Middle Message | Fall 2013

Fall

2013

Middle Message The MBS Middle School Magazine

Message from the Head Resilience

Boni Luna, Head of Middle School

Resilience is a hot topic in education right now.

This, I think, is due in part to the work done by Carol Dweck on the concept of a growth mindset. Dr. Dweck’s premise is that, “In a growth mind-set, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work — brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.”

having a growth mind-set. The attitude “I can get better if I try

I believe that as parents and teachers we must encourage

harder” should help make you a tenacious, determined, hard-

persistence and expect a strong work ethic from our children

working person.”

and students. For many of us, resilience means a positive response to adversity. So, what does this look like in a school?

As educators, we work to instill these character traits in our

Can resilience be taught? The answer, although not easy, is to

students. It is why we use the workshop model for developing

strengthen character.

writing; the workshop model requires a commitment to the process. The skill of writing can only be developed through editing and reworking, time and again. Furthermore, as this

curriculum, and our advisory program. Our goals for

Fall’s Middle Message will convey, so much of the work we do

establishing high academic expectations, helping students

in middle school is about character development.

manage stress, and developing independence of mind (as stated in the school’s values) all foster perseverance and, by

Duckwork goes on to state, “In terms of academics, if you’re

extension, resilience.

just trying to get an A or an A-, just trying to make it to some threshold, and you’re a really talented kid, you may do your homework in a few minutes, whereas other kids might take

In 6th grade they read John Steinbeck’s The Pearl, and in 7th and 8th grade they read works by William Shakespeare. These

you stop. So you actually work less hard. If on the other hand,

authors at any grade present both linguistic and intellectual

you are not trying to reach a certain cut point but are trying

challenges that require study, thought, and determination.

to maximize your outcome-you may want to do as well as you possibly can — then there’s no limit, ceiling or threshold. Your goal is, “how can I get the most out of my day?”

independently.

In other words, this attitude is not about getting the A, but reaching for limitless learning and the possibility of growth. If

relationship between physical activity and stress. Our school has incorporated recess and athletics into the school day in an

there is one thing educators can impart to students, it is a love of learning for its own sake.

attempt to develop a life-long habit that will help students cope

In addition to clearly establishing a commitment to hard work,

with stress.

our own stories can serve as examples to our children. What

These are but a few examples of how our Middle School is working to foster resilience in our students.

we, as the adults in children’s lives, have overcome can serve to model and inspire the young. The experiences we provide, the stories we tell, and the expectations we set will

The researcher Angela Lee Duckworth says, “ The correlation

help our students and children develop the perseverance

between [growth mind-set and becoming grittier] is not perfect,

and resilience they will need as they grow up to face the

but suggests... that one of the things that makes you gritty is

challenges that every life encounters.

The Dean's Desk

Lisa Swanson, Dean of Middle School

The Middle School is a place where teachers, students and parents work together to create an atmosphere that encourages and promotes learning. As Middle School Dean, I view discipline in a similar way, as a means to teach, not punish. What makes discipline work?

Clear expectations behavior in advisory, classrooms, morning meetings

dependable foundation from which to grow and mature.

Consistency Consistency is key. Students need to know that they will be held accountable for breeches in the community’s code of conduct. Consistency encourages responsibility, creates a sense of security and allows students to be accountable for their own choices by controlling their own outcome.

Building positive relationships Positive relationships lead to compliance. No student gets up in the morning thinking, “How can I break the rules at school today?” The more “connected” as student feels to adults who care and believe in them, the less likely they are to misbehave.

Community tone setting Our ongoing message to middle schoolers is that they are a part of something special. Students are less likely to buck the system when they feel good about themselves and the community to which they belong.

Working with students in the Middle School is deeply rewarding because it is interesting to watch them discover and develop their abilities. The right tone of their personal goals.

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Spotlight on Learning

Mrs. Jackie Forte, 6th grade English Teacher

Our Town On November 13th the sixth grade students

from their own hometowns. Furthermore,

took a field trip to the Shakespeare

Additionally, the students learned that

they researched "1938", the year when

Theater of New Jersey at Drew University

Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, the

in Madison, NJ to watch a wonderful

play's setting, could represent any small

the life of Thornton Wilder. With great

production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

town anywhere in the world. Crossing

anticipation and excitement, the students

curricula, the boys and girls learned

were not disappointed after watching the

Wilder's timeless classic, which explores

about their own hometowns in Geography

famous play.

the themes of living each day to its fullest

class, researching such information as

and appreciating family, friends, and the

what their town is best known for, their

"The play was fantastic and entertaining!

small moments in life, was studied in

town's population, and notable landmarks.

I would give it 5 out of 5 stars! It was like

on such roles as the omniscient Stage

The students began the unit by writing

you were really in their world living life with them." - Rachel Kelson

about the meaning of the Latin phrase Webb, George Gibbs, and other town

"Carpe Diem".

They discussed how

The students will continue to explore similar

folk, the sixth graders enthusiastically

Grovers Corners is similar and different

themes in literature throughout the year.

