Letter from the MC Principal
Hello MC Families,
Our author visit with Nic Stone last week was a great experience for all of our students. We began the day with a special Morning Meeting where students shared some information about Ms. Stone by way of a Brain Smart Start (BSS) led by a cross-section of The Brotherhood and The Sisterhood. Next three 8th grade students shared short pieces that they wrote about how reading Ms. Stone’s writing has impacted them. “Dear Martin” touches on issues of race, stereotypes, and the lives of teenagers, and our students really enjoyed the book. Finally, 8th grader Knox Stallings introduced Ms. Stone. Four 6th and 7th graders got up on stage and asked Ms. Stone some questions and then we closed Morning Meeting. Ms. Stone spent two more hours with our 8th graders. The students asked questions about Ms. Stone’s life as a writer and about her experience writing “Dear Martin,” and they were giddy as they got their books signed. It was a good day.
On another note that morning, an interesting moment that I experienced was seeing a parent walk down the hallway, see a flag poster that an Advisory made for Hispanic Heritage Month, and exclaim with both surprise and pride “Hey, that’s my country!” Celebrating various cultures at our school has such an impact, and I’m so glad that we do this work.
We are wrapping up our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month this week (although we celebrate various cultures all year long). During Morning Meeting yesterday Club Latino led the BSS once again, Latin Dance Club performed a dance, and Ms. Taylor taught a lesson about Merengue before leading the school in dance. The vast majority of kids and adults were dancing merengue. It was a beautiful celebration.
Switching gears, by now you should have heard from your student’s Advisor about scheduling your student’s fall student-led conference. The conferences take place the week after the break (Monday, October 21st – Friday, October 25th). These conferences are truly student-led. Students spend two weeks preparing for their conferences. Last week students looked at feedback that they have received from their teachers and compared this feedback to their own reflections. This week they are focusing on preparing their talking points for their conferences. While it can be tempting for parents to take over these conferences and ask their own set of questions, your students will have their own presentations prepared. Please follow your student’s lead, as students reflecting and sharing about their own learning process is a big part of how we help our students learn how to use their minds well (Coalition of Essential Schools).
Finally, we have Fall Break next week. School will be closed to students all next week (teachers have a work day next Friday) and then we return to school on Monday, October 21st. Have a restful, safe, and enjoyable break. 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.
