FIFTH GRADE TRIP TO CAMP BALCONES SPRINGS: We are so pleased to take the girls to Camp Balcones Springs which is near Marble Falls, Texas, on Monday and Tuesday, September 26 and 27. We’ll leave at 6:30 a.m. (arrive by 6:00 a.m., please) on Monday and return around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. As planned, the girls and their teachers will have a “recovery” day on Wednesday and then return to school for the rest of the week. Permission forms were due to the Middle School Office by Wednesday, September 21. You will receive updates about the trip from your grade reps while we are gone.

SEVENTH GRADE DUKE TIP PROGRAM: For seventh grade families, The Duke University Talent Search materials are now available online at www.tip.duke.edu/7gts and in the Middle School Office if you are interested. These materials explain the program and will help you in deciding whether you would like your daughter to participate if she is eligible. The School does not sponsor or suggest this testing but does provide a location for you to pick up materials if you wish. Duke also encourages gathering information and enrolling online. Students are eligible if they have scored at the 95^th percentile or higher, based on national norms, on any one of the following ERB or other national standardized tests: mathematics, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, or reading comprehension. If your daughter is eligible, and if she wishes to participate, she needs to take either the SAT test or the ACT test. Students should select only one test (SAT or ACT) and only one test date. The SAT exam will be given on December 3, 2016, and on January 21, 2017. Your daughter may take the ACT test on either December 10, 2016, or February 11, 2017. Students who wish to take either exam in December must submit their applications by October 3, 2016 if registering on paper and October 21, 2016 if registering online. Those wishing to take one of the tests in January or February need to submit their paper applications by November 4, 2016 or online applications by December 9, 2016. If your daughter receives academic accommodations at school, please do not have her take either test for this program until you have spoken with Shelley Cave, our Director of Learning Services. There are guidelines within the ACT and SAT testing programs that must be satisfied (even when taking the test “for practice” or Duke TIP in seventh grade) that greatly affect accommodations received when your daughter tests in Upper School. If you have any questions about your daughter's eligibility for this experience, or if you would like to discuss the program, please feel free to call me at 214-360-6401.

 

SAFETY EXERCISES: The School also has begun this year’s cycle of safety exercises; we’ve practiced a Fire Drill and will have a Lock Down exercise next week. Teachers discuss the safety protocol for each type of exercise before the actual first drill. For the remainder of the year, these are unannounced to the girls.

SCHOOL PICTURES: Families of students who had their pictures made the first week of school have received an envelope with a proof, photo ID number, and ordering instructions. With that information, you will be able to go to the Lifetouch website (Mylifetouch), login, and order photos. You will also be able to select the background and style for your daughter’s photo. Any questions regarding the yearbook photos should be made directly to Lifetouch; their number is 972.669.9200.

FUN DAY: Remember that Fun Day is tomorrow afternoon at St. Mark’s, beginning at 4:00 p.m. All fifth and sixth graders and their families are invited to attend. In addition, fifth and sixth graders may wear Fun Day (from any year) t-shirts to school tomorrow with their uniform skirts and shoes.