Middle Minute

WB A I S Mi d d l e S ch o o l Wher e gr eat things happen.

September 14, 2012 Volume 1, Issue 5

Mid-Term has arrived...

September 12 marks the mid-term. Next week, all our students will receive a Progress Report. Its important that you take advantage of this opportunity to discuss your childs performance and to help your son/daughter set future academic goals. For this reason, along with a Progress Report, each child will receive a Goals Sheet that is intended to be completed by your child at home with you. We ask that you sign and return this goal sheet by the following week. Trimester Dates Midterm Progress Report Distribution Report Card Distribution Term I II III Term Dates August 13November 7 November 8 February 28 March 1 June 12 Mid Term September 12 January 11 April 26 Progress Reports September 21 January 18 May 3 Report Cards November 16 March 7 June 12

Fall Trips are around the corner! October 10-12

Believe it or not, Fall Trips are around the corner. While its not necessarily time to send home permission slips or itineraries, it is time to share the dates and destinations. Each grade is venturing north to explore the land and history of Israel. Grade 6 spends the night in Poriya overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Grade 7 spends the night in Peqiin learning more about the Druze, and Grade 8 spends the night outside camping in Horshat Tal. Over the next few weeks well begin preparing our students for this big event. For most, the idea of spending three days with friends is exciting but for some, the thought of being away from home is overwhelming. This is normal. If you have significant concerns that you think we should be aware of so that we might help your son/daughter emotionally prepare for the trip or if there are health issues youd like to remind us of, please dont hesitate to email Shelley Bar-El, sbarel@wbais.net. ITINERARIES AND PERMISSION SLIPS GO HOME ON SEPTEMBER 27th!

Welcome, Mr. Minke! Thank You, Ms. Tillman!

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of a new band director, Mr. Jonathan Minke, and to thank Carol Tillman for her tireless work in keeping our band program alive and well. We couldnt have done it without her. For those of you with children in band, you have likely already heard wonderful stories about the passion and know-how Mr. Minke brings to the classroom. Next week, Mr. Minke will send home a syllabus for the course. Please feel free to welcome Mr. Minke in an email: jminke@wbais.net and to thank Ms. Tillman

End-of-Summer Nights Dance September 21, 2012

7:30-10:00
Sponsored by our Future StuCo

Please bring summer decorations next Wednesday: Parasols, flip flops, sunglasses, towels, shells...! Appropriate Summer Dress

No School Monday and TuesdayShana Tova!

Middle School Basketball Season

The Middle School Basketball season is off to a great beginning. Currently there are 14 girls and 28 boys participating on two teams. The teams practice together on Monday and Wednesday. The nature of the program is developmental and recreational - to play and learn the sport through practice and game situations, emphasizing participation, sportsmanship, and fun. Our game schedule is developing as we look for appropriate competition. The teams will play during Peace League October 7 & 28 and additional games will be scheduled. Our season will culminate with a trip to Poland in February to the American School of Warsaw. Supervision and coaching is being done by Seth Almekinder, Amit Galili, and Keith Wasserman. Please contact Seth Almekinder or the athletic office with any questions. Parents who have indicated interest in the Poland trip will be contacted with details at a later date. Go, Falcons!

GRADE 8 Students in Mr. Rebucks Family Life Class

Learning in Mr. Rebuks Health class is way more than learning about the birds and the bees, it also about how to BE SMART and TALK. Students in class reflect on what makes talk powerful and how one might use words to resolve a conflict; its about listening. In these pictures, students are role playing situations that often lead to conflict. Their first attempt is to do so without thinking about the other person and what he/she might be feeling or hearing and what it takes to make an important point and to be heard using the Conflict Management acrostic, BE SMART & TALK. Over the year, well share more stories of BE SMART & TALK. Stay tuned...

BE SMART & TALK

Does your child need a little extra help with HW?

September
Parenting with Love and Logic, September 21, & 28 MS Welcome Back Dance, September 21 Rosh Hashanah, September 17 & 18 (No School) WBAIS Community Dinner, September 22 Change your clocks back (1 hours), September 23 Early Release (11:00 a.m.), September 25; Yom Kippur, September 26 (No School)

We are pleased to offer your child support with their homework after school with the support of a qualified teacher as tutor. This offer requires a commitment of two days/week at a cost of 60 NIS* for each session: Mon-Wed and Tues-Thurs (two different groups) from 15:15-16:15. The tutor will help your child set priorities and get started on their homework. While the tutoring session will only last until 16:15, your child may continue with their homework in the Middle School office until its time to get on the late bus. Please email Shelley Bar-El to sign up. *60 NIS assumes 4 or more in the group. If there are less students, it will be slightly more per student. MISSING SCHOOL? Please be sure to plan your family vacation according to our school calendar, especially around the holiday. If there is no way around an absence, please make sure to complete a YELLOW Absence Form. If an Absence Form is not completed prior to your departure, missed work will not be accepted.
Middle Minute

October
Succoth, First week of October (No school, October 1) MS Fall Trip, October 10-12 Library Read Week, October 15-19 MS Spirit Week, October 22-26 MS Hockey Marathon, October 26

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