Castilleja Middle School Meeting: "We've Been Waiting for You. 欢迎来到JCC!"

“This is very special for us that we’re here together today,” said Ms. Laura Zappas, Head of Middle School, during her remarks at the podium. Ms. Zappas gave Zappendations—shoutouts to those who demonstrate the 5Cs and go above and beyond—to the hardworking individuals who made this meeting possible: the teachers, the operations crew that drove the shuttles with 7日, 8th graders from the Bryant Street campus, and the lunch crew that prepared customized lunches. “The sixth graders did an amazing job welcoming us here,” Ms. 扎帕说. “We’re excited to experience a little bit of your day today.”

Kicking off with a speech on stage, eighth grader Selin A. 讨论了她对花样滑冰的热情. “When I’m engaged, I don’t realize that time is slipping away,” she said. 

“You’re literally the best figure skater I know,” noted Middle School Student Government President, 八年级学生Kylie D.在观众的欢呼声中. 

下一位是八年级的iire A. talked about resilience when facing uncertainty. “I am excited by the unknown,” Ire admitted. “It’s always good to have goals, but remember, things can change. When I’m afraid, I try to lean on my imagination to think of all the exciting possibilities.”

Middle schoolers also shared affinity group updates, affirming Castilleja’s commitment to learning from diverse voices and experiences on campus and beyond. 一个新的亲和组, MEAG, will provide a welcoming space for Middle Eastern students to connect and share traditions and cultures of the Middle East. 与此同时, five students from KASA (Korean American Student Association) and Chinese+ affinity groups introduced the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, 也被称为中秋节.  

 The auditorium was rocked by jubilant cheers and applause as faculty unveiled upcoming after-school activities. Ms. 布丽姬特Rigby, Bourn Lab Director and Maker extraordinaire, invited students to participate in Castilleja’s legendary Gatorbotics club, 女孩编程的地方, 制造机器人, and attend a robot petting zoo (now with new AI and audio recognition capabilities). 

Visual and Performing 艺术 instructors took the stage to put out a casting call for the Middle School performance, 音乐剧《热门网赌软件大全》,” as well as for the spring dance production. 

And with a holler, “It’s soccer season, baby!” a student lead announced winter athletics: soccer and basketball.  

The meeting culminated with students and faculty playing a game of “Name That TV Tune!” on stage to honor their reality TV show-themed spirit week costumes (The Great British Baking Show, 幸存者, 和幼儿 & 头饰). The auditorium then serenaded students and faculty with September birthdays in four languages. 

结束下午, students in all three grades enjoyed lunch in the spacious outdoor amphitheater and played Spirit Week games, 包括拔河和岩石, 纸, 草地上的剪刀, celebrating an afternoon of togetherness and belonging.