Tamika Dees, Head of Middle School

September 19, 2025

 

Greetings, Middle School Families, 

We are exploring the great outdoors in Middle School again this week. Our sixth graders had the opportunity to travel to Camp Grady Spruce at Possum Kingdom Lake, and we had an amazing time.

The students and teachers were up early Friday morning and ready to depart at 6:00 a.m. for the 2.5-hour drive to the campsite. The excitement, laughter, and choral singing were the highlights of the morning bus ride to the beautiful destination. 

Once they arrived, the students were divided into groups and attended camp orientation, and without reservation, they were all up for the challenging activities planned throughout the day. The activities included team building, a boat trip, horseback riding, and a lesson on survival skills. The students left Camp Grady Spruce with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

In addition, our sixth-grade students had the opportunity to research, design, and create ten items that were found along the Silk Road of the ancient world.  Although they did not know the value of the items, they were to put their best effort into making their items in order to trade with their fellow sixth-grade peers.  Each student had to negotiate and present their items in a twenty-minute trading game where over five hundred items were exchanged, without even knowing the value of those items until the end.   Someone would be declared the winner based upon the value of each item, but more importantly, they learned the skill of bartering with their fellow classmates.  Even though they may not have won the trading game, they are beginning to understand the value of something and to give their best effort, even if they do not know the outcome.   This was a great lesson for life in middle school and life in general. 

Health News from the Nurse’s Office 

To help keep our students and staff as healthy as possible, please follow these basic guidelines: (our health guidelines are also found on our website, for your future reference)

1. Students and staff with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher must stay home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications (e.g., Tylenol or Motrin).
2. Students/Staff who have vomited, either at home or at school, should not return until they have been emesis-free for 24 hours.
3. Students/Staff with diarrhea must remain at home until they have been diarrhea-free for 24 hours.
4. Frequent handwashing is essential in preventing the spread of illness.

Flu Shot & Vaccine Clinic – Coming Next Week!
Teachers, students, families, and friends – everyone is welcome!Protect yourself and your loved ones this season. Flu shots and other vaccines available Tuesday, September 23rd, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm in the Fine Arts Foyer.

Please contact Nurse Kim with any questions. Please click the Shot and Vaccine Link for more information.

Middle School Picture Day
Middle School Picture Day will be Tuesday, September 23, 2025.  Students were sent home a picture order form on Tuesday, however, pictures can also be ordered online once proofs are received by email. 

Homecoming 2025
It is almost time to celebrate Homecoming at the “Most Magical Place on Earth”!  The week of September 29th - October 3rd will be filled with spirit and pride.  Please see the Homecoming Packet for details about the many fun Spirit Days and Homecoming activities planned for the week. T-shirt sales, tents, and parade entry forms close Tuesday, September 23rd. Ordering and entry details can also be found in the Homecoming packet.