Copy
In this Issue:

 

 

Dear Parents,

This Advent season, I find myself seeking joy in Christ’s everyday blessings and miracles, as we wait and prepare for His birth and Second Coming. I have spent the last few months visiting the classrooms in the Middle School, and my goodness, what joy I have experienced! The 5th graders welcomed me in as I “relearned” the definition of a coefficient with them, and we explored the nine oppressions in the book of Judges along with the epic stories of Samson and Gideon. Then in 6th grade I watched students delve into the importance of process as they edited their blogs and writing samples. One student even told me about his uncle who’s a published author! Also, students showed me their methods to organize their math binders and science binders - the executive functioning skill-building work was on full display.

7th graders showed me how to use different types of telescopes from the top floor lobby as we looked out over the quad and tried to locate planets creatively drawn on paper plates and hung up on different trees. Prior to the election, I examined the electoral college process with our students, and I learned a cool piece of trivia about Grover Cleveland being the only president to serve two terms but not consecutively. In art class, students presented their Architectural Letters, designed to represent self. They shared creative intent, allowing their peers to learn that one student loves surfing while another one appreciates symmetrical patterns and organization. 

Finally, in 8th grade, I challenged myself to learn alongside the students. I read timelines and identified patterns in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I dove headfirst into solving for slope and y-intercept, I listened to students discuss irony in Animal Farm, and I helped decipher a Spanish poem! In the spirit of transparency, I walked out of all of these classes, 5th through 8th grades, feeling excited, humbled, and definitely more knowledgeable!

It is pure joy to watch the students engage in learning together; to watch their faces light up when a concept finally clicks; to see our teachers creatively and passionately teach their craft to students they care about so deeply; to be in school, collaborating with peers, praying with students, and walking alongside each other. Pure joy. Lord, I am thankful for the joy in our everyday lives, for the peace that you give us in your constant presence. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Merry Christmas, Middle School!

 

In partnership,

Heather Karvis

Change To COVID Quarantine Policy
Check out the All-School Section at the bottom of this newsletter for an important change to Whitefield's policy on COVID-19 quarantine.

Semester Exam Schedule
6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will take their Fall 2020 exams on December 14-18. The dress for exam week is normal Friday uniform (Whitefield t-shirt, uniform bottom). No lunch is served during exam week, and all students should be picked up no later than 11:45 a.m. For students who have remaining questions in anticipation of their exam, teachers will be available virtually the day before their exam.

Early arrival students in 6th-8th grades (between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.) will report to the Athletic Center for temperature checks and silent supervised study hall until released at 8:45 a.m. to report to exam classrooms.

IMPORTANT EXAM INFORMATION: 

  • Opt-in Virtual learners will follow the same schedule as above; however, they will be dropped off at the former Lower School mods where they will take their exams. They will also be picked up from their exams in the same location.
  • Quarantined or sick students will work with Mrs. Karvis to determine an individualized plan (might include doubling up on exams on days when out of quarantine or utilizing J-Term to take exams). Please reach out to Mrs. Karvis if your child will need individualized accommodations due to quarantine or sickness.
  • All requests for early or late exams must have principal approval. Thank you in advance for making exam attendance a priority.

5th Grade Schedule December 14-18
The dress for this week is normal Friday uniform (Whitefield t-shirt, uniform bottom). No lunch is served during exam week, and all students should be picked up no later than 11:45 a.m.

On Friday, any early arrival 5th grade students (between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.) will report to the Athletic Center for temperature checks and silent supervised study hall until released at 8:30 a.m. to report to regular classes.

All students should be picked up by 11:45 a.m. There is no lunch served or study hall offered this week.

All-School Christmas Chapel
Whitefield’s annual all-school Christmas chapel will tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. The virtual chapel will be shown in advisories, and it will be a blessing to our community. Tomorrow morning, the link will also be sent via email to families so that you can join us in worship and reflection. 

Middle School Edition J-Term 2021
The Middle School will participate in an abbreviated edition of J-Term 2021. Each grade level team has worked hard to be sure that this first week of school allows for community exploration of a subject, grade level bonding and connection, as well as continued instructional time for regular classes. All activities planned will maintain our COVID protocols. The grade chairs will send more specific information regarding J-Term 2021 at the end of exam week. Below is the chosen theme for each grade level:

  • 8th Grade: Neighbors: Home and in the World
  • 7th Grade: Native American Heritage
  • 6th Grade: Problem Solving
  • 5th Grade: Week of Books
 

Semester 1 Grades and Comments
All exam grades, Semester 1 final grade averages, and teacher comments will be verified and posted the week of January 4 when we return from Christmas break. Our registrar Linda Thomas will send an email letting parents know when the grades are available on Parent Portal. We encourage students to finish the semester strong and then enjoy a well-deserved break! 

 

8th Grade Transition Updates

  • Upper School Academic Coaching

    • The Upper School is excited to welcome your child next year! Whitefield Academy is committed to working with our students and families to determine a course progression throughout Upper School that helps students achieve their academic goals for Whitefield Academy and beyond. The academic coach works closely with each student’s teachers to formulate a course progression that best fits the student’s unique, God-given talents and interests, fulfills graduation requirements, and prepares the student for college.

