Co-Curricular Programs
The Middle School explicitly address issues and topics relating to our students by providing a two-year program in which advisors and other educators work closely with students as they grapple with difficult questions about themselves and their world.
Seventh Grade
Starting with orientation in the seventh grade and continuing throughout the school year, activities focus on fostering a sense of belonging to a student's homeroom, the school, and the outside community. Activities are also designed to give students the support, academic and otherwise, needed to navigate effectively through the complexities of middle school life.
Eighth Grade
In the eighth grade co-curriculum program, advisors and advisees work together to explore their own individual identities as well as their roles within the school and the larger community. The theme of the year is identity, which is broken down into different units we discuss throughout the year in X Block. In addition, all eighth graders participate in a sexuality and relationships seminar and a drug and alcohol education program (FCD).
ORIENTATION: In this unit, students, advisors, and homeroom teachers work together to establish cohesion in homeroom as they review school rules and discuss Eighth grade expectations and the benefits of goal setting. The unit culminates with the students exploring the school motto (the basis of our school mission) and its’ practical application in their everyday lives.
THE INDIVIDUAL: In this unit, students explore, identify, and grapple with the similarities and differences in our community. Throughout this exploration, advisors encourage students to identify their world perspective and teach the values of respect and compassion, which are imperative in creating a healthy and safe community and learning environment.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Students are encouraged to volunteer, to organize, and to participate in various service activities throughout the year. This unit is focused on raising student awareness about the need for service organizations and projects as well as the value and the impact of one’s efforts. The unit is centered on a half day of service prior to Thanksgiving break.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION: Students investigate realistic and practical ways to advocate for themselves and others. Students, through a variety of activities, are given the opportunity to put themselves in other people’s shoes; this allows students to reflect on consequences that will lead to more informed and thoughtful decision-making.
EATING AWARENESS: Building on the foundation of the seventh grade “Health and Nutrition” unit, eighth graders discuss the necessity for healthy eating habits. Students also learn about the harms of poor nutrition and disordered eating.
PRINCIPLES & PERSPECTIVE: Through the exploration of media, pop culture, and themselves, students will examine their own decision making process. Through dialogue and reflection, students will explore and identify their own values and the principles that affect their decisions, with the aim that students will be empowered to make their own choices and that they will become advocates for themselves and others.
TRANSITION: In the final unit, students participate in various activities to prepare them for the transition to high school.
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