Seventh and eighth graders had the chance this week to shadow upper school language classes to consider whether they want to study Arabic, French, or Chinese. Upper school classes hosted middle schoolers, providing them to the chance to see how the language works, and examine different foreign language teaching styles. Our upper school language program augments students’ knowledge of Latin with a second foreign language, which some students start in eighth grade. The foreign language program also organizes international travel over Spring Break, and many upper school students apply for study abroad programs in Europe, the Middle East, or China over the summer vacations.
Middle School students had an assembly Thursday on Cyber Security, featuring Richard Guerry, author of multiple cyber safety books. This presentation guided students on making smart choices on digital interactions inside and outside of our school building. The assembly highlighted for our students the fact that words and pictures posted on electronic devices to the internet are public and can have long-term consequences. The assembly also covered cyber bullying, use of digital applications, and sensitivity about behavior and word choice on social media. The event was also repeated for parents on Thursday night.
Sophomores and juniors had the chance to participate in our annual Spring Break college tour. Ms. Latham, Ms. Richardson, and Mr. Torrence lead this year’s tour to Southern colleges. Students visited VCU and took a self guided tour, led by the chaperones through the streets of Richmond. At Davidson College, students were excited to learn about the honor code and LEED certified buildings. At Queens University, students were interested in a mandate that all students have an internship and have a class dedicated to building a resume and interviewing. At Livingstone College, Alma Mater of Mr. Eleby-El, students met with the vice president about the value of education and importance of minorities in the work force. Students also saw Johnson C. Smith University. Students visited with 2016 graduate Bethann Mwombela who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each year the tour visits a different part of the country, focusing on a new cluster of schools to allow students to view a wide variety of colleges.
A delegation of Chinese principals visited Washington Latin on Tuesday and spoke with the Chinese classes about American education and culture. Language department chair Ms. Stouder hosted the visitors in her classes, and students served as ambassadors, giving the delegation a tour of the school and insight into our educational program. These international partnerships have provided students a chance to learn about other cultures, meet students at other schools throughout the world, and visit foreign schools on Spring Break trips.
The annual Pi Competition, held usually on March 14th, had to be postponed to April 4th due to a snow day. Eighth grader Mihir Patel won the honor this year, memorizing Pi to 167 points. Patel was a runner-up for the competition as a seventh grader. Sixth grader Audrey Kim came in second with 55 digits, and fifth grader Harry Megeath came in third with 40 digits. Seventh grader Mia Sullivan came in fourth place with 33 digits. Each winner was awarded a pie baked by their teachers and the chance to throw a whipped cream pie at their math teachers, Ms. Chall, Ms. Pike, Ms. Kolb, and Ms. Moore. Former winners sophomore Theo Cowart and freshman Oliver Stevens picked students’ names from a raffle for additional chances to throw whipped cream pies at teacher volunteers, including Mr. Green, Mr. Skoblar, Ms. Breitman, and Ms. Coppola-Klein. Students learned that math is a messy but tasty sport!
