WHAT'S UPdate!
SSAE Middle School Newsletter ~ April 2020
YEARBOOK!
We will send out instructions to pick up your yearbook or to buy one if we are unable to return to school when they arrive. Stay tuned for updates!
Counseling News - ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS!
**If these meetings do need to become virtual, a zoom link will be sent to you and your student via email for your scheduled time**
E-Counseling
If students are in need of counseling support for social or emotional concerns while we are not in the building we have several options. Please reach out to your grade level counselor below to let them know you need support. We have recently hired a social worker, Regina Eslick, who will also be a great resource during this time.
We can offer students Counseling support in a variety of ways:
Email, Google Chat, Texting (Counselors have district cell phones), Phone calls, or via Zoom sessions. Zoom sessions with students for emotional counseling or check-ins will have 2 Counseling staff members present.
Parent Notification:
If your student reaches out to a Counselor for support, Counselors will notify the parent via email to ensure you are aware they would like support. Parents will need to reply to the email to give permission for their student to receive virtual Counseling support.
Counselor Contact Information:
Chelsea Martin: 5th - 9th grade Counselor, cmmartin@d49.org, 719-432-8179
Katy Swann: 10th - 12th grade Counselor, kswann@d49.org, 719-213-0336
Regina Eslick: 1st-12th grade School Social Worker, reslick@d49.org, 719-930-3465, ,
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
After working hard on creating a museum, the middle school visited the Pioneer museum to see their display for black history month.
EVENTS, CLUBS, & HAPPENINGS
Student Council
Virtual Lunch Time!
Yearbook Club
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Important Dates for Your Calendars
April 6 - Student Council meeting. Email Mrs. Danford, sdanford@d49.org, if you would like to attend.
May 15 - This is the last day that any new items will be assigned/due in Odysseyware, Edgenuity, or ALEKS.
May 20 - ALL coursework is due. This includes all ALEKS final knowledge checks.
May 22 - Last day of school for 2019-2020. Enjoy your summers!
CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES
Humanities - Team Language Arts + Social Studies!
We're so excited to be back to work with our amazing scholars!
Throughout the month of April, students will be on an adventure exploring the world using interactive games and webquests. Students who attend their virtual Humanities classes on Mondays and Wednesdays will receive credit for their work, which will be reflected in Edgenuity. We may be doing things differently in these times, but we'll be doing them the SSAE way - full of love and excitement to help our scholars grow!
Science Update
Science and math will be providing zoom-based support sessions on Monday and Wednesdays (7/8 STEM for the 9:30-11 session and 5/6 STEM for the 1:00-2:30 session). Students should check their school-based emails and science Google Classroom for announcements of any meeting changes. All of the science direct-instruction will take place in Edgenuity. Students are strongly encouraged to come into the STEM zooms for support (but will not be penalized for not attending). The middle school team wants to support our students socially, as well as academically, and will use this time to encourage students to deepen their learning and collaborate with their peers.
Students are encouraged to use the sign-up link on their science Google Classroom to set up a 1:1 appointment for zoom if they need additional help in science.
Course Adjustment- Since we are going virtual for the 4th Quarter, the in-building work has been adjusted to represent 25% of each students' grade. These grades were entered in the Unit Folders on Edgenuity for 6-8th graders in the Unit Folders and through a separate assignment on Odysseyware for the 5th graders. Some content in Edgenuity that was turned off has been added to take the place of us not doing in-building work.
Math Update
Students should be working towards their 2nd semester of ALEKS with no less than 85% progress on their final knowledge check. This is the minimum requirement to be eligible to earn a passing grade in the 2nd semester.
Virtual knowledge checks will be in May. Details for these exams will be sent directly to parents and students as soon as possible.
Weekly Topic and Progress grades/indicators are available by the end of each week to help students and families stay on track with 2nd-semester goals and progress. Students should be working in the 80% or higher range by mid-April and should strive for at least 90% progress BEFORE taking their final knowledge check.
Study sessions for students wishing to get extra help to reach this milestone are available. Contact Mrs. Danford for dates and times.
Math Classroom Updates:
Math and Science have joined forces during our virtual times together for STEM sessions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). These sessions will allow students to explore STEM topics that are of interest to them, share and present information to their peers, and reinforce concepts of personalized learning. Links to these sessions will be sent directly to students by either Mrs. Sangiorgi or Mrs. Danford.
Talking Math at Home:
April's Talking Math at Home Challenge:
What a strange time we are in for schooling. Nearly every math conversation is being had a home these days, so this month, we're going to have a Talking Math Outside Challenge.
With the days getting longer, have students go outside at sunrise or sunset and record the time. Is there a pattern? Can it be graphed? From early April to late April, is there a difference (even a slight one) in the location of the sunrise or sunset?
Is there a safe trail to walk near the house? Have students calculate the time and distance. How far did they walk? How fast did they walk? How do they know their speed?
Social distancing when you're out on a walk? How far is 6 feet? How do we know without a ruler? How many of our own steps equal 6 feet?
What other calculations can your students come up with from the great outdoors? Have them submit their thoughts, calculations, graphs, and other math to Mrs. Danford, and maybe they can be featured in a future class meeting or newsletter!
Art
5th- Winter Watercolor Paintings, Key Chains
6th- Mystery Grids
7th- Chinese Calligraphy with Watercolor Background
8th- Clay Creatures, Watercolor Pencils
Electives
New Electives have begun... virtually!
7/8-Applied Digital Skills
5/6- Coding
Please check your email for invites to join the Google Classroom for these classes.