R.J. Grey Junior High School

Hi Everyone, 

Every few weeks or so, I tend to use Grey Matters as a memo about articles and studies that I’ve read or still working through, that I think may be of interest to some or many of you and speak to subjects we’ve discussed in the past.  What I’ve included below represents a pretty broad continuum of topics and information, but what I consider even more impressive is that I’ve found recent articles that don’t actually include the phrase “quid pro quo” within the body of their texts.

For our families who observe Diwali, the festival of lights, I hope any plans you had this past weekend was full of joy and celebration with friends and family.  For the past few years I have included this article in the Washington Post, written by someone who uses her family’s celebration of Diwali to reflect on the dynamics that often accompany a bicultural upbringing and formation of identity.  I share it again knowing that the experience of straddling different worlds and cultures is familiar to many of you. I am also including this recent piece, also in the Washington Post, that attempts to provide those of us less familiar with the origins and aspects of the holiday with a general primer on how Diwali has various meanings and interpretations within and amongst those who observe the holiday.  

The topic of school start times continues to evolve at both the local and national level.  The state of 

California recently passed a law that no high school in the state can start before 8:30am (and middle schools no earlier than 8:00am), and besides an exemption for some rural communities, has given school districts three years to make the adjustment.  Unsurprisingly, this new law has been met with mixed reactions.  Closer to home, communities throughout Massachusetts continue to wrestle with this topic, and the very real complications that usually come in the form of figuring out the transportation element.  Andover, the town where I grew up, is currently embroiled in some pretty passionate debate around start times, and possible solutions that include making elementary school start times earlier so that the middle and high school start times can be later.  

In a classic case of frequency illusion where we tend to see new information or ideas “everywhere” after it’s been the focus of our attention, I have recently felt like all I see are articles about talking to teenagers about internet pornography.  For those still recovering from my first mention of this topic, I’m not trying to overwhelm you! Frequency illusion aside, the ongoing research and statistics that I read on this subject suggests to me that this is a topic that is receiving more attention for a reason.  Here is one of those pieces I’ve recently come across, from the Child Mind Institute, that also offers guidance to families about how to enter a conversation with your kids on this topic.  

Here’s a piece from the New York Times that I haven’t finished reading, called “Can You Really Be Addicted to Video Games?”, which I will probably put at the top of my reading pile after a certain member of our household took advantage of a tired parent who fell asleep a bit early last night before checking to see if the kids had ended their sessions on technology.  

This piece in Scientific American, “Social Media Has Not Destroyed a Generation” is highlighting recent studies that are pushing back against reports and previous studies that have made claims about the damaging effects of digital devices and social media usage on younger generations.  They’re making the argument that earlier studies that suggest increased use of social media has led to a rise in mental health problems (and other issues) amongst adolescents, is a case of mistakenly arguing that it’s the chicken before the egg, and not the other way around.  That piece specifically cites a 2017 article in The Atlantic written by researcher Jean Twenge, “Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation”, which I included in an edition of Grey Matters that year.  I will freely admit that not only did I include Twenge’s article in 2017, but I have felt that many of her ideas have resonated with my own observations in recent years about shifts in behaviors, tendencies, and challenges within adolescents.  So this recent piece in Scientific American is giving me something to think about in terms of the conclusions that I’ve held on to.  

A piece that I haven’t finished, and has a title that makes you wonder where it’s going, here’s this recent piece from the Boston Globe, “Why kids today are so rude -- and why a little bad behavior might sometimes be a good thing”.  While I haven’t finished this piece, I did appreciate this important reminder from the author, and an introduction to a new term that might prove helpful moving forward: “Rude kids may be everywhere, but it’s also true that complaining about the younger generation is an age-old rite of passage.  David Finkelhor, a sociology professor at the University of New Hampshire, coined the term “juvenoia” -- “the exaggerated fear of the influence of social change on youth” -- to explain the phenomenon.  

Here are additional reminders and updates for the next few weeks: 

Halloween Dress Up Day is this Thursday and we’re looking forward to the parade of costumes that will likely enter the building.  Please remember that participation is completely optional and the rate of student (and teacher) participation is typically around 50%, so no student should feel compelled to come in a costume.  During any costume planning, please continue to help your child keep in mind that we must avoid including props that mimic weapons (swords, firearms, knives, etc.), clothing that includes profanity, and no masks (we need to see your faces!).  It’s a great tradition, and we all look forward to a fun and spirited day.  

