EYMS Knightly News
Volume 8, Issue 2 Winter Edition
About Us
Assistant Principal: Mr. Matthew Fried
Website: http://www.easternyork.com/buildings.php?id=middleschool
Location: 746 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville, PA, United States
Phone: (717)-252-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eastern-York-Middle-School/321801714532595
Twitter: @eyms_york
Say Something is a youth violence prevention program from Sandy Hook Promise – a national violence prevention organization. Say Something Anonymous Reporting System allows youth and adults to submit secure & anonymous safety concerns to help identify and intervene upon at-risk individuals BEFORE they hurt themselves or others. The system enables school administrators and law enforcement to create effective interventions and to help prevent violence, suicide, bullying, self-harm and other forms of threatening behavior.
With our Anonymous Reporting System, it’s easy and completely confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
7th Grade Social Studies Tinkercad Project by: Kailee Gray, Alex Guillaume, and Kaydence Strange
Tinkercad is a new tool to help students learn. It is a 3D printing site that allows people of all ages to make a 3D design of anything they see in their mind. It helps a teacher know if a student is understanding what they are learning in class. In most cases it is harder to design a hands on project that relates to the topic than writing a large essay or taking a test.
Tinkercad lets students use their creativity. They are able to make different designs, and show their style and how they receive that topic. In Ancient Civ students were to make something that represented a development from ancient China. The students had many designs, and these designs were shared with the classes. Students then voted on which designs were printed. Students were able to connect with other students and see how creative their friends were.
This project gave students a hands-on opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions. Students were given the chance to create something in the classroom, and had full control over what they were creating and how they planned to voice it to their peers and teachers. The students were able to explain how they saw the task at hand and were given the chance to explain their thought process.
To conclude, Tinkercad is a very helpful tool in the classrooms. Students can use it to express themselves through their designs. It also allows them to work hands-on, which helps students that do not do well with traditional assignments. It also lets the teacher know how the kid thinks and processes the topic. Tinkercad is definitely something that should be used as a new tool in classrooms.
For more information please click on the link below.
6th Grade ELA by: Neala Malloy
ELA isn’t just reading stories and writing sentences. It’s so much more, and much more important than you would think. Here is a look at what we do in 6th grade ELA classes.
We have so many different learning focuses, but this year’s main focus is on TDAs, text dependent analysis. In the morning, we come in and work on vocabulary and grammar. After checking our work with our teacher, we get started on either hybrid rotations or whole group work. In hybrid rotations, we usually take about 3 days to do different stations. The Independent Station is when we work alone on skills taught in whole group. Collaborative is when we work in 2-3 different groups to complete a task. Lastly, Direct Station is when we work with our teacher. I enjoy collaborative time the most because we get to share our ideas and work together.
When we don’t do hybrid rotations, we are usually doing a whole group paper, which connects to our TDA. We will get introduced to a new passage through close reading and will have about a week of preparing, explaining, and working to get ready for the upcoming writing prompt. Doing this prepares us for the TDA. This is important because we learn how to deconstruct the prompt, give evidence and explanation, write a thesis and form inferences which lead to analysis. We’ve also learned to write appropriate lengthed objective summaries. In the past, we have read “Tuesday of the Other June,” “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” and “The Scar.” Right now, we are in the text, “The Life You Imagine,” by Derek Jeter. The stories are interesting while helping us to get better with our analyzing and TDA skills. At the end of each class period, we go over the daily TWEET which get brains thinking about that day’s topics.
In conclusion, what we learn in ELA is important because each skill is something you’ll use for the rest of your life. When you become older, these small concepts will be important to getting jobs, reading, and really just being able to understand the world around you.
For more information about TDA's see the link below.
Middle School Life Skills Class Update
Mr. Baker’s and Mrs. Greer’s life skills classes have been able to collaborate one time per marking period. The students had an opportunity to make spaghetti, tie dye shirts for upcoming trips, and build social skills.
