Food, Fun, and Feedback As 8th-Grade Graduation Nears

“I feel like I’m in trouble,” an 8th grader giggles nervously, stepping through the French doors into the Head of School’s office. She’s here to see Donna, but she’s not alone…and she’s definitely not in trouble. Each spring, Donna invites small groups of soon-to-be-graduates to join her for lunch in her office. In addition to being an important opportunity to connect with students before they move on to high school, she welcomes the lunches as informative, though informal, feedback sessions.

Settling into the sunlit space, students are eager to share their stories with Donna, such as memories from the recent Costa Rica capstone trip, funny family tales, and embarrassing moments from their early middle school years. Donna recalls her own time in school and tells students that she still sometimes thinks like her middle school self. “I tell people not to even think about the person I was in 6th grade,” reflects one 8th grader. “That’s just not who I am now.”

As dessert is served, the group’s topics turn to improvements for the school. “One of my jobs as Head of School is to constantly look for ways that we can improve the learning experience at Lowell,” Donna explains to her young guests. “I get to hear from adults all the time about what they think is best, but I want to listen to your feedback as students.”

Their responses are thoughtful and self-aware. Some reflect on how the curriculum has helped them grow as learners. Some consider how to introduce middle schoolers to challenges while also making sure everyone has what they need. Other students express eagerness to use their own experiences with high school admissions to improve the process for next year’s applicants. Donna takes notes throughout the conversation and immediately passes them along to be summarized for conversations with the board and other school leaders. 

“It’s so important for me to hear from students at the end of their Lowell journey,” says Donna about why she cherishes these lunches. “Even over a short lunch, I’m reminded of the kindness, advocacy, and agency they will take out into the world.” She leaves these sessions inspired by how the 8th graders rise to take on the responsibility of improving Lowell for the students that will come after them.

One student’s reflections from his Costa Rica homestay are all too apt, as he remembers that he could trust his host family to provide him with food, shelter, and hospitality, just as they could trust him to respect their home and way of living. These expectations felt like a welcome responsibility, which he eagerly rose to meet: “I think we didn’t realize that’s what Lowell has been teaching us all along.”