We have scheduled a picture retake day for this Friday, November 1.  If your child ordered a photo package and you would like to retake the photo, please have your child bring in the original package on that day (and to come dressed for the re-take!).  If your student missed Picture Day earlier this year, this is also the time for him or her to have a photo taken. Even if you don’t have plans to order a photo package, it is important to have everyone’s photo taken so they will be included in this year’s yearbook.  

A friendly reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 5 for our District’s Professional Learning Day. There is also NO SCHOOL on Monday, November 11 for Veteran’s Day. 

We are close to finishing up the Fall season for our school sports programs.  Congratulations to our Field Hockey, Soccer, and Cross Country teams on a great season - both individually and collectively. We hope the students who participated in these programs found it to be a worthwhile experience.  As we prepare to enter the Winter season, I wanted to provide a few friendly reminders about extracurricular activities. First, our Winter sports program includes Boys and Girls Basketball teams (with separate teams for 7th and 8th grade), and Cheerleading. The tryout schedule will be posted within the next few weeks with start dates planned for shortly after the Thanksgiving Break. You can view the tryout schedule (when it’s up) and review the FamilyID process on the Athletics page of our website.  For students who participated in a Fall sport and might now have a bit more time after school, we encourage them to consider joining one of our extracurricular clubs and activities.  Students are welcome to join these programs throughout the year and can review the many options by visiting the Clubs and Activities page of our website.  

We have, unbelievably enough, already reached the point in the year where some of our RJ Grey students and families are exploring private schools as options for next year, and I’d like to re-send the following note that I share each year:  Our Counseling Office works with families on the application process, and they have created a number of documents and guides to assist families.  You can download the following information by clicking on the following links: (1) Private School Application Procedures; (2) Private School Tracking Form; (3) Consent for Release of Student Records; (4) Activity and Employment Record.  These documents will also be posted on our RJ Grey website shortly.  One aspect of the application process that I’d like to highlight is the writing of teacher/counselor recommendations.  Our teachers and counselors are happy to support students in their applications, and take seriously the crafting of a recommendation.  With that in mind, we ask that families honor the request that teachers be approached about letters of recommendation at least 4 weeks in advance of when those letters are due.  In many situations, parents initially reach out to teachers on behalf of their child, which is perfectly fine.  It’s also important for the student to speak in person with their teachers about their interest in private schools.  This is valuable for a few reasons. First, hearing a bit more about the student’s interest in the schools to which they are applying gives the teacher a better sense of what might be useful to include in the letter.  Secondly, having a teacher find recommendation forms on her desk without any prior explanation from a student or parent is never the ideal way to start the conversation about a recommendation. By no means are teachers and counselors expecting students to feel indebted to them for writing a letter, and forever genuflect whenever they enter the room. However, speaking directly to the teacher is, I think, central to showing an appropriate level of appreciation for this additional task the students are asking their teacher to complete on their behalf.  If you think your child may be a bit nervous with this task, you might encourage them to speak with the counselor, who can offer some tips and even help them practice. Your child’s counselor is also, in general, a great resource for various aspects of the application process.  

Have a great week, everyone.  

Cheers, 

Hi Everyone, 

Some of the best parenting advice I ever got was to use car rides as opportunities to have conversations with my kids.  There is no necessity for eye contact, and the kids are a bit more of a captive audience during that time period. When I’ve kept the dialogue pretty casual, I’ve found that they are more willing to have a back and forth conversation, and they have even initiated a few conversations themselves.  During a car ride a few weeks ago, my daughter says to me, “Dad, did you know there’s this girl at my school who is Tik Tok famous?” To which I so eloquently replied, “uh… she’s what?”. If I’m not the only parent who is late to the Tik Tok party, here is an overview from CommonSense Media of what I now understand to be a social media app that is wildly popular amongst adolescents (and recently much younger elementary-aged kids).  The super quick explanation of Tik Tok is that it’s a free social media app that lets users watch, create, and share short videos that typically involve soundtracks and lip-synching to popular songs.  Since my initial conversation with Addie, there have been more articles about the popularity of the platform and its role in youth culture, and the ways its current use has expanded and evolved from its original intent.  The New York Times has published a series of pieces on Tik Tok, including this piece from last March that offers a pretty elaborate overview of the app and its use and popularity.  More recently, the Times has published two pieces that offer fairly favorable reviews of what Tik Tok contributes in terms of celebrating creativity.  First, this piece that asked five New York Times art critics to watch pieces from Tik Tok over a 48-hour period.  And then most recently, this story about how some schools and educators are embracing the Tik Tok world, and promoting Tik Tok school clubs as a way to channel and cultivate the creative energies of their students in positive ways that build community. My purpose in sharing these last two pieces isn’t to offer an endorsement of the Tik Tok app. My own kids don’t have the app, not because of any concerns specifically about Tik Tok (as noted above, I didn’t even know what it was until recently) but instead because we’ve made the decision to limit their access to social media apps in general and so they know they not to even ask.  Like most social media apps, there’s probably a lot of great features when used thoughtfully, and likely a range of potential problems and complications that exist when used with less-than-noble intentions. My reason for mentioning this app was mostly as an FYI from one semi-clueless dad to those of you who might appreciate a heads up about something that the Shen children have confirmed as something pretty entrenched in youth culture. When I asked my older two kids to educate me on it, they did so pretty willingly and some of you may also find it to be an interesting topic of conversation for you and your kids.  

