Learning By Division

Middle School

Introduction from Marti Champion

In this era of remote learning, we have worked to create schedules and engaging lessons that meet our goal of continued learning. As we enter this space with a lot of unknowns, grace, flexibility and partnership are essential to our collective success. Here are some more ways you can help your child thrive at Virtual Graland.
 
  • Create a sense of normalcy. A remote learning environment should be respected and approached just like an on campus environment. Please give your child the privacy and space to learn online and help them set up a workstation that is conducive to engagement and productivity.

  • Self-advocacy is still the rule. Learning how to problem solve and adjust to learning online may present age-appropriate challenges for students to work through independently with a teacher’s help and guidance.

  • We welcome your communication. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s dean, the school counselor, or Marti Champion if you are concerned about your child’s well-being and/or learning. They are here to support each child and family to the best of their ability. 

  • Partnership with you is vital. Reinforce the guidelines and protocols teachers have established in order to manage their online classes effectively. 

Letters from Head of Middle School

List of 11 items.

  • May 25, 2020

    Dear Middle School Families,

    I’d like to extend a hearty “Yeehaw and Giddy-up” to the kindergarten students and faculty, their families, and the Communications and Tech teams for a proper send off into the holiday weekend. I enjoyed the dancing and the singing, but most importantly, seeing the faces of each kindergartener as they introduced themselves and their horses. What a treat!

    The celebrations continue into next week in the Middle School. The 7th/8th grade Student Council has assembled a Spirit Week to mark our last week of school which will begin on Tuesday, May 26. Those days and the schedule are noted below.

    Tuesday, May 26 - Pajama Day

    Wednesday, May 27 - Bright Colors, Crazy Hats, Wigs

    Thursday, May 28 - Beach/ Tropical Day (no bikinis and shirts are a must)

    Friday, May 29 - Spirit Day - 8th graders are encouraged to wear their High School gear


    As a reminder, Tara Lavizzo, Middle School Counselor, and I will host a parent coffee on Thursday, May 28, where our focus will be on best practices on parenting for resilience. Our meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. Please refer to today’s Graland Online for the Zoom i.d. and password.

    Josh Cobb will also be hosting a Town Hall at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the various scenarios we are looking at as a school to prepare for the 2020 - 2021 school year which will begin in August.

    Finally, I’d like to share our schedule for the last week of school - the week of June 1. The schedule is an unusual one. The specific details can be found on the schedule link below.


    The end is near, and we are looking forward to a strong finish.

    Have a wonderful holiday weekend,
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School
     

  • May 18, 2020

    Dear Middle School Families,

    May is always a busy month in the world of education, and with two and a half weeks left in the school year, we continue to celebrate our wonderfully talented students. We kicked off the Graland Virtual Art Show on Thursday, May 14, which showcases artwork from our students in each grade. As a school community, we always gather to show our support for some of our youngest students at the Kindergarten Rodeo. Please tune in at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 22. Watch for the link in Graland Online. Viewing of the rodeo will constitute our school programming for the day. 

    As part of our commitment to the well-being of our students at Graland and beyond, we partner with the Freedom from Chemical Dependency organization (FCD) every year. To honor this commitment, the administration felt it was important to continue with this programming during Virtual Graland. It is just as beneficial, if not more important than ever, in our current environment. This curriculum, along with the four-day week, will impact the schedule for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Next week’s schedules are available below.

    Grades 5 - 7: Week of May 18

    Grade 8: Week of May 18  

    We continue to be grateful for the support and encouragement you will continue to provide your child as the school year comes to a close.

    Have a great weekend,

    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • May 11, 2020

    Dear Middle School Families,

    It’s been a week of celebrations! In addition to it being Teacher Appreciation Week, thank you to all who reached out to teachers this week, we launched a celebration of our soon to be eighth grade graduates on Instagram, Facebook and Graland’s website. Those details can be found at www.graland.org/2020Graduates. 

