Happy New Year from the Middle School!
Happy New Year! Despite the freezing temperatures, January promises to be a busy and exciting month for the Middle School with fourth grade visits, FIRST Lego League and Future City competitions, two bake sales, a ski trip, assemblies and Middle School Olympiad on the calendar.
I am privileged to have the opportunity to observe and interact often with our talented faculty and students. In English, fifth grade students completed an alternative assessment for their Bridge to Terabithia unit. They chose three assessments, out of a possible nine activities, allowing them to showcase their strengths in art, writing, and technology. In history, the fifth graders are beginning their study of Ancient Egypt. In sixth grade, students looked at Chinese landscape paintings as part of their study of the Golden Age of China. The girls used the paintings as models to create their own watercolors and are writing nature poems to go with their paintings. They will begin their Silk Road project shortly. In English class, students are reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
I am privileged to have the opportunity to observe and interact often with our talented faculty and students. In English, fifth grade students completed an alternative assessment for their Bridge to Terabithia unit. They chose three assessments, out of a possible nine activities, allowing them to showcase their strengths in art, writing, and technology. In history, the fifth graders are beginning their study of Ancient Egypt. In sixth grade, students looked at Chinese landscape paintings as part of their study of the Golden Age of China. The girls used the paintings as models to create their own watercolors and are writing nature poems to go with their paintings. They will begin their Silk Road project shortly. In English class, students are reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Seventh grade English students are engaged in digital literary circles as they read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Each girl has a rotating assignment as they read a chapter in the novel and work in literary circles to discuss their analysis. In seventh grade history, the study of the Constitution is almost complete as the girls analyze and rule on Supreme Court cases. The seventh graders will have an opportunity to hear Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the evening of Tuesday, February 4 at an event hosted by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. An email with additional information will be sent to seventh grade parents. Eighth grade English students are preparing skits from their reading of Midsummer Night’s Dream. In history, eighth graders are continuing their study of nationalism prior to World War II with lessons on the life of Gandhi.
Our next three House games will be devoted to clubs. Students signed up for clubs last Wednesday, and our first club period will take place on Tuesday, January 28. A very diverse group of clubs is being offered including, but not limited to, Math Club, Reader’s Anonymous/Battle of the Books and Gym Games.
We look forward to welcoming the fourth graders this week as they visit the Middle School. Each fourth grader will have a fifth grade “buddy,” and will stay through lunch and recess. The fifth grade girls are excited to act as experienced Middle School tour guides for their fourth grade buddies.
The Middle School Olympiad, scheduled for Friday, January 24, is a favorite Ellis tradition. The eigth graders provide leadership to enthusiastic teams of fifth, sixth and seventh graders as they compete in various activities such as Quiz Kid and Olympic Challenge throughout the day. The day culminates with gold, silver, and bronze medals for the winning teams.
This month brings opportunities to hear talks given by leading women in the Pittsburgh community. On Thursday, January 16, we will hear Ellis parents and alumnae speak in a panel titled, "Inspiring Women: Career Connections.” Thursday, January 23, is our Online Safety Day, and we are fortunate to have Tanya Evanina, an FBI agent, speak to us again. Agent Evanina brings knowledge and experience as well as the ability to deliver an age appropriate message to all girls in the Middle School. The grade level deans and I will share these activities and conversations with parents in a coffee on Wednesday, January 29. On Monday, January 27, all Middle School girls will have the opportunity to meet Lisa Epps, Pittsburgh's only African-American female firefighter, who will be visiting to talk to the FIRST Lego League. Vanessa German, the poet from Mayor Peduto's inauguration, is coming to speak at our Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly on February 13.
We have two major science competitions in January. The Future City competition takes place on Saturday, January 18, from 9-3 at the Carnegie Music Hall. Please come support the team if you can! Mrs. Christian-Michaels, Mrs. Mechling, Mr. Sidari and a group of seventh and eighth grade students have worked very hard to complete their fictional city and solve its transportation issues in a creative way.
Our FIRST Lego League team earned first place in research for their recent scrimmages on Decmeber 12 and January 11. Dr. Brewer and the students, with the assistance of Mr. Ray and Dr. Abel-Palmieri, will have a regional competition on February 22.
The Pittsburgh Regional Science Fair Competition takes place on Saturday, February 1. PJAS students are in the process of conducting science experiments and analyzing their results.
As part of our partnership with the Symphony, the Ellis Community is invited to join our Silver Strings students for a performance at Heinz Music Hall on Sunday, February 9.
There will be no school for students on Monday, January 20 as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
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Our next three House games will be devoted to clubs. Students signed up for clubs last Wednesday, and our first club period will take place on Tuesday, January 28. A very diverse group of clubs is being offered including, but not limited to, Math Club, Reader’s Anonymous/Battle of the Books and Gym Games.
We look forward to welcoming the fourth graders this week as they visit the Middle School. Each fourth grader will have a fifth grade “buddy,” and will stay through lunch and recess. The fifth grade girls are excited to act as experienced Middle School tour guides for their fourth grade buddies.
The Middle School Olympiad, scheduled for Friday, January 24, is a favorite Ellis tradition. The eigth graders provide leadership to enthusiastic teams of fifth, sixth and seventh graders as they compete in various activities such as Quiz Kid and Olympic Challenge throughout the day. The day culminates with gold, silver, and bronze medals for the winning teams.
This month brings opportunities to hear talks given by leading women in the Pittsburgh community. On Thursday, January 16, we will hear Ellis parents and alumnae speak in a panel titled, "Inspiring Women: Career Connections.” Thursday, January 23, is our Online Safety Day, and we are fortunate to have Tanya Evanina, an FBI agent, speak to us again. Agent Evanina brings knowledge and experience as well as the ability to deliver an age appropriate message to all girls in the Middle School. The grade level deans and I will share these activities and conversations with parents in a coffee on Wednesday, January 29. On Monday, January 27, all Middle School girls will have the opportunity to meet Lisa Epps, Pittsburgh's only African-American female firefighter, who will be visiting to talk to the FIRST Lego League. Vanessa German, the poet from Mayor Peduto's inauguration, is coming to speak at our Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly on February 13.
We have two major science competitions in January. The Future City competition takes place on Saturday, January 18, from 9-3 at the Carnegie Music Hall. Please come support the team if you can! Mrs. Christian-Michaels, Mrs. Mechling, Mr. Sidari and a group of seventh and eighth grade students have worked very hard to complete their fictional city and solve its transportation issues in a creative way.
Our FIRST Lego League team earned first place in research for their recent scrimmages on Decmeber 12 and January 11. Dr. Brewer and the students, with the assistance of Mr. Ray and Dr. Abel-Palmieri, will have a regional competition on February 22.
The Pittsburgh Regional Science Fair Competition takes place on Saturday, February 1. PJAS students are in the process of conducting science experiments and analyzing their results.
As part of our partnership with the Symphony, the Ellis Community is invited to join our Silver Strings students for a performance at Heinz Music Hall on Sunday, February 9.
There will be no school for students on Monday, January 20 as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
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