NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
Read about what is happening at Latin!
Constitutional Creativity
Students in Mr. Byrd’s eighth grade history class are studying the Constitutional Convention with reenactments of the Federalist and Democratic-Republicans initial debates about how to run the new nation. Students debated the role of the national bank to stabilize the economy and their interpretations of the constitution. Each researched their party’s opinions on the constitution and created a Flipgrid defending or explaining the party’s philosophies. Prior to this project groups of 8th graders researched selected amendments to collaborate on a slideshow presentation explaining the history, background, and current application of their amendment. Some students chose to write an original story about their amendment instead.
Senior Smiles
The class of 2021 will take their final Senior Portraits on Saturday at the school from 9 to 4:30. Ms. Kolb, the yearbook advisor will be there along with various faculty volunteers to help capture the seniors at their finest for the yearbook.
Seniors at Sunset
Last Friday Ms. Smith hosted groups of seniors in the parking lot outside her home for fire pits, warm beverages and conversations. Seniors reflected on their experiences at Latin, discussing such topics as what makes us human, and our place in the solar system. For seniors, the chance to join together in small groups and reflect offers them a respite from academics and applications and a chance to share ideas. Other attendees include Ms. Brady, Mr. Clausen, Ms. Raskin, and Mr. Hotchkiss, all of whom work with seniors as teachers, advisors, mentors, or club advisors.

Building Bridges to Greater Equity
Upper school English and religion teacher Mr. Day has been accepted into the CityBridge Design Studio, a series of workshops aimed to help educators design solutions to educational equity issues. Mr. Day will study diversity in honors courses and work to design programs focused on creating greater equity in educational opportunities. Mr. Day joined Washington Latin in 2010, and teaches several courses in the upper school, including English 10, Introduction to World Religions, and AP English Language and Composition.

Wordsmith in Waiting
Middle school reading specialist Ms. Lee-Bey earned a Virginia State Literacy Association Teacher Research Grant for $500 to introduce a word study unit for middle school reading classes. The grant encourages educators to use various tools for improving the quality of reading/language arts instruction and enhance student interest in recreational reading. Ms. Lee-Bey has long been focused on word study and language and reading acquisition. She also founded an organization called EtymologyRules to help people understand the power of words through workshops and lectures and learning platforms and worked as an adjunct professor designing and implementing developmental reading instruction for college students.