SAVE THE DATE:
Thur. October 26, 2023: Student Advisory Orientation on Sown to Grow
Fri. October 27, 2023: Practice Walk to Fessenden for Off-Site Evacuation Drill
Mon. October 30th - Fri. November 3rd, 2023 - Spirit Week (see below)
Tues. October 31, 2023 - Launch of Sown to Grow
Tues. November 7, 2023- Early Release and All School Community Day - Dismissal at 11:20 a.m.
Thurs. November 9, 2023 - Last Day of Term 1
Fri., November 10, 2023 - No School - Veteran's Day
Mon, November 13, 2023- Beginning of Term 2
Tues. November 14, 2023 - Crocodile River Music Assembly for Grades 6-8
Fri. November 17, 2023- Term 1 Report Cards Posted in ASPEN
A Note from the Principal
On Friday morning, members of the Day Faculty gathered with almost 60 students who signed up to discuss the crisis in the Middle East. Students were asked to identify why they wanted to join a discussion. Some wanted to share their feelings, others wanted to learn more about what happened and how they could help.
It is important to note that Friday’s group discussion happened as the result of student voices who asked the adults in their school community to see them… to listen to their experiences, their worries, their fears and their hopes and to create space for them to come together to share them.
The students who participated were able to self-select into one of three groups depending on their needs: a group for those who were directly impacted, a group for those who were upset in general by traumatic events, and a last group who wanted to support friends who were struggling. Each group was facilitated by faculty members who began by sharing why they chose to participate in the group.
In each group students courageously shared their worries and fears, talking about the complexities of caring for victims both in Israel and Palestine at the same time. All talked about guilt about not being able to help those who were suffering, worry for their family members and friends impacted, and all landed in a place of action, wanting to find a way to help in some way.
What struck me most was the students’ courage and vulnerability, something that we often are afraid to display as adults. Adults often are more polarized and inflexible in our thinking and despite caring deeply, adults at times fail to acknowledge conflict and harm to groups of peoples out of fear of saying the wrong thing or doing more harm. What we heard from our children at Day this week was that harm only comes from silence. In moments of pain, fear and struggle, our students look to us for acknowledgment and space to share their thoughts and feelings. They are less worried about whether we get it completely right, and more that we see their struggle and express our care.
I will remember the voices of the 60 brave children who led us this past week to become a community that aligns with its values, caring for its students and giving them space to bring their voices and experiences into their school community not just in moments of celebration, but in moments of sorrow and struggle.
I was admittedly quite emotional as I looked out on the room filled with these 60 children who showed up to lift their voices, share their stories and plan for ways to make a difference. I was also filled with pride and hope for the just and humane world I know they will someday lead.
Below are resources from our community partners, Riverside Community Mental Health on how to talk with children about the crisis in Israel and Gaza:
Event Recording: How t o Talk with Children About the Traumatic Events Happening in Israel and Gaza (October 18, 2023)
Access: More shareable resources
OFF-SITE EVACUATION DRILL
This Friday, October 27, 2023 we will be practicing our off-site evacuation drill that we use at our school in the event of a hostile event or any incident that makes our school campus unsafe for our staff and students.
As we practice drill, our focus with students is on the safety of our school through preparedness. Our school community is safe because…
Staff and students are observant. You report to an adult and/or an administrator if you see or hear something that makes you uncomfortable or nervous.
Our school is secure. Doors are closed and locked during the day so people from outside our school community have to identify themselves to come in the building.
We are prepared. We are practicing and will continue to practice keeping our community safe by taking drills seriously.
We have community help. School staff works with parents, local police and fire departments, and emergency responders, to keep you safe.
Fessenden School is the off-site evacuation location. On Friday, we will review the "hostile event" protocols with students in advisory, and the practice walking to our off-site evacuation location and our reunification protocols.
If you have concerns or questions about the protocols or drills, please do not hesitate to reach out. Counselors will preview the drill with any students who we anticipate may have any worries or physical challenges about this emergency protocol.
DAY BAND PERFORMANCE AT BOSTON COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME
Join member of the F. A. Day Community in cheering on our talented Day Middle School Band and the B.C. Men's Basketball Team on Thursday, December 21st!
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit programming for the Day Middle School Band.
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023
B.C. Mens' Basketball vs. Lehigh
Performance by our very own Day Middle School Band
Join this wonderful night out for the Day families and support Mr. Brown and the Day Middle School Band.
To purchase your tickets, click on the link below.
COFFEE AND TOURS WITH THE PRINCIPAL
This school year I will be hosting a morning coffee accompanied by a walkthrough our school so caregivers can see our building in action. Each month we will feature a different subject and grade.
These events will be scheduled every other month on Friday mornings from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Save the dates below:
SAVE THE DATE:
September 15, 2023 with Guest Visitor Dr. Anna Nolin
November 17, 2023
January 12, 2024
March 15, 2024
May 17, 2024
7th Grade Mathematicians
Grand Opening of the Day Faculty Room!!
DAY PTO
We hope you will consider joining the Day PTO. This is a wonderful way to get involved in supporting your child at the middle level. There are volunteer opportunities from being a Team Parent to sponsoring Teacher Appreciation Events to chaperoning the Fall Fest Dances.
Please reach out to the Day PTO a the contact information below.
Day Chorus, Band and Orchestra Donations
Music instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness. You can help enhance the program by donating today.
Your contribution will help Day Middle School Performing Arts Programs such as Chorus, Orchestra and Band. The QR Code below will lead you to the site where you can make a donation to our programs.
FALL SPORTS
The schedule for all fall sports games and meet can be found on the website linked below:
https://arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=5615
If you have any questions about your child's specific sport schedule, please email the head coach directly.
Cross Country: Coach Ian Moloney: moloneyi@newton.k12.ma.us
Boys' Soccer: Coach Mark Murphy: murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
Girls' Soccer: Coach Adam Lunin: lunina@newton.k12.ma.us
General questions about sports should be directed to our Athletic Coordinators:
Andy Comings: comingsa@newton.k12.ma.us
Mark Murphy: murphym@newton.k12.ma.us
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DAY
Linked below is an important list of common questions that families often ask about our school. Included is information about the first day of school as well as information about who to call with specific questions. This is a great reference guide that will support your family throughout the school year.
