A remarkable difference from my own experience in middle school is the sheer number of opportunities for students today. Just crossing my desk was the notice of the success a number of our students at the National School Scrabble Championships – where Sam Masling (Deal) and a friend, Thomas Draper (New Jersey) took second place, and another local team (Ali Bauman (Deal) and Chloe Fatsis (Janney)) finished in the top ten. These teams (and there were other Deal teams right up there as well) show that today’s students have amazing chances to be well-rounded – and we have a responsibility to give them those chances.

In today’s bulletin, we see the continued success our National History Day effort with a significant number of our students moving on to the National competition in June. This week, over 100 students hit the stage for Honk!, Jr. for three nights total. Baseball, softball, and soccer are all in their final week or so. In the list of accomplishments we also see 2nd place in the city’s geography bee. There is a lot going on and our students are showing their best. What is distinct about competition at the middle school level is that, while it can be intense, most participants are in it because they just love what they are doing. This sense of joy is matched by teachers, sponsors, and parents as well.

Let me close with a business item: please come in and register for next year. It isn’t as much a need to really get a handle on who will be here; we have a pretty good sense of our overall numbers. It is important, however, for us to get this paperwork out of the way for scheduling. We are a big school and it takes us some time to get the new school year set properly. You can help by registering as soon as possible. Eighth grade students and their families should be registering in the school where they will be in ninth grade – this is a shift from the last few years. Also, eighth graders who are not sure whether they owe money or not (books, fines, lunch, etc.) it is better to take care of this earlier rather than later. Don’t forget that we have extended Thursday evening hours for registration!

Have a great week.

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