Ok, now for some reminders about the next few weeks: 

Halloween is a week from Thursday.  A friendly reminder that dressing in costume is optional and that not all students (or staff) participate, so each individual should feel comfortable making the choice that’s right for that student.  If your student does choose to arrive in costume, please be sure to review the expectations that I shared with families in last week’s Grey Matters. 

We have scheduled a picture retake day for Friday, November 1. Photos taken on the original Picture Day have not yet arrived, but we expect that they will shortly (and certainly before the retake day).  If your child ordered a photo package and you would like to retake the photo, please have your child bring in the original package on that day (and to come dressed for the re-take!).  If your student missed Picture Day earlier this year, this is also the time for him or her to have a photo taken. Even if you don’t have plans to order a photo package, it is important to have everyone’s photo taken so they will be included in this year’s yearbook.  

There is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 5.  This is a Professional Day for all staff in Acton-Boxborough, so this applies to students at all grade levels.  

Several years ago, we began a small recognition program called “Everyday Leaders” as one way for us to celebrate and put a brighter spotlight on students who, in a variety of ways, demonstrates leadership through daily acts of kindness, enthusiasm, and being respectful towards peers and teachers. Twice a trimester, our teams (and each grade’s exploratory, elective, and physical education teachers) identify a student who they have observed modeling some element of good citizenship within their classes and team. Every year, the cohort of students who are identified by the teachers is incredibly diverse in terms of the qualities that are being celebrated. There are always students whose kindness and contributions present themselves in less obvious and nuanced ways.  This past Thursday, I met with our first group of Everyday Leaders for a small lunch in the main office, and enjoyed some good conversation about the start of the current school year. Congratulations to the following students who were part of this first group: Olivia Baytarian, Hazel Burke, Andy Coffey, Mahathi Hariharan, Keziah Kuriakose, Brodie Muyskens, Theresa Nintzel, Molly Norris, Molly Rabin-Marquez, Reka Schneider, and Sam Yanagimachi.  

Finally, we had our most recent installment of Poetry Fridays at the end of last week.  For those new to RJ Grey, Poetry Fridays is an activity that began seven years ago where every other Friday, a staff member or a student recites a poem during morning announcements.  This activity is led by Tim Malloy, English teacher on 8 Red. Last Friday, 8th grade student Emily Stimac read an original poem that she had written and was graciously willing to share with our school as part of Poetry Fridays.  Many thanks to Emily!  Click here if you’d like to read the poem.  

Have a great week, everyone. 

