7 November 2007

 

Happy November!

Congratulations on making it through the 1st quarter!  I’m sorry I wasn’t able to be with you on conference day – if you’d like to talk with me, feel free to call or e-mail to schedule an appointment.

 

It’s been another busy month:

 

          On October 4th, a great group, led by Mrs. Driscoll, attended a performance of Verdi’s opera La Forza del Destino (the Force of Destiny) at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, where we got to see a final dress rehearsal in action – quite a bit different from opening night performances! On October 5th, the entire school participated in Environmental Awareness Day. We spent the day planting a wetlands on campus, handling crabs and other interesting things in our outdoor classroom, making art out of recycled materials and experimenting with nature-themed poetry. The 6th grade traveled to the National Cathedral on October 10th to participate in Episcopal Schools Day. And because the entire Middle School has been in almost perfect dress code since the beginning of the year, we were rewarded with an Out of Dress Code day on October 11th! What a great way to start off Fall Breakwe all got a well-deserved rest over a great 4-day weekend. On October 17th, the National Junior Honor Society welcomed four new members – 8th graders Alexandria Bose, Taylor Gardner, Lauren Risher and Percilla Wills were recognized for their academic achievements and inducted into our chapter of the NJHS. It was great to see so many of you at the Board presentation to QASPA on October 23rd – quite a thought-provoking conversation, and it’s wonderful to have folks take an active interest in what’s going on in the school. That next night, the Diversity Committee hosted its second film of the year, A Patch of Blue. From Monday, October 22nd through Friday, October 26th, school spirit ran WILD during Spirit Week. Each day had a particular themed dress code and our students really gave the Upper School a run for its money! The week culminated in Blue and Gold Field Day, which was a huge success, despite the rainy weather. Throughout the month of October, the 8th grade held a coffee fundraiser every Wednesday morning, thanks to the efforts of Debbie Risher and others – they’ve earned a lot of money towards the end-of-the-year trip to Williamsburg!

 

(Photos coming soon to the Rogues’ Gallery.)

 

Here’s what you and your students can look forward to in the coming month:

 

Saturday, November 10th is our fall Open House: if you are considering Queen Anne as a possible choice for high school, or someone you know is looking for a private school, please come visit us and hear more about our academic program.

 

Monday, November 12thDiversity Committee meeting in the library at 5:30.

 

Tuesday, November 13th  will be the third installment of the Diversity Film Series: this month’s selection is A Raisin in the Sun. The evening will begin with pizza and drinks at 6 p.m. in the amphitheatre. This movie is rated R; you will need to accompany your child if he/she would like to attend. (For more details about the Film Series, please visit http://paws.queenanne.org/montgomery .) 

 

That same night will be the monthly QASPA meeting, held in Mr. Conn’s classroom at 7 p.m. 

 

School photo retakes are also scheduled for Thursday, November 15th.

 

Friday, November 16th and Saturday, November 17th are the performances of the Middle School Drama Club’s fall production of Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood.   Showtimes are Friday night at 7:30; on Saturday, there will be a 1:30 matinee and a 7:30 evening show. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. Children 4 and under are free.    

 

Following our traditional all-school chapel, school will be dismissed at 12:30 on Tuesday, November 20th for the Thanksgiving holiday; school will resume on Monday, November 26th.

 

The second interim will end on November 28th. That marks the half-way point of the second quarter, so it’s a good time to check in with teachers to see how your child is doing. If your child is on academic probation, you will automatically get interims from all his/her teachers.  

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, suggestions or concerns; you can reach me at ext. 328 or via e-mail at cholyer@queenanne.org.

 

All the best,

Christiana Holyer

Middle School Dean of Students