Junior High Newsletter

She has amazing insight into problems of all kinds. She can also find innovative solutions to all kinds of challenges that she finds.

Cavan is always looking for ways to improve. He puts in his best effort to grow and consistently develops well-thought-out strategies to better himself.

He always thinking of the right and how he can use different strategies to get the right answer and explains his reasoning for doing it the way he did it.

Leo is always ready to solve a problem during class and is quick to inquire about something he doesn't understand. He always looks at all sides of a story and tries to see from all perspectives to find a solution.

Brayden is a great example of the IB profile Caring—he is always there for others, spreading kindness and cheer. He consistently has a big smile on his face and offers support to those around him. He is also a great example of the IB profile Thinker—he is constantly coming up with new ideas and always puts in his best effort in class.

She carefully thinks through her answers and never gives up until she succeeds. She is always kind and considers her actions and responses thoughtfully.

Lyla Gross shows she is an IB thinker by making connections between ideas and helping her peers analyze complex cultural issues. During a class discussions from the a novel, she encouraged her classmates to explore how cultural identity is affected by war and discrimination. By asking thoughtful questions, she helped her classmates see how both characters faced prejudice yet found strength in their cultural backgrounds. In group projects, Lyla is an excellent communicator, making sure everyone’s ideas are heard and helping her peers find creative solutions to problems. Her ability to express ideas clearly and empower others in discussions makes her a strong leader in problem-solving and critical thinking.

Gabriel was recently inducted into the Honor Society, but he remained incredibly humble about it. He doesn’t fully realize that he is not only a deep and intellectual thinker but also a kind individual who approaches problems with logic and creativity.

Mrs. Holliday exemplifies the IB profile Thinker because she consistently challenges scholars to analyze problems from multiple perspectives and develop innovative solutions using the IB Design Cycle. She encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in every lesson, guiding scholars to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Whether she’s helping scholars refine their ideas or pushing them to think outside the box, she models intellectual curiosity and thoughtful decision-making every day.

Isabelle is probably the best thinker I know. She's always ready to embrace the learning environment around her and she always embraces her fellow scholars. Whenever we work together she communicates her ideas and thinks about the task ahead. Along with communicating her ideas she's also open-minded about the project or activity and always puts all her work into it.

Jayden exemplifies the IB profile Thinker through his calm and thoughtful approach to every situation. His ability to stay level-headed allows him to analyze challenges with logic and creativity, making well-reasoned decisions. Whether collaborating with peers or tackling difficult tasks, he demonstrates a balanced mindset that helps him and those around him navigate challenges with ease. His chill demeanor is a testament to his ability to think critically while maintaining a positive and composed attitude.

Thank you to all our parents/guardians, scholars, and staff for submitting Thinker nominations this month! We appreciate your support in recognizing those who demonstrate creativity, logic, and problem-solving in our school community. Your nominations help celebrate the incredible thinkers among us!

Wit and Wisdom is our Language and Literature curriculum designed for K-8 scholars, developed by Great Minds. It focuses on building knowledge through the integration of rich content, rigorous reading and writing activities, and thought-provoking discussions. The program emphasizes understanding and analyzing high-quality texts across various genres, encouraging scholars to think deeply and critically. Wit and Wisdom aims to develop scholars' vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills.

Great Minds Eureka Math² is an advanced math curriculum designed to provide a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Developed by Great Minds, this program builds on the original Eureka Math curriculum, offering enhanced features such as more engaging problem-solving activities, digital resources, and adaptive learning tools. Eureka Math² emphasizes a coherent and sequential approach to math instruction, ensuring scholars develop a strong foundation and progressively build their skills. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine appreciation for the beauty of math.

OpenSciEd is an innovative science curriculum designed for middle scholars, providing open-source, high-quality science education resources. Developed through a collaboration of educators, scientists, and curriculum developers, OpenSciEd aims to make science education engaging and accessible to all scholars. The program emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, encouraging scholars to explore scientific concepts through experiments, real-world problem-solving, and interactive activities. OpenSciEd aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), promoting deep understanding and application of scientific principles across disciplines.

SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to learning Spanish for scholars at various educational levels. Designed to build language proficiency and cultural awareness, this curriculum includes a variety of engaging resources such as interactive activities, authentic texts, and multimedia content. The program focuses on developing essential skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also incorporating cultural insights to enhance scholars' global understanding. SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum is structured to support differentiated learning, making it suitable for diverse classroom needs.

IB Design Cycle is a structured method used in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to guide project development. It includes four stages: inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating the solution, and evaluating. This process promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

In a Leadership Class, scholars can use the IB Design Cycle to tackle leadership challenges by:

1. Inquiring and Analyzing: Researching leadership issues.
2. Developing Ideas: Planning strategies.
3. Creating the Solution: Implementing projects.
4. Evaluating: Reflecting on results.

This approach helps scholars systematically enhance their leadership skills through real-world applications.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6th-8th Grade provides a challenging and comprehensive framework designed to foster critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and communication skills. It includes eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition(Mandarin/Spanish), Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. The MYP encourages scholars to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, promoting holistic learning, personal development, and preparation for higher education.

Note this is the reason for the certain electives we offer to align with MYP.