    Friday’s stretch day was a success! I want to extend a note of appreciation to those who organized the day and each of the “guest teachers” who created lessons to share with our students. I had a great deal of fun working on six-word memoirs with seventh graders who produced some wonderful pieces. Here are a few:

    “Staying together while we are apart.”
    “The life we used to have.”
    “Introvert’s dream comes true in quarantine.”
    “Looking forward to getting, giving hugs.”

    For the most part, next week’s schedule is similar to what everyone is used to. However, we’ve added a couple of synchronous classes for our eighth grade students in geometry, as well as an optional “social” time for students hosted by the Student Council. Next week’s schedule is available below.


    Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms.
     
     
    Have a great weekend,
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • May 4, 2020

    Dear Middle School Families,

    As we embark on the month of May, the month we will be celebrating our eighth graders, we are beginning to think about next year. The task of creating advisory groups and class sections is complex. As educators, we are thoughtful, deliberate, and intentional during this process, and we rely on the expertise of our colleagues who have spent time with your children in the classroom, on the playing field/court, during service learning outings, on trips, and in clubs to create the sections. We also use the current school year, i.e. student-led conferences and any conversations we’ve had with you, to inform our decisions. Though we are not formally requesting input for next year’s sixth, seventh and eighth grade sections, please reach out to your child’s current advisor by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 if you have something truly significant that you think we should know.

    Next week’s schedule has been altered to accommodate the curriculum development day for faculty. On Friday, May 8, your child has an opportunity to interact with guest instructors in each of their MESH classes to engage in novel lessons and conversations. This day will be a nice way to build community. The updated schedule was shared in Graland Online, and I have also provided one below. You will notice that we have altered the schedule, eliminating Wednesday’s typical schedule and changing things up on Friday. 


    As Gail mentioned in today’s Town Hall, we are committed to assessing students' essential skills and working hard to create summer work students can tackle in preparation for the 2020 - 2021 school year.
     
    Here’s to a weekend of being outside and enjoying the lovely weather,

    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School
     

  • April 27, 2020

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,

    Governor Jared Polis’ announcement on Monday, stirred up a lot of emotions in/for me. Although I knew it was inevitable that K - 12 school events would be suspended for the rest of the school year, hearing it made it a reality. It also meant that the numerous contingency plans we’d been working on for the end of year events were now going to be implemented. We are now tasked with reimagining age-old school traditions in new and creative ways.

    On Wednesday, I met with eighth graders. I shared in their heartbreak and the impact Governor Polis’ announcement had on them. I told them it was okay to feel sadness, anger, and anxiety about the future. While acknowledging their feelings, I also encouraged them to create space to honor them, as they are normal, and work through them by talking to others. Compassion for self and others was encouraged as students realized their end of year celebrations would be unique and not what they had hoped for or expected. 

    We sincerely appreciate all who took the time to respond to the parent “pulse check” last week and we have another for this week. Similar to last week, the Week 4 Pulse Check is focused on our students and your observations of their academic progress and wellbeing. A link was shared in Graland Online, and there is one below for your convenience.


    For the week of April 27, we will continue with the same schedule with one slight change for seventh and eighth grade bands. Please check the schedule for this change. A link to next week’s schedule is below for your reference if needed.


    May your family continue to remain healthy and in good spirits. 

    Have a good weekend,

    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • April 18, 2020

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,
     
    I had the opportunity to “have lunch” with sixth graders this week, and it was fantastic. Although I was late to the lunch meeting, the twenty minutes I spent “hanging out” with students gave me the boost I needed to begin my afternoon commitments. It is this sense of community that many of us are missing and this sentiment was loud and clear in the student survey. Although next week’s schedule does not reflect this, we will begin sprinkling optional activities that will give students an opportunity to simply hang out and be in community with each other. 
     
