The Weekly Raider
January 12, 2021
 
SCHOOL NEWS AND UPDATES
 
 

 

Five-Straight App Challenge Wins
Gulliver Prep's John Schappert '22 has been announced as winner of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for District FL-27. This marks the school's fifth-straight App Challenge victory, making Gulliver just the second school in the country to win the Challenge five years in a row. John's winning app, Geometry Aid, features a simulation designed to help students understand three dimensional figures and their properties. Under the guidance of Upper School Computer Science Faculty member Mr. Dean Morell, and Florida International University's School of Computing and Information Sciences STEM/Internships Coordinator, Dr. Mario Eraso, John plans to continue to develop his app in order to deploy the app in schools across Miami-Dade County this summer. To learn more, click on the button.
 

 
 
JK: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Trees
Ms. Torres' JK students recently began their study on trees, exploring and learning about different types of trees and even building their own "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" trees. In the bestselling children's book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, readers interact with the alphabet, following upper and lowercase letters in an unexpected journey to the top (and bottom) of a coconut tree. Students built their own trees using paper towel rolls and popsicle sticks. They then retell the "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" story using foam letters. Practicing their STEAM and literacy skills, the goal is to put all the letters on the tree without it falling over.
 
 
 

First Grade Nonfiction Reading Celebration

 
Last week, first grade students celebrated the end of their nonfiction reading unit by sharing nonfiction books aloud with their friends. They didn’t let hard words get in their way, as they thought about keywords in their books, found interesting things to share, read with feeling, and even used drama to bring their reading to life. With in-person and remote learners participating as one grade, the celebration served as a great opportunity for students to connect with each other through reading.
 
 

 

 

 
Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Julia Suarez
Each week through our Faculty and Staff Spotlight series, we invite our community members to get to know Gulliver Prep teachers and staff members across every division. This week, our Faculty Spotlight features Middle School Learning Specialist, Mrs. Julia Suarez. Click on the button to learn about her journey at Gulliver, favorite meal, the last book she read, and more.
 
 

 

 

 
Weightlifting Seniors Honored
Last week, the Gulliver Prep Athletic Department celebrated five weightlifting student-athletes as Anika Kahn, Kalei Ganser, Alyssa Jensen, D'Shandra Perry, and Porter Bowen were honored at a Senior Day Ceremony. Coach Johnsen praised the group for their hard work and dedication to the program before the Raiders took on Key West, Coral Shores, and Marathon in a virtual quad meet. This season, seven Raiders are among the top three in the district in their respective weight classes. As they close out the regular season this week, several student-athletes will set their sights on district, and then regional, competition.
 
 
 

Olivia Bueno '25, Stefano Haddad '25 Accepted into Juried Exhibition

 
The Middle School Visual Arts Department is proud to announce that Olivia Bueno '25 and Stefano Haddad '25 have been accepted into the sixth annual National Art Honor Society/National Junior Art Honor Society (NAHS/NJAHS) Juried Exhibition. Showcasing the artwork of talented student artists across the country, this competitive exhibit provides an opportunity for students to display their artwork through the National Art Educators Association's (NAEA) national and global exposure. Out of 1,187 entries, just 93 pieces, including Olivia's and Stefano's, were selected for exhibit in the NAEA Virtual Gallery, viewable from January 11-April 30. Click on the button to browse the virtual gallery.
 
 
Holiday Reminder: International Travel & Gatherings Policies (COVID-19)
As we head into the upcoming holiday weekend, please continue to be mindful of our policies on travel and all gatherings, including family gatherings.

  • If you are traveling, please remember that any student returning to Miami from a foreign destination under a CDC Level 3 or 4 Travel Health Notice or under travel restrictions by state or local authorities, or whose household member has returned from such a destination, will be required to stay home for 14 days prior to returning to campus.
  • If your child(ren) attend a gathering of ten or more people without social distancing, they must learn remotely for 14 days following the date of the gathering.

These policies help protect all of the members of our community. To review all of our Family-Student COVID-19 Procedures, click on the button.
 
 
 
Mindfulness: How to Do It
Courtesy of mindful.org
Mindfulness meditation practice couldn’t be simpler: take a good seat, pay attention to the breath, and when your attention wanders, return. Click on the button to read more.
 
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
Wednesday, January 13
Montgomery Grade 8 Parent Coffee Chat, 9:30 a.m., Virtual

The Middle School Dance Department presents Dance in the Elements, 6:30 p.m., Virtual Stream

JV Girls' Soccer vs. Downtown Doral, 4:00 p.m., Sean Taylor '01 Memorial Field, Upper School Campus

Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Florida Christian, 5:00 p.m., Blue Dungeon, Upper School Campus

Thursday, January 14
Varsity Girls' Soccer vs. American Heritage, 4:00 p.m., Sean Taylor '01 Memorial Field, Upper School Campus

Friday, January 15
Teacher Work Day - No Classes

Varsity Girls' Soccer vs. Oxbridge, 4:00 p.m., Sean Taylor '01 Memorial Field, Upper School Campus

JV/Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Key West, 4:30/6:00 p.m., Blue Dungeon, Upper School Campus

Saturday, January 16
Freshman Boys' Basketball vs. St. Thomas, 12:00 p.m., Blue Dungeon, Upper School Campus

JV Boys' Soccer vs. Columbus, 3:00 p.m., Sean Taylor '01 Memorial Field, Upper School Campus

Monday, January 18
Holiday - No Classes/School Closed

JV/Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Pinecrest Prep, 3:30/5:00 p.m., Blue Dungeon, Upper School Campus

Tuesday, January 19
JV Boys' Soccer vs. Belen Jesuit, 4:00 p.m., Sean Taylor '01 Memorial Field, Upper School Campus

Varsity Girls' Basketball vs. Pine Crest, 7:00 p.m., Blue Dungeon, Upper School Campus

Non-athletic events appear in italics. | All events are subject to change.
 
 
 
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