Cheers, 

Hi Everyone, 

Earlier this calendar year my family moved from our home in a town close by to Acton-Boxborough, to another neighboring town.  Our decision to move was almost entirely motivated by location. Specifically, being closer in proximity to extended family that includes a few aging parents who we want to see more often, along with the plus of a better commute to work and reducing travel time to other staple activities in our family life.  While not part of the equation when we first decided to move, I have recently started thinking about two other aspects of our new address. The first is around Halloween, which is coming up in a few weeks.  While I personally have never been really into costumes and spooky-related themes, I think it’s great that Halloween gives kids a chance to be creative and playful.  At the end of this Grey Matters, please review the information I share about our school’s annual Dress Up Day that takes place on the day of Halloween. In our former home, we would answer the door a lot over the course of the evening, probably because we lived in a neighborhood of interconnected streets that was ripe for trick or treating.  I think I did a good job and contributed to a good evening for the kids (my wife thinks I could do better), and there were times when the evening felt like it would never end.  So I am curious about whether the location of our current home will be a high volume area for trick or treating.  We’re on a pretty busy road, so we will see if that increases or decreases the foot traffic on that night. The other location-related thing I’ve been thinking about is how our close proximity to one of our town’s retail areas has changed some of my morning routines.  We are a stone’s throw from several stores, restaurants, and parks and it’s been great that our kids walk and bike a lot more frequently. It’s also been a blessing and a curse to be so close to Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, as my visits to those establishments in the morning has increased and my wallet is now a lot lighter.  However, a new development in our school cafeteria may help curtail my visits to those establishments, now that our school’s breakfast service includes hot breakfast sandwiches as part of the menu. With this new addition starting tomorrow (Tuesday), I thought it might be helpful to provide all families with a more general overview of our breakfast options through our cafeteria, and also make sure that those who are eligible for free and reduced cost school meals have information that may prove helpful. 

During every school day, breakfast and lunch service are provided to all students. The one exception is when we have an early release, and then lunch is not served.  A breakfast meal has included a choice of muffin, bagel or cereal, and starting tomorrow now includes a hot breakfast sandwich (sausage, egg & cheese). The breakfast meal comes with a choice of milk or hot chocolate, and also includes choice of fruit.  Please note that if students would like a breakfast sandwich without the meat, that can also be arranged. The cost of a breakfast is $1.75, and breakfast service is available daily from 7:30am to 8:00am.  Students who are eligible for free meals are able to receive both a breakfast and a lunch each day at no cost, and we want to make sure students know that coming for breakfast does not preclude them from the lunch service later in the day.  Students eligible for reduced cost meals are eligible to receive breakfast at a reduced rate of $.30, and lunch at a reduced rate of $.40. We know that the school day can be long, especially for students who may not have eaten something before the start of school.  We hope that this expanded breakfast service can play a role in making sure more students are starting the day with food in their stomachs and the energy that comes with it. For any family who has had questions about Food Services at AB (for any of our schools), or interested in learning more about eligibility for Free and Reduced meals, you can visit the Food Services website here, or contact Food Services Director Kirsten Nelson at [email protected].  

I’m pleased to share that the  R.J. Grey Artist of the Month program is continuing this year.  This program was launched in February 2017, and is the brainchild of 8th grade art teacher Mrs. Vlajinac.  The goal of this program is to provide 7th and 8th Graders and opportunities to have an authentic, juried art exhibition experience similar to the process in which professional artists participate.  Since this event is supposed to mimic a real world, professional artist experience, not all students that apply will become RJG Artists of the Month. However, Ms. Vlajinac offers this important reminder to students who may have an interest in participating: “If you are not selected to be RJG Artist of the Month, DON’T STOP MAKING ART!!  If you are not selected it only means that there were a handful of people that had work that was just a bit stronger than yours…  Not being selected doesn’t mean that you are terrible at art or that we don’t like you as a person.  Quite the opposite actually!  We appreciate that you took a chance and put yourself/artwork out there. Doing that is SUPER BRAVE and you should be proud for even trying!“  Congratulations to this month’s Artist, Eshaan Bansal of 7 Gold.  When asked about some things that inspire the artwork he likes to make, Eshaan shared, "One thing that influences my artwork are superheroes. I have always liked superheroes and I feel like I get really connected to the story when I draw them." To view Eshaan’s work, click here, and to learn more about the RJG Artist of the Month process click here.

Here are some reminders and notes for the next few weeks: 

It’s a few weeks away, but a friendly reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 5 for our District’s Professional Learning Day.   There is also no school the following Monday, November 11 for Veteran’s Day.  

The District’s Late Bus program continues to provide a transportation option for those who participate in after school activities and we’re pleased that it’s been a helpful resource/option for a number of our families.  With the Winter season on the horizon, new activities, sports programs and other after-school opportunities might be on your child’s radar. If the Late Bus might be something you want to consider, you can click here for the original letter and list of stops that are part of the two Late Bus routes.  