Files from Gifted Seminar - Escape Room
This past month, our 7th and 8th Grade Gifted Students participated in an Egyptian Escape Room Activity. While the point of most Escape Rooms is to escape, our students needed to not only escape from the pyramid within the 45 minute time frame, but they also had to objectively analyze and evaluate the Escape Room Activity afterwards. This is in preparation of their next assignment: To create a fun and challenging Escape Room for the entire Middle School population. How cool is that?!
While they’ve just started to design the room, they can’t wait until it’s finished for our first brave volunteers to test it -- Mrs. Little and Mr. Kohr.
Files from Gifted Seminar - Salve! Welcome to Latin
This year was the first year that we offered Latin to our Gifted Seminar students and what a success it’s been! We’re using the highly popular British text: Minimus Latin in order to focus our instruction on Latin grammar, syntax and vocabulary. We’re especially focusing on connecting the Latin vocabulary to its ties in the English Language. While we’re asking a great deal of our students in the Latin class, they are doing a fantastic job rising to the challenge!
Some examples of vocabulary ties that our students are mastering:
Teamwork built from communication, collaboration, and cooperation by: Kya Hubler and Sophia Hoff
Teamwork built from communication, collaboration, and cooperation is the main topic we have been learning about in our 8th grade ELA class. Our introduction to the unit started with us determining our own ideas about what makes an effective team by completing a group STEM challenge. We were randomized into groups we normally would not work with and were given the objective to make a tool that would allow a ping pong ball travel down a zipline. Together we had to collaborate and share our ideas to make it work. We also had to brainstorm and come up with new ideas when our first ones failed. From this activity, we were able to gain first-hand experience about how to have a successful team. This also opened us up to the themes and ideas of the upcoming lessons.
After our team challenge, we began learning about how Joshua Davis and Walter Isaacson, the authors of “La Vida Robot,” and “Steve Jobs,” reveal their perspectives on what makes an effective team. We did this by reading and analyzing the two texts about extremely successful teams. These readings and classwork have not only helped us gain our own understanding of effective teams, they have also allowed us to pay close attention to how the authors present their perspectives. Our unit finished with a Text Dependant Analysis that required us to identify and analyze elements the authors use to share their perspectives on effective teams.
6th Grade Science by: Emma Brister
Flu season is in full swing and it has come at the perfect time! In science, we have recently been learning about archaea, bacteria, and viruses. We have found out that archaea can be found in the most outrageous environments, like at the top of a volcano, or inside an iceberg. We now know that viruses have some characteristics that could lead us to believe they are living, but they’re not. As sixth graders, we each learned that viruses are more likely to be contagious than parasites, or harmful bacteria that can cause diseases. We now understand that bacteria is all around us, every day and night, but we won’t necessarily get sick because of it. Thankfully, we have also learned what to do if we happen to become ill due to bacteria or a virus. It would probably be a good idea if some of us washed our hands more though! Based on how well some of the 6th graders are doing with this material, it seems like we may have some future doctors and nurses at EYMS!
What is STEM Education in PA Schools?
What is STEM education?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is an integrated, interdisciplinary, and student-centered approach to learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, artistic expression, collaboration, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and design thinking.
Why is STEM education important?
Businesses are growing in Pennsylvania, and they want skilled and well-educated workers who are prepared for the 21st century economy. Students need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce and be successful in a tech-driven, global economy.
- There will be 590,000 new and replacement jobs in Pennsylvania through 2026, with STEM jobs growing at over 9 percent.
- Over the next ten years, 71 percent of new jobs will require computer science skills.
- Currently, there are more than 17,000 unfilled computer science and software development jobs in Pennsylvania with an average salary of $85,000.
- STEM, health, and business majors generally earn the highest salaries, with graduates earning an average annual wage of $37,000 or more at entry level and an average of $65,000 or more annually over the course of their career.
- Research shows STEM instruction and majors offer benefits in a student's post-secondary career, even if that student does not necessarily pursue a STEM career.
