Dear Students and Parents,
The Bates Middle School chess club has expanded to include all three
grades! This is the third year of the
chess club, and once again we’ll be offering instruction from a professional
mentor, Chess Master Greg Acholonu, during lunch on Wednesdays. Greg is a
professional chess player and worked for years at the National Chess Center in
Washington, D.C. He coaches a number of schools here in the Maryland,
Washington, and Virginia areas.
The previous two years Bates received very generous grants from
anonymous donors and from St. Margaret’s church in Annapolis that entirely paid
for membership in the Chess Club. This year, a reduction in the amount of grant
money will provide for a number of scholarships to those who request them, but
for others we’re asking a fee of $55 per semester. This still represents quite
a value when compared to professional chess lessons.
The lunchtime chess club is run by volunteer parents. We’re asking each
family who participates, if possible, to volunteer for one Wednesday each
semester from 10:15 to 1:00 pm. The volunteer
parent will assist in setting up the boards and cleaning up the rooms. No chess experience is needed, although each
parent is welcome to learn and play when desired.
If your son or daughter is interested in joining, please have him or her
ask the lunch supervisor where to go.
Many thanks,
Jeff Macris
