Student Council Newsletter

Winter 2020

The Eagle HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter Reporting from our Middle School Student Council in a school year like no other.

Winter 2020

New to Middle School

Writing + Academics

By Zac Dagg and Daisy McDonald

By Abdullah Mohamed

Observations from students new to the third floor:

Abdullah reported on the importance of cursive handwriting.

How does it feel to join HRS as a middle schooler?

“I felt nervous excited and curious.”

“It was kind of scary but fun.”

“Remote learning made it easier to glide right in.”

How do you like HRS so far?

“I like it a lot. I like the online days and the few in person days we had.”

“Everyone …..teachers and kids in my class have been very nice.”

What do students enjoy about middle school?

I enjoy: “going in to school” “liking the teachers” “meeting new people” “different classes”

Why do we teach cursive? Ms. Blumer fills us in: 1. It’s the most efficient type of writing! It is the least amount of work for your body to write.

2. There is a connection between our hand and brain!

When our hands make movements, parts of our brains are activated that help us process that information.

3. It helps with spelling! We have to think through what we are writing first, since we aren’t supposed to pick up our hands in the middle of a word. We tend to think through what we are spelling first, then, before we write the whole word.

4. It’s great for spatial awareness! If you have a hard time with spatial awareness on a page, not having to pick up your pencil 3 or 4 times in a word makes your life much easier.

HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter | 2

Playwriting in Seventh Grade

By George Schneider Seventh graders in Mr. Kulvete’s class created and wrote plays.

George: Why did you choose this assignment?

Mr. Kulvete: “I did theatre in the past and really enjoyed it. I know kids in my class like to create stories for movies and TV shows, so I thought this assignment would be a cool way to do that.”

George: What plays have you been in?

Mr. Kulvete: “I was in Peter Pan; I played Twin 2. I also directed a production of Twelfth Night.

George wrote a play as part of this project. Below is an excerpt from Gettysburg. To read more click here.

SCENE ONE: We open on Fort Washington, near Gettysburg. Soldiers Jonny and Roan are eating their dinners. There are walls all around them and two bunks on the back wall.

JOHNNY: God, this food is gross.

JOAN: It’s alright. Oh, have you gotten any letters from Mary?

JOHNNY: Not so sure if she can afford it.

ROAN: What are you talking about, she can’t afford it? It’s just a letter.

JOHNNY: Well, when I last saw her, her boss was giving her low pay. Unfortunately, you have to pay for letters now. I’m not sure if she has a ton of extra money, because she still has to pay for other things.

ROAN: Okay, well... maybe you should send her a letter!

JOHNNY: Listen, I don’t really want to talk about Mary right now.

ROAN: OK, sorry.

The lights go out.

What Does Dyslexia Mean to You?

By Ruby Gregory Ruby asked teachers and students about what dyslexia means to them.

What is is like to be dyslexic?

How would you explain dyslexia?

What has HRS helped you with?

What is it like to go to HRS? “A good way to explain dyslexia is a rocket that doesn’t have enough fuel and can’t make it up to space, but if you give it just a little more fuel and a bit of a push, then it will make it.” -Ethan “A learning disability. It kind of feels weird when you think you are the only one who has it. This was me for a long time. I was homeschooled for a long time. When I found out about this school, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go, but now that I am at HRS, I’m happy and feel like I fit in more. It’s nice to know that everyone is going through the same thing.” -Finn “To me dyslexia is a learning challenge people experience that affects reading, spelling and writing.

It’s different for everyone. However, I don’t have dyslexia so I don’t know what it’s like but I can empathize and relate. I had lots of challenges growing up with learning math. I used to get pulled out of class and go into a smaller classroom to learn math.

I felt dumb and my self-esteem went down. I really didn’t want to be singled out for not being good at math and was embarrassed. I also struggled with ADD and I suppose I still do but I’ve learned how to manage it better as I’ve gotten older. Since focus has always been a problem for me, this impacted my learning growing up.” -Ms. Maring

HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter | 3

A Glimpse Into Lower School

By Elle McNally Lower School students attended school in person and virtually.

Here’s a glimpse of what they have been up to.

Level 4 students created relief maps of WA state

Lower School’s Halloween Costume Parade

Level 3 Slingerland Writing Lesson

Ms. Krueger’s and Ms. Maimon’s Level 3 class enjoying a Zoom lesson

Student works with legos

HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter | 4

Birthday Celebrations

By All Student Council Members Monthly birthday celebrations reimagined!

Student Council worked to adapt our birthday treat celebration so students could partake virtually. On their birthday, students can use a birthday virtual background and bring a special treat to their birthday month’s virtual celebration, where they may even get to see Mr. Turner do a silly dance.

HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter | 5

Celebrating Our Eighth Graders

By McKenna Couch and Kate Dickinson

Eighth Grade is a year of reflection and celebration. Below you will find what identity means to our eighth graders and how their time at HRS has helped them. You will also learn about how they are looking forward to their future.

What does identity mean to you? · What we think we are

How HRS helped us fly:

· How people see you

· Slingerland and creative classes have helped me learn more about my dyslexia

· Using pronouns · Your gender, religion, and race · How you see yourself · What you like, your hobbies, job, and what you do · The person you want to be

How HRS helped us fly and where we’ll soar from here.

· Learning that there are more dyslexic people (empathy, Learning groups) · Helped me learn math · Helped reading skills · Creative classes help creative dyslexic minds · HRS makes you feel part of a family Where we’ll soar from here/what’s on the horizon: · High School · Meet new people · Take classes that I want to take · Theater · Getting Jobs · Getting into a good college · Driving

HRS Middle School Student Council Newsletter | 6