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From the Middle School Principal
Dear Parents of Grade 8 students,
Summer is winding down and we will welcome
your child back to Milton Academy shortly. This year will
be an exciting one. The renovations to Ware Hall are nearly
complete and I am eager for the eighth grade to own and enjoy
the new space. We have already written about a number of changes
that we are implementing this year in the Middle School. One
involves student orientation.
Students will leave Ware Hall at 7:30 a.m.
on Thursday, September 9 For the Grade 8 orientation. We will
travel by bus to catch a boat to Thompson Island in Boston
Harbor where students will participate in a team-building
ropes course. The program’s goal is that students learn,
through experience, cooperation, trust, communication, and
leadership. Your child’s advisor will accompany the
group and participate in the activities. The qualified Thompson
Island Outward Bound staff will lead the activities. Safety
is their top priority as well as ours. Students may participate
at their own comfort level. The Thompson Island staff has
informed us that each participant must have a pre-approved
medical and release form or he or she will be unable to participate
in the activities. Therefore, to allow time for an approval
process, returning the forms to Mrs. Gardiner by August 30
is essential. Students must dress appropriately — with
sneakers or boots — and we strongly recommend students
bring a water bottle and sunscreen. There will be no bus service
to or from school that day; lunch will be provided. We will
return to Ware Hall by 6:30 p.m. where students will receive
their books and locker assignments. Please pick students up
no later than 7:00 p.m.
Students must also have a completed medical
form and a student network acceptable use form on file by
the first day of school. Due to the complexity of issues surrounding
technology today, we think that students’ understanding
about appropriate and safe use of computers and the School
network is essential. This is the first year that we are requiring
that Middle School students read and sign the acceptable use
policy. Please read and discuss the technology policy with
your child and sign your name. Most of the time we supervise
students’ computer use at school; however, on rare occasions,
a student may use a computer unsupervised in the library or
student center. We expect students to follow our guidelines
when using school computers. If a student misuses the computers,
we will follow the rules and regulations stated in the “Middle
School Handbook.”
Finally, we expect students to participate
in three athletic seasons this school year. Parents can pick
students up once athletics is over, at 3:45 p.m. Any students
who remain on campus after 4:15 p.m. must attend one of the
after-school activities from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 or 5:45 p.m..
While a homework club will launch the activity program during
the first two weeks, students can then choose among other
activities which may including performing arts, speech team,
science, music, etc. The faculty and I strongly believe that
we have a moral and legal obligation to supervise Middle School
students while they are on campus even “after school.”
The new activity program does not involve an additional charge
to parents.
If you have any questions, please call me
or the Middle School assistant, Janet Gardiner. I look forward
to seeing you soon and hope you enjoy the remainder of your
summer.
Sincerely,
Mark Stanek
Middle School Principal
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