    We sincerely appreciate all who took the time to respond to the parent survey last week. Moving forward we will be conducting “pulse checks” to give us a quick snapshot of our success as we continue to tweak a Remote Learning program that has a balanced approach. The Week 3 Pulse Check, in particular, is focused on our students and your observations of their academic progress and wellbeing. A link was shared in Graland Online, and there is one below for your convenience.
     
     
    For the week of April 20, we will continue with the same schedule with a couple of slight changes. FOL for fifth and sixth graders will move to Tuesdays and Fridays to ensure they have attended all of their MESH classes before their FOL meeting time.  A link to next week’s schedule is below for your reference if needed.
     
     
    Please stay tuned for communication about Middle School end of year events as we are in the process of finalizing details.
     
    May your family continue to remain healthy. 
     
    Have a good weekend,
     
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • April 10, 2020

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,
     
    I had an opportunity to “visit” a couple of classes this week, and I was impressed by the lessons that were being covered and how the students were “showing up.” In Virtual Graland, students and teachers are gathering in ways that are productive and moving lessons forward. From discussing the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman to students creating a model of DNA using found objects in their homes to debating whether or not ancient Athens was really a democracy to acting out Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to creating beautiful artwork and brochures, it’s all happening online. I am really proud of our students and teachers.
     
    As we work through the schedule, we continue to learn more about the logistics of remote learning. Similar to the upgrades Zoom is making to provide a secure and safe platform for its users, we also updated our Zoom settings to add another layer of protection for the Graland community. We realized this may have caused some hiccups on your end, but our hope is that these challenges were resolved as the week continued. However, if you continue to experience technical difficulties, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Helpdesk (303-336-3733). There was also a communication from Marty Twarogowski, Director of Innovative Learning, discussing the Zoom Security and Privacy Update made to the Graland Parent/Student Handbook. 
     
    In our effort to work and collaborate as One Graland in this remote environment, we are gathering feedback across the community in the form of surveys. Students responded to a survey in advisory this morning; faculty are responding to a survey today, and below is a link for the parent survey that will be open until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020. Our goal is to hear from all parties in order to maintain a program that prioritizes the well-being of our students while also engaging them academically.  While we recognize that it is important to temper our expectations, students, to the best of their ability, should attend class and complete assignments just like they did in the physical classroom. Assignments are being collected and graded. Missing assignments are also recorded in the LMS where you can check your child’s progress.
     
     
    For the week of April 13, we will continue with the same schedule with a couple of slight changes. VAPA, Wellness and PE assignments will be shared by 12:00 p.m. on Sundays similar to the MESH and WL Week at a Glance. The other change is to the SST Support Time for students who work with our Student Support Team. Please note the time change on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a link below for your reference if needed. 
     
     
    Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to you as parents. Your support with your child’s academic work has not gone unnoticed. Thank you.
     
    Here’s to continued health,
     
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • April 4, 2020

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,

    Week one of remote learning accomplished a great deal. By the end of the week, students were able to log on to the various platforms with success and connect with each other and their teachers in very meaningful ways which will provide a nice foundation for the revised schedule for the week of April 6. Our goal and hope is to follow this schedule with fidelity for at least two weeks in order to assess any tweaks that need to occur. Graland’s Guiding Principles and feedback from students, parents and faculty will continue to guide us in the weeks to come. As Josh mentioned in his Town Hall message, please use the parent survey that will be sent at regular intervals to provide feedback. It is the best way for us to compile it and be as responsive as possible.
     
     
    Our recommendation is that you print this new schedule and hang it in a place where everyone has access to it. Specific details to help navigate the week have been called out below.
     
    Each of us has the same goals and objectives for our children. We want to see them thrive and feel success in this remote environment. Working together as one Graland, this can be achieved.
     
    Take care,
     
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School
     
    Navigating the Schedule
     
    Attendance will be taken every day.
    • Please reach out to your child’s advisor if they are ill and unable to attend classes for the day.
     