STEM in Pennsylvania
STEM education in Pennsylvania is built on the following foundational beliefs:
- all students are capable of STEM literacy;
- iteration and reflection are an important part of the STEM learning process;
- STEM education transcends the classroom walls, integrating into the community; and
- success depends upon the partnership between educators, students, families, postsecondary providers, legislators, business, and industry.
Under Governor Tom Wolf's leadership, Pennsylvania has become a national leader in STEM and computer science education. The Wolf Administration has helped to establish a strong and innovative culture for STEM learning by strengthening STEM experiences for all students, supporting professional development for educators, and forming diverse partnerships across the commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania STEM Coalition is a statewide, cross-sector network representing more than 150 stakeholders with a focus on equitable access to STEM learning experiences for every learner, from early childhood to higher education.
Pennsylvania's State Board of Education acted on the Wolf Administration's request to make computer science education available to all students in the commonwealth by endorsing Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) K-12 Standards. The resolution provides for the implementation of standards on computer science education in the commonwealth, and will position Pennsylvania as one of fewer than a dozen states to endorse such standards. Additionally, the CSTA standards will enable Pennsylvania to develop its Computer Science Certifications Pathways and will provide guidance on ways students can apply a computer science course toward a math or science graduation credit under Act 86 of 2016.
Pennsylvania is a nationally-recognized leader in STEM education for its five regional STEM ecosystems and their collaborative efforts. STEM learning ecosystems encompass schools, businesses, community settings including after-school and summer programs, science centers, libraries, museums, and other environments to constitute a rich array of learning opportunities.
The PAsmart initiative is a new and innovative investment in STEM education and job training, and it includes $20 million in grant funding for STEM and computer science education.
(Taken from PDE website listed below)
PA SMART Grant Awarded to EYMS/EYHS
Eastern York Middle School and Eastern York High School were informed on January 17, 2019 that we received the PA Smart targeted grant for $35,000 to expand the Computer Science Programs to middle school and high school students. We were one of 221 school districts, two career and technical centers, and 18 charter and cyber charter schools, and eight intermediate units
Currently, students who graduate elementary school have extensive experience in block-based coding. When they transfer to middle school, students have no opportunity to build on their knowledge of basic programming concepts.
With the award, we plan to provide students with the opportunity to gain technical knowledge using text-based languages at the middle school level. When students exit middle school, they will have learned how to code physical objects with 3D printers, hummingbird kits, and Raspberry Pi.
Students who enter high school will then take AP Computer Science Principles and focus more deeply on concepts such as the Internet of Things and the impacts on society.
After we provide evidence of enhancing instructional capacity through teacher training & certification, we may request additional funds.
For more information, see the link below.
K’nex STEM Design Competition
Last year, 1 Team from Eastern York Middle School competed for the first time ever in the K’nex STEM Design Challenge sponsored by LIU 12 in New Oxford. Our team did such a great job that we now have 3 competing Middle School Teams, and we will be competing against 57 other teams. While the competition is stiff, our teams are up for the challenge!
This year’s assignment is to design and build an environmentally-friendly crane that lifts objects off of the table and moves them 6 inches. While this may not look too challenging at first glance, you need to keep in mind all of the factors the students must consider. They need to think about:
- The function of a crane and the different ways to build it
- How to make it environmentally-friendly
- What objects the crane will lift
- The number of K’nex pieces that students may use (More pieces = a higher the cost)
In addition to building a working crane using only K’nex pieces, they also need to create a journal documenting their journey, as well as create a polished presentations for the judges. Whew...I don’t know about you, but it makes me tired just thinking about it!
Good luck to our 3 teams shown below.
