January 10, 2007

Dear Middle School Parents:

We hope your new year is off to a wonderful start and that your child is successfully making the transition back to daily life in the Middle School.  Enclosed you will find your child’s report card and a list of those students who were selected for Student of the Week for the 2^nd Quarter.  In addition, please note the following areas of importance as we look from the end of the first semester to the third marking period:

Report Cards:  Feel free to contact any of your child’s teachers should you have any questions regarding report card grades or comments.  We encourage parents to contact teachers if a grade falls below a C+ in any class.  Teachers can be reached via email or phone.  Do not hesitate to call the office should you need any assistance.

Mid-Quarter Progress Reports:  The week of February 5^th, parents will be receiving progress reports from teachers in classes where performance is a C+ or lower.  If parents wish to request progress reports for other classes, teachers will be happy to generate reports.  Just contact the appropriate teacher(s) via phone or email.

New Benjamin School Website:  During the third quarter, the Benjamin School is launching its new website.  The school has been working toward this change for some time, as this website promises to improve communication between the school, parents, and students, as well as enhance the use of technology in the classroom.  It is important to note that the schools’ web address is changing to www.thebenjaminschool.org when the site is launched.  Please look for information from the school via U.S. Mail containing your personal log-in and details about use of the site.

Middle School Class Trips:  The School is finalizing arrangements for the following class trips in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades: 

• 6^th Grade – an overnight trip to the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area where students will participate in activities as a culmination to their Environmental Science Unit;
• 7^th Grade – a three day/two night trip to the Marine Resources Development Foundation in Key Largo where students will participate in activities in the marine and oceanographic sciences;
• 8^th Grade – a four day/three night trip to Washington, D.C. as a culmination to their studies in United States History.

Our teachers and students are looking forward to traveling together to each of these locations.  Parent meetings will be held to discuss trip itineraries and details.  If you have questions before the meetings occur, please feel free to call the office. 

Izzy Kalman “Bullies to Buddies Presentation:  Nationally known psychotherapist and certified school psychologist Izzy Kalman will be presenting to our parents on Wednesday, January 31^st at the Barker Performing Arts Center on the Kehl Campus.  Please mark your calendars to attend – Mr. Kalman is nationally known for his work dealing with anger control and bullying.  Please visit his website at www.bullies2buddies.com for more information.  We hope to see you there!

Important Dates:  Please note the following on your calendars: 

• Week of January 8^th – Report Cards mailed home
• January 13^th – B.A.S.H. Variety Show at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Eissey Theater
• January 15^th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School
• January 22nd – 8^th Grade Transition Days at the Upper School begin (Mrs. Poncy will email

  a letter containing a schedule and details).

• January 24^th  – Book Fair (through January 28^th) at Barnes and Noble
• January 24^th – MS Spelling Bee/8^th Grade Shakespeare Workshop at the Kravis Center
• January 29^th – 8^th Grade  Field Trip to see Romeo and Juliet at the Kravis Center
• February 3^rd – Dance Team Competition in Daytona
• Week of February 5^th  – Mid-Quarter Reports

The Middle School faculty, staff, and administration wish you health and happiness this new year of 2007.  Feel free to call the Office should you have any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Charles Hagy, Jr.

Head of Middle Schoo