March Inflight News: Middle School Newsletter

Eighth graders who received honor roll earned a walk to Starbucks to enjoy a treat This was made possible based on Goldie’s initiative as an executive board member.

INFLIGHT NEWS

The WNS Middle School Newsletter

A NOTE FROM MRS. ROD

Spring is upon us, and the upcoming spring break provides a beautiful opportunity to reset, rejuvenate, and reconnect. Whether the break is full of time relaxing at home or spent on the go traveling, I hope your families can enjoy some quality time together. As we look toward the final two months of the school year, an important conversation to have with your child is: how do you plan to finish the year strong? Use the student-led conference as a jumping-off point for continued conversation about your child’s goals as a student and as a person. Where might they want your support? Where might they want to take on more independence? We look forward to seeing the students back on campus on Monday, April 8.

In this issue

A Note from Mrs. Rod

PAGE 1

8th-Grade Pancake Breakfast

PAGE 2

Buddies

PAGE 3

7th & 8th Grade Capstone

Project Updates

PAGES 4

Affinity Groups

PAGE 5

Family Groups

PAGE 6

Important Dates and Announcements

PAGE 7

Eighth Grade Pancake Breakfast March 7

Eighth graders put in a lot of time and effort in their high school application process, interviews, and shadow days. In anticipation of hearing news from their high schools, they all gathered to enjoy some delicious breakfast, celebrate how far they’ve come and watch some of their favorite cartoons together while devouring delicious pancakes made by Mr. Zacuto, Ms. Reimann, and Mrs. Rod. Mr. Brannan happily served bacon and other accoutrement to the students, while the other eighth grade teachers and advisors enjoyed breakfast alongside the students. Since the breakfast, students have all heard back and have made their selections for high schools next year! We’re so proud of them all.

Buddies

March 12

1st and 6th grade students met this morning so the 1st grade students could share their final drafts of their non-fiction stories they have been working on in writing. The stories showcased an area of expertise picked out by each 1st grade student, so they were very excited to share their final versions with their sixth grade buddies. After reading the stories together, sixth graders provided positive feedback and recommendations for their buddies. At the end, they got to write their buddies a nice note on the complements page at the back of each first grader's book.

3rd graders shared their informational writing with their seventh-grade buddies. Seventh graders gave thoughtful feedback by sharing three compliments, and two pieces of feedback, and asked a question to push the third graders for more detail. Seventh graders felt proud of helping their younger buddies grow as writers.

For buddies this month, the kindergarteners met the 8th graders on a cool, sunny morning on the back turf to experience outdoor play together. The kindergarteners, eager to share their favorite activities with their older buddies, took the lead in guiding the 8th graders through a series of fun play experiences from navigating the playscape to playing soccer to building hula hoop structures. The 8th graders, perhaps nostalgic for their own carefree kindergarten days, embraced the opportunity to bond with their little buddies, fostering a sense of mentorship and friendship that bridged the age gap between them This heartwarming time spent together shows the joy a K-8 school can offer when older kids and younger kids connect, play, and learn from each other

7th and 8th Grade Capstone Project Updates

Our Capstone Project is a cornerstone of our curriculum, designed to bridge classroom learning with realworld impact. Split into two distinct yet interconnected components, SPLASH for 7th graders and SWIM for 8th graders, the program empowers students to tackle societal, health, and environmental issues head-on. Through these projects, students gain invaluable experience in creating meaningful change, reflecting our school's dedication to nurturing informed, empathetic, and proactive global citizens.

SPLASH (Solving Problems for Los Angeles’s Society and Health)

In SPLASH, our 7th graders are immersed in the initial stages of their impactful journey. Small groups of students have been diligently conducting interviews with professionals in their chosen fields and gathering insights and data that will inform their projects. They're also reaching out to and collaborating with organizations for site visits and volunteer opportunities, which not only enrich their understanding of the issues at hand but also foster a sense of community and partnership. As they prepare for the culmination of their SPLASH experience, students are meticulously planning their pitch videos. These presentations, slated for June, promise to be a showcase of their proposed action steps and the positive changes they envision, shared with an audience of peers, parents, and faculty.

SWIM (Solutionary Work in Motion)

In SWIM, students’ efforts are now focused on bringing their projects to fruition through various fundraising initiatives, including DRIVE week on campus, t-shirt sales, Amazon wish lists, and an eagerly anticipated Entrepreneurial Day on April 17. Concurrently, students are capturing key moments and b-roll footage for their final documentaries, which will chronicle their journey and the tangible outcomes of their work. This hands-on engagement with their chosen organizations—whether through volunteering, providing resources, or developing innovative solutions—exemplifies the essence of SWIM: transforming ideas into action for the betterment of our community.

Through both SPLASH and SWIM, our students are not just preparing for the future; they are actively shaping it. Their projects embody the spirit of inquiry, empathy, and initiative that we strive to instill in all our students, marking their passage not just as learners, but as leaders and changemakers.

Affinity Groups

March 20

We had our third affinity group of the year on Wednesday, March 20, with the first one focusing on birth order, and the last focusing on “The Danger of a Single Story”.

Together, we used art and discussion to frame the conversation around names and identities Students decorated a popsicle stick with their name and added their personal unique flair. Then, they shared with their group responses to questions about their choices and the story behind their names. They answered these questions:

How does your design reflect your personality?

I was given my name because...

I like/dislike my name because...

My name is/isn’t a good fit for my personality because

Describe a time when someone made an assumption about you because of your name.

Describe a time when your name affected your behavior.

They then watched a TED Talk, “Do Names Matter?” through the lens of the identity they selected for affinity groups.

After watching the video, each group had an interesting discussion about:

How the video made them feel

What surprised them

Shared moments when names have impacted individuals negatively

Discussed whether or not names really matter

Family Groups

March 20

Family groups are a special time when students across K-8 grades gather to greet one another, share their thoughts and feelings, and play games together This is led by eighth graders with faculty and staff acting as support These times are often cherished by all Middle school students continue to build their leadership skills as they run their groups and make sure it’s safe for all. Students shared their favorite things and also laughed together as they enjoyed this time in Family Groups before Spring Break. It’s wonderful to see the relationships develop among the younger and older students at WNS.

Upcoming Dates

EVERY WEDNESDAY IS SPIRIT DAY!

Student- Led Conferences are on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28

School Closed for Good Friday: March 29

Spring Break: April 1-April 5

Classes resume on Monday, April 8

MS Spring Fling Dance on Friday, April 12 (7-9pm)

There is no school on Friday, April 19, due to a Faculty/Staff Professional Development day

Coming

Announcements

If students are absent from school, they are responsible for following up with their teachers to figure out what they need to make up.

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

Middle School Spring Fling Buddies

Family Groups

Affinity Groups