Knights in the Middle
January 2024 Edition
Notes from the Principal ...
Happy New Year!!
We have a had great two weeks back here in the middle school. Many of our students are staying after school for extra help, to attend a club, participate in sports, or are enrolled in Knights U. It is great to see so many of our students involved! This year we started a Principal Advisory to enable our students to share their voices. This meeting we discussed equity, writing revolution and #samehere. See the photo above. Any student may attend! Students should look for the email in February to sign up.
Please know that students may enroll in clubs all throughout the year. If interested in any club, students may talk to the club advisor or let the middle school office know and we will connect them with the club.
We kicked the year off with our staff and students completing a one word activity. The video for One Word is below. The idea is for each of us to choose one word that we want to align our choices to from January until June. All of our One Word's will be posted in the hallway soon so be on the look out for a photo.
Enjoy the rest of January and please let me know if you need anything.
~Bethany
Upcoming PBIS Event ...
In December, the middle school celebrated by having a PBIS Dodgeball tournament. A huge thank you goes to Mr. Hamms and Ms. Seiders for organzing and running the tournament.
In February, we will be having a PBIS Minute to Win It event. Students need to have from January 1st until February 15th, no more than 1 referral for behavior, and no ISS/OSS in order to participate in the final round. This does include phone/earbud violations (please keep them in your lockers & turned off).
There will be prizes for the winners. We will announce the prizes to students soon.
It was great to see so many staff and students at the Bandits game to see Zed play.
Our 7th grade Spanish held a flash mob!
Dodgeball was enjoyed by all for our PBIS event in December.
January 26 is a Half Day
This year we are very fortunate in the middle school to have several presenters coming in to work with our students. We have set these presentations up on the half days throughout the year. Our students will also participate in the identification of bullying and harassment unit of second step on these days.
Second Step
Recognizing Bullying & Harassment
Students learn how to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment. This unit’s content helps students develop empathy, understand the impact of bullying and harassment on individuals and their communities, and examine social and environmental factors that contribute to negative behaviors as well as identify solutions for preventing those behaviors. Lessons are taught by classroom teachers for each grade level. Please let Ms Wise know if you have any concerns or questions.
Knights Watch
It is very important for students to feel comfortable with at least one adult in the building. We are having our students meet in small groups with an adult on some of our half days to make sure that each students knows that there is an adult on their side. We are calling this Knights Watch and we are looking forward to our 2nd session on January 26th.
11/9, 12/1, 12/8, 1/26, 3/15, 3/22 are our half days this year.
Happy Knights New Year from the Middle School Staff
Upcoming Dates ...
1/25 4 PM Parent Chat
1/25 5 PM NJHS Induction
1/26 Dismissal at 11am
End of the 2nd Quarter
1/30 Start of 3rd Quarter Classes
2/16 2nd Semester Honors Breakfast at 8:15am in the cafeteria
2/19 to 2/23 Mid Winter Recess
2/23 Principal Advisory - any student may attend 6-8
Parent Chat for January
January 25th at 4pm is our next Parent Chat. We needed to move the time up as we have National Junior Honor Society at 5pm. Feel free to come at 4:30pm if that works for you and we will quickly fill you in. This is an opportunity for parent voices to be heard. Please stop in and share your thoughts as well as have questions answered. We will meet outside of Room 402.
NY State Testing Dates ...
April 23 and 24 - NYS ELA Assessment
May 7 and 8 - NYS Math Assessment
May 13 - Grade 8 NYS Science Assessment
All students are expected to take the tests. The ELA and math tests have been reduced in length and are two days instead of three. Any parent with questions or concerns should contact either their child's ELA/Math/Science teacher or Ms Wise our school counselor.