HMS Weekly Update #5
Friday, October 23rd
Dear Hoboken Middle School Family,
Happy Friday! I hope everyone has had a great week.
Please take some time to read through the updates below to learn some more about this past week and upcoming events. Some highlights are:
- HMS Red Ribbon Week
- HMS Halloween Guidelines
- HMS Student Development Day 1 - Wednesday October 28th
- Governor's Educator of the Year Nomination Form
- HMS Best Buddies Sign-Up
- HMS Curriculum Corner with a reminder for students on Remote Learning regarding World Language.
- Our corner's that highlight areas within our school community.
- And a grade and content level summary to give you a peak into the classroom.
- Helpful information at the bottom of the newsletter.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions.
Have a great weekend!
Fondly,
Ms. Marra
HMS Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week 2020: October 26th-30th
In 1988, National Family Partnership sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families.
HMS Halloween Guidelines
Students May Dress Up For Halloween on Friday, October 30th
Students wishing to participate will be allowed to wear costumes to school. Hoboken Middle School has set forth guidelines for Halloween.
If a student does come to school dressed inappropriately, they will be asked to either remove or cover what is inappropriate.
If a school remedy is not possible, a parent will be asked to pick up his/her child.
*For safety reasons, proper face coverings are still required (nose and mouth) but should not cover a students face to the point where they are unrecognizable.
*Hard plastic toy or replica guns/weapons (swords, play knives, etc.) are NOT allowed.
*Costumes that are overly graphic, promote violence or otherwise might logically be assumed to be offensive to others are not acceptable.
*Costumes that are sexually suggestive and would otherwise violate the school’s dress code are not appropriate.
*Costumes should not include items with sound effects, lights or other components, which would disrupt the classroom learning environment.
*Regarding costumes that may not be clearly addressed by these guidelines, students should be instructed to have the costume pre-approved by an administrator prior to wearing to school.
Students may not take off their face coverings to take pictures.
HMS Student Development Day #1 ~ Wednesday October 28th
Please review the list of topics below and let me know if there are any topics you have questions about:
Marketing of supplements and nutritional products
Meal Plan Design
Family and Wellness
Determine how culture/family history impacts one’s personal growth and health
Strategies for total well being
Nutritional Value
- Basal Metabolic Rate
- Lesson 1- Dream Big
- Lesson 2- Getting Started
- Lesson 3- Take Action
Governor's Educator of the Year
Dear HMS Families,
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing this nomination form below and returning it to the Ms. Marra by November 13th. Administrators, staff members, students, parents and community members are encouraged to participate.
Parents/Guardians, please encourage your children to paricipate in this nomination process as well.
You may email the form to Ms. Marra (AMarra@hoboken.k12.nj.us) or give the form to your child to put in our ballot box in the main office. If you would like a hard copy sent home, please send Ms. Marra an email and I will send it home with your child.
HMS Chapter of Best Buddies
Ms. Kristen Beriloff, the HMS School Psychologist will be leading this chapter and will be sending out an interest form to all students this week. Please email her if you have any questions: KBeriloff@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Ms. Falcone's Guidance Counselor Corner
It's hard to believe that it is the end of October! The last week of October is dedicated to observing Red Ribbon Week. During Red Ribbon Week, schools and communities pledge to live a drug-free lifestyle by participating in a wide-range of events. Hoboken Middle School will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week with spirit days, activities, and conversations to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Counselor's Corner Google Classroom will also be updated daily with resources for students, families, and staff.
As a gentle reminder, please be sure that students accept the invite to the Counselor's Corner Google Classroom (class code: mswtp4d) This Google Classroom will be updated weekly with resources for students to support them in their academics and social-emotional learning.
Lastly, if students would like to request to meet with me for individual sessions, both onsite and remote students may fill out this form. The Request to Meet with Ms. Falcone Form can also be found on the Counselor's Corner Google Classroom.
Stephanie Falcone
Guidance Counselor
Hoboken Middle School
Dr. Baskinger's Curriculum Corner
Friday, October 23, 2020
As part of the Hoboken Middle School Remote Learning experience, students continue to utilize the online program Edgenuity. This computer-based course brings the experience of learning another language with ease to students in the comfort and safety of their home. Edgenuity’s World Language component is modeled after Hoboken’s World Language Curriculum which includes a variety of units and learning activities. Students who are part of the Remote Learning Community should continue to learn their respective world language by using the Edgenuity program. It is recommended that students log into Edgenuity each day so that learning their language becomes natural and is part of their daily routine. You can find Edgenuity Login Information here.
