Letter from the MC Principal

Hello MC families,

Last Thursday both the Middle Campus and the Elementary Campus were presented with Math Masters banners from Superintendent Richard Woods for our Milestones Math performance last year. I joined Ms. Zelski, Dr. Pullen, Ms. Laurent and Ms. Derichsweiler at the awards ceremony where we accepted our banners as a group representing ANCS as one school K-8. At the Middle Campus we received our banner for growth in 7th grade Math, 8th grade Math, and in the Algebra I course. Regarding Algebra I, a subset of our 8th graders, who qualify based on MAP, Milestones, and their performance in Math class, are invited to take this online course in addition to their 8th grade math class. These students put in a lot of work on their own. Additionally, our 8th grade Math program and the growth it inspires also contributes to the growth of our 8th graders in Algebra. My hat goes off to our teachers and students for the work they have put in, and for the results we have produced. 

We’ve got 5 weeks left in the ‘24-’25 school year and things are quickly coming to a close. This week 8th graders are conducting their Portfolio Exhibitions. We are also making preparations for the 8th grade Celebration in May. Eighth grade families please take a look at your email for various updates that I’ve sent about the 8th grade Celebration. Seventh graders are currently thinking through their arts selection (Performing Arts or Visual Arts) for next year so parents please take a look at the email that I sent regarding this as well.

While there is a lot going on, teachers are still working hard and creating great learning experiences in classrooms. Last week as Dr. Showers and I popped into classrooms, 8th graders performed musicals that they wrote and produced in Performing Arts; 7th graders finalized drafts of their chess piece drawings (drawings of chess pieces with various backgrounds using the techniques they’ve learned in class) in Visual Arts; and in Individuals and Societies 6th graders are working on a summative in which they take on the role of being a “History Guide” tasked with helping students learn how Europe changed after World War I via either an Interactive Museum Exhibit, a Storytelling Presentation, or a Digital Timeline Showcase. The summer is close, but we’re not done in the classroom and there is still a lot to learn.

Milestones testing is coming up next week for our 6th and 8th graders. Seventh graders will test the following week. Please encourage your students to get proper rest, eat well, and get to school on time during Milestones so that they can put their best foot forward. Note: Morning Meeting will be at the end of the day at 2:35pm on Monday, April 28th and on Monday, May 5th (NOT in the morning), since we will start the day with Milestones testing. The testing schedule for each grade level is below:

6th Grade

  • Mon. 4/28 ELA sec. 1
  • Tues. 4/29 ELA sec. 2
  • Wed. 4/30 ELA sec. 3
  • Thurs. 5/1 Math sec. 1
  • Fri. 5/2 Math sec. 2

7th Grade

  • Mon. 5/5 ELA sec. 1
  • Tues. 5/6 ELA sec. 2
  • Wed. 5/7 ELA sec. 3
  • Thurs. 5/8 Math sec. 1
  • Fri. 5/9 Math sec. 2

8th Grade

  • Mon. 4/28 ELA sec. 1
  • Tues. 4/29 ELA sec. 2
  • Wed. 4/30 ELA sec. 3
  • Thurs. 5/1 Math sec. 1
  • Fri. 5/2 Math sec. 2
  • Mon. 5/9 Science sec. 1 & 2
  • Tues. 5/10 Social Studies sec. 1 & 2
  • Thurs. 5/12 Algebra I (for students enrolled in online Algebra I)

Between Portfolios, Exhibitions, Milestones, and wrapping things up in classes our kids are doing a lot. Please remind them to take a breath and try their best – that’s all that we ask for. 

Finally, we are also having a Spirit Week this week, culminating in a pep rally on Friday, and the students are really excited. The themes are listed below:

  • Monday – Mono-chrome Monday (6th grade – white, 7th grade – gray, 8th grade – black)
  • Tuesday – Twinning Tuesday
  • Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday (crazy outfits, mismatched, tacky, backwards, inside out, crazy hair, etc.)
  • Thursday – Thursday Night Lights (hats, jerseys, etc. to represent your favorite team from sports, movies, or tv)
  • Friday – Blue Out (Wear your Wolf Blue in support of Exceptional Kids Week and Autism Acceptance Month.)

Have a great week, and as always if you have any questions please feel free to reach out.

Kind regards,

 

Mark

Mark Sanders

Mark Sanders began teaching at ANCS in 2011. Before coming to the school, Mr. Sanders worked in New York City. He spent three years teaching 7th and 8th grade mathematics at Middle School 50 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and two years at Harlem Village Academies teaching Geometry and Algebra 2/Trigonometry. He taught 8th grade Math/Science/Technology at ANCS for five years.

Mark Sanders

Published : April 21, 2025
Category : Letters from ANCS