    Sunday
    • Students check the Week at a Glance that is available on each teacher’s LMS page by 12:00 p.m. to fill in as much of their planners as they can. 
    • Students check to make sure their work areas are set up for the week.
    • Devices need to be plugged in and fully charged for Monday.
     
    Monday and Tuesday (Synchronous Days)
    • Lessons will be taught in each MESH (Math, English, Science, History) and WL (World Language) class.
    • FOL (Foundations of Learning) classes will assist students with their MESH assignments.
    • Recordings of MESH and WL lessons from the morning will be posted by 3:00 p.m. barring any technological glitches.
    • Students can refer to the recordings if they missed class due to illness or want to review for any reason.
     
    Wednesday (Support)
    • Each class will meet in 30-minute increments to support all students as they work to complete assignments due at 3:00 p.m. that day.
     
    Thursday and Friday (Asynchronous Days)
    • Lessons, assignments, videos and/or slide presentations for these days will be posted by 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning.
    • Students will meet in their MESH and WL/FOL classes to discuss the newest assignments that were posted.
    • Students may also be asked to engage in discussions or assessments at this time.
     
    Student Work Time (12:45 - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday)
    • Students work to complete assignments for MESH and WL or begin working on their VAPA (Visual Arts/Performing Arts), Wellness or PE lessons.
     
    SST Support(1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday)
    • Meeting times for students who meet with SST (Student Support Team) for support during ICE exempt.
     
    Counseling Support
    • Mrs. Lavizzo will continue to support students as needed based on Google doc sign-ups.
      • Monday and Tuesday - sign-up support for 7th/8th graders from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
      • Wednesday - check-ins by appointment
      • Thursday and Friday - sign-up support for 5th/6th graders from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 

  • March 31, 2020

    Middle School First Day of Remote Learning

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,

    If in August someone told me we were going to have a first day of school in March, I wouldn’t have believed them; and yet, here we are! Like any first day of school, the goal was to review procedures, answer questions, and reconnect with teachers and friends. Even though there were a few technology glitches, the day went well. Congratulations on completing the first day of remote learning. We did it! 

    As these first two weeks of remote learning unfold, we want to establish clear routines and foster habits of mind that will allow for a productive, effective and sustainable experience for all of our middle school students. We expect the schedule to evolve over the next coming weeks as students and teachers become accustomed to what it means to learn and teach in this new environment. This evolution will not occur in a vacuum as we will be soliciting both student and parent feedback next week. However, it is important that we give students and teachers some time to live this schedule.

    As we introduce remote learning to students this week, there have been a few requests for access to Graland’s campus to retrieve band instruments, binders and textbooks. To accommodate these requests, advisors have reached out to their advisees requesting their locker numbers so that I can gather their materials. This information is due to advisors by Wednesday, April 1, 2020, by 12:30 p.m. Many students have already shared this information. 

    Once I have compiled the requests, I will share this information with Juan Botello who will email families on Friday, April 3, letting you know when you can come to Clermont Street to pick up your child’s materials on Saturday, April 4, 2020. In an effort to keep everyone safe, pick up will happen curbside as no one will be allowed onto the campus.

    Today was an exciting one for teachers and students alike. It was fun for me to hear all of the stories. We will continue to meet these new challenges with grace and flexibility. Your partnership now, more than ever, is appreciated.

    Be well,


     
     
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School
     

  • March 30, 2020

    Dear Families of Middle School Students,
     
    I hope this note finds each of you doing well and enjoying what it has meant to slow down a bit and reconnect with family. This is new territory for all of us: students, parents, teachers and administrators. Even though we have worked diligently to create schedules and engaging lessons, we enter this space with a lot of unknowns. Simply put, we cannot do things the way we’ve done them on campus. To that end, grace, flexibility and partnership are essential to our collective success. 
     
