Dear Upper School Families,
I hope that you all have enjoyed your weekend and are ready to finish out January strong! I would like to congratulate our Model UN conference students on an admirable showing, they have all made it back safely! This weekly update is full of important information.
Friday, January 31, is a Half Day:
- Upper school will dismiss at 12:20pm. There will be no lunch and no after school study hall this day.
- Busses will depart at 12:35pm
- Please see the email from Adrienne Forgette, sent Saturday, January 25, for all the details.
- The Blooms will be honoring the life of Carter Bloom this afternoon, and school will be closed so that any faculty/staff or families that would like to attend may.
Valentine’s Candy Grams:
- These will be on sale at lunch through the NHS starting this week for delivery February 13.
- Please see attached flier for more information. Candy Grams are $7.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year:
- February 1, 4 - 7pm, the US Chinese Culture Club will be hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration in the Residential Village.
- Open to faculty and staff, students and their families.
- Bring a dish or drinks to share and your appetite!
This Week:
- January 31, 1st semester report cards released.
Upcoming Dates:
- February 4 - Moving Up Night at 5pm. Learn what next year holds for your student!
- February 5 - No School, parent-teacher conferences (more information to follow)
- February 7 - Calverton Art Gallery Reception at CalvART Gallery in Prince Frederick, 4 - 6pm.
Chik-Fil-A Link
Please let me know if you have any questions about upcoming events and activities!
Dear Upper School families,
I hope everyone has stayed safe and warm over that past, what a wild way to start the year. It was wonderful to see students on Thursday and Friday, and they seemed happy to be back into a routine of sorts! Here are a few notes as we head into what will hopefully be a full week of school!
This Week:
- We will be continuing with exams according to the original exam schedule. Unfortunately, due to the end of the semester on January 17, the subsequent 3-day weekend, the potential for more winter weather, and the Model UN trip, we are unable to move the exams. While the demonstration of information is important, what we have also found, is that starting longer mid-term exams in 9th grade has improved the ability of students to take the IB exams in their 11th and 12th grade years because they have experience sitting for an extended exam that we are unable to administer during a regular class period.
- Teachers understand that our learning has been disrupted, and are taking this into account with the exam process. I encourage any student that has a particular concern to address the teacher directly to help alleviate those concerns.
- January 14- 17, 2025, the upper school will be having midterms. Each day will have 2 subjects, and Friday, January 17 will be for make-up exams. Exam 1 will be from 8:30 - 11:30am, and exam 2 will be 12:20 - 3:20pm. Most exams will be 2 hours in length, but a 3 hour block is set aside for extended time, or longer IB style exams.
- January 14: Exam 1 - English, Exam 2 - Math
- January 15: Exam 1 - History/Ind and Soc, Exam 2 - Science 1
- January 16: Exam 1 - World Language, Exam 2 - IB Visual Art/Music OR Science 2
- January 17: Make-up exams OR additional subject.
- ***Students do not have to be at school when they do not have an exam, however, students must have parental permission if they are leaving prior to the end of the school day. Quiet study areas will be set up for time in between exams.
Upcoming Dates:
- January 20 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr Day
- January 23 - 26, Model United Nations, Philadelphia, PA.
- Information was sent on this to families on Friday, 1/10. If you did not receive the letter, please let me know.
- January 31 - 1st Semester Report Cards released
- February 4 - Moving Up Night at 5pm. Learn what next year holds for your student!
- February 5 - No School, parent-teacher conferences (more information to follow)
Midterms:
***Due to the semester ending January 17, Midterm dates will remain the same even with snow days. Please note a change to the schedule on January 16 from what was sent out before break.
***Students do not have to be at school when they do not have an exam, however, students must have parental permission if they are leaving prior to the end of the school day. Quiet study areas will be set up for time in between exams.
January 14- 17, 2025, the upper school will be having midterms. Each day will have 2 subjects, and Friday, January 17 will be for make-up exams. Exam 1 will be from 8:30 - 11:30am, and exam 2 will be 12:20 - 3:20pm. Most exams will be 2 hours in length, but a 3 hour block is set aside for extended time, or longer IB style exams. Teachers will send out more detailed information when we return to school. Electives will not have a mid-term exam.
January 14: Exam 1 - English, Exam 2 - Math
January 15: Exam 1 - History/Ind and Soc, Exam 2 - Science 1
January 16: Exam 1 - World Language, Exam 2 - IB Visual Art/Music OR Science 2
January 17: Make-up exams OR additional subject.
Upcoming Dates:
- January 17 - End of Semester 1. The gradebooks close at this point and grades start fresh for semester 2.
- January 20 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr Day
- January 23 - 26 Model United Nations. A separate email will be sent to MUN families with additional details this week.
- January 31 - 1st Semester Report Cards released
- February 4 - Moving Up Night at 5pm. Learn what next year holds for your student!
- February 5 - No School, parent-teacher conferences (more information to follow)
Chick-Fil-A link for Wednesday!
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I am looking forward to a wonderful New Year!
