The Weekly Update #4

The arts are made up of a wide range of human expression. encompassing visual , performance and literary forms. All use skills, and imagination, to create aesthetically pleasing objects, environments, or experiences. These can be for pleasure, communication or both!. the arts can be found in various cultures and societies, from ancient cave paintings, to modern films. Some arts that the Norwell middle school participate in are the yearly play and the art show. Both of which allow friends and families to see how their students can express themselves.

Visual Arts: this includes mediums such as painting, sculpting, architecture, photography, and more. these forms rely on the visual elements to create art.

Performing Arts: performing arts includes live performances like music, dance, theater and film. they are designed to be experienced by an audience. they often aim to express an emotion.

Literary Arts: this category includes poetry, novels and short stories, and dramatic works such as plays. these forms utilize language to make art.

1. What do you like about being an art teacher ?

My favorite part about being an art teacher is coming up with a creative idea and then seeing how a bunch of different students bring it to life in their own unique ways. I love watching all the different versions of the same project—it’s like solving a fun, colorful puzzle with endless answers. I’m definitely an “idea person,” so it’s exciting for me to share a challenge and see how everyone runs with it. Plus, I really enjoy being around art, color, and creativity all day. And honestly, I just love being around kids. I still feel like one myself most of the time—so it’s easy for me to connect and have fun with my students. No offense to adults, but kids are just more fun.

2. What is your favorite art project and why?

That’s a tough one because I love so many projects, especially when we get to use cool materials. But one of my all-time favorites is the 8th grade project where students illustrate a fear. It’s not just about drawing something scary—it’s about making the viewer feel the fear. I think that’s what makes art so powerful: when it grabs your attention and makes you feel something, just like music or movies do.

What I love most is how creative everyone gets. You get to pick your own fear—real or imagined—and then decide how to show it in a way that really impacts the viewer. You also get to choose the materials that best tell your story, which makes the project even more personal and creative.

Middle school is a time when a lot of people feel pressure to fit in, so I love creating space for students to take risks and express their own unique voice. Watching what students come up with is always inspiring!

3. We know you also run the art club. What’s your favorite thing about running that?

My favorite thing about running art club isn’t just the art—it’s the awesome group of kids who come. It’s become a little community where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. Some students do the projects I plan, but a lot of times they just experiment with materials, work on their own ideas, or even just hang out and talk while making art. Sometimes they even do homework!

It’s like a creative hangout spot—a safe space where kids can be social, make things they care about, and feel at home. I love being able to offer that. In a school and town where there are tons of sports and competitive activities, I think it’s really important to also have space for creativity. Not everyone has access to art supplies at home, so I love that I can open my room and give students the chance to explore, relax, and connect. The fact that they want to be there means everything to me.

4. Have you ever met anyone famous? If so, who and how did you meet them?

Yes—I actually met someone super famous: the comedian Bill Murray. You might not know him because he's from an older generation, but he’s one of my all-time favorites. I was at a concert, and my friend, who worked for a radio station, found out Bill Murray was in a VIP area. Since I was such a huge fan, he brought me up there.

I waited nearby, and Bill Murray noticed me and invited me over. He asked my name, and when I told him it was Tabitha, he jokingly said, “Oh, that’s my middle name,” which of course made me laugh. He was just as funny and kind in person as I’d hoped. I told him how much joy he brought me over the years, and he gave me a hug. It was honestly one of the best moments of my life!

5. What is one fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I love to sing—especially songs from Frozen! I sing all the time at home, and I even have a sparkly rose gold microphone that makes me feel like a pop star. I’m always up for karaoke, and I whistle so much around the house that my husband calls me a Disney princess. On the way to school, if I’m not listening to an audiobook, I’m probably blasting music and singing at the top of my lungs like I’m on stage. Because honestly, what could be cooler than that?

Amy is one of our featured artists because of the brave and meaningful piece she created for the "Visualizing Fear" project.

1. What inspired your artwork for Visualizing Fear?

The idea itself is what inspired it, especially these years in Middle School.

2. What's one fun fact about you?

I am learning to speak Irish with my Grandmother.

3. Do you picture yourself as an artist?

I like to do art, especially watercolors and collages, and digital stuff but no, I don't consider myself an artist.

4. We know you were in the play Frozen. What was your favorite part of the play?

My favorite part was the ending when we had the big singing part.

5. What was your favorite art project this year?

Probably the pottery project and the fear project.

6. Will you continue with art in high school?

Probably, but as an extracurricular kind of thing.

