Our Middle School students' days are jam-packed. They travel to eight classes a day in 5th and 6th grade, and four longer classes in 7th and 8th. The day moves fast and, as teachers, we often find ourselves trying to fit in as much content and learning as we can. As much as we wish we could, it's usually impossible to fit in a craft, a culinary experience, or do anything "fun" within the confines of a 45-minute class period.

 

MS Club Day helps us add some of that magic back by bringing parts of Trinity School's Mission into focus. For an entire school day, we are able to step away from formal instruction as students rotate through various clubs. They may enrich the mind through Greek Mythology club, strengthen the body with Self-Care club, or enliven the soul with Pasta Making club, just to name a few. With a Student Council social and Corral Pals trick or treating sprinkled in, it feels like "just a fun day" to students, but it's one that enhances the experience of being a Trinity Middle School student. Students get to try new things, refine their passions, allow their authentic selves to shine (Beaded bracelet making with a Taylor Swift sing-along, anyone?!).

 

Truthfully, it enhances the experience of being a faculty member in the Middle School as well. One of my favorite parts of hosting Club Day is spending time with students who haven't been in my class in years, or maybe at all. Relationship building is one of the greatest blessings of being a teacher, and stepping away from the traditional classroom allows teachers to strengthen those relationships in a whole new way. 

 

Our next Club Day is December 19. With the hustle and bustle the holiday season often brings, I'm looking forward to another chance to slow down, watch these children get to be children, and spend time with them outside the traditional classroom setting. I'm excited for it already, and I would bet Middle School students are, too.

Click "What is MS Club Day" to scroll through more photos!