1^st October 2007

Happy October everyone!

Welcome to my “monthly update” – all the news that’s fit to print regarding your child’s activities from the past month, and what’s ahead for them and you in the month to come.

We got off to a running start here in the Middle School – September has been a BUSY month! We welcomed a new 6^th grade class to Queen Anne on August 27^th at the class dinner, and were equally happy to see so many familiar faces back in the Lower Leeland locker room the next day. Next came the 7^th grade dinner on September 12^th, also a great time. And we had record attendance at Family Day on September 15^th. On September 18^th, the entire Middle School traveled to the Patuxent 4-H Center for a day of teambuilding activities. Split up into multi-grade groups, all our students seemed to have a lot of fun and met some other students outside of their grade. September 24^th brought our first athletic “Madness” morning – all of the Upper School teams were introduced and entered into some friendly competitions to the delight of the audience. (We hope to see as many friendly faces at our games – please see the Family-Information Exchange (FIE) for a complete schedule of the fall games.) On September 27^th, we celebrated the 8^th grade class dinner – I was unable to attend, but heard that a good evening was had by all.

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

On Friday, October 5^th, the entire school will take part in Environmental Awareness Day. No classes will meet – instead, all students participate in various activities centered around the environment and creating a wetlands habitat right on our own campus. Mrs. Bagnell and I are excited to host our first “Coffee and Conversation” on Tuesday, October 9^th, from 7:30-8 a.m. in the cafeteria. Please join us if you have questions, concerns or just want some friendly chat. School photographs will be taken on October 10^th, which is the same day that the 6^th grade will be taking their annual trip to the National Cathedral to participate in Episcopal Schools Day. (Alternative arrangements are being made so that these students can get their photographs taken.) Permission slips went home two weeks ago; please click here to be taken to an electronic version.

I’m sure most of us will be ready for Fall Break – school will be closed from Friday, October 12^th - Monday, October 15^th. When we return, we will hold the fall induction program for the National Junior Honor Society on October 17^th. The first quarter ends on October 24^th – please begin making plans to attend Parent-Teacher conferences on Friday, November 2^nd to talk with your child’s advisor and pick up his/her report card. Also on October 24^th, the Diversity Film Series will show A Patch of Blue, beginning at 6 p.m. in the amphitheatre. (For more details about the Film Series, please visit http://paws.queenanne.org/montgomery .) Spirit Week falls during the last week of October and we’ll close out another busy month on October 26^th with our fall Blue and Gold Field Day, a fun-filled morning of numerous activities and food all designed to emphasize our pride in Queen Anne. (School will be dismissed at 12:30 that day.)

I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you at our recent events, and hope to see many more in the month of October. 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