Dear Julian Families,
We are just over 5 weeks into the school year. By now, students should be establishing some routines that include making their academics and learning a high priority as well as striking a balance between extracurricular activities and other responsibilities that they may have outside of school. If your student is having some challenges here at Julian, please encourage him/her to advocate for himself/herself by reaching out to a teacher or some other trusted adult in the building. If that does not work, I encourage you to contact a teacher or administrator that will be able to provide assistance. Our top priority is to create a learning environment that is equitable, inclusive, and focused on the whole child.
In the next couple of weeks, I will be communicating with you through a video as opposed to this newsletter. The principal from Brooks Middle School, Ms. Capuder, and I will be working with our communications director to create a video highlighting some of the great things happening in our Middle Schools. Until then, please read the information below related to Second Step, Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences, and the success of our Ultimate Frisbee team.
Second Step
This web-based social-emotional learning program helps students become socially skilled, form healthy relationships, make good decisions, and cope with the social and academic challenges of middle school. This is the 2nd year of implementing this curriculum here at Julian Middle School. Second Step revamped its curriculum since last school year in order to make it more relevant to what middle school students are experiencing and contending with on a daily basis. We will cover the following units with our students throughout this school year: Mindsets and Goals, Values and Friendships, Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions, and Serious Peer Conflicts. Ask your student about the program or reach out to his/her advisory teacher to find out more.
Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences - Thursday, October 19
Families will be receiving information from their student's grade level team leader to sign up for student/parent/teacher conferences. You will get an email from SignUp.com that will enable you to schedule a conference with your student's teacher. Our students lead these conferences. Over the next few weeks, they will spend some time considering their organizational, communication, reflective, and affective skills. The aforementioned skills that students consider vary from grade level to grade level. They will complete a form that will be the focal point of the conference. Students will be collecting work samples from various classes to share during the conference. They will also have a pre-meeting with their teacher in order to ensure that they are prepared and ready to lead this important meeting.
Julian Ultimate Frisbee Team
This past Sunday the Julian Ultimate Frisbee Club played their first tournament of the year. Julian fielded three teams with over 50 players. Our top team - known as Julian’s “A Team” - was the overall champions of the entire tournament! This is a big deal and the first time our team has been tournament champions! They had to defeat the hosts and defending champions Fox Valley Fusion twice to take home the trophy. Everyone from all the teams played extremely hard. Click here to see a list of the Julian Ultimate Frisbee teams.
Congratulations to the team and our coaches, Mr. Seymour and Mr. Hendrickson.
Upcoming Events
- No School - Institute Day -- Friday, October 6
- No School - Columbus Day -- Monday, October 9
- Thursday, October 19 – Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Thursday, October 19 -- 12:00 pm dismissal for students
- Friday, October 20 -- 12:00 pm dismissal for students