K'nectors
Olivia Feltenberger
Logan Wilson
Abigail Solihin
Ryan Moore (Missing from Picture)
K'nights
Nicholas Rodriguez
Joshua Miller
Jaxon Cooke
Devin Walton
Future K'nex
Anabelle Billet (missing from picture)
Meghan Lee
Owen Osterberg
Reminder from the Nurse's Office
Pennsylvania School Health Law states that all students entering 6th grade must have a physical examination. Physicals can be dated up to one year prior to the start of the school year in which the student enters the grade for the required physical. To comply with this state requirement for the 2018-2019 school year, the physical must be completed on or after September 1, 2017.
Pennsylvania School Health Law also states that all students entering seventh grade must have a dental exam completed. Dental exams can be dated up to one year prior to the start of the school year in which the student enters the grade for the required dental examination. To comply with this state requirement for the 2018-2019 school year, the dental exam must be completed on or after September 1, 2017.
Physical exam forms (2 pages) and Dental forms can be found on the Eastern York High School website under the tab “Forms” and should be completed by your child’s health care provider. The exam forms can be returned to the Nurse’s office in person or by mail. Please indicate on the envelope, to the School Nurse when mailing.
***NEW IMMUNIZATION REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST, 2017***
All students are required to have the following immunizations:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis: 4 properly spaced doses (4th dose after 4th birthday)
- Poliomyelitis: 4 properly spaced doses (4th dose after 4th birthday)
- Measles (rubeola), Mumps and Rubella (MMR): 2 properly space doses (1st dose after 1st birthday
- Hepatitis B: 3 properly spaced doses
- Varicella (chicken pox): 2 properly spaced doses or evidence of immunity shown by written by physician or laboratory confirmation
Additional Vaccinations required for students entering 7th grade:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap): One dose
- Meningococcal (MCV): One dose
Additional Vaccination required for 12th grade:
- Meningococcal (MCV): 2nd dose after the age of 16.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT THE NURSE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. MRS. LAWTON- 717-252-3400 extension 70516 or llawton@easternyork.net.
Mental Health Services available at the Middle School
The Student Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to help schools identify alcohol, drug, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. Goals of the program include identifying students who are experiencing behavioral and/or academic difficulties, identifying the barriers to their learning, mobilizing school and community resources, assisting students and parents with accessing services, and offering support to those students and their families.
The core of the program is a professionally trained team, including school staff and liaisons from community drug and alcohol and mental health agencies. Team members are trained to identify problems, determine whether or not the presenting problem lies within the responsibility of the school, and to make recommendations to assist the student. When the concern lies beyond the scope of the school, the SAP team will assist the student and parent so they may access services within the community. Team members do not diagnose, treat, or refer to treatment; but may refer for a screening or an assessment for treatment.
School-Based Counseling is available to any student who is in need of individual, on-going counseling services. This type of counseling eliminates many of the barriers to traditional counseling services. Counseling sessions are provided during the school day at the school by a trained counselor from True North Wellness Center. Services are billed through the student’s insurance provider. The school provides a private place for the student and counselor to meet and are able to collaborate with the counselor when and if it is necessary. Please open the link below to review more information about this program.
EYSD STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY
In order for students to receive the full benefits of the quality education offered by the Eastern York School District, they must attend school regularly. It is the combined responsibility of the student and parents to insure regular attendance at school.
Absence
A parent/guardian is required to notify the student’s school attendance office by 8:30 am for secondary schools and 9:30 am for elementary buildings when a student is absent and state the nature and possible duration of the absence. An "excuse card" (available for printing at our "forms" page) is still required following any absence. The "Card" must be submitted within three (3) school days following the absence.
How to submit an absence excuse
Skyward - see directions below.
Fax: 717-252-4891
Email: akline@easternyork.net (student’s name in subject line)
Written note or excuse handed in to the office.
Early Dismissal
Students must bring a note to the student’s school attendance office by the start of the school day stating their name, time of dismissal, reason for dismissal, (along with name and phone number of doctor/dentist/etc.), parent signature and contact phone number. (Required for all students, regardless of age.) Parent or Guardian must report to the attendance office to pick up a student. A note from the doctor or appointment must be returned the next day in order for the absence to be marked excused.
