The Eagle Gazette
A Publication For KMS Parents 1st Edition 2019-2020
From The Principal's Desk
Dear KMS Families,
We are off to a good start, this school year! We are working diligently to make sure our teachers are engaging our students with interactive lessons and that our students are excited about coming to class each and every day. Creating a culture of enthusiastic learners and engaging classrooms. Coaching our students to reach their full potential. Building a legacy that inspires students and parents throughout Alief ISD to be a part of the KMS learning community.
Coaching...Creating...Building… It’s what we do at Killough Middle School! We look forward to seeing you around!
Sincerely,
Mr. Bilton
Principal
Counselors Corner
- PSAT 8/9-October 23rd (all 8th graders)
- Report Card Pick-up Night-October 23rd
- Information meeting on Human Trafficking at Killough - November 12
Library
The library has been a very busy place the first nine weeks. We had our book fair in September and completely surpassed our goal. We look forward to our next fair which will take place in March.
Eleven students enjoyed and learned a lot from our visit with Huda Fahmy. She is the creator of the webcomic, Yes, I’m Hot in This: The Hilarious Truth About LIfe in a Hijab. She talked about how stories connect people and about her experiences as a Muslim woman in the Uniited States. She also shared great advice on how to get started as a writer.
Students are currently learning to be more independent in the library by using our library system, Destiny, more effectively. They can search for materials at our campus and at other Alief schools and place items on hold. Being able to select and find their own reading materials helps students develop self confidence and a love of reading.
Content Updates
Social Studies 7th Grade:
7th grade Texas History students are currently learning about the causes leading to the Texas Revolution between Anglo Texans and the Mexican government. Ms. Buggs, Mr. B. Jones, and Ms. L. Jones have been working hard to create rigorous and engaging lessons for students this year. Students enjoyed creating their own Empresario Colony, selecting a location in Texas, and creating their own laws for their colony.
Upcoming Quiz/Test Dates:
Units 2-3 CCA #2- November 5th
DCA #1- November 19th
Unit 4 Project- (TBD)
Social Studies 7th Grade:
8th grade U.S. History students are currently learning about the events and battles during the American Revolution between Britain and the colonists living in the 13 colonies. Ms. Alvarez, Mr. Buenaño, Mr. Gibson, and Ms. King have been working hard to create rigorous and engaging lessons for students this year as they prepare for STAAR in May 2020. Students are enjoying tying in current events to past experiences many colonist faced on their quest for independence and democracy.
Upcoming Quiz/Test Dates:
Constitution Quiz- November 1st
DCA #1- November 14th
Constitution CCA #3- December 12th
7th Grade is studying and writing text centered around Taking Action. Students are setting goals with a growth mindset, infusing the code of civility, and building a community of readers & writers through meaningful discourse and book club. By the end of the first unit, students will be able to effectively respond to What helps people rise up to face difficulties?
ELAR 8th Grade:
8th Grade is studying and writing text centered around Gadgets and Glitches. Students are setting goals with a growth mindset, infusing the code of civility, and building a community of readers & writers through meaningful discourse and book club. By the end of the first unit, students will be able to effectively respond to Does technology control or improve our lives?
English Language Learners:
Our teachers are hard at work preparing quality, language-rich lessons using the SIOP method. Through thoughtful lesson preparation, our students are entering classrooms where their academic language is developed and challenged daily.
AVID:
We enjoyed a week of learning about different colleges and universities. There were displays in the library and tables with games in the cafeteria during lunch. We're thankful to Houston Community College for sharing information and resources with our students October 2.
7th grade science students are about to start a month long unit on Systems of the Human Organism. They will be learning about the functions of the circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, reproductive, integumentary, nervous and endocrine systems by doing some interesting activities and having thoughtful discussions. The next CCA for 7th grade science is November 5th.
8th Grade Science:
8th grade science students are in the middle of their Chemistry unit. They have already learned about atoms and the subatomic particles that make up the atoms and what a chemical formula is and how to count the atoms and elements present in a chemical formula. They are about to start learning about evidence of a chemical reaction and will be doing some cool experiments to try and observe evidence of a chemical reaction in action. The 8th grade students are very excited about the competitions they have against other science classes to help them review for their CCAs. The next two CCAs for 8th grade are October 18th and November 15th.
Electives
- Fall Band Concert Thursday, October 31st, 2019
- Solo and Ensemble Saturday, September 21st, 2019
- Band Day, Thursday and Friday September 26th and 27th
- Orchestra Day, Friday September 27th
- Winter Wonderland, Tuesday December 10th at Killough Middle School
- Rodeo Parent Night, Mata Intermediate on Thursday December 12th
CATE:
The CATE department has continued to lead the way by introducing Investigating Careers in Advanced Technology where students are learning coding using the latest technology while incorporating 21st century skills. Students will develop advertisements in relation to Red Ribbon Week and being drug free.
Gateway to Technology I: Students are developing their foot orthosis using the Engineering Process and will begin working on a prosthesis in late October.
Gateway to Technology II: Students are working to understand transistors with positive and negative ohms.
College and Career Readiness: Students are learning about endorsements and preparing for high school by creating their 4 year high school plans.
Computer Tech: Students are learning how to dismantle a computer and reassemble it.
PE & Athletics:
The It’s Your Game program is underway through the 7th grade PE classes. These lessons will teach the students important lessons dealing with friendships, peer pressure, ways to protect themselves and about puberty.
The Lady Eagle volleyball teams are nearing the end of their season. The girls have shown improvement throughout the year and are looking forward to the district tournament Oct. 19.
Basketball tryouts are just around the corner and will begin on Oct. 24th. Girls must have a physical and all of the online or paper forms turned in prior to trying out. Physical and online forms can be found at https://aliefisd.rankonesport.com Please contact us at 281-983-8444 ext. 25380 if you have any questions.Killough Middle School
Email: contact@aliefisd.net
Website: https://www.aliefisd.net/Killough
Phone: 281-983-8444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/killougheagles/?rf=712473328835367
Twitter: @KilloughEagles