Middle School

Co-curriculum

Activity Program

Each year, a wide variety of athletic, artistic and service oriented classes are offered to students in our Activity Program. Activity periods occur from 2:00-3:25 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and sessions run between five and ten weeks. We encourage students to participate in a variety of Activities in order to experience the disciplines of art, music, theatre, writing, athletics, technology, service learning and science in new ways.

The goals of the Activity Program are fourfold:

to offer students an opportunity to apply skills learned in classes in a more “hands on” and focused environment
to encourage students to take risks and/or to identify new talents or interests by encountering activities and situations with which they are not familiar
to allow students an opportunity to develop a talent/skill/interest already held and to track their progress and growth over a period of years
to encourage students of various grade levels to interact with and learn from each other, as well as to broaden the scope of their social relationships.

Each trimester, during Activity periods, one of the choices for students is to participate in the grade level play, either as a member of the cast or crew. This year, the seventh grade play will be performed during the first trimester, the eighth grade play during the second trimester and the sixth grade play during the final trimester.

Experiential Week

Each year, during the third week in May, we offer 12-14 intensive activities, some of which involve overnight travel away from home and others which will take place on (or start from) campus each day. In the case of some trips, the dates extend beyond the May 21-25 school week. The purpose of Experiential Week is to develop in students:

a desire to explore and experience the world in both natural and urban settings,
a growing sense of identity and confidence based on acquired skills and knowledge,
and an active interest in and concern for other people.

All students are expected to participate in one of the activities offered. A broad range of arts, athletic, wilderness and cultural opportunities, at a range of costs between $30 and $750, is offered. As well, curriculum design and activities are guided by the newly established Experiential Week Statement of Mission and Beliefs.

International Travel is also a part of the Experiential Week Program. On average, one or two trips connected to World Language studies or other aspects of the curriculum will be offered each year. These trips take much longer to plan and prepare for, so the timeline for applications, payments, etc. is different than for other Experiential Week activities. The cost of such trips is c. $2,300-2,500 per student.

A list and description of Experiential Week offerings is mailed home in January (information regarding any international trips will be mailed in Autumn). Students are encouraged to discuss their interests with parents and advisors, and to contact trip and activity leaders directly with any questions. They are also required to submit an Experiential Week Application explaining their first choice, as well as their three alternate choices. Through the application format, we are hoping to encourage students to reflect on their particular interests and to take some responsibility in the process of selection. Alternate choices should be ones in which students are still interested and committed to participating in positively. As much as we try to give students their first choice, this is not always possible.

Students are encouraged to select experiences that will help them to develop new skills, encounter unfamiliar locals, and allow them to build friendships and relationships. Although it is natural to be drawn to activities that allow students to be with their friends, we encourage families to focus primarily on the experiences available and activities planned. The educational component of each course presumes that students will be able to participate fully and for the duration of the experience.

In most cases, Experiential Week groups will consist of a mix of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students; as well, a balance of gender and grade levels will be sought. As a result, some flexibility in organizing groups is required. Seventh and eighth grade students are asked to select activities in which they have not previously participated. Previous Experiential Week selections, preferences and experiences are taken into account when organizing groups. Student groupings are determined by the Middle School Director and faculty leaders before Spring Break (at the latest). Factors considered in the selection process include: previous experiences, group demographics, student conduct and maturity during the year, physical conditioning and knowledge. Should concerns about a student’s academic performance or behavior exist, the appropriateness of his/her participation in a particular activity will be discussed by faculty and parents.

All families should note that completion of the application form does not involve any financial commitment; however, once a student has been placed in a group and the specific permission forms for that activity have been completed, families are then considered financially committed to the activity. Financial assistance is available for those families that qualify.

Wilderness Program

The Middle School also has an optional Wilderness Program, which features 20-30 weekend day and overnight trips. Students are taught specific outdoors and group skills and learn an appreciation for nature and its interrelationships, while engaged in learning specific techniques for rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, skiing (alpine and cross-country), snowshoeing, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and sailing. Extended (5-15 days) wilderness outings are offered during Experiential Week.

Advisory

Every student has a grade-level academic advisor. The advisor's function is to be a student advocate. Advisor and advisees develop a caring, nurturing, and supportive relationship. Daily contact in classes and regular reviews in team meetings keep the advisor and advisee up to date on daily development and progress.

Middle School Athletics

Fall: Soccer, Cross-Country Running, Girls Volleyball
Winter: Basketball, Cross-Country Skiing
Spring: Track and Field, Girls Lacrosse, Golf, Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee

The Bush Middle School supports the full participation of any student who wishes to join a sports team. Skill level does not affect placement, and all students are given an equal and full experience in game, as well as practice participation. Practices take place during the Activity periods on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons; all regularly scheduled games take place during this time or after school. As much as possible, we attempt to schedule all interscholastic games on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; however, games may occur on Tuesdays or Thursdays as well.

If a student signs up to participate on an interscholastic team, we expect that s/he will participate fully in all after school aspects. If conflicts are anticipated, students are advised to choose an alternate activity. Parents or students should speak with coaches ahead of time if an unavoidable situation causes them to miss a practice or game. A pattern of absence may be cause for a student to be asked to leave the team.

Information about athletic game schedules may be accessed here, and then “Team News/Schedules”, and finally the Middle School team desired.