Houses Compete at Middle School
(Photos below) Middle school students joined different groups, called houses on Friday, named after the elements with colors given for each. They competed in fun games together, like bowling and dropping a tennis ball from the second floor into containers for points. Students and teachers will continue competing in challenges throughout the school year with…
Welcome Back to School
We’re back! The 2021-2022 school year is underway. Full of smiles we could see, even under our masks, spending time with friends, outdoor learning, and just being together again feels fulfilling.
Congratulations to the class of 2021
Congratulations to our graduating class of 2021. We held a lovely ceremony on the middle school campus where teachers read speeches dedicated to our departing 8th graders.
AAPI Heritage Month- History Shared at Opening Assembly
During Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders heritage month, our 7/8 History teacher, Chris Chiang, at our Opening assembly, is sharing a four-part video series he created about the history of AAPI communities in America. He shared the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of Asian immigrants and their fascinating stories through all four phases starting in the…
Biology and Cell Phones Merge in 8th-grade Science Class
Our 8th-grade students have embarked on a biology unit, exploring microscopic life using microscopes outfitted with phones for taking pictures and videos. The unit traces how life evolved at the smallest level. First, the students looked at water samples under a microscope to start thinking about what life needs. Then they looked at samples that…
Mock Trial in 8th Grade Social Studies
The Keys School annual tradition of a grade-wide mock trial/moot court was held last week, with 8th graders in Mr. Chiang’s Social Studies class participating. It was a virtual civil rights/civil liberties moot court. The cases the students argued were Obergefell v Hodges and Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The students…
Resistance for Justice in 5th Grade Social Studies
In 5th-grade Social Studies, students studied about resistance for justice in America. Ms. Simpsons shared: As we continue to learn about Colonial America’s restrictive social structures, we have also begun to talk about types of resistance. Students read through a variety of examples of historical figures/groups/events that resisted the social structures in place while on-campus…
Visit from a Dreamworks Character Designer
We welcomed Character Designer, Jordan McCracken-Foster @jo.mc.fo, working at Dreamworks TV as our guest speaker on Zoom during 7th-grade Art class. Jordan is a former student of Mr. Birdsong and shared his process for creating characters and tips for growing as an artist. He answered student’s questions and talked about what it’s like working in…
Our 5th and 6th Graders Back on Campus
The 5th and 6th-grade students are back on campus now, and it’s starting to feel like a real middle school again. Our students are excited about seeing their friends and having P.E. class in the gym with a virtual Ms. Gunn.
California Artist Michael Kershnar Visits with Second Grade
Our second grade students had a surprise virtual visit from California based artist Michael Kershnar. Michael, who is working on a large mural at the home of one of our second grade families, zoomed in to share an in depth look at the how and why behind the mural he is creating. Michael is a…