FWHMS Family Newsletter
Connecting Families to School - January 2018
Grade 6 Happenings
This is a great time of year to check your child's supplies. Many of the supplies, especially pencils, are gone or running low. Kindly replenish these throughout the year.
Mrs.Tasker welcomed the sixth grade students to the library this month with another wonderful activity. Her 8th grade Makerspace students designed games that the sixth graders were able to “test". The sixth graders even had the opportunity to meet the designers of the games. Each game had game pieces that were made from the 3D printer.
It’s hard to believe how quickly the school year is passing by. A reminder to all students to make sure to complete the interview portion of the ELA-Family Memory project and bring the interview answers to school January 2nd-4th. When students return, they will begin to write their narrative. On February 6th at 8:30 am, after the Honor Roll Breakfast, a “Family Memory Wax Museum” will be held to showcase our students’ work. We welcome all families, especially the relatives who were interviewed to join us!
In Reading classes, our focus for the next 6-8 weeks will be nonfiction reading. We will focus on strategies to help us comprehend nonfiction texts keeping three BIG questions in mind: “What surprised me?”, “What did the author think I already knew?”, and “What challenged, changed, or confirmed what I already knew?”.
The school wide Penny War sponsored by the Student Council raised over $600 to help give local needy families a Thanksgiving Holiday food basket. The 6th grade purple team raised the most money and the prize earned was a “make your own sundae” party. Everyone enjoyed their treats on the Thursday before holiday break.
We would like to thank all those who have donated tissues, cleaning wipes, and other items to our classrooms! We truly appreciate your generosity.
Grade 7 Happenings
Welcome to 2018! At the start of the new year, we would like to remind you of a few important things to help your child to be successful during the remainder of the school year.
The second quarter ends on Tuesday, January 23rd. Please check the Parent Portal to see what work your child may be missing.
Be sure to check the homework page on the school website to keep up with daily work, even if your child is absent.
Please check your student’s supplies. At this time of year, many students are in need of new binders, pencils, pens, etc. Please check with your child to see what they may need to restock for the New Year!
This month, the seventh grade will begin hosting a monthly “Tea With The Team”, where parents and guardians have the opportunity to sit down with the team in an informal setting to discuss the curriculum, seventh grade activities and what to expect from your seventh grader. The first “Tea With The Team” will be held on January 17th from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Keep an eye out for the invitation!
Grade 8 Happenings
As we "sled" on into the new year, our 8th grade Historians have been working hard with projects, papers and presentations bringing a little ELA Alliteration to the history scene!
Students presented their projects the week before break on their Scientific Revolution or Enlightenment figures. With the beginning of the new year, we will cross "the pond" and begin to learn about the creation of our own country. Eighth Grade History wishes each and all a very happy, historical 2018!
Math classes will be ringing in the New Year by entering the realm of geometry. Extended Algebra classes will be starting with the Pythagorean Theorem and how useful it is in the real world. Then we will move on to angles and triangles. Algebra classes will be starting a unit on functions, and then will start exploring real numbers. I’m sure all Algebra students are happy that our unit on polynomials is done!
In ELA, we have just completed our unit on “Ethical Dilemmas” and have wrapped up by writing an essay exploring the ethics behind de-extinction. As we move into unit 3, we will focus on “Hard Choices” by analyzing different selections of poetry and fiction. We will also focus on identifying and explaining theme, tone, and mood.
In Science, we have just completed a unit on “Earth’s Place in the Universe” during which students developed and used a model of the Earth-sun system to explain the cyclical pattern of seasons, which included the Earth’s tilt and differential intensity of sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year. In addition, they explained the role of gravity in ocean tides, the orbital motions of planets, their moons, and asteroids in the solar system. The next unit, “Earth’s Systems”, students will use a model to illustrate that energy from the Earth’s interior drives convection which cycles Earth’s crust leading to melting, crystallization, weathering, and deformation of large rock formations, including generation of ocean sea floor at ridges, submergence of ocean sea floor at trenches, mountain building, and active volcanic chains. Interpreting basic weather data to identify patterns and describing how interactions involving the ocean affect weather and climate on regional scales will also be explored.
Wellness Happenings
Grade 6
We continue to learn and grow together during this second quarter of wellness. Students will be presenting their reciprocal teaching projects about Time Management in early January. We have learned about the payoffs that learning how to manage our time now will have throughout our lives; we have applied the WADE acronym in scheduling priorities. Students will end the quarter learning about assertive communication.
Grade 7
Students have been working diligently on their nutrition presentation scheduled for early January. Their last unit for the quarter will focus on sleep and the teenage brain. Students will participate in a Socratic Circle discussing whether school start times for middle and high school students should be later in the morning.
Grade 8
The goal of wellness class is to provide authentic learning experiences in the hopes that all learners will be health literate and will possess knowledge and skills to improve the quality of their lives. Students are completing a