Parents may place a Skyward request or email akline@easternyork.net with the required information
Tardy
Students must have a parent signed note with them when they arrive at school stating their name, date, time and reason for the late arrival. (Required for all students, regardless of age.)
Eastern York School District has implemented several new policies regarding attendance. These changes have been explained in the Student Handbook distributed to all students the first days of school. A brief overview of the changes and additions are as follows:
Unexcused Tardiness will be calculated in hour increments. Example: if a student is fifteen (15) minutes late, the time will be counted as one full hour. This enables our attendance clerks to keep more efficient records and adds a deterrent to students who are tardy.
MS and HS students arriving to school (unexcused) after 8:30 will receive one-half day of absence OR 3.5 hours of tardy accumulation.
Elementary students arriving to school (unexcused) after 11:30 will not receive credit for attendance on that day.
MS and HS students who arrive to school (unexcused) after 10:30 will not receive credit for attendance for that day.
Early dismissal requests must be submitted to the building attendance office before the morning announcements. Medical or Dental appointments will only be excused if the student returns with a note or special excuse card from the physician or dentist. If no note is received, the time will accumulate the same as the tardiness policy.
After ten (10) days of absence, excluding previously excused absences by a doctor, pre-approved travel, and approved personal leave, students will be required to present a doctor's note for every absence from this point forward. Parents will receive a certified letter if the son/daughter has reached the doctor's note status.
In order to participate in an athletic practice, extra-curricular practice, event, or contest, student must be in attendance by 10:30am.
LiveSchool for Parents and Students
You will be able to access all of this information right from your computer or phone by downloading the free LiveSchool app. You will be receiving another sheet that explains how to set this up.
We also want to make learning fun for your child this year! As part of our use of LiveSchool, your child will be able to spend his or her points on various classroom and school-wide rewards. We are going to be focusing on positive reinforcement and encouragement and hope that your child earns lots of exciting rewards!
As we strive to hold consistent expectations for our students at school, you can help by using some of the same language at home as well. We will be working hard to make this the best school year yet for your child! To learn more, please visit the links below.
Skyward Family Access Toolkit for Parents & Guardians
Absence Reporting Available Electronically Through Skyward Family Access
Parents/Guardians at the middle school are now able to notify your student's attendance office about an absence using the online absence request feature within the Skyward Family Access Center.
The absence excused cards will remain acceptable and available for parents/guardians who wish to continue with this method.
- Online Absence Request - You can notify your student's attendance office about an absence using the online absence request feature.
- Log in to the Skyward Family Family Access Center
- Click on the "Attendance" button on the left side of the Home Screen.
- Click on "Enter Absent Request" blue link on the top right of the Attendance Screen.
- Click on the 'Add Request" link next to the student or students who will be absent or late.
- On the next window, enter the date of the absence along with the reason (Illness or Other), and detailed comments about the absence reason.
- Doctor notes still need to be handed in for tardy/early release for doctor appointments and for absences for more than 3 days, as outlined by Board policy.
**Please Note - the Skyward Family Access Center Mobile App is not fully functional at this time. If you try to use certain features in it, they will not work properly, including Attendance/Absences. When the app is ready for use, we will share it with ALL families to make sure you can access it.
Parent's Access to Canvas App
The high school and middle school uses a learning management system called Canvas. This Learning Management System (LMS) is your window into your child’s classroom. Canvas is a learning management system that helps teachers and students create, manage and deliver class content. Parents can also engage in their children’s education by reviewing upcoming or past assignments, checking on assignment grades in Canvas, and receiving course announcements. In order for parents to access Canvas, they will need to download the Canvas for Parent app on any Android or iOS device. Instructions on how to set up your parent account can be found by clicking on the link below.
Skyward is still the official record for student grades. Grades from Canvas do transfer over to Skyward but all assignments might not be completed in Canvas. All assignments are recorded in Skyward and Skyward produces the official report card for all students. You should still rely on Skyward as the official class grade.