August 22, 2011

Random Song Quote:

“Hello again hello
Just called to say hello
I didn’t sleep at all tonight
And I know, but I couldn’t wait…hello.”

A Neil Diamond classic!


The First Day of School:

So it is with great excitement and anticipation that we will welcome the first day of school on Thursday. Each year is so different as the new students add their own personalities to our Middle School, the rising 8th graders offer new and unique leadership, and the new faculty and staff add their own flavor to EWS. The first part of the year, getting to know the students new to our community and catching up with those who are returning is truly one of the joys of this job.

With the first day also comes a great deal of anxiety for the middle school student. For 6th graders it is the new school and with it uncertain expectations of what the days and weeks ahead will bring. We try to mitigate these with the pool party and overnight experience, but it is not uncommon for a child who was very comfortable and excited about school to suddenly become very nervous. This goes away. I promise. For 7th graders, there is a lot of excitement about the year ahead. This is a big year for most of our 7th graders as they will celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. This means a lot of social activity and a lot of responsibility. This is a challenge for most parents and kids, and we will do the best we can to help during this exciting time. For 8th graders, they have survived 7th grade, and they are now the kings and queens of the castle as they move upstairs, and their voices are much louder than they were before. These are the students we will mostly rely on to make recommendations, to take leaderships roles, and to set the example for the rest of the Middle School. With the higher expectations come greater rewards and privileges for meeting those expectations.

And so, it is with a great deal of hope for a super year, with excitement to see the kids, and with genuine love of this school and community that we welcome some of you to, and some of you back to, the EWS Middle School.

Wishing you all a great year.


Birthdays this week:

Eden Sharaby – August 23
Olivia Dadoun – August 24
Jordan Love, Ben Tuchshneider, Patsy Serna-Cohen, and Ellie Spier – August 25
Bucky Engel and Megan Haas – August 29
Michael Ran and Ian Arzt – August 26

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs:

Mazel Tov to the following students who will celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs this week:

Bess Krasoff
Brandon Roseman
Alexa and Michael Spolane


Important Dates/Events on Campus:

• Athletic Practices start on Monday, August 22
• August 23 and 24 – 1-4 p.m. – 7th and 8th Grade Locker set-up. Please feel free to bring your 7th or 8th grade child to school during those assigned times to place supplies and visit with teachers.
• August 25 – School begins at 7:45 a.m. with the traditional and much anticipated opening ceremonies led by Head of School, Stuart Dow. The excitement builds…
• August 28 – The EWS Annual Picnic will be held in The Commons and the patio from 5-7 p.m.