Middle schoolers at Second Street took part in the fourth and final assembly of the year, focusing on the theme of growth. Seventh grade English teacher Ms. Peale reflected on her father’s impact on her life, and eighth grader Giselle spoke about internal and external growth and learning independence. Other highlights of the assembly included the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Latin teachers sharing winners of the National Latin exam. Students also took the chance to shout out their peers for being supportive friends. Finally, teachers in each grade shared the winners of this month’s merits. The assemblies allow students and faculty a chance to assess the previous quarter, think about relationships and honor effort and growth. 

Cooper Campus students took part in a Yoga activity in the park for the Arts Block. Fifth grade English teacher Ms. Gans and sixth grade teacher Ms. Adeosun took their arts elective to use the greenspace off the Metro Branch Trail near the Rhode Island Ave metro stop. Students enjoyed some beautiful sunlight for their asanas!

Ms. Griffiths’ YES class at Second Street will be raising money for the Humane Rescue Alliance by selling raffle tickets and snacks on Friday. The Youth Empowerment Seminar, which students in grades six and seven attend, allows students to design community service projects and support causes  that are near and dear to their hearts. The class focuses on activism, engagement, and civic duty, as well as building positive peer and group relationships. 

Students in Ms. Lambert’s Honors French Two class will visit the Kennedy Center next Thursday to see “Les Misérables ,” a musical adapted from the Victor Hugo book by the same name. The story depicts the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris and deals with issues like social class, law and order, and reform movements in nineteenth century France.

Fifth graders at 2nd Street got a visit Friday from the Honorable Charles Bolden, a former astronaut and NASA administrator, who spoke about the United States space program. Students have been reading and watching movies about space travel in Mr. Bane’s English class and learning about space in Science with Ms. Dorsey. Mr. Bolden with the highly decorated fighter pilot in the US Marine Corp, rising to the rank of Major General. He was an astronaut on four space shuttle missions, two as a commander, and the 12th Head Administrator at NASA. He credits his parents for encouraging him to pursue his dreams and believing he could do anything he set his mind to.