Inflight News Issue 5: February 2024

INFLIGHT NEWS

A NOTE FROM MRS. ROD

Thankyouforyourattendanceatourharmfullanguagewebinar.Iwantto reiteratethedeepimportanceofparentsbeingpluggedinrightnow, particularlywithhowyourchildiscommunicatingwithothersandengaging withtechnologyandsocialmedia.

Plugintotheirconversationswithfriends:askquestionsandstop conversationsiftheyareinappropriate.

Plugintotextmessagesandgroupchats.

Activemonitoringhelpsstudentsunderstandtheyarebeingheld accountable.

Removeyourchildfromgroupchatsthataregettingoutofhandand loopotherparentsin.

Plugintosocialmedia-youneedtobefriendswiththemandseethe contenttheyarecreating,viewing,andsharing.

Helpyourchildunderstandwhatalignswithyourfamilyvaluesand whatdoesnot.

Weareallonthesameteamingrowingwonderfulhumanswhocontributeto theirworldwithdeepempathyandcompassion.Thankyouforyour partnership!

In this issue

A Note from Mrs Rod

PAGE 1

Affinity Groups

PAGE 2

Buddies

PAGE 3 PAGES 4-6

Eighth Grade Show

Family Groups

PAGE 7

Important Dates and Announcements

PAGE 8

Affinity Groups

February 7

Affinity groups are groups where all members share a particular identity that can be based on race, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, physical/mental ability, socioeconomic class, family structure, religion, etc. An affinity group is a "brave" place where community members can come together to learn more about their own identities while feeling more connected to each other because of those identities.

On November 1, students engaged in thoughtful conversations about affinity groups. In grade-level groups, they went through an exercise that helped them get a sense of what it is like to be in community with others who share a common identity, in this case, birth order. Following this experience, students completed a survey to select the affinity group they wanted to participate in this month.

On February 7, students watched the amazing Ted Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as the framework for their conversations through the lens of the identity they selected for affinity groups. Then, students crafted a statement that articulates what they want people to know about being in their identity group. These were shared in morning advisories and further discussed in advisory plus. Students are learning to dig into who they are, learn more about other people’s perspectives, and embrace that we all have many-layered stories and identities. Our next meeting will be on March 20.

Buddies

February 13

6th graders and 1st graders wrote in handprints how they could spread kindness to others. They had great conversations, shared ideas, and drew pictures. They then choose a book and spent time reading together.

7th grade and 3rd grade students were thrilled to be together again to share their love with one another! Together they learned about how Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world and created cards based on their learning. This is connected to the third grade geography unit.

8th graders and their kindergarten buddies created notes of love for each other, family members, and friends. They so enjoy spending time together and we’re grateful to see one another to strengthen their bond. Buddy time always flies by too quickly. Next time, they’re excited to meet on the playground and play games together.

Eighth Grade Original Show: Westside Radio

February 23

“The eighth graders spent 42 hours in class and in afterschool rehearsals creating a vignette show from scratch. They wrote it, directed it, acted in it, and ran all elements behind the scenes! We couldn’t be more proud!”

Dr Cameron & Nate -

“It was so funny! I want to see it again and again” Kindergartner -

“I

Fourth-grader

8X: Scene 1: Subterranean Homesick Alien

8X: Scene 2: Tik Tok

8X: Scene 3: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

8X: Scene 4: Free Fallin’

can’t wait to be in middle school so I can be part of the theatre program.””

“The transition scenes were my favorite and kept the show going so smoothly. Ari and Lila were so fun and natural to watch. The scenes were fun. I didn’t want to miss a minute of the show.”

Seventh-grader

“The Barbie scene was outrageous and we loved it”

Seventh-grader

“I really believed that Liv and Luce were bullies even though they are completely different in real life. Such a great scene”

Seventh-grader

“The cockroach scene was my favorite! I loved how excited and joyful the actors were”

Sixth grader

“I loved how there was a lot of comedy but the scenes had important messages and lessons ”

Fourth-grader -

“I didn’t want the show to be over”

Second-grader

“The projections, the lights, the music, it was all so cool.“

Fifth-grader

“The scenes were so creative and all so different.“

Third-grader

8Y: Scene 5: The Kenlorette

8Y: Scene 6: Standing up to bullies

8Y: Scene 7: Life on Mars

8Y: Scene 8: Cockroaches

“I loved seeing my buddy on stage!”

Kindergartner -

“Thank you for all the love and work you pour into this experience for the kids My child loved the whole experience and wants to continue doing this in high school!”

Parent

“My buddy is so funny.”

Kindergartner -

“The chef scene was so good ”

First grader -

“Thank you for the most beautiful and fun play. It made me happy to see my child on stage Also, thank you for teaching them all those traditions.”

Parent

“What you were able to pull off, for those of us who know how much work this is in the industry, is miraculous What an unbelievably wonderful opportunity you’ve created for our kids! Thank you!“

Parent -

“I loved the weather scene!”

First-grader

“This was my favorite eighth grade show”

Faculty member -

8Z: Scene 9: Chef Competition

8Z: Scene 10: Toy Company

8Z: Scene 11: CloudMare

8Z: Scene 12: Hermit Crab

Class of 2024

Family Groups

February 23

Family groups are a wonderful time for students across kindergarten to eighth grade to gather, greet each other, share their thoughts and feelings, and play games together. This is entirely led by the middle school leaders.

Inspired by the eighth-grade play, students shared their favorite moments from the show and then played charades. At the end of each family group meeting, the leaders bring the group together in a circle for a family group cheer or chant, while the older students bring their younger friends back to their classrooms and say their goodbyes.

We love seeing our middle schoolers lean into leadership and run family groups as their class with the support and guidance of faculty and staff.

Upcoming Dates

EVERY WEDNESDAY IS SPIRIT DAY!

8th Grade Esteem Training: March 7, 11, and 13

These two-hour sessions will be separated by gender and are geared at teaching students assertiveness, personal safety, self-defense, and harassment prevention.

6th-8th Affinity Groups: Wednesday, March 20

Student-Led Conferences: Wednesday, March 27 or Thursday, March 28

Spring Break: Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5

Announcements

Please help us by removing your child’s devices at night and supporting our no chewing gum and no eating candy at school policies

8th-grade pancake breakfast

Family Groups

Affinity groups