    • All parents of 8th grade students should have received an email from Upper School Principal Jen Woods detailing the academic coaching for our current 8th grade students, which takes place in the second semester. Appointments are 30-minutes long. Mrs. Woods will meet with students in person, and we will Zoom parents into the meeting. The Zoom link will be provided closer to the meeting date. Appointments begin on Friday, January 29, 2021, and end on Friday, March 12, 2021.

    • Please click here to schedule your appointment. If none of the appointment days/times work for you, please contact Addie Cochran to make other arrangements. Both the student and at least one parent should plan to attend. Reach out to Jen Woods if you have any questions.

  • Senior Mentor Cookies and Milk “Warm Welcome” with the 8th Graders

    • On Thursday, December 10, Senior Mentors and the Upper School administration will visit the 8th grade advisements and give them a “warm welcome” to the Upper School transition experience. Together, the senior mentors and 8th graders will enjoy Tiff’s treats and milk. Please note that we are seeking to reschedule the Senior Mentor lunch for mid-January second semester (postponed twice due to unexpected power outages and virtual school for the US).

 

6th Grade Second Semester Updates
We will mix up the 6th grade cohorts second semester. We hope that this shuffling will provide students with the opportunity to enjoy both new and old friends. Also, we are adding in a separate Advisement group that will be gender separate with fewer students in each Advisement. Chapel and flex time will take place in Advisement groups while instructional time will take place in cohorts. 

 

Virtual Learning Update
Any parents of students currently opting into virtual learning need to contact Heather Karvis by December 18 to let the school know if your child plans to begin semester two in person or virtually. For those families weighing this decision, please keep in mind our Virtual Learning Expectations to foster a successful partnership and learning environment.

Exam Study Tips and Strategies (Sherry Campbell, MS Counselor)
We have all heard the saying, “preparation is the key to success.” Thus, to help our 6th-8th Grade Students prepare for exams, they all received a Final Exam Study Plan via a Schoology update prior to Thanksgiving break. This plan mapped out time for students to do the following:
  • Organize subject materials
  • Block intentional chunks of subject specific study time
  • Avoid cramming by studying in small chunks every day
  • Review notes and corrected tests or quizzes if available
  • Complete study guides in advance and review more than once
  • Attend extra help sessions this week Monday-Thursday from 3-3:30 pm 
  • Take time to balance studying with physical exercise and mental breaks
  • Challenge negative thoughts and use this preparation to reduce stress and anxiety 
 

Exam Day tips to help all learners from this test-taking tips sheet:

  • Listen closely to verbal directions and read carefully any instructions on the test itself.
  • Ask the teacher to explain any instructions that you don’t understand.
  • Scan the entire test for the types of questions and use this information to pace yourself.
  • Jot down memory aids, formulas, or important facts in the margins.
  • Answer the questions you know first and come back to the harder ones later, remembering to mark unanswered questions so they’re easy to find.
  • 12-9-2020 Virtual All-School Christmas Chapel, 9:15 a.m.
  • 12-14-2020 through 12-18-2020 6th-8th Grade Exams, 5th Grade Special Schedule
  • 12-21-2020 through 1-1-2021 Christmas Break  No School
  • 1-4-2021 through 1-8-2021 J-Term 2021
Adjustment in COVID-19 Quarantine Policy
The Georgia Department of Health has changed the guidelines for quarantine due to a COVID-19 exposure. Whitefield, as well as other schools, will be following the new protocols below for direct exposure:
 
If you are not sick, you agree to monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 days following the last time you were in close contact with a sick person with COVID-19. Monitoring your health includes checking your temperature twice a day and watching for symptoms for 14 days. You will quarantine yourself at home except in case of emergency or to be tested for COVID-19. The recommended time period for quarantine is 14 days, but you may be able to leave quarantine prior to that if certain criteria are met:
  • If you do NOT live in a congregate setting, such as long term care facilities, jails, prisons, shelters, etc. you can discontinue quarantine:
    • After 7 full days have passed since your most recent exposure occurred, if you fulfill all THREE of the following criteria:
      • Are tested for COVID-19,
        • The test should be a diagnostic test (PCR or antigen) and the specimen for your test may not be collected more than 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation. If you plan to discontinue quarantine after 7 full days, this means you should not have a sample collected for a test until after you have completed 5 full days of quarantine
      • Receive a negative result,
        • You may not discontinue quarantine until you have completed a minimum of 7 full days since your most recent exposure, even if you receive your negative test result earlier. If your result is positive, you must follow DPH isolation guidance.
      • Do not experience any symptoms during your monitoring period
    • After 10 full days have passed since your most recent exposure occurred, if you fulfill BOTH of the following criteria:
      • Are NOT tested for COVID-19
      • Do not experience any symptoms during your monitoring period
If you discontinue quarantine prior to 14 days, you should continue to monitor your health and follow mitigation strategies until 14 days after your most recent exposure and isolate immediately if symptoms develop. Mitigation strategies that should be practiced include correct and consistent mask use, social distancing, hand and cough hygiene, environmental cleaning and disinfection, avoiding crowds, and ensuring adequate indoor ventilation.

Campus Store Open House
December 8, 9, and 11
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the WolfPack fan in your family? Take advantage of the Whitefield Campus Store Christmas Sale starting today! Shop in person or online. Visit our Open House tomorrow for coffee, treats, and additional specials! Free gift wrap all month long with any purchase!
  • Tuesdays – 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Wednesdays – 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Fridays – 7:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Website
update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list