For Wednesday’s middle school assembly, eighth graders Orry Gallas and Nyko Orekoya served as MC’s, reflecting on what they are hoping for this spring in light of the monthly theme of Hope. Mr. Kelly advised students on all the ways spring will bring hope, with hybrid learning and a return to a new normal. Kennedy Little, a new student in the 8th grade, discussed her hopes for the spring including having a chance to meet students in person during hybrid school. Finally, 8th grade science teacher Ms. Barlev showcased her flowery garden, discussing the hope of spring. Then 7th graders Grace Norquist and Aaron Gill were both interviewed by Ms. Bradley about the meaning of hope and spring. Washington Latin senior Lydia Moore reflected on “senioritis” and ways to engage through the very end of the year. Nora Paxson, a 5th grader, shared a song called “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. Students gave merit awards to their hardworking teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to engage kids online. A fifth grade flash mob coordinated by theater teacher Mr. Baldwin danced to “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” from the movie Sing. Finally teachers and deans in grades 5-8 honored students for their hard work and positive attitudes with merits. And of course, Ms. Bradley and Mr. Kelly provided musical inspiration with Bill Withers’ song “Lovely Day” to brighten a gray Wednesday. Let there be light!
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Ms. Dobler advisory had an Iron Chef competition. Students were challenged to create holiday breakfast foods, preparing everything in 20 minutes on camera. Six student judges evaluated their presentations. Raine Montgomery-Vielmo won for her three varieties of pancakes. Leigha Spraggins came in second place for her breakfast spread, and Zaida Slakey came in third place with a St. Patrick’s Day parfait and bread.
On Wednesday, middle school students participated in a Dialogue Across Differences gathering focused on gender. Students participated in a Kahoot on Women’s History Month, featured Mae Jemison and Katherine Johnson. Students also watched several videos and talked about gender stereotypes and how they limit student achievement or create unfair biases. The ongoing program allows students to meet in small groups with a trusted adult to discuss challenging issues like bias, prejudice, and media influence on identity.
Mr. Day’s Honors English 10 class has been reading and discussing Maus, a graphic novel about the Holocaust by Art Spiegelman. Students selected individual pages from the graphic novel to re-write as if it were from a regular novel, translating the images into words. The graphic novel shows the author interviewing his father, a Holocaust survivor. In the depiction of his father’s experiences, Spiegelman depicts the Jews as mice, Germans as cats, and Polish people as pigs. Mr. Day has invited University of Baltimore professor Sarah Federman, author of the book The Last Train to Auschwitz, which publishes in April, to share her research on the French resistance and a lawsuit against the French Metro (SNCF) for its role in deporting Jews to concentration camps.
Ninth grade English classes have had DC actor Chelsea Mayo join several online classes for a few workshops on The Tempest recently. Mayo teaches theatre and oratory through Shakespeare Theatre Company and Ford’s Theatre. She worked with students to perform scenes from the play and to paraphrase scenes into modern dialect. Last year, eighth graders read Much Ado About Nothing in English class. Students revisit various aspects of Shakespearean texts each year to note common themes, character descriptions, and plot points from the various plays and become aware of some Elizabethan slang and humor.
Ms. Oran’s biology students are dissecting frogs right now, with dissections of pigs and sharks coming soon. The dissections allow students to gain insight into the inner workings of animal body systems. Students have selected various options for dissection. They could choose to work outdoors in three separate groups or to work outdoors one-on-one to do the dissections. Other students have requested at home specimens to meet over Zoom to complete the dissection. This allows each child to meet the requirement in a way in which they feel safe.
