Both the girls’ varsity softball team and varsity boys’ baseball were champions of the Public Charter School Athletic Association after winning their games last Friday. This week varsity baseball beat Dunbar on Tuesday, but lost to Wilson on Wednesday, while varsity softball fell to National Cathedral School. Both middle school and varsity lacrosse played on Monday, and track and field will play on Saturday at the PG Sports & Learning Complex. Middle school baseball beat DCI on Wednesday to earn the top seed in the PCSAA championship.

Sports had many highlights this week, including a track meet for middle schoolers complete with first place finishes for skillful seventh grade long jumper Jocelyn Gill and seventh grader Terelle Dean. The girls 4X100m relay finished third place, with strong performances by seventh graders Joi Young, Ava Williams, Avis Weeden, and Jocelyn Gill. Eighth grader Lola Orlove Rodriguez placed third overall in the girls 800m race. The team is coached by Mr. Callum.  Middle School baseball, coached by Mr. Staten, beat Capital City Public Charter School 20-0. Varsity boys baseball, coached by Mr. Baum, Mr. Copper, and Mr. Coleman beat SEED 4-1 and will take part in the PCSAA championship game against DCI. Girls’ varsity softball, coached by Mr. Staten, will also play DCI in the PCSAA championship. Varsity Middle School frisbee, coached by Mr. Starnes and Mr. O’Brien bested DCI by a stunning 15-1 finish. 

The middle school halls were alive for Seventh Grade Spirit Week, with highlights including “Anything But a Backpack” day on Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, and “Dress Like a Teacher” day on Thursday. Students showcased creativity and humor, donning bow ties like Mr. Whitchurch, or stylish denim rompers like Ms. Malchionno. Meanwhile teachers got into the act, with Dr. Bonner dressing as students, Ms. Lee-Bey rocking some Wacky Wednesday finery, and Mr. Green created a new knapsack on Tuesday made of a branch and a pillowcase. The week ends in style with a semi-formal 7th and 8th grade dance in the MPR on Friday from 5-8pm. 

Students who are experiencing test anxiety during the PARCC will get help at pop-up Care Kit Stations where the counseling team will distribute resources to support students in the following areas during testing season: Sleep, Power Foods, Self-image (body image/self-worth not connected to achievement), and Stress Management. MS distribution will take place during Break, and US distribution will take place before the first period.Decompression Kits for teachers include classroom routines and skill-building materials to use during the PARCC testing, Review Week, and Final Exams.

A team of sixth graders took 8th place overall in the region in the Caring for our Watersheds Competition!  The participants in this talented team of researchers and writers were Mila Appelbaum, Mia Jancachagua Espinoza, Campbell Hall, Eden Claire, Emma Fitzpatrick, and Lydia Tiersky. The project modeled ways students and researchers can communicate to the public about the impact of their actions on the Watersheds. The students created a slideshow, gave a verbal presentation, and handled Q and A from various adults. They also built an original website to help with Watershed education.