First Day of School

Today we were busy finding new rooms, setting up our folders, writing the story of a mysterious box, and learning the routines of 9-1, but we still had time to have a little fun on our first day back.

Welcome to 9-1!

As the final weeks of summer approach and the excitement of a new fall arrives, I eagerly await the start of our year together. This year I look forward to embracing the symbolism of this class's banner colors: black and white. The white demonstrates the strength and pride associated with all of the boys' classes, and the black embodies the solid foundation they will receive in our lower school. These characteristics will be supported and cultivated throughout this year. The shape of the banner the boys bring with them into Ninth Age symbolizes the growth of the class emotionally, socially, academically, and athletically. This development is evident in Ninth Age, as the boys enter as recent Eighth Agers and leave as the student leaders of our school. 
The banner's colors and shape will be represented by our class emblem, the lighthouse. It serves as a reminder from Mark Twain that with guidance we can,

 "Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Getting to Know You!

Thank you and Happy Summer!

I feel so fortunate to have had such a wonderful year alongside the boys of 9-1. While these students were always going to hold a special place for me as they were my first class at Calvert, being able to teach them again gave me the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible progress that students make in preparation for Ninth Age, as well as their development throughout this year. I know we learned a lot from one another, and I will thoroughly miss them as they enter into their final Lower School year. I look forward to hearing their summer stories in the fall (or before!), and I am excited to sharing our travels for history this summer through our blog. Happy Summer!

Biome Presentations

Here are the first few biome presentations. The boys did an incredible job, and it is exciting to see that so many of them are continuing to create prezi's over the summer!

Track and Field Day

The Ninth Age boys and girls participated in a "make-up" track and field day as the first day was unfortunately rained out. Here are a few quick shots from the day...


I was so proud of all of the boys for their sportsmanship and effort, but I have found that there is usually one race that stands out each year as the "epitome of track and field day." That race this year was the long run with hurdles. One student unfortunately slipped and fell just steps after beginning the race. While it would have been easy (and even understandable) to be disappointed and to have given up, this runner took off after the other racers, who had already jumped the first set of hurdles. He caught up with the pack and at the last moment took the lead to win. The determination to stay in the race, despite a set-back or frustration not only epitomizes Track and Field day, but also what I hope many of the boys have learned throughout the year, as this message is truly invaluable throughout the years to come.

Thank you, Mrs. Bishop!

We are saying "Thank-You" and "Good-Bye" to one of our favorite lower school teachers, Mrs. Bishop. We will miss her tremendously next year but are so grateful for all that she has given us in her years at Calvert!

Good Bye Mrs. Bishop from Ms. Gentry on Vimeo.