Middle School Newsletters

With this year's theme of “building community,” I am being intentional about how we start each Tuesday Morning Meeting (MM). As you may recall from my newsletters last year, I have a passion for music. I believe it is one of the best and easiest ways to foster community and relationships. 

As students enter the VPAC for MM, they will be greeted by a music video that celebrates community and belonging, even if they don’t immediately recognize that connection! This week, we kicked off with the original 1985 version of “We Are the World.” I’d venture to say that nearly all the students knew the song and enjoyed discovering its connection to our theme. It was fun to listen to them try to identify the artists. My favorite moment was helping them realize that Snoop Dogg is not Stevie Wonder!

I’m always looking for ways to spark conversations with you and your middle schooler, and this could be a great one. Ask them about songs that discuss themes of community or belonging. It’s important to remind them that music often carries deeper messages and meanings beneath the surface, which is why it can have such a powerful impact - both positive and negative.

Additionally, you might enjoy watching a classic video if you haven't seen it in a while or ever. You'll recognize some familiar faces like Dan Aykroyd, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, Bob Dylan, the Jacksons, and many more.
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LEARNING LAB:

The Middle School Learning Lab is our equivalent of the Lower School’s Homework Helper. This program is offered by Ms. Stickle on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:15 in MS 209. Students will have dedicated time to study, develop executive function skills, and receive homework support from a Middle School teacher. The deadline to sign up for the first quarter is August 22. For more information or questions, please contact Ms. Stickle. To sign up, please do so here. This opportunity is open to all Middle School students.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL AUDITIONS:

High School Musical Jr. information!

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8th-GRADE FAMILIES:

Please make sure you have read the Mo-Ranch communication sent in July. This trip is a fantastic opportunity for students to bond, learn, and create lasting memories. To ensure an accurate count, if your student chooses not to attend, please notify me by September 8 via email. After this date, refunds cannot be offered for the trip cost.

*If you missed your opportunity to purchase this special 8th-grade sweatshirt, we have reopened the store. 

Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, they will have an additional optional uniform choice. This will help our 8th-graders feel special and celebrated during their important final year in middle school! They will be available here until August 24th.

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ATTENDANCE:

Please remember that all absences must be reported through PowerSchool.

Looking ahead into the semester, please also know that we will be emphasizing our attendance policy this year; students who miss more than four sessions of any one class will be required to make up the minutes.  This is to comply with Louisiana state law.  You may hear this policy referred to as “No More Than Four” and, while there are some exceptions for school-sanctioned absences and for unavoidable absences (hospitalizations, natural disasters, etc), both reported and unreported absences count towards this limit. For more information, please refer to the handbook.
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MEDICATION:

If you need to turn in medications, please drop them off with our MS/US Nurse Amy Johns in the infirmary.  As with any campus visit, we kindly request that you stop by the Alumni House first to check in.  This is one of our most important security protocols, and we appreciate your help.

Please also be sure that your student has up-to-date information in our Magnus Health system.  This needs to be completed for every student, every year. 

Please note that if these updates are not received by September 2, 2025 (Tuesday after Labor Day), your student will not be permitted to attend school until the forms are completed.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Nurse Amy at [email protected]. 

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CONTACTS:

Feel free to reach out to any of us—we're here to help and support you. If we're not the right contact, we’ll connect you with someone who can assist you best.

Anne Dalton
MS Division Head
[email protected]
225-755-2724

Stephen Anderson
MS Dean of Student Life & Director of Campus Security
[email protected]
225-963-9904

Katie Carpenter
MS Counselor
[email protected]
225-755-2735

Dana Heuvel
MS Assistant 
[email protected]
225-755-2725

Upcoming Dates

*Thursday, August 21st. Middle School Parents’ Knight, 6:00 p.m. We will begin in VPAC.
This is a parent-only event. Your child’s schedule will be emailed to you before the evening.

*Monday, September 1st. Labor Day. No School.

Coffees provide a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and ask any questions you may have as the year begins.

*Friday, September 5th at 8:00 am. Join us for a 6th-Grade Parent Coffee in Quest.

*Friday, September 12th at 8:00 a.m. Join us for a 7th-grade parent coffee in Quest.

*Thursday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m. for an 8th-Grade Parent Coffee in Quest.

All School Calendar

Keep track of school holidays, major events, and important dates across all divisions—updated year-round for your planning needs.

MS Resources

Find supply lists, summer reading logs, orientation info, required forms, club sign-ups, and more—all in one place.

Lunch Menu

See what’s being served in Webster's Refectory. Updated every Friday with daily options