- Early Middle School
- Middle School
Dear Early Middle School and Middle School Parents,
The weather has been sunny and warm, and the end of the school year is right around the corner. This is a great time to remember all the year’s wonderful accomplishments, both by individual students and collectively as an Early Middle School and Middle School community. In the quick window of Early Middle School and Middle School, each year brings transition and new challenges. In the fall, our grade 5 and grade 7 students will assume the respective mantles of leadership, our grade 6 students will start their first year of Middle School, and our grade 8 students will move to a new building and face the challenge of Upper School.
The students continue to learn about wisdom, compassion, and courage, seeking Jesus each and every day. It has been a joy for me to watch the growth – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually – in each of your children this year. I thank you for letting us play a part in helping them become the individuals God intends.
Check out these examples of our physically-strong students in grades 6-8 who just finished the spring sports season (many more photos on Vidigami). Thank you to all the parent photographers!
Please read this Update for important information about end-of-year events in both Early Middle School and Middle School.
Concerts, Plays, and More! Don’t miss any of the upcoming concerts, plays, and visual arts exhibits scheduled this month starting with tomorrow’s, May 14, Middle School drama presentation of Anne of Green Gables and The Jungle Book beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper School’s Performing Arts Center. On Thursday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. grades 5 and 6 bands and choirs perform in their Spring Concert in the Cornerstone Theater in the Main building. The entertainment continues Tuesday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. when Middle School musical groups perform their Spring Concert in the Performing Arts Center.
Finally, on Thursday, May 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., we host Authors & Artists, our annual showcase of visual, literary, and performing art. The entire Redmond Campus will be covered with art, highlighting preschool – grade 12 students, plus writing (including grades 5-6), and music (including Middle School jazz band and grade 5 choir). There will be food trucks in the Upper School parking lot, so you don’t have to hurry home to make dinner first.
Library Materials Due: All library materials checked out to students and parents are due on Friday, May 31 so we can complete the annual inventory of our collection.
Summer Information: Be on the lookout next month for information about math and reading summer assignments, library hours and AR program, and more.
Middle School
Locker Clean Out: Students should be prepared to clean out their lockers completely on Friday, June 7, by bringing grocery or other bags to school in which to carry home all locker contents.
Spring Semester Final Exams: All Middle School students in both grades 7 and 8 will have three review days for final exams, June 5 – June 7. Students will sit for final exams on Monday, June 10 and Tuesday, June 11, with early dismissal at 11:45 a.m. both days. Students should wear casual uniform on exam days. The schedule is as follows:
- 8:10 a.m. Math (M) and English (Tu) exams
- 9:40 a.m. Break
- 10:10 a.m. History (M) and science (Tu) exams
- 11:45 a.m. Dismissal*
* Please pick up your child promptly at 11:45 a.m. School is still in session for K-6 students, so Middle School students should leave school as soon as they are done with their exams. Thank you!
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 12 is the last day of school for K-8 students. Students should wear dress uniform and arrive at 8:10 a.m. (no late start).
Middle School Time Capsule Project: Grade 7 students will create the Class of 2024 time capsule on Wednesday, June 12. Remember to send your child to school with photos and other memorabilia, especially a letter from you, his/her parent. Review the April 2019 edition of the Grizzly Middle for details.
Middle School Honors Assembly: Parents are invited to help us celebrate our students' accomplishments at the Middle School Honors Assembly on Wednesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cornerstone Theater. Middle School students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m. when the assembly concludes.
Transitions: As we prepare to say goodbye until next fall, there are some additional farewells and transitions to note.
- Mr. Kyle Dresback has served the Middle School student body as Christian Studies teacher, Chapel worship leader, and soccer coach for the past eight years. We are grateful for his faithful years of service and pray for this next adventure in his life as he and his family move to Arizona.
- Mrs. Kristina Stevenson has been a Middle School and Early Middle School math teacher for the last three years. We are so thankful for the influence she has had with our students. She is a gifted teacher, and we appreciate her commitment to excellence, the expertise she brings, and the many ways she blesses all those around her. While she no doubt cherishes the opportunity to stay home with her beautiful son, we will miss her greatly.
- We are excited to announce that long-time Middle School English and drama teacher Mrs. Janice White will take on a new role at Bear Creek. In the fall, Mrs. White will be the new Middle School Librarian and Innovation teacher.
Early Middle School
Class Placement Division Head Connection: Grade 5 parents are invited to join Lower School Division Head Kristen Gephart and me for a discussion about our class placement philosophy and process on Friday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. in the C.E. “Ted” Kindel Library. If there is information about your child that you would like us to consider, please submit the Class Placement Information form by June 7.
Outdoor Education: On May 28-29, grade 5 students will have an opportunity to grow in friendships and their faith while enjoying the great outdoors. This time away is filled with team building activities, outdoor activities, and more! It is an overnight trip. For additional details, please refer to information from your child's classroom teacher.
Mount St. Helens Field Trip: On Thursday, June 6, grade 6 students will travel to Mt. St. Helens at the conclusion of their science unit on volcanoes. They will depart Redmond Campus at 6:30 a.m. and return at 8:00 p.m. For additional details, please refer to information from your child's classroom teacher. Note: The field trip is not an overnight camping trip. Grade 6 students have a 10:00 a.m. late start on Friday June 7.
Field Day: On Tuesday, June 11, all K-6 students will enjoy Field Day with their classmates on Owens Field. Grade 6 students will help facilitate activities for each of our K-5 classes. Kindergarten – grade 2 will participate from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and grades 3-5 will participate from 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Students should wear their Spirit T-shirts, free dress pants or shorts, and comfortable shoes for activities; don't forget sunscreen!
Early Middle School Honors Assembly: Join us on the last day of school at the Early Middle School Honors Assembly when we will celebrate our students' achievements. Parents are invited to join us at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12 in the Cornerstone Theater. Students should wear dress uniform. Classroom teachers will present character quality and attendance awards in their classrooms during the last week of school. Information regarding those presentations will be communicated in class newsletters.
School is dismissed at 11:30 a.m. on June 12, the last day of school.
Additional Upcoming Events: Please mark your calendar for all of these upcoming events; see the school calendar for times, locations, and even more events.
- May 17: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast (RSVP)
- May 24: Free Dress Day
- May 27: No School – Memorial Day
- Jun 12: Last Day of School (dress uniform)
8:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (no late start, early dismissal)
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me or Division Assistant Carol Willard (cwillard@tbcs.org).
Take care,
Jenn McDonough
jmcdonough@tbcs.org
425-898-1720 ext. 229