Upper School Update - Fall 2007

Academics
:: The first academic quarter concludes on Friday, October 19th, with grade reports scheduled to be reviewed by students in Advisory on October 26th and mailed home to parents late that week. Students earning no grade for the quarter lower than an A- earn STAR HONOR ROLL status. Students earning a minimum of a B average in their coursework earn HONOR ROLL status. Roycemore's semester grades, those that appear on formal transcripts, are a combination of two academic quarters, along with each student's performance on his/her two-hour semester examination for each class. When it comes to determining Grade Point Averages, students in Advanced Placement college level classes or studying at Northwestern University through Roycemore School earn 'weighted' grade points due to the high difficulty level of that work.
 
Roycemore's modified block schedule (varying the lengths of classes from 40 to 60 minutes), the school's thoughtful course selection process, and, of course, the rigorous curriculum offered in a supportive, nurturing environment--along with comprehensive semester examinations in all courses--help ensure that our students are positioned for success in college. The kids are working hard this fall, and we're proud of their excellent start to the school year.
 
:: "I don't have anything to do. I did it at school." -- Words not to accept from any Roycemore Upper Schooler! As a college-preparatory school, Roycemore expects all Upper School students to study for a minimum of 90 minutes to two hours nightly, focusing not just on written work, but also on reviewing notes and recent chapters, and previewing work to come, the type of thoughtful academic planning and studying that experts say leads to academic success in college. When in doubt, touch base with your son or daughter's Advisor at Roycemore to discuss study habits and whether or not your upper schooler is really caught up.
 
:: January Short Term: This Tuesday all US students and teachers gathered in the library for our annual January Short Term Kickoff assembly, at which all group projects offered by Roycemore faculty are unveiled and the process for seeking approval of independent projects is reviewed. This year, JST begins on Tuesday, January 15th and concludes on Friday, February 1st (final sessions that day), with all US students engaging in a special learning project, professional internship, or independent study activity during this time for a minimum of four hours per day, five days per week. Each adult project director completes an evaluation for their JST students, confirming successful participation. Ms. Fisher, January Short Term Coordinator, told the students on Tuesday how JST is an opportunity for them to design an aspect of their own curriculum, to pursue a dream, an interest or personal goal. All students must submit a proposal to the JST Committee, composed of students and teachers, and gain approval from that committee in order to move forward with their proposed projects. Advisors have given students a 2008 January Short Term guide book that includes key deadlines for submitting proposals, instructions for writing a proposal for an independent project, the criteria each student is evaluated on, the definition of successful participation, and descriptions of the group projects offered this year. We urge parents to speak with their students about JST, to review the guide book, and direct any questions about the program to Ms. Fisher at karriefisher@hotmail.com. This program, unique to Roycemore school, is a wonderful opportunity for students to take greater ownership of their education and pursue a field of study or activity not typically featured in even the strongest of secondary school curricula. The school expects each student to do his/her very best to demonstrate initiative, independence, commitment, and responsibility, and to seize the unique learning opportunities afforded them through JST.
 
:: Students struggling with work completion may be assigned by Mr. Novick to a mandatory study hall at Roycemore during a free block, at the recommendation of the Upper School faculty. Once assigned to a Study Hall (with a Roycemore faculty member dedicated to attend with the student, to help encourage the productive use of time), the placement ordinarily runs for the remainder of the academic quarter already in progress (at a minimum). Students struggling to manage their academic obligations may also be assigned Weekly Reports to help them better organize their learning and complete studying and assignments. Sometimes students assigned to Study Hall or Weekly Reports react to these programs as if they're punishment, when in reality they're not punishment, but intended to help promote improved academic achievement. We appreciate parent support in these instances, partnering with us to help students focus on the opportunity to improve (and the extra help being provided by teachers), rather than on the loss of so-called 'free' time. Not always an easy sell, but with home and school working together, we're more likely to succeed and, more importantly, so is the struggling student.
 
Student Performances, Athletics
While other schools are cutting or eliminating time for the arts and physical activity, Roycemore continues to offer all interested students numerous opportunities to get involved, without tryouts or cuts. We urge all parents to support and celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our student dramatists, dancers, athletes and singers!
 
Upcoming school performances include:
-The Upper School Fall Musical Production ("Alice in Wonderland") in the gym: Thursday & Friday, November 1st and 2nd at 7:00 PM
-Winter Program (dance, tumbling, singing) in the gym: Thursday, December 17th at 7:00 PM
 
In addition, the Upper School Chorus will perform this Saturday, October 6th at 2:30 PM at the Music Circus celebration, located at the Chicago Cultural Center at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street.
 
As for our fine young student-athletes, our soccer team continues undefeated, and our volleyball squad has notched numerous victories this fall, including wins over larger independent schools from the city such as Francis Parker and Chicago Latin. These kids are working hard and building such confidence. We hope you can make it to an upcoming match. Great job, Griffins!
 
Carnival
At the end of this month--on Friday, October 26th--Roycemore's Upper School students will organize and host a Halloween Carnival celebration in the gymnasium for all Lower and Middle School students, featuring games, prizes, food and beverages. This annual Roycemore tradition brings out the very best in our students, with such supportive, positive interaction between our high school students and their younger peers from throughout the school.
 
On Thursday, October 25th ALL UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS remain after school for Carnival setup in the gym at 3:00 PM (and the haunted maze in the basement). By that time, booth committees will have already met to plan for their games and activities, and students and teachers will be ready to pull together to transform the gym into a wonderful fall holiday space for Roycemore's youngsters, the next day.
 
On Carnival day, the 26th, all upper schoolers report to school at the regular time--in Halloween costumes!--to prepare last minute details, for the costume contests, and to manage the event during the afternoon hours. There are also prizes for the best booths. Breakdown of the gym takes place shortly after 3:00 PM on the 26th and is typically done by about 3:45 PM.
 
We tell our US students that this event is not about taking, but about giving, about giving back to the youngsters at Roycemore who look up to them as leaders. As a result, participation is required on both days for all students.
 
Carnival planning is led by a committee composed of two juniors and two seniors, who play a crucial leadership role leading up to and during the Carnival celebration. These students volunteer to be considered for the position, and are then appointed by Mr. Novick and the faculty based on their positive attitudes, communication skills, and leadership qualities.
 
Questions about Carnival? Contact John Novick anytime at jnovick@roycemoreschool.org.
 
Recommended Reading/Resource
New and exciting research into the teenage brain is being conducted, with fascinating results, to date. In general, it appears, increasingly, that the portion of the human brain that regulates judgment, reasoned perceptions, and executive functioning is the last to develop--which certainly explains a great deal about the challenges adults face when trying to reason with teens about judgment, decision-making, and risk-taking behaviors! They may look like adults at 17 or 18 (or even 19 or 20 years old), but the biological reality is that they are not. Roycemore's consulting psychologist, Dr. Jay Einhorn, has confirmed this interpretation of the latest research, and will, in fact, meet later this fall with students in grade nine and ten to discuss the teenage brain and wellness issues related to teen decision-making.
 
For a brief article from the National Institute of Mental Health exploring this research in greater detail, copy and past the following web address into your browser:
 
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teenage-brain-a-work-in-progress.shtml