Excerpts from The Hall Weekly Bulletin - September 4, 2007 : Volume 13:02
Calendar		Principal's Message
This Week Thursday, September 6 • 3-6pm | Musical Auditions • 3pm | Cross Country Practices Begin Friday, September 7 • 3-6pm | Musical Auditions Upcoming Monday, September 10 • First Day of PTA Hot Lunch Program • 7:30pm – CMLSF Board Meeting Thursday, September 13 • NO SCHOOL | Local Holiday Saturday, September 15 • 9-noon | Coastal Clean-Up Day Monday, September 17 • 5th Grade Wrapping Paper Sale Begins Thursday, September 20 • 6:30pm | Back to School Night Friday, September 21 • Deadline for Spirit Wear Orders Friday, October 5 • 5th Grade Wrapping Paper Sale Ends Friday, October 12 • Chalk Festival		I remember my first of week of middle school like it was yesterday. It was painful. I was a new kid in town, smaller than most other students and quite shy. The school facility was outrageously large. The seventh and eight graders appeared much older and I had several reasons to believe most of them were simply mean people. They made fun of the way I dressed, the words that I used and loved to make fun of my Midwestern drawl. People in Illinois did not drink soda; people drank “pop”. My family never gathered in the evening to eat dinner; we gathered to eat “supper”. My peers welcomed me to California with the nickname, “Illinois Boy”. They called me this before, during and after they chased me around the playground. I was a miserable and sad little boy. One day I went home and broke down to my mom and dad. I will never forget sitting on the end of their bed sobbing and sobbing about the mean people in California. I begged them to let me move “home”. The very next morning my dad and I went to school together and met Assistant Principal Tom Hoy. Mr. Hoy quickly became our ally. He helped me work with the school and ultimately make it through a very challenging sixth grade year. Each year I reflect on my own experiences and am reminded that most children experience some anxiety and fear with the beginning of each new school year. We know that the “emotional brain” is particularly active for our early adolescents which means students’ feelings are ever present. Whether our students are being teased by peers or are unsure about using a locker for the first time or simply not quite ready to be thrust among a new group of people, drastic change with uncertainty can be challenging for all. As we move into week two of the 2007-2008 academic year, I wanted to underscore our commitment to making Hall a place where students feel safe and free to be themselves. The Hall Staff recognizes that only when students feel safe and secure are they free to discover their own curiosities and ultimately engage in learning. Our passion is to make sure this happens for each and every student. I invite you to share how the first week of school was for you and your family. Please share any thoughts, impressions or concerns that you may have about Hall Middle School. I can be reached at aboone@marin.k12.ca.us. - Andy Boone - Hall Assistant Principal