Panther Note
April 8, 2016
Leopard Supervision
Governor's Award for 2016 - Congrats!
Well...PSM is back in the game. Congratulations on a strong performance this year as the Panthers have shown up yet again as a Top 5% of Kansas Middle School this year. (look on KSDE for the full list).
Hard work and a focus the academic, social and emotional needs of all students make this possible. KUDOS
Governor's Award Criteria:
- Assessment Performance Index (API) had to be in the top 80% in reading and math.
Awarded to the Top 5 % of elementary, middle or high schools.
36 elementaries, 10 middle schools and 11 high schools awarded annually.
API computation
• The assessment results are divided into 8 API Levels
– 2 for each assessment level
– We don’t know cut scores for each of these levels so there is no way we can help you determine your API score
• Pre-determined points per API level
• Multiply points per level by # of students in both reading and math at that level
• Add all of the total points
• API = Total points/# of students
Thank you for your focus on every part of every child!
KAP Update
- Math KAP now scheduled for April 11 - 15 (very similar to ELA this week)
- No bells, no printing - check lab schedules
- Make ups for Science and ELA will be happening as we identify a solid list of students, work around activities and are able to communicate with Counselors, Case Mangers and PLCs. Be patient :)
BVMS of the Future
Thank you for a healthy, heartfelt discussion and DREAM BIG session around the future of Blue Valley Middle Schools.
As promised ... updates are coming! Stacey and I will be meeting with you on April 18th as a staff to discuss the results of the Parent and Staff survey held at our last Early Release. This whole group session will be followed quickly on April 19th during PLC Professional Development time for small group follow up.
Survey results, Board Presentation Information and next steps are on the agenda. Your questions will be front and center.
School Supply List due Monday
Tuesday, April 12 Early Release
- Professional Learning Time will be yours to use during PLC.
- PAT Schedule - PLEASE REVIEW MONDAY WITH KIDS
- No Early Release TCB
- Breakout PD led by Lisa Nocita for Staff
- CPI Training for Mrs. Lister / Seibold's Team
2016-17 Planning
8th Grade Weekly Update for April 11
Cookout Volunteers Needed: We are still in need of six more cookout volunteers for May 13 (10:45am-12:15pm)- reply to Mr. Burton at MZBurton@bluevalleyk12.org with “Cookout Volunteer” in the subject heading and he will get back to you with more details.
8th Grade Finals: Tuesday, May 17 (hours 1,3,5) & Wednesday, May 18 (hours 2,4,6)
(Topics, AFLs, AOLs)
Social Studies:
Continue to learn about the Cold War with events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and Atomic Age hysteria. Conduct a Socratic Seminar as a review over unit; Pass out study guide-AOL will be April 21st
ELA/Rdg:
Students will be finishing Farewell to Manzanar and will have an AOL on the 15th over the novel content and novel vocab. There will also be a vocab AFL on Tuesday.
Math:
Integrated Algebra
Students will continue working with simplifying expressions.
On Mon, Wed, and Thurs, students will be taking the math state assessments.
No Target Zero this week.
Integrated Algebra - Hour 2
Students will continue working with systems of linear equations.
On Mon, Wed, and Thurs, students will be taking the math state assessments.
No Target Zero this week.
Algebra
Students will continue working with functions, finding domain/range, and expressing functions using f(x).
On Mon, Wed, and Thurs, students will be taking the math state assessments.
No Target Zero this week.
Science:
Newton’s Laws of Motion continue to be explored in lab work and assessed in AFLs. We will explore gravitational forces using an online simulator. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits
Guided Study 8th Grade:
Guided Study finish watching and discussing a video called “Is Sugar Toxic?”.
7th Grade Weekly Update for April 11
Zoo Field Trip Volunteers Needed: We are still in need of 15 more volunteers for May 6. Please sign up using the link below and Mr. Burton will follow-up with more details.
<http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4aa8ac2ea6f49-7thgrade>
Cookout Volunteers Needed: We are still in need of several more cookout volunteers for May 13 (11:45am-1:15pm). Please email Mrs. Pirkle at NPirkle@bluevalleyk12.org with “Cookout Volunteer” in the subject heading and she will get back to you with more details.