    As we embark on our first week of remote learning, I wanted to follow-up on the schedule that was shared last Friday, March 20. Since that time, there have been a couple of revisions to the schedule, so please refer to the newest iterations here.
    These schedules represent a mix of synchronous, real-time, and asynchronous, not in real-time, learning for the first two weeks back from spring break. Through teacher, student and parent feedback, we will assess the effectiveness and sustainability of the week of April 6 schedule and adjust assignments, assessments and schedules as needed. Our goal throughout this remote learning experience is to foster intellectual sustenance, social connection and personal accommodation as it pertains to the amount of time students are online.
     
    For the week of March 30, we have a collective goal as a school to re-establish community and acquaint students with their new responsibilities in this remote learning environment. Therefore, you’ll see that advisory will occur every day this week beginning Tuesday, March 31. It is in this space that advisors will check in with their advisees, establish group norms and create community. Students will also have 30-minute class periods with each of their MESH (math, English, science, history) and WL (world language) or FOL (foundations of learning) teachers, to begin to establish the new normal for their classes.
     
    While we will do our best to maintain the integrity of our programming and curriculum, skill development will remain our priority throughout remote learning. You will find a list of skills for each discipline in the March Mid-Term Skills Rubrics that were recently shared for March conferences.
     
    As you’ve read in Josh Cobb’s communication dated Thursday, March 26, many events have been canceled through April. With regard to events scheduled for May and June, we ask for your patience as we work to make decisions in the best interest of our community. Below, please find general information about the schedules followed by grade-level specific details.
     
    Like everyone, I have taken in so much information when it comes to these unprecedented times. As I sign off for now, I’d like to leave you with the words from Brandon Bayne, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill. “Nobody signed up for this” and “the humane option is the best option.” In January when we began the second semester, we had no idea remote learning was in our future. As a school community, we’ve decided to start slow, foster community and establish a routine before either extending the school day or ramping up the homework load. We’re in this together.
     
    Be well,
     
     
     
     
     
    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School

  • March 20, 2020

    Dear Middle School Families,

    One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about being an educator is the routine of what it means to be in school. There is a schedule to follow, and I know what is supposed to happen. For me, that routine has been challenged this week in so many ways. I have been engaged in Zoom meetings with every single Middle School teacher to develop online content and find innovative ways to teach remotely. All Middle School teachers are committed to engaging your child academically with lessons and activities that continue to encourage them to think, problem-solve, practice current skills, and continue with their grade-level curriculum. This effort, however, will require all of us to work together.

    As you begin planning for the remote learning environment in your home, I am sharing the structure of the Middle School Remote Learning Schedule beginning Tuesday, March 31, as well as the “regular” schedule that will be implemented the week of April 6. While the specific details will be shared on Monday, March 30, our overarching goal with the schedule is to encourage structured academic engagement while also supporting a sense of community with both advisory and class. We recognize that students may be in situations that make it difficult to learn. Some students may have trouble with the format and pace of remote learning. Some students may need to take care of younger siblings. Know that we will work with students - during and after the closure - to make sure that students feel confident in their learning. 

    As we begin to prepare for new and varied learning environments for our children, there are some things you, as parents/guardians, can do to support this endeavor.

    • Create a sense of normalcy - a remote learning environment should be respected and approached just like an on campus environment. You are not in the classroom with your child when we are on campus, so please give your child the same privacy and space to learn online. Please work with your child to set up a workstation that is conducive to engagement and productivity.
    • Self-advocacy - while your child may initially need more support with organization, we hope that they can ultimately manage their learning on their own as much as possible. Learning how to problem solve and adjust to learning online may present age-appropriate challenges for students to work through independently with a teacher’s help and guidance.
    • Communication - please feel free to reach out to your child’s dean, Tara Lavizzo, the school counselor, or me if you are concerned about your child’s well-being and/or learning. We are here to support each child and family to the best of our ability. We are in this together.
    • Partnership - reinforce the guidelines and protocols teachers have established in order to manage their online classes effectively. School is in session and it should be taken seriously so that we can move our curricular goals forward. 

