Cranbrook Kingswood State of the School Report 2016-2017 State of the Schools Report | Page 10

Kirk Effinger

Head of Middle School for Boys

Guest speaker Joe Ehrmann engaged students, faculty, coaches, and parents in the exploration of building character.

Boat Project 2.0 for the seventh graders with support from all school divisions and the CIS and CAM.

Design Thinking in Human Development class to improve the transition into BMS.

Our sixth grade science students used the design thinking process with the support of the Bat Zone during the Animal Adaptations Project.

EcoChallenge Day with GMS, CIS and CEC Grounds to explore our campus ecosystems.

Faculty professional development opportunities focused on cultural competency through Oakland County Schools and learning through our collaboration with MIT.

Seventh graders collaborated and applied economic principles during the Adopt-a-Child-Size Project.

A group of boys learned about the legislative process through the Michigan Youth in Government.

Through the TED Ed Club, boys explored the theme of ‘Empathy'. Some participated in the All Schools’ TEDx event, and all participated in the BMS TED Assembly.

Our boys Robotics team learn about problem solving, collaboration, communication, risk taking, and resilience, which paid off with success in regional, state. and international competitions.

Groups of boys collaborated to create

“mini-golf holes” for Sphero robots at a Maker

Saturday event.

Our students tapped area resources like the DIA,

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, National Arab American Museum, and the Holocaust Memorial Center.

The Mothers’ Council, Dads’ Club, Boosters, BRAVO, and Alumni each sponsored or supported social and/or educational events that brought our community together.

Film screenings of The Mask You Live In and Screenagers generated dialogue and inspired contemplation among parents and faculty members.

Roughly 95% of all boys participated in after-school intramural and interscholastic athletic, and club activities during the year.

This was an exciting year at the Middle School for Boys, and we want to keep raising the bar and reaching higher. There are already new plans afoot from the teachers and our students always bring new ideas

and opportunities. Stay tuned for more

developments from the Middle School for Boys.

During the 2016 -2017 school year, the Middle School for Boys had great opportunities for students, faculty, parents, and friends to explore and develop understanding, skills, and capacities. Here are some of the ways that we inquired, engaged, and connected:

2016-2017 School Year Highlights

Middle School for Boys