Middle School Highlights- August 5, 2022

TUESDAY August 16 - Sixth Grade Orientation in Theater 12:15 PM - in Uniform

TUESDAY August 16 - Seventh Grade Orientation in Theater 1:15 PM - in Uniform

TUESDAY August 16 - Eighth Grade Orientation in Theater 2:15 PM - in Uniform

WEDNESDAY August 17 - First day of classes - NO LATE START Regular Middle School Afternoon Hook up at 3:20

August 23 - 26 - Grade 7 Retreat to Camp Kanuga (NC)

August 25 - 26 - Grade 6 Retreat to Camp Widjiwagan

August 30 - Grade 8 High School Parent Meeting 6:00 PM

September 1 - Grade 8 Individual Pictures

September 5 - NO CLASSES Labor Day

September 6 - Middle School Back to School Night 6:00 PM

September 9 - Grade 6 and 7 Individual Pictures

September 9 - Begin scheduling P/T conferences

September 19-20 - Grade 8 Retreat to Camp NaCoMe

Welcome to the second edition of the 2022-2023 weekly middle school newsletter. Each Friday, “Middle School Highlights” will be sent as part of Dave Skeen’s Weekly Review and will also be included in CompassConnection which is sent out every Sunday morning. Within the middle school newsletter, you will find important calendar information, as well as specific news about each grade. Please stay connected to the middle school during the year through CompassNet and our weekly “Middle School Highlights” newsletter linked at the bottom of Friday’s Weekly Review.

With just over 10 days remaining until we kick off the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some important information as you plan for the opening days and beyond.

Orientation - Middle School orientation will be by grade level. Orientation is encouraged for students and parents. Each session will begin in the theater. Sixth Grade 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM; Seventh Grade 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM; Eighth Grade 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM. Students should attend with parents and must be in uniform dress.

Magnus Forms - All forms have been due this summer through Magnus Health. Please be sure that you are up to date with your forms prior to the first day of school. Information regarding all forms is located on the Magnus Health page on the Resource Board of CompassNet.

Fall Overnight Retreats - We are excited to get back on the road again for our Fall Grade Level Overnight Retreats. Please see important waivers, itineraries, and packing list linked at the bottom of this message. Return these waivers to the middle school office prior to the first day of school. You may scan and email them halll@hardingacademy.us or bring hard copies to Orientation. ALL MEDICAL form and MEDICINES must be delivered directly to the Nurse. The Middle School Office MAY NOT receive medication. If for any reason you do not want your child to participate in these off campus activities, please contact the middle school office at msoffice@hardingacademy.us as soon as possible. Please note that if your child does not participate, there is no program at school for them. The child must stay home for the period of the trip.  

August 25 - 26 - Grade 6 Retreat to Camp Widjiwagan

August 23 - 26 - Grade 7 Retreat to Camp Kanuga (NC)

September 19-20 - Grade 8 Retreat to Camp NaCoMe

Water Bottles - All students should have a refillable water bottle, labeled with their name, as drinking fountains are not available. There will only be bottle filling stations. Cups will not be provided this year.

Physical Education - Students will change into PE uniform for PE classes. As was the case prior to 20-21, sixth graders should come to school in their PE clothes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday when they have PE first period. They will change into their school uniform after PE. Seventh and eighth graders will change into their PE uniform before their PE class, and stay in their PE uniform for their after school activities or last period class. On Fridays, when sixth graders have PE last period, they will change into their PE uniform before class, and then stay in their uniform for after school activities or dismissal.

Middle School Dismissal - The last academic class will end at 3:20pm. At 3:20 PM students will be dismissed to after school activities or to the depot for hook up. We suggest middle school parents do not enter the hook up before 3:20pm or you may be asked to drive around. There should be little-to-no wait this time as most of the Lower School hook up will be finished and the middle school will not have many students for the 3:20 PM hook up. Please have your hook up numbers clearly displayed to facilitate dismissal. Following the end of hook up at approximately 3:30 PM, all remaining students will be asked to go to study hall

After School Study Hall - After school study hall will begin on Monday August 29 and run daily Monday-Friday, from 3:30 - 6:00 PM. Upon arrival to pick up, you should call the study hall number (615) 519-4123. Your child will be dismissed to the front of the middle school.

Summer Math and Reading - Links to the Summer Math and Reading requirements are also included below. Please be sure to put the finishing touches on all reading and math assignments before school begins. See the link below to access the Summer Portal directly.

NEW Uniform Dress Expectations - This is a reminder that new school dress expectations/uniforms will begin at orientation on Tuesday. Here is a link to the School Uniform Badge on CompassNet as well as the direct link to our Lands End Harding Online Store

School Photos - Grade 8 individual pictures: Pictures for the yearbook will be taken on Thursday, September 1st. A specific schedule will be sent out prior to August 26th. Please dress professionally and use your best judgment for your 8th grade yearbook portrait - shoes, slacks, a solid-colored button down shirt with a jacket and tie, pants suit, dress; no mini-skirts, spaghetti strap tops, or anything similar that is revealing. If you have a question about attire, contact the middle school office at msoffice@hardingacademy.us. Pictures for sixth and seventh grade students will be on Friday, September 9th. Picture dress for grades 6 and 7 will be their regular school uniform.

All the best,

Go Hawks!!

Jay Codispoti