(Topics, AFLs, AOLs)
Social Studies:
Our last AOL over class continents will be Friday, April 15. Students will have a study guide and their AFL’s to review for their AOL.
ELA/Reading:
Reading: Dystopian Literature Circle Work-First discussion will take place on Wednesday. Students should have their first reading assignment read and their first job completed.
ELA: Begin poetry unit
Math:
Advanced Integrated Algebra 7th Grade-
Topic: The Kansas Math Assessments will be the week of April 11, 2016. At this time, testing is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There will be no target zero assigned this week. Target Zero Q4-3 is due on Monday.
Integrated Algebra 7th Grade-
Topic: The Kansas Math Assessments will be the week of April 11, 2016. At this time, testing is scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. There will be no target zero assigned this week. Target Zero Q4-3 is due on Monday.
Science:
This week in our Ecosystems/Natural Selection Unit we are working on connecting the concepts of specialized adaptations in species with survival and passing of traits. An AFL on this will be given.
Guided Study 7th Grade:
Students will also read and discuss an article called “Motivation and the Power of Not Giving Up”.
6th Grade Update for the week of April 11
Important Dates and Reminders
TCB is held Monday, Tuesday (except Early Release Days), Wednesday, and Thursday until 4:00 in the 6th grade computer lab. There is a late bus that will bring the students home on Wednesdays.
State Math Assessment on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week!
Course Briefings/AOLs for the upcoming week:
Math
Integrated
Volume and Surface Area of Rectangular Prisms
Advanced
Order of operations
Distributive property with integers
ELA/Reading
Read & discuss The Prince and the Pauper – focus on elements of drama
Drama AOL on Friday, April 15th
Science
Continue with unit on weather
Social Studies
Finish up Feudalism in Western Europe
Begin The Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Europe
Short AOL over Europe during Medieval Times Tuesday, April 12th.
Spanish
Continue to study vocabulary and verbs over Unit 2, Lesson 2
French
2C Smoosh book review worSeven Days Spirit Week : April 10 - 15
Monday: Wear Red : Theme of the day:Love
Tuesday: Wear White : Discover (encouraged to introduce yourself to someone you do not know and to make a connection.)
Wednesday: Support a friends activity or team (their teams favorite jersey, t-shirt from the play, t-shirt for their soccer team)
Thursday: Workout/Exercise Attire (exercise is about well being both physically and emotionally)
Friday: Wear something that represents YOU!
A reminder for Tuesday PLC on 4/26 - Inquiry Framework is Coming Your Way
Free Food!
Coming Up!
- 4/11: Math KAP Week
- 4/11 - 4/15: Spirit Week for Five Days - See your Email
- 4/12: PD PLC Time is yours on this ER
- 4/12: PAT Schedule ... please share with your students
- 4/12: No Early Release TCB
- 4/12: Break Out Early Release & CPI Training
- 4/13: Track at OMS
- 4/14: 7th Band/Choir Festival
- 4/15: Gifted Fieldtrip
- 4/18: AM MDPT Grading (information coming asap)
- 4/18: PM - School Safety (Dan Carney) and BVMS Future (Sperry/Sigg)
- 4/19: Progress Report Open
- 4/19: PLC - Middle School Discussion (Sperry / Sigg)
- 4/19: Advancement Round II Assesment
- 4/19 and 4/20: Sixth Grade Fieldtrip - Listen for updates from Team 6
- 4/20: 8th Band/Choir Festival
- 4/21: Costco Samples 11-1
- 4/22: Progress Report DUE
- 4/22: Leawood Fire Department Grill Out for Lunch
- 4/24: STUCO Spirit Week
- 4/25: Track Meet at PSM (Sperry)
- 4/26: Early Release - PAT Schedule
- 4/26: PD PLC Time will host ESST
- 4/26: Fifth Grade Lunch Visit
- 4/26: CASL PD in afternoon
- 4/27: Blue Valley High 8th Grade Meeting During Lunch
- 4/27: BVHS High School Visits led by Wagoner
- 4/27: 5th Grade Parent Night
- 4/29: Sunflower Award Announcement - 7th Grade Pod 9:15 - 9:30 (7th Only)