On Wednesday or Thursday of next week, we will be emailing to families mid-trimester interims.  For those new to RJ Grey, a brief explanation.  “Interims” is the term that we use for what others might call “progress reports”, or “warnings”.  Teachers submit interims for any students who might be struggling in their class - this could be based on performances on tests and quizzes, consistency of homework, or other assessments and observations.  In addition, there are a number of teachers who provide interims as a way to update families, and this could also include feedback about how well a student is performing in a particular class. This is all to say that there are a number of reasons why you might receive an interim from your child’s teachers (note: you may also not receive anything).  If and when you do receive one, please read the information and comments carefully and consider using it as a way to begin a dialogue with your child.  Please also keep in mind that a letter grade is attached to each interim from a teacher, but that letter grade may or may not represent a significant body of assessments and graded work.  I would encourage you to place greater focus on the narrative that the teacher provides and the areas of concern and suggestions for improvement that are offered. If there is information that you would like clarified, please contact the teacher and begin a dialogue with him or her.  The Fall Trimester does not close until the week before Thanksgiving, so there is plenty of time for students to use this feedback to make adjustments.  

Interim reports, along with report cards, are now by email to the parent/guardian contacts listed on your student’s Emergency Card on the parent portal. Given the sensitive nature of these transmissions, we strongly encourage you to review the email addresses you have provided in the parent portal and that the only email addresses listed are for parents/guardians with joint legal, physical, and/or shared custody and who should have access to these records.  For more detailed instructions on how to verify your email, please click here.  

Finally, Halloween is a little over two weeks away, and my guess is that many of your children are thinking about possible costumes not only for an evening of trick or treating, but also for our school’s annual Dress Up Day (which is always scheduled for the day of, or around, Halloween).  I’d like to include here my typical overview of our Dress Up Day to help families with any planning that is currently underway.  We have a tradition at RJ Grey where many students (and teachers) choose to attend school dressed up in costumes on the day of Halloween. Our Student Council officers also organize a fun and lighthearted contest where each homeroom nominates a student/costume and the staff will vote for a winner.  We want to emphasize our intention to keep this light-hearted and good-natured, and to showcase student creativity. We do not want anyone to invest money in this activity.  Please also note that not all students and staff --including yours truly--always dress up, which is perfectly fine.  There are always many students who do not come to school in costume.  

We do have general guidelines that we expect all students to follow when considering their outfit for the day.  Student costumes must avoid props that mimic weapons (swords, firearms, knives, etc.), and clothing that includes profanity. In addition, we must see our students’ faces throughout the day, so wearing a face mask can not be a part of a costume.  We see a restriction on face masks as a reasonable limitation to address physical safety and the fact that lessons are still being taught! There’s nothing quite like watching a teacher, often dressed in costume as well, providing instruction to a room that includes Mario, Luigi, Harry Potter, a giant bunny rabbit, and Flo the Progressive Insurance spokesperson.  I am asking our parents and guardians to please have a conversation with their children about their costume plans, and to keep the above guidelines in mind.  Halloween Dress Up Day has always been a fun opportunity for our students (and staff) to be playful and maybe showcase another side of their personality. Our students have always been thoughtful about the event and it makes for one of the more colorful days of the school year.  I’m looking forward to seeing the parade of costumes that enters RJ Grey that morning.  

Have a great week, everyone. 

