy decision making.
Following Storey, Taylor-Alonso presented her learning resources and Walker welcomed all families to reach out should their children have any challenges as the semester closes and the final semester of Middle School begins. Finally, Schuckman shared a list of important contacts in case our 8th grade families have any questions.
Resources from the Middle School Learning Specialist
For both of the sunrise sessions, Taylor-Alonso presented an extensive webpage of resources found via Canvas for helping raise each student’s awareness of their own learning journeys and experiences. She explained that she helps students understand the intersection between learning cognition and emotional development. This year especially, it’s been important to guide students into realizing how they can make the most of their learning.
Here are a few highlights of what’s on Taylor-Alonso’s “Tips and Resources for Pro-academic Habits” page:
- Tried and true ideas of how to be engaged as a learner both virtually and in-person
- Online Learning Habits graphic from Global Online Academy reminding students to be active, resilient, steady & reliable, and playful
- Examples of how to create pro-academic space – this even includes a “desk tour”
- Time management applications and resources. With the Focus Timer incorporating the Pomodoro method, students set a timer for 20 minutes of focused time followed by a five minute break period. Another app is the Forest Application that puts a fun twist on time management. Once the app builds a forest, you can then take a break.
- Strategies on how to balance one’s mindset and manage thinking traps
- Tips on how to be kind to your future self with preparation techniques that mitigate stress
Thank you to all who joined us for these virtual Sunrise Sessions!