Teachers in both the middle school and upper school started meeting in instructional teams this week. Teachers will meet monthly in these small groups on topics they have chosen to focus on, including Socratic Seminars, Document-Based Questions, Literacy Development, and Brain-based Strategies for Instruction. Teachers meet weekly on Tuesdays, in whole faculty groups, department meetings, and instructional teams to reflect on the work and how to improve and meet the needs of all learners.
On Saturday, the Great Debaters Policy Debate Team participate in Washington Urban Debate League opening tournament. The league celebrated the life of Keoni Scott-Reid, one of the league’s first alums who recently passed away and had taught several of our students. Seventh grader Brooke Roberson won a second place speaker award, and Niamh O’Donovan won a ninth place speaker award and their team came in second place in their Junior Varsity division. Other junior varsity participants included eighth grader Dami Akinsanya and seventh grader Amal Buba, along with seventh grade team Sarah Schifferle and Alice Pittard. This was the first debate for novices Ruby Rae McCants and Zoey Derricott. The students debate and both affirmed and negated the resolution that the USFG should substantially reduce DCS and/or FMS of arms from the United States. The team will debate again on November 2nd at Columbia Heights Educational Campus.
English 11 students took a field trip Thursday to see the play Fences at Ford’s Theatre. The play, written by August Wilson, is one of the texts students read in English this year. The story is set in segregated Pittsburgh in the 1950s and focuses on former baseball star Troy Maxson, who is now trying to make ends meet as a sanitation worker. He tries to regain control of his life, but in the process creates new challenges for his family. The production, which has been recommended for the Helen Hayes award, is directed by Timothy Douglas, and features actors Craig Wallace and Erika Rose.
Teachers gathered Thursday to watch the livestreaming of the Brown Lecture in Education. The speaker was Prudence L. Carter from University of California at Berkeley. The topic was “A Shade Less Offensive: School Integration as Radical Inclusion in the Pursuit of Educational Equity.” Teachers viewed and discussed the topic of integration.
On Tuesday, the counseling department treated the teachers to breakfast to remind them the importance of self-care and mental health. Our amazing counseling team, featuring 3 full-time counselors and a social worker, is led by Ms. Davis, who is also the director of all student support services. The counseling team provide support to teachers and students, offering a pleasant and quiet space for people to reflect, become more self-aware, and share feelings and thoughts. The breakfast reminded teachers to take proper care of themselves during the school year.
The Upper School has been full of spirit this week for Fall Spirit Week and the Homecoming Game. Students wore their class colors on Tuesday and attended a Pep Rally. On Thursday students dressed as their favorite memes. Friday was twins and multiples day. Friday was the Homecoming Game and Homecoming Dance, featuring the theme of Galaxies. The Upper School will have a Spring spirit week and the 8th graders will have one in May. These weeks give students a chance to dress up, show school spirit, and enjoy each other’s sports skills.