Middle School Update
Mystery Dinner
The countdown is on for our Middle School Mystery Dinner! Students will be deep in rehearsal mode—polishing scenes, sharpening their “detective” skills, and adding just the right amount of suspense (and a few clever red herrings). Behind the scenes, they will also be fine-tuning character motivations, practicing dramatic entrances, and ensuring every clue fits the case. The energy is high, the plot is thickening, and the Middle School is buzzing with anticipation… because once the lights go down, everyone becomes a suspect. The mystery begins at 6 pm on the Anacapa Campus!
Middle School Field Trip
This week, the Middle School headed out on a field trip that blended stories, community, and history in the best way. We began with a tour of the Santa Barbara Public Library, where students were introduced to a wide range of mythology texts and learned about all the ways they can engage with the library—from research support to events and resources they can use year-round. Many students signed up for library cards and checked out books to bring our mythology work to life. Next, we walked to the Public Market for lunch, giving students time to connect, laugh, and build community outside the classroom. We ended at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, home to an astonishing collection of more than a million manuscripts, where the curator offered an incredible introduction to the “marriage” of history and mythology—and how the stories humans tell are often rooted in real places, real people, and real questions that still matter today.
Math
In mathematics, students have been looking at the Pythagorean theorem and how it can be used to find unknown sides in complex situations. They spent some time creating their own crime scenes that required algebra and knowledge of the Pythagorean theorem to understand, and they had to devise the crime that led to each scene. After this, they had to practice their problem-solving skills on complex real-world problems, analysing them to determine how to apply the Pythagorean theorem. Students worked collaboratively to unpack the issues and make sure their problem-solving strategies made sense.
FROM THE SENATE:
The Student Senate is excited to announce that Spirit Fridays will return next week, starting with a Celebrities theme (no political figures).
Students who participate will have a chance to win a $10 McConnell’s gift card.
Additionally, lunch activities will begin next week on Tuesday and Thursday. Jeopardy will be held on Tuesday, followed by court sports on Thursday.
New Trimester of Electives
Sewing
In sewing, students are getting a detailed, thorough introduction to not only how to use specific pieces of sewing equipment but also how to create a workspace that flows well and supports the creation and design of fashion items. After getting some time to familiarize themselves with the equipment, students spent this week making themselves a small pillow. This involved measuring and cutting the fabric, sewing along the measured lines, and then figuring out how to fold and stuff their pillows to keep them neat and comfortable. When they come back after the break, they'll finish off the covers for their pillows!
Baking
This week in our baking elective, students have been busy making cake pops—and having a lot of fun in the process. We made classic chocolate cake pops as well as a gluten-free version so our gluten-free bakers could fully participate. From mixing and rolling to decorating, the kids loved the hands-on process and the chance to get a little creative (and a little messy!).
Gardening
In gardening, we’ve been celebrating lots of growth. We planted new peas, our beets are almost ready to harvest, and we added fresh lettuces to the garden beds. We also planted chocolate mint, which the students were especially excited about. It’s been a great week of digging, planting, and watching our garden continue to come to life.
