Newsletter: Progress Reports and Fast Internet

Important

Progress reports will be going home at the end of next week. Please know that these grades will be greatly impacted by subsequent projects and assessments. They are snapshots of where your student is in the moment. I need confirmation that you received these reports, so there will be a signature page attached.

Yakshi is offering free study support to middleschoolers and highschoolers after school on Thursdays in the library. Please reach out if you are interested!

Please call the office if your student is going home with another parent or adult. We cannot release students with adults who are not on their emergency forms. Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of issues with this lately.

Upcoming Dates

§  This Wednesday, January 13 is a minimum day and awards assembly.

§  January 18, we are off for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

New

In ELA, we will continue on a research project. This week, students will be assessed on reading for gist, identifying relevant details for a research question, and participating successfully in productive academic discussion.

In social studies we will finish our commercial regarding an invention made during the Golden Age in China. Next up, we’ll be learning about the Mongol invasion and Genghis Khan.

In science, we will be discovering the process of fossil creation.

Updates and Info

Students illustrated the process of sedimentary rock formation in science; began their advertising commercial for an invention from the Han, Tang, or Song Chinese dynasties; learned how advertisers use pathos, logos, and ethos in attracting consumers; and began their research project for a rule to live by. 

We got fast internet! This has been an incredibly complex, technical (and often frustrating) process, but thankfully Mrs. Ross has finally shepharded us into a new age of high speed connection! Thank you, Mrs. Ross!

A fresh bout of cold and flu germs are moving through the school. Please help your student drink lots of clear fluids and get plenty of rest to stay healthy. Also, please keep sick students home to avoid spreading further illness. If you can pick up homework at the end of the day, I can send home some. If possible, keep them reading! 

Newsletter: New Year

Important

It’s a brand new year! Welcome back! In my excitement, I'm somewhat tardy posting this to the blog, though it went home with students.

Progress reports will be going home at the end of next week.

This trimester’s reading grade is heavily influenced by at home reading minutes and parent/caregiver signatures for those minutes, so keep up the good work of checking those Student Planners.

Upcoming Dates

§  January 13 is a minimum day and awards assembly.

§  January 18, we are off for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

New

In ELA, we will be embarking on a research project that will culminate in an evidence based essay on a rule to live by that students will choose.

In social studies we will be fine tuning our note taking skills while learning about  the civilizations of China and Japan.

In science, we will be discovering the processes that create sedimentary rock.

Updates and Info

The class enjoyed a festive party exchanging compliments and Secret Santa gifts! 6^th and 7^th graders completed a short fictional narrative and finished The Phantom Tollbooth. We also celebrated all the 8^th graders passing the Constitution Test!

Third trimester begins February 26th. I’d like to have elective classes lined up earlier rather than later, so please consider reaching out to me if you or someone you know is willing to teach!

Newsletter: Enjoy Winter Break!

Important

Please be reminded that Secret Santa gifts are due this Tuesday for our gift exchange. Gifts should be under $10 and homemade gifts are encouraged.

During break, reading is not required but it is encouraged.

We will reconnect January 4, 2016! Have a great break.

Upcoming Dates

§  December 18th is a minimum day.

§  Winter Break begins December 19th and extends through January 3rd.

New

8th graders will be practicing flash cards to prepare for their Constitution Test next week.

6th and 7th graders will continue work on narrative writing.

We will finish The Phantom Tollbooth.

Updates and Info

Students performed wonderfully at the Winter Program, and I'm thankful to all of you for your support!

We will be celebrating our winter program, all the hard work we've done this first half of the year, and each other on Friday! Feel free to send your student with goodies to share.

Newsletter: Winter Program Week and Secret Santa Planning

Important

I look forward to seeing you and yours at the Winter Program this Wednesday. Students should be here at 5:45.

Secret Santa gifts are due at school next Tuesday. If your student is unable to participate in the gift exchange (keep it under $10 and homemade gifts encouraged), please let me know.

If there are any doubts that your student will be able to attend the Winter Program performance, please let me know as soon as possible.

Upcoming Dates

§  December 9th, 10th, and 18th are all minimum days.

§  December 10th, we perform our Winter Program at 6:00 pm.

§  Winter Break begins December 19th and extends through January 3rd.

New

8th graders will be practicing flash cards to prepare for their Constitution Test next week.

6th and 7th graders will continue work on narrative writing and grammar.

Updates and Info

Students watched, took notes, and discussed the History Channel's The Story of Us All looking at the fall of Rome and subsequent rise of Arab and Viking cultures.  We've also been enjoying The Phantom Tollbooth in ELA, practicing our play, and exploring first and third person narrative styles.

Students were offered two different service learning opportunities last week. This is a good time of year to reflect with your student how they will meet their requirements for service learning hours as we are now halfway through the year. Winter break is a great time to get some hours in!

Newsletter: A Regular Schedule

Important

This week we are focusing on polishing our Winter Program performance. Costumes need to be brought to school by Wednesday.

If there are any doubts that your student will be able to attend the Winter Program performance, please let me know as soon as possible.

As usual check those student planners and encourage nightly reading.

Upcoming Dates

§  December 9th, 10th, and 18th are all minimum days.

§  December 10th, we perform our Winter Program at 6:00 pm.

§  Winter Break begins December 19th and extends through January 3rd.

New

8th graders will continue on the Judicial branch and then focus on the Amendments.

6th and 7th graders will continue work on grammar. There will be a quiz this week.

6th and 7th graders will also be working on narrative writing.

Update and Info

I hope everyone enjoyed a few extra days away from school.  We are back to a regular week schedule.

We will be drawing names for our Secret Santa gift exchange this week. Gifts should be under $10 and homemade presents are encouraged. Our annual tradition is to have a little holiday season party on December 18th to share kind thoughts and treats.

Students who were sick are still responsible for making up missed work. There is no penalty for being tardy, obviously, but it is their responsibility to turn in missing assignments.