Words from the Middle School principal

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Words from the Middle School Principal

Amani Reed, Middle School principal

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year.

I am looking forward to meeting many of you at the Middle School BBQ this Friday. I know that Malvirse Dervin, Trish Fahey, Tony Shaw, and the parents association have worked hard to make this a great community event.

Please make sure you have the Open House on your calendar. It is coming up on September 20th. The evening is designed to give you a good sense of your middle schooler’s academic and social life here at Lab. In addition to hearing about curriculum, you will hear about important parts of our middle school philosophy.

As you hear from me more you will often hear me talk about the importance of belonging in a healthy Middle School. I see this concept as a cornerstone of middle education. I was drawn to the Lab Schools because this is a place where a student can truly discover themselves.

Middle Schools are exciting places where assumptions should be challenged, and risks taken. They are also places where there are successes and setbacks every day. For our students, education provides the context for learning about the world and about themselves. Both learning and growth lie within the students. As educators, we create a safe place for students to explore their potential and recognize their possibilities. Middle School education must be seen as a journey with many different elements. It must focus equally on skill-development, individual personal development and academic growth. Middle School is the right time for our students to learn there is a difference between knowing something and understanding it. We must meet the students where they are, and help them grow into what they can become. Good and great Middle School ensure success for all students, academically, athletically, artistically and otherwise. Success is connected to this concept of belonging. When students belong to, rather than merely attend school, they are vastly more successful. They will begin to identify the challenges that lie ahead of them, determine the skills they will need, and begin to recognize the power of their potential. We know our students experience school as much between classes as in our classrooms.

It has been a great start to the year. As the year progresses, I look forward to working with all of you, and a wonderful and exciting year.

Amani Reed