    Finally, in addition to more specific details about the schedule, I will also be providing details for students about what it means to engage in online learning, “netiquette,” if you will. We will also continue to provide updated information for parents via Tuesday Newsday and the Resource Board on Graland’s website. We recognize that these are unusual times, and so much of the situation is evolving daily. As such, I will be hosting weekly meetings with Middle School faculty to facilitate an ongoing discussion about the schedule, students’ needs, faculty needs and anything else that will make this remote learning the best experience possible for all of us. For that reason, you will receive regular communication from me keeping you updated on changes that we make.

    I know you are a week into an unexpected homebound two-week break. Please take some time to decompress as I will be asking faculty to do the same next week. Enjoy the extra time that this situation has afforded us.

    Thank you for your consistent support as we work together to deliver instruction during this challenging time. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any issues or concerns.
     
    Stay healthy!
     

    Marti M. Champion
    Head of Middle School
     
    P.S. Beginning March 31, our tech help desk is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to assist with any tech challenges (email preferred; 303-336-3733).

Schedule

General Information About the Middle School Schedule:

List of 2 items.

  • Learning Details

    • Assessments: students will be assessed in appropriate ways and in a timely manner in each of their classes. These informal/formal assessments will take the form of: Google forms, in-class discussions, presentations, online quizzes, email and assessment of written work via rubrics.
    • Attendance: Students are expected to attend ALL advisory meetings and live MESH, WL and FOL classes. Attendance will be taken. If your child is sick and unable to attend advisory and/or class, please reach out to your child’s advisor.
    • Academic Coaching: Students are not required to attend academic coaching sessions; however, in this remote learning environment, they are highly encouraged. Academic coaching occurs on Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays. Please refer to the schedule for actual times.
    • Capstone (8th-grade students ONLY): Students need only to make up any missing pieces and/or complete any requested revisions from their initial proposal, problem paper, and solution paper. This should all be finished by April 17. Students may use Wednesday AC periods to reach out to their capstone mentors for feedback and guidance.
    • Due Dates: Students are required to turn in assignments on one/both due dates at the teacher’s discretion. All due dates are noted on the schedule.
    • Email: It is imperative that students are logging into and reading their email on a regular basis as this will be an important means of communication for teachers.
    • Grading: All assignments will be graded.
    • Homework: Based on teacher discretion, students will be expected to turn in their homework via one of the following platforms: Edpuzzle, Google classroom, Google drive, the LMS and SeeSaw.
    • School Day: With the exception of Tuesdays/Thursdays (late start days beginning the week of April 6), the school day will begin at 8:30 a.m. Although the schedule notes that most days end at 12:15 p.m., the school day should run as long as needed for students to complete assignments in order to meet the due dates for each class. 
    • Office Hours: Teachers will be available via email from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. during the school day. As is the case when we are on campus, teachers have 48 business hours to respond to email.
    • Week-at-a-Glance: All teachers will post a “road map” for the week by 12 p.m. on Sundays.

  • Netiquette

Technology Platforms

  1. Zoom: Video conferencing program your child will use for remote learning. 
    Download Zoom

    Joining A Meeting

    How to Zoom Download

  2. Digital resources for students
    Library Catalogs and Resources

    E-Book Library

  3.  Graland LMS Website: Class webpages where assignments and course resources will be posted by your classroom teachers.

    Tips to Get Started: Log on to your child’s class page via the Graland website. The class page is where you will find daily assignments and activities. Here's how: 

Additional Technology: Each teacher may use other technology based on how they are managing remote learning at the classroom level. 

Need Assistance? Beginning March 30, Graland's tech help desk is available Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., to assist with any tech challenges (email preferred; 303-336-3733).

Graland Country Day School

55 Clermont Street    |    Denver, CO 80220    |    303-399-0390
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.