On last Thursday’s Summer Opportunities Night, more than 60 families from grades eight through 11 attended. There were 12 different summer programs present, each providing a presentation. Students learned about opportunities for summer classes and internships in literature, technology, pharmacy, healthcare, communications, visual and performing arts, and debate. PFA president Jennifer Thorpe-Lewis shared information about a summer camp fair as well. We now have a Summer Wall at the College Counseling Office with plentiful information about options.
Mr. Day lead a soiree this week on religion for Washington Latin teachers at Ms. Smith’s house. Mr. Day, an upper school English teacher, has a graduate degree in religion and also teaches the Comparative Religions elective. He organized teachers into a discussion using elements of the Harkness Method, which he studied this summer at a teacher program at Phillips Exeter Academy, in New Hampshire. Ms. Smith hosts regular soirees to discuss pertinent and philosophical issues that relate to the classical tradition, to allow teachers to examine a complex text and hold a Socratic discussion, mirroring some of the activities we have in our classroom.
Junior MK Wilson won several Writopia Lab awards presented by Scholastic. She won three Gold Key Awards and two Silver Key Awards for poetry and journalism. MK is the editor in chief of the school newspaper for the second year in a row.
This week was the Music Department’s Winter Dinner Concert. This annual fundraiser was organized by Arts Department Chair Melissa VerCammen, with assistant principal and culinary diva Khashiffa Roberts catering. The event features performances by the various choirs and the Jazz Band. Our music department includes an eighth grade choir, the Latin Voices choir, a small Honors Choir, and the band. Students perform regularly inside the building and around D.C. The choirs also take trips to New York City, Pittsburgh, and are fundraising for a planned trip to New Orleans for the Jazz Band.
This week the fifth and sixth graders presented their scientific research at the annual middle school science fair. They worked in their classrooms to develop hypotheses, design a study, conduct research, and evaluate the results. Meanwhile several older middle schoolers worked independently on their own experiments. Eighth grader Meerabela Kempf and seventh graders Lucas Rohde, Cecilia DeStefano, and Carrie Roberts participated as well. The annual event helps students understand the scientific method that researchers use to better understand our world.
Ms. Stephens’ eighth grade advisory completed a tech-free challenge, avoiding all technology during advisory and the school day. Students conquered their technological addictions and were rewarded with a pizza party. Middle Schoolers are reminded that their phones should be out of sight from 8:10-3:15.