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Counselor's Corner

Hillary Potter, Middle School Guidance

Building Community through Leadership An area of responsibility that we take seriously in the Middle

Some of the skills we discuss and practice are the qualities needed

School is that of helping our students to become good leaders.

in a leader and how these qualities can be developed. Some

Rather than expect these skills to develop by osmosis, we

examples are to develop empathy, respect and genuineness as

actively assist their development within our students through

well as the skills of becoming a good communicator and active

the Leadership Group.

listener. The use of writing a proposal rather than submitting a petition to achieve the desired outcome is also mentioned.

thus: “Leadership implies more than just having position or

The group is only as successful as its participants and this

authority. A leader is a servant who provides direction and seeks to motivate those who follow.” In the Middle School, we

written proposal for dress code changes and a written proposal

attempt to create student leaders who will go on to “…motivate

for a Lock-In. Not every idea or proposal has been a success,

those who follow” them.

but the important factor has been the student focus on the appropriate process.

The MS Leadership Group is open to all students at each grade level, it meets bi-weekly in the Board Room during lunch and it is

As we experience times of change in our school community,

an appropriate venue for students to voice new ideas, concerns

we need to remind ourselves that our greatest resource is

and community projects. As the facilitator of this group, it is

our students. It takes grassroots leaders — not just those in

my job to teach them leadership skills and the process needed

traditional leadership positions — to effect positive change.

to effect their desired community change.

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Middle School Athletics

John Sheppard, Middle School Director of Athletics The Middle School sports season is off to a strong start with 95 percent of the students participating in a fall and winter sport. With the recent improvement of the soccer/baseball renewed enthusiasm. It was easy to see that

As for the coaches, it is exciting to know that our athletes will not only get more time on the injuries.

Morristown-Beard School held its Middle School Fall Sports Awards Ceremony on November 4th in Founders Hall unveiling a new focus in our recognition of our athletes. We decided it would be more in-line with our school philosophy to honor students for sportsmanship, and overall personal development. The awards are presented to athletes who have exemplary conduct, demonstrate the philosophy and spirit of MBS Athletics, and who work hard at making their team better. These athletes display dedication to the team and their teammates, while displaying exceptional leadership skills.

Though we are offering the same winter sports as past winter seasons, we have enhanced our Fitness Program. After a very successful announce our enhancement of the program. In we are adding a yoga/stretching component to the Fitness Program. So, all participants in

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Student Life

The Middle School is moving forward. It is hard to quantify our

Not only did our kids do a good job, they literally "did good."

progress, but it is also hard to deny. I have three things I want

What's more, they had fun doing good. Yes, they all had fun

to share with you.

because it was new, and stimulating, and different. But some of them also had fun because they felt the joy that runs through

8th Grade trip to the Community FoodBank of NJ. If you are not

else's good fortune. These kids felt the joy of giving.

familiar with this event, you can watch a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sgRWeeod1c video that

We are currently discussing plans on how to bring this experience

was made during the visit.

to the 7th Graders who are old enough to go to the FoodBank warehouse. (You have to be 12-years-old or older.) We would like

The bottom line is that, in going to the FoodBank, the 8th

to have the 8th Grades mentor the 7th Graders during another

Graders got off campus, rolled their sleeves up, and actually

trip in the Spring. Not only would this help the FoodBank, but it

did something substantive to help their community. This was real, adult, community service — like cooking a meal at the

kids involved. Please stay tuned!

Soup Kitchen or shingling a roof with Habitat for Humanity. We had 60 student and faculty volunteers working at our table and

I also wanted to share with you something that happened at school today.

20 adult volunteers at their table.

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Rob Mead, Director of Student Life So the third thing I wanted to share with you is a secret list that I compile of all the "extra" things that our kids do. I started it to keep track of the After-School Program, but then I added in all the things that kids "elect" to do of their own free will. For instance, joining Mrs. Potter's Leadership Group during lunch or getting Math Tutoring from Mrs. Sturgeon during recess are both free choices that students can make. Staying for the AfterSchool Program or coming back during Gym & Pool Night are also choices that students and their parents can make. So these things are all counted on the list.

Here is what I found:

And we're only in November! We could reach 1,000 registers

by June!

In short, this is the most exciting time to be in the Middle School that I can remember. The academic program is strong, and the other opportunities that are available to the kids are incredible.

The biggest problem that we have today is the tyranny of choice average about 8-10 kids per visit, but this week it looked like we

— the kids have so many things to choose from and they can't

were going to be short a few kids because a lot of our Sunrise

do everything.

volunteers happen to play ice hockey, and their practice does not end until 3:45 PM.

Our goal is to offer something for everyone. We want 100% of

Anyway, I simply started to walk up to kids at Lunch Recess and say, "Hey, so-and-so. Are you free this afternoon? Would you like

forward to coming to school every day.

to join us at Sunrise?" And what do you know? A bunch of kids said "Yes"! In fact, so many kids said "Yes" that I started to worry

Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to get your

that we would have too many kids! They started volunteering

child more fully engaged.

I was astonished. But I was also delighted. Who were these kids who were literally springing up and running off to volunteer.

All it took was a request from me, and our kids jumped at the chance to volunteer.

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