This week, students in the middle school were engaged in a variety of Italian Heritage activities. Mr. Stasiak’s music classes spent several days learning about the famous “Tarantella Napoletana” and were able to use music remix programs to create their own modern version of the “Tarantella”. Teachers across grade levels and content areas also lead Italian Heritage lessons on famous scientists, notable artwork, novelists, and culture. Integrating cultural appreciation and heritage within the curriculum enhances students’ learning experiences and cultural insights.
Nurse Beyer's Corner
Hello HMS Families,
Hand washing has been a topic of conversation lately. Hand washing has always been, and will continue to be the best way to protect ourselves and those around us from getting sick. There is a great reason why doctors, nurses, and scientists have pushed this simple yet effective method for so long. It works! Though hand washing seems simple, many are not performing this manageable task appropriately. The goal is simple, wash your hands as if they are visibly soiled even if they are not. The CDC recommendations are as followed:
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
When should I wash my hands? Here is a list of when hand washing should be performed this could include but not limited to: prior to and after preparing food, when visibly soiled, after using the restroom, after touching an animal, when entering your home from being out, before eating, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, and after touching garbage.
Can I use hand sanitizer over hand washing? Hand sanitizer, though most are 99% effective of killing harmful germs and bacteria, are not appropriate for all scenarios. The general rule of thumb is this, if you are unable to immediately wash your hands then hand sanitizer is ok. If your hands are visibly soiled, you must wash your hands. When in doubt, wash your hands!
Just a reminder for the Sixth grade class parents/guardians. Student’s immunization records are due for both in-person and remote learners. These vaccines include Tdap and Menactra. This is mandated by the state under New Jersey State Policy: N.J.A.C. 8:57-4 Immunization of pupils in school. Please reach out to me to confirm the students have received their vaccines. Please email these to cbeyer@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
Stay Healthy!
Nurse Beyer
HMS Student Audrey Gets Ready for Halloween!
HMS World Language Corner
Le Coin des langues étrangères
HMS 外 语 角
HMS Physical Education Corner
In Dance class this week we learned all about Zumba Dance fitness, a dance that is a combination of Latin style dancing and a fitness workout! So much fun!
In P.E this week students engaged in their physical fitness assessments, the Pacer Test, and sit ups and push ups.
Ms. Fasolino's Art Corner
This week's Origami Unit was inspired by the novel, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr. My students took a trip back in time to World War II to witness the devastating effects of the atomic bomb drops on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. We then used our research to generate informed responses to layered questions such as, "What are the implications and long term effects of using weapons of mass destruction?" The conversation continued and flowed into current events and the importance of the United Nation's push for global denuclearization.
My classes then "met" Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was two years old, and two kilometres away from the atomic bomb when it was dropped on Hiroshima. Surviving the explosion but ultimately succumbing to the "atomic bomb disease," students learned about the cultural significance of the ancient Japanese legend that promises wishes granted to those who fold 1,000 paper cranes. Grades 6-8 then participated in a Hiroshima Peace Cranes challenge! Who can fold the most cranes in 1.5 class periods? It was high energy and exciting! Our Unit ended with a reflective entry in our creative journal where students were asked, "What is your dream/hope/wish for yourself or the world and what you could do right now, each day, to get closer at making this wish come true."
Strongly wrapping the week, "Choice Create" Friday prompted students to take their week's acquired paper folding skills and explore their own origami challenges! Here you see Axel Hultstrom's hopping frog and Mackenzie Cohen's lotus flower and balloon! Happy folding, everyone!
Grade & Content Level ~ What Have We Been Learning?
6th Grade ELA
6th Grade Mathematics
6th Grade Social Studies
6th Grade Science
The Astronomers worked really hard this week exploring the relationship between the Sun-Earth-Moon System. The classes learned about tides, and what causes the changes between high and low tide. The students have learned new terms that identify what is happening during the phases of the moon. The students are really interested in this topic, and are eager to learn more about space and the solar system.
7th Grade Mathematics
7th Grade ELA
7th Grade Social Studies
7th Grade Science
8th Grade Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I
Geometry
8th Grade ELA
To begin the week, students took a quiz on chapters 13-16 of The Giver. Then, students continued to read Lowry’s influential novel The Giver, with focus on character development. Students discussed symbolism and plot in depth, and contemplated the contrast between conformity and sameness with choice and diversity. This week students also completed the Narrative Writing Task, as well as the Grade 8 Link It assessment.