From Mr. Aitkin: Our 8th graders are wrapping up an exciting year of growth, leadership, fun and of course learning! I think back to our SEEK trips in September and just how far this group has come. Whether through their tremendous commitment to committees, events, PBLs, field trips or just their everyday routines, the class of 2022 has truly excelled when it comes to setting the right tone for our Middle School. We celebrated together at field day with the entire middle school, but I really enjoyed our day together on Wednesday where we had several fun grade activities planned. It was the last time we were together in that grouping, before they move on to the Upper School. This year will be an especially hard one for me as I wrestle with saying goodbye to this terrific group but I am comforted knowing they will go on to do great things and they will make our entire school community stronger. I can say with confidence that the class of 2022 is ready for the Upper School and I wish them the best of luck!
The 8th grade is finishing the year in grand style and preparing to move on to the Upper School. Math and Science classes met in the STEM building for the annual viewing of the SciTube presentations, and in addition to showcasing their experiments, students fielded questions from peers and members of the Science department. In history class students continue to work on Holocaust and Civil Rights projects. These units are meant to define the difference between a bystander and an upstander with the hope students will one day feel emboldened to participate in our democracy. Finally, in English, students are finishing Romeo Juliet by exploring who or what is really to blame for the deaths of the two young protagonists. Overall, this year’s 8th grade has been eager to learn and willing to work. Their teachers will miss them as a group and wish them the best of luck in the years ahead.