Middle School Principal’s Letter
Dear Parents,
Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s version of the News and Views. It was a busy week of teaching, learning, and having fun.
It was a busy week in middle school. We had a great visit with the author Kate Messner this week!
This week we had the pleasure of hosting author Kate Messner at CAC. She met with all MS students in either Creative Writing class, Language Arts or during SSR time. It was a valuable experience for our students who have a passion for writing to be able to learn about both the writing and publishing process from an accomplished author. It was fascinating to hear her story of how she wrote Breakout which was one of our selections in the Battle of the Book. She shared how a prison break in her own town inspired her story and how she investigated and collected details as the real drama unfolded to later add to her
book. By the time the prisoners were recaptured, she was nearly done with her 400-page first draft. Then, however, after sharing her draft with a friend, she decided to completely restart the book incorporating more character points of view. It was this change that actually made the book much more interesting and successful as a story. Ms. Messner conveyed the important lesson that writing takes not only creativity but perseverance and a strong need for curiosity.
Ms. Messner also shared that if you want to be a better writer, you need to be a reader! Starting next week, the library will be displaying books that Ms. Messner suggests for Middle School readers.
We have so enjoyed having Ms. Messner here and we can’t wait to have more authors visit!
Tony Nicholson also spent the week with us on campus, speaking to grade levels about their use of social media and how it is using them instead of using it. He talked to the boys about what it means to be a role model and the signals they should look for before putting anyone on a pedestal. Tony’s conversation with the girls focused on Self-Worth.
In eighth-grade science, students were studying distance and time. They investigated the average speed of the CAC tortoise. Speed of a softball throw and the speed of an 8th grader running.
This is a friendly reminder that we will post the second-semester progress report on April 13th.
Happy Western Easter Holiday to everyone who celebrates it. Enjoy your three-day weekend.
Thank you for your continuous support.
In Partnership,
Courtney Bailey
The Middle School Principal
Announcements
Mandatory Orientation for Grade 9 students – Mark Your Calendars!
Hello, Grade 8 families,
The High School Counselors enjoyed meeting you in February at the evening session to introduce high school held for parents as well as during advisory with students. We will meet with the 8th grade students again during another advisory in late May to talk more about the transition to high school, which will include a current Grade 9 student panel.
Today, I want to let you know about the Mandatory Orientation for Grade 9 students to be held in August so you can mark your calendars so that your student can attend.
The session will be held on campus on Tuesday, August 15th at lunch time (lunch will be served). Please plan to have your student be on campus that day from 12:30-1:30 pm for their orientation. We wanted to let you know now so your student can Save The Date and you can plan to have them on campus that day. Classes start on August 16th.
On behalf of myself, Mr. Semler and Ms. Stiles, we look forward to working with your students in high school next year!
Claudia Bean
HS Counselor
Calling All CAC Middle School Students and Parents
Join us for the next CAC All Pro Dad event! Siblings are welcome to attend!
April’s topic is Leadership. Being a leader means seeing something that needs to be done and bringing people together to do it. A leader serves, gives directions, and inspires others to reach a goal. As an All Pro Dad, you are the leader of your home. The example of leadership you display is invaluable for teaching your children how to be leaders.
The next event is 18 April at 7:00 am in Middle School Room 115. We look forward to seeing you!
Breakfast, donuts and juice, will be provided.
If you would like to come, please RSVP here: https://allprodadchapters.com/chapters/13407
For more information or questions, contact our team captain, Craig Tippins, at this email: AllProDadCAC@gmail.com
NESA Parents as Partners Series
ON-DEMAND LIBRARIES OF WEBINAR RECORDINGS
2020-2021 / 2021-2022 / 2022-2023
You may access the libraries and their over 35 webinar recordings at this link.
Save the date, May 18th 2023 for this year’s ECO-FAIR!
What is the ECO-Fair?
This is a student-organized environmental event hosted annually by the CAC Green Team to spread awareness about eco-excellence in Cairo and celebrate the planet we call home. Participants will Learn how our community can implement eco-friendly practices, Enjoy our sustainable vendors, and Contribute by donating electronics, clothing & recycling paper. Don’t miss our one-day-only CAC Thrift Store and Recycled Material Fashion Show.
If you are passionate about recycling arts and crafts, you may have the opportunity to display your project at this year’s Eco-Fair!
If you know of any sustainable local brands in Egypt you are welcome to send them our invite: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfon2SYvR1Klk8KwYjvapapdS6c1osEUh9pLg7bGbG2AHeuwg/viewform
Please contact: greenteam@cacegypt.org if you have any questions
CAC Green Team
Parenting Together with Positive Discipline (Tweens/Teens) course is full
However, sign up for the 2023-24 Parenting Together Courses at CAC is now open!
Here are the course dates for the upcoming 2023-24 school year:
August 28 – October 16, 2023: Parents of Elementary Age Children (ages 3-11)
* course applies to children PK3 -Grade 5
October 23 – December 11, 2023: Parents of Tweens/Teens (ages 10-19)
* course applies to tweens & teens Grade 4 – 12
January 22 – March 18, 2024: Parents of Elementary Age Children (ages 3-11)
* course applies to children PK3 -Grade 5
March 25 – May 20, 2024: Parents of Tweens/Teens (ages 10-19)
* course applies to tweens & teens Grade 4 – 12
SPACE IS LIMITED! Sign up & save your spot today 2023-24 Course Sign Up Form
To learn more, visit the course blog at https://parentingtogether.edublogs.org/
If you have any questions, contact Carey Harris at charris@cacegypt.org
From the CAC PTO
From the MS/HS Library
The Library is closed this Saturday!
The CAC Libraries will be closed for the rest of April on Saturday because of the holiday weekend.
MS Activities & Sports
Here are some important dates:
-This is the FIRST WEEK of MS Volleyball – practice begins Monday at 3:15pm. All students should meet in the Main gym.
-Season 3 MS Volleyball is 6 weeks and runs April 10th to June 1st.
-Season 3 Activities run – March 19th – June 1st, all these activities run from 3:15 to 4:15pm.
-Season 3 HS Sports run March 23rd to May 30th
If you have any questions please email Meghan Ennis (mennis@cacegypt.org) or David Goetz (dgoetz@cacegypt.org).
Three Cheers
Three Cheers to Ms. Ennis for her efforts to bring in author Kate Messner.
Three Cheers to Ms. Urbiztondo for her efforts with the screening of applicants.
Three Cheers to Engy and Mona for supporting our social media websites from behind the scenes.
Three Cheers to Ms. Spencer for her support of our students daily.