Ryan is one of our featured artists because of his realistic 3D sculpture that is fun and interesting.

1. What inspired your ceramic artwork?

My friend was making Patrick so I decided to make Sponge Bob.

2. What is one fun fact about you?

I'm an avid dirt bike rider.

3. Do you picture yourself as an artist?

Yes, kind of, but I have been to an art school so I have a decent amount of art experience.

4. What was your favorite project in art this year?

The clay sculptures because I though they were easy and fun.

5. What advice would you give to a young artist in middle school?

Be sure to practice A LOT!

A daughter was in her room upstairs, doing her homework, when suddenly she heard her mother call to come down for dinner. She jumped onto her feet and began making her way towards the stairs, but before even took a step, hands grabbed her and pulled her into the laundry room besides the staircase.

She panicked before realizing it was her mother, her real mother, eyes watery and bloodshot. “Don’t go down there honey, I heard it too.”

6th Grade Student

Room 102

A man just moved into an apartment and heads to the receptionist to get his keys. The receptionist gave him the key with a smile but warns him not to disturb the door with no number on his floor. He wondered why but didn’t bother to ask, he was too busy with his new apartment to care. After he finished unpacking he began to get curious. He questioned why the receptionist would warn him of such things, and so he stepped out of his apartment to check the door with no number.

He tried the door knob first but it was locked, so instead he got onto his knees and peeked through the keyhole. The apartment he was looking into was empty. His eyes scanned the whole place before stopping at a woman, standing face against a wall, in the corner. He noticed her pale skin and long black hair before stepping back, suddenly feeling perverted in a way for invading someone else’s privacy. He brushed it off, assuming she was someone that did not want to be disturbed.

The next day he got more curious about the woman and eventually went back, straight away getting onto his knees. He peeked through the keyhole and saw all red. Red. He assumed that the pale woman must have caught him peeking the last time and covered the hole with something red.

He left the door alone and instead went down to the receptionist to ask her questions. The receptionist sighed and asked, “you looked through the keyhole, didn’t you?”

He admitted to it and so she felt obliged to tell him the story. She told him that a couple used to live in that apartment a long time ago, but the husband went crazy and killed his wife. However, this couple wasn’t normal.

They had pale skin, black hair and red eyes.

1. Art used to be an Olympic event
2. Leonardo da Vinci was known for having a short attention span
3. Sir Isaac Newton invented the color wheel in 1706
4. Pablo Picasso has five pieces in the top 25 most expensive paintings
5. The Roman’s enjoyed murals and graffiti on walls
6. It took Leonardo SA Vinci fourteen years to complete
7. The Mona Lisa has her own mailbox
8. Leonardo da Vinci was ambidextrous
9. Pablo Picasso was suspected of stealing the Mona Lisa in 1911, he was ultimately cleared of any involvement
10. Salvador Dalí famously walked an anteater on a leash through Paris

Aries✧ “Feeling Good" - Nina Simone

Taurus✧ “I Can Do it With a Broken Heart” - Taylor Swift

Gemini✧ “Survivor"- Destiny's Child

Cancer✧ “Rise up”-Andra

Leo✧ "Best Day of My Life" - American Authors

Virgo✧ “Dream On” -Aerosmith

Libra✧ “Don't Stop Believin'” -Journey

Scorpio✧ “Unstoppable”- Sia

Sagittarius✧ “Monty Python” - Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Capricorn✧ "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Aquarius✧ “Don't Stop Me Now” - Queen If

Pisces✧ “Slow it Down” - benson bone

Thank you to Mason Crain who helped clean up the lunch table when others were not volunteering to do so. Thank you Amy Guman and Ryan Gouthro for putting yourselves out there and being our featured artists. Thank you to Brooks Mullen for always saying hello to staff in the hallways. A shout out to Elena Charon who was supportive to a classmate in need and to Eden Dell'Olio for also helping out a classmate. Patrick Hadley also got a shout out from a classmate for being a good friend. Andrew (Drew) Ribeiro was recognized by his friends for always being able to make them smile and always having something nice to say.

June 6: 8th Grade Semi-Formal 7 - 9pm

June 10: World Language Finals

June 10: 8th Grade Awards & Celebration Day

June 10: Gr. 8 iPad Collection

June 11 - 13: 8th Grade Washington DC Trip

June 13: Gr. 7 iPad Collection

June 13: 6th Grade Field Trip

June 16: Step-up Day

June 16: Gr. 6 iPad Collection

June 17: Early Release & Last Day of School!