Dear Jonas Clarke Community,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the JCSA for their generosity towards the students and staff at Clarke Middle School. Without the support of the JCSA, there are many programs, materials and events that would not exist at Clarke. This year the JCSA has funded a wide variety of staff mini grants such as: physics lab equipment for all 8th grade science classes, an online assessment tool called Linglanguae Online for foreign language teachers, funding for the Chain Links and Linked In programs, funding for some of our choral groups to work with a choreographer, art supplies for expressive art therapy for the guidance counselors, and many more! The teachers and students at Clarke are so thankful for this support and I would like to extend my thanks to the JCSA membership as well.
I was so impressed with our Clarke 8th grade students during the Mock Town Meeting on Saturday March 16, 2013. Thanks to grant funding from the LEF and the planning and leadership of Mr. Mehler, the middle school Social Studies Department Head, it went off without a hitch. I watched our 8th graders navigate the parliamentary procedures used in Town Meeting, ask informative and interesting questions and vote on proposed amendments and I was incredibly proud of them. Thanks to all who gave their time to make this happen, especially all of the Town Meeting members from Lexington.
Hopefully you were able to attend our Clarke Middle School Talent show on Friday March 22, 2013. I was also impressed at the talent of the students involved and I would especially like to thank Ms. Bavin and Mr. Schechner for organizing, as well as all of the JAB representatives that helped out and participated. Clarke definitely has some amazing talent.
We are now beginning the fourth quarter, and it is hard to believe how fast the year has gone by. Although planning for next year is already in full force, we still have many upcoming events to plan for including course selection for 6th and 7th graders, move up day for the 5th graders, our 8th grade Trip to Washington DC, the spring drama performance, as well as all of the spring socials for grades 6, 7 and 8. I would especially like to welcome families of current 5th graders coming to Clarke next year. We are scheduled to have an early release day on Tuesday April 30, 2013 when the 5th graders will visit with Clarke teachers, have lunch and get a tour of the building to prepare for next year. Mark your calendars! We will also have an orientation evening for parents of incoming 6th graders next year on Wednesday May 1, 2013 at 7PM. I believe that you will find this to be a wonderful, welcoming and enriching environment for you and your child.
Sincerely,
Anna W. Monaco
