The Water Cycle and Other Explorations

Dear Lab Middle School Families,

In PE students have started their fitness unit. Each year we are required to administer the FitnessGram to all of our students. This is city-wide assessment that measures a student's level of physical fitness. Elements of endurance, flexibility and strength are monitored through a series of fitness tests. The information from these test is compiled into a data report that will go home in the spring. It is important that we all recognize the links between academic progress and healthy, active children. This starts in building habits of a healthy life-style both at home and school.
Here is an interesting article from the NYTimes from earlier this year.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/phys-ed-can-exercise-make-kids-smarter/

This week the entire school also participated in the SIGMA math contest. It is a national math program that our school is involved with. The SIGMA is a fun way for students to engage in math competition. The exams are not pure computation but rather the exams have students tackle complex questions and employ problem-solving strategies. We are able to compare how our students perform in relation to other middle schoolers at the city, state and national level. The highest scoring students have their names listed next to the classroom doors. These tests have no weight on students' grades it is meant to be fun and challenging.

The 6th graders are completing the water unit in science class. Over the past couple days I have watched students bring in all sorts of models depicting the water cycle. Students have created books, dioramas, charts and posters to tell the story of the water drop. This is the first major science project students complete in middle school - it was wonderful to see such a variety of projects. All of the classes will be taking a special trip on the water cycle in the coming weeks.

On Wednesday the 6th graders went bowling at Chelsea Piers. The kids had wonderful time being silly, bowling and meeting new friends - all with Justin Bieber playing in the background. I couldn't think of a better time. Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to chaperon!

More "thank you's" are in order for the parents that helped organize/run photo day on Tuesday. To get 600 students and their teacher to all of have pictures taken is a pretty amazing. Thank you also to the parents who chaperoned 7th and 8th grade trips this week. We had something special almost everyday - all which we relied on parents for.

It's almost middle school tour season. The 8th graders were all invited to apply to be tour guides. We had nearly 100 students write essays about why they wanted to help with this year's process. I loved reading the essays - they were quite beautiful. It was extremely hard making the selections. It is an honor to represent the school and the process is quite rigorous. The tour guides will be announced early next week. 6th and 7th graders will be invited to apply in their 8th grade year.

Halloween
As we approach Halloween I find it necessary to underscore some specific policies that Lab and the DoE have in place. Students are allowed to wear costumes as long as they are appropriate and do not interfere with instruction. Students may not wear masks or carry anything that may resemble a weapon (fake or otherwise). If a teacher or staff member feels that a child is not appropriately dressed we will be addressing the issue with a phone call home and outfit change. Not following these policies may also lead to further disciplinary action.

On Friday, October 29th we will be escorting students to the subway and buses. We will expect them to go straight there. There will be no hanging out in Kelly Park or on the streets. I do not expect any issues around safety this is just a precaution that we have in place every Halloween. Please help us with this by reviewing with your child where you expect them to go afterschool.

Unlike elementary school, we do not do any Halloween parties, etc. Students should expect a normal school day and come Lab accordingly.

The annual SpookFest celebration is coming up. The event will be held next Friday, October 29th at 6 pm. Students are invited to dress-up in their costumes and come enjoy a fun-filled Halloween celebration. There will be food, movies, games and a costume contest. We will need parents to help run the event and chaperon.

Have a wonderful weekend - it's nearing the peak of color for fall foliage.

Warmly,
Meg