Gregg Hall News

Character Education

This month, our focus was Citizenship! Students learned about the voting process, why every vote matters, and how elections work. To make the lesson hands-on, dorm staff campaigned for the title of President of Gregg Hall. Students completed ballots, cast their votes, and watched the results be tallied by the dorm supervisor. Congratulations to our newly elected Dorm President, Misty Romer!

Independent Living Skills

Our students put their budgeting skills to the test during a trip to a local thrift store. They compared prices, discussed wants versus needs, and calculated purchase totals, including sales tax. After shopping, they headed out for dinner and got some extra practice ordering for themselves when a restaurant kiosk went down. As one staff member joked, “This is how we did it back in the 1900s!”

Students became laundry pros by learning how to sort clothes by color! They created separate piles for darks, brights, and whites, then learned which water temperatures work best for each load. To top it off, they practiced pretreating stains before washing to help keep their clothes looking their best.

The 8th grade group also planned and prepared a taco dinner from start to finish. They created a shopping list, compared store brands to name brands, and practiced food safety while cooking. Learning is always better when it ends with tacos!

Dorm Life

We are grateful for the many departments that help our campus run smoothly. In honor of IT Professionals Appreciation Day, students created and signed a card which was presented to Tim Slater from our IT department.

Students also got their hands dirty starting plant cuttings that they will care for throughout the year, launched new batches in the rock tumblers, and enjoyed several creative art projects. We also had a great time cheering on our middle school volleyball team at home games!

Friendly Reminder

Please check with your child to see if they need any toiletries or snacks replenished. Thank you for helping them stay stocked up and ready for success!

Warm Regards,

Joann Janson
Boarding Supervisor

McLane Hall News

A Great Start to the School Year

We are excited to share that the school year is off to a wonderful start. After their first month back on campus, our boys have settled into their routines, built new friendships, and become active members of our dorm community. Whether participating in sports, clubs, recreational activities, or academics, students have embraced the opportunities around them while learning responsibility, teamwork, and independence.

Our character education focus this month is Citizenship. Throughout September, students have been learning that citizenship is more than following rules. It involves showing respect, making good choices, helping others, and taking pride in being part of a community. Every day, we see students demonstrating citizenship through small but meaningful actions, such as encouraging friends, taking responsibility for their actions, and helping keep shared spaces clean and welcoming.

We are also encouraged by the continued progress on the McLane Hall window renovation project. While construction timelines are always subject to change, we remain hopeful that students may be able to return to McLane Hall soon. We appreciate the patience, flexibility, and positive attitudes students and families have shown throughout this transition. To celebrate our eventual return, we already have plans for a pizza and ice cream party to recognize our students' cooperation and adaptability.

Life in the dorm continues to provide important opportunities for students to build independence and practical life skills. Students are learning to manage their personal belongings, maintain clean living spaces, practice good hygiene, work cooperatively with others, and develop time management skills. These daily experiences help build confidence and prepare students for increasing levels of responsibility in the future.

Earlier this month, our students attended a safety presentation led by FSDB Police Services. They learned about emergency procedures, including fire safety, severe weather preparedness, and lockdown protocols. The students were highly engaged and asked thoughtful questions throughout the presentation. In the coming weeks, they will also participate in a program called Making School a Positive Place, which focuses on making positive choices, managing peer conflicts, advocating appropriately, and building healthy relationships.

Outside the classroom, students have enjoyed a variety of activities including basketball, fishing, chess, and spending time with friends. These experiences continue to help strengthen social skills, create lasting memories, and make dorm life both enjoyable and meaningful.

As we move through the school year, we encourage families to check that students have the personal care items they need and any favorite snacks they enjoy in the dorm. Students may also wish to have a small amount of spending money for concessions at sporting events or for Wednesday evenings at Dragon's Lair, where they can enjoy activities and snacks with friends.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are proud of how our students have started the school year and grateful for the resilience they have shown during the renovation period. We look forward to another month filled with learning, growth, friendship, and, hopefully, a return home to McLane Hall very soon.

Warm regards,

David McFee
Boarding Supervisor