Cheers, 

Hi Everyone, 

I have a very clear memory of the times as an adolescent when I asked my mother for a weekly allowance.  She would have an amused look on her face and reply, “You already get an allowance, we let you live in the house, don’t we?”  And then she would add, “and you get your own room where you sneak off with the handheld television I keep in the kitchen.” Ok, so she never said the last part, though I’m starting to wonder if she ever thought it.  Before diving too deep into this subject of allowances I should, out of respect for my parents who don’t get to send all of you a weekly newsletter rebuttal, first acknowledge that while I never received a weekly allowance, my needs -- and many wants -- were certainly addressed in ways that I as an adult now fully understand and appreciate as quite generous.  This memory resurfaced recently when I came across this article in the New York Times that summarized a recent survey reporting that two-thirds of parents give their children an allowance, and that the weekly average is now up to $30.  I’m a little curious about the demographic make-up of the families who were surveyed, and I also wonder how much that figure is influenced by the fact that 4% of parents surveyed indicated that they provide a weekly allowance to their children between the ages of 22 and 25.  The idea of a weekly allowance has never been heavily discussed with my wife and kids, though there are moments when it’s tempting to revisit the idea. Those moments usually take place shortly after one or more of them mistakes a “want” for a “need” , though I also appreciate that an allowance can provide an ongoing opportunity to talk meaningfully about making choices, saving money, and being an educated consumer.  While not giving our kids an allowance isn’t something that I’ve thought too much about, I have struggled with the fact that we’ve been inconsistent with our expectations around household chores, also a subject receiving some renewed attention.  There’s a decent amount of research that supports what many might view as obvious, which is that instilling at an earlier age a sense of responsibility extends into other dimensions of their lives and according to a study highlighted in this article, also leads to happier children.  Additionally, there’s been more encouragement lately to not underestimate the long-term benefits and lifelong skills that adolescents develop through household chores, especially in terms of establishing a work ethic and mindset that is a prerequisite to comfortably navigating the responsibilities inherent in adult life.  Julie Lythcott-Haims, formerly the Dean of Admissions at Stanford, has recently explored the issue of “overparenting” and raising kids to be self-sufficient in her book, How to Raise an Adult, which I enjoyed reading this past summer and would recommend to those who are looking for a pretty easy, but thought-provoking read.  Despite my agreement with Lythcott-Haims and others, the challenge that Melisa and I have perpetually faced is that we often succumb quickly to two powerful forces: (1) the incredible stalling tactics that come so naturally to Shen children - there’s some real talent there; and (2) that with so many frenetic moments in the day and week, it’s just easier and quicker if we do this chore, or that chore, ourselves. It’s been recommended to me that having the kids responsible for their laundry is a good place to start because they would quickly experience the natural consequence of not completing that chore with a lack of clean/preferred clothes to wear.  I don’t know if the laundry is where our family will start, but I know it will be important to start with something manageable and simple, and go from there.  

Here’s a few reminders and updates to keep in mind for the next few weeks: 

There is no school this Wednesday as it is Yom Kippur.  Wishes for an easy fast to those of you who observe that holiday.  There will be no homework or assessments scheduled for the following day (Thursday).    

There is also no school the following Monday, October 14 as it is the Columbus Day long weekend.  

Interim reports for the Fall Trimester are scheduled to be sent around October 16 or 17.  I will include in next week’s Grey Matters a summary of the intent of interims and what families might expect as part of those forms.  

Halloween is Thursday, October 31 and so I’ll include a note in an upcoming Grey Matters about our school’s Halloween Dress Up Day tradition.  This will include a reminder about how to help your students enjoy the event (should they choose to participate) while also being thoughtful in their choice of costume/outfit. 

It’s only been a week since I offered some potentially jarring information about internet pornography in last Monday’s Grey Matters, and you may not feel much closer or more prepared to considering a conversation with your kids on this topic.  But perhaps it created an opening for you and other parents, friends and neighbors to compare notes and ideas about the issue?  After I sent out last week’s newsletter, a colleague who is glad that the topic is being raised reminded me that the biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey now includes questions around adolescent use of social media and viewing of pornography.  As a reminder, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey is administered every other year to 6th grade, 8th grade and high school students throughout the area (Concord, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Boxborough, Groton, etc.) to gather information regarding targets for health education and supports.  Because the last survey was administered in Spring of 2018, we’re actually scheduled to have 8th grade students take the survey later this Spring, and 8th grade families will receive a separate letter about that later in the Winter. In the meantime, you could review the 2018 data by clicking here, and below are the results for four of the questions that are directly or indirectly related to the subject of internet pornography and the responses given by students in Acton-Boxborough (pages 36-40 of the report).  

Finally, I’m predicting that in a few short months I’ll begin my annual public lament about the bitterly cold weather that makes itself at home in New England, and how the more temperate climate in San Francisco might be a better fit for my lifestyle.  But for now, I’m looking forward to the month of October given the crisp weather and the fall foliage. It’s also when the annual Head of the Charles Regatta takes place. Having had a rower as a roommate in college, and now being married to a former competitive rower, I developed a healthy appreciation for this sport and the many rewards that rowing offers.  Because this sport has historically been associated with mostly private schools at the secondary level, I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few years ago that middle and high school students at Acton-Boxborough have access to a local rowing program that includes a team for students from both Bromfield and Acton-Boxborough (click here to learn more) The athletic programs that we have at RJ Grey are a great fit and opportunity for a lot of our students, and for others the activity that really grabs their attention might be ones like rowing, and so I wanted to make sure to highlight this additional opportunity that’s available to our students at RJ Grey.  

Have a great week, everyone. 

Cheers,