Dear Middle School Parents,

We are off and running to what has been a great start of the school year. Our “We Survived the First Week” pool party was a roaring success. Our new location received great reviews from our 8th graders. Many thanks to the parents who helped make this party a wonderful end to a busy week. We can do great things for these students when we, parents and teachers, join together.

This year, the middle school has three new policies I would like to highlight. Only one was adopted in time to be included in the printed copy of the handbook; the other two are included in the on-line version of the handbook.

1.    Middle School Honor Society – (stated in the hand book) – Returning 8th graders are eligible for Honor Society membership after the fall tri-mester if their cumulative GPA from spring and fall trimesters is 3.80 or higher.  Students must also have completed 15 hours of community service in the 7th grade. Students inducted into the Honor Society after the fall trimester will be eligible to participate in all Honor Society activities and privileges beginning in January.

2.    Athletics and Grades - Athletes will be expected to maintain a minimum of a 1.7 (C-) overall GPA and to pass all core classes with a grade of 60 or above. If an athlete falls below this standard for an official grading period, he or she will be expected to continue to practice as a member of his or her team, but will be ineligible to compete in games for the remainder of that official grading period. As a member of the team, the student will be expected to attend practices and will not be eligible to rejoin a P.E. class. In the event that a student is assigned to tutorials in several subjects, he or she may miss practice to participate in the tutorial program. Grades and eligibility will be assessed at mid-trimester progress reports and at the end of each trimester. A student will not be eligible to fully rejoin a team and participate in athletic contests until grades have been officially posted – there will be no interim adjustments to eligibility status.

3.    Acceptable Use Policy – St. Andrew’s has altered its Acceptable Use Policy. The entire policy is on-line. The most significant change is that St. Andrew’s can intervene if cyber-bullying or texting that happens outside of school has a negative impact on our school community or makes a student feel unsafe at school. We are using morning announcement time and advisory to educate the students about the new aspect of our AUP.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. And thank you for sharing your delightful children with us this year.

Sincerely,
Alice Nezzer

Important Dates

September 8 – 10 – Rosh Hashanah: If your student will be missing school for observance of Rosh Hashanah, he or she will need to fill out a planned absence form, which can be obtained from Ms Gardner. The purpose of the form is twofold: teachers are aware that the student will be absent, and the student is aware that all assignments are due the first day back from the absence.

September 8 – Brown Bag (12:00 Rollins Library) – A panel discussion regarding learning differences and ADHD in grades 5-8

Thursday, September 9 – Gilbert Tuhabonye will speak during MS Chapel

September 10 – Individual Photos and Vision/Hearing/Scoliosis Screening

Sunday, September 12 – Community Worship (5:30 SWP) – The special service will be dedicated to those members of our community who are in need of prayers and healing.  Please join us to show our love and support to our friends.

Tuesday, September 14 – Middle School Back to School Night (7:00 Cru Hall)

Thursday, September 16 – Grade Reports – Early warning notifications for students whose grades are 75 or below will be sent.

Thursday, September 16 – 16 de Septiembre Celebration – McCallum High Ballet Folklorico will perform (11:40 – Cru Hall)

Friday, September 17 – Faculty In-Service – NO SCHOOL

Saturday, September 25 – Fall Student Council Workshop (9:00 Middle School Art room) – More information from Mrs. Ross will follow

Sunday, September 26 (5:30 SWP) – Community Worship

Friday, October 1 (10:00-11:00 Multipurpose Room) – Coffee with Alice

Friday, October 1 – First Friday Spirit Shop (3:00 – 5:00 Dupont Room) – Make sure you have the latest in Crusader fashion!

Thursday, October 7, through Friday, October 8 – LS/MS Book Fair in Rollins Library

Friday, October 8 – Parent/Student/Advisor Conferences – Your child’s advisor will contact you about scheduling a conference. In the Middle School, students attend part of the conference.


Community Service Opportunities:  Students must complete and return a permission slip to participate in these offerings. Please contact Laura Milton if you have any questions.

Thursday, September 9 – St. James’s (3:40 – 5:30) - Student play with students in the after-school program at St. James’s Episcopal School. Transportation is provided by SAS.

Thursday, September 23 – St. James’s (3:40 – 5:30)

Thursday, October 7 – St. James’s (3:40 – 5:30)

Sunday, October 10 – Trinity Streets (2:00 – 4:30) – Students lead a worship service and provide a meal for Austin’s homeless. Parents will need to provide transportation.