Last week Washington Latin Girls and Boys Varsity Cross Country Squads left the competition in their dust as each team took first first place for the Public Charter School Athletic Association Championships. Freshmen Luke Tewalt and Oliver Spiva and sophomore Nick Geist came in top 3 for the boys and senior Elena Mujal, freshman Nora Butler and sophomore Cecilia Timberg came in top 3 for the girls! The team is coached by music teacher Ms. Nevola. Our middle school also has a cross country team, coached by Mr. Green and Ms. McDaniel.
On October 18, students in D.C. History attended the 2nd annual DC Charter School Day with the DC City Council. Alongside head of school Mr. Anderson and D.C. history teacher Mr. Eleby-El, the students had the chance to watch the entire city council in session and hear about current legislation proposals. Students heard a range of topics including debates over statehood and even a proposal to change the District’s name. The D.C. History class has several trips involving city government, local museums and historical sites. Students attending the council on Tuesday included seniors Teddy Ammon, Samantha Anderson, Alexander Arias-Sanchez, Da’Quon Brown, Kyle Clayton, Sophie Collier, Dominique Cravens, Dominique Cravins, Elias Demian, Alex Hagan, Carmaya Humble, Donte Johnson, Saphire Johnson, Judah Lloyd, Karl Loots, Samuel Montrey, Antonio Posada, Ben Roodman, Camille White, Jake Wilson, and Benjamin Wood.
This Wednesday, all upper school students had the chance to participate in the college fair. The event, which we hosted in the MPR and the library, also included students from other schools. More than 50 different colleges attended, including NYU, The University of Chicago, Denison, Earlham, Bates, Middlebury, and many others. Students used this amazing opportunity to develop interviewing skills to prepare for college applications. They also had the chance to hone their knowledge of various programs that colleges offer. The event was coordinated by college counselors Ms. Richardson and Ms. Latham, who also encouraged teachers to wear their college t-shirts to show their college pride! Throughout the school year, upper school students visit several college fairs, take college tours, and speak with representatives from admissions offices who visit our college counseling office each week. This helps our students make informed choices in planning for the future.
At the Fall Festival on Saturday, students, teachers, parents and administrators exulted in the warm weather to play sports, eat, and socialize. The event, planned and funded by the Parent Association, featured a heated parent-student kickball game, full of pop-fly balls and home runs. Students and their siblings also used the sports field to joust in a giant bounce house, complete obstacle courses, and play with supersized Jenga blocks and inflatable bowling pins. Parents worked hard to fill the concessions stands with tasty hot dogs, hamburgers, fruits and vegetables and homemade pies! A special thanks to all who volunteered to make Saturday a special day for our community full of playful memories.
Students in eighth grade history completed a voice thread research project on Colonial America this week. The projects are digital presentations, and for homework students will watch each other’s work and complete a scavenger hunt, so they will be collaborating to help each other learn the content. Also, this assignment allowed students who are still uncomfortable with public speaking to practice their speaking skills through the voice recordings. Students also used concept webs to prepare for their tests. These webs help students process information in multiple ways by linking language with pictures to clarify relationships. By working collaboratively, students in eighth grade history can both build on their individual knowledge and research skills, but also learn to present newly acquired information in an authentic way to help their peers learn.
