Greetings Middle School Families,

We’ve had a whirlwind of activity this month, but everyone has really settled in nicely and is diving deeply into the content work of our curriculum! We continue to wrestle with the first cold/sinus issues of the year, so please remind your student to wash/sanitize their hands regularly.

Hallway Happenings
One of my favorite things about being the Middle School Director is when I am walking the hallways (or sidewalks) at 601 and see our kids transfixed by engaging, thought-provoking lessons that generate excited conversations between them. Here are a few photos that I had the chance to take yesterday. Enjoy!

Community Notes
Advisories are beginning to move into preparations for the student-led conferences that will happen in early November. Students are starting to put their "artifacts of learning" into their portfolios. As conversations continue, their goals will begin to come into focus.

Parent Volunteer Opportunity - Green Task Force
This year, the middle school Green Task Force has joined the Student Leadership Team, but we are struggling to find an available adult with the expertise to engage and lead these students. Are you the adult we’re looking for? Their meetings are on Fridays at lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about what this would entail, please email me at edr@cds-sf.org. Thanks for considering!

Good Neighbor Aspirations
Unfortunately we have received a number of complaints from our neighbors on
Cumberland about parents double-parking while they wait for students. An SFMTA officer delivered a few complaints to us personally. Please help us be good neighbors by choosing a meeting spot that is at least two blocks away from 601 and does not impede any driveway access. Thank you for your partnership in this matter!

Important Upcoming Dates
October 10-13              7th Grade travels to Ashland, OR
October 18                   1st MS Project Day
October 19-20              No School – Professional Development Days
October 23-26              Sex Ed Week with Ivy Chen for Grades 5-8
October 28                   Diversity Potluck
October 31                   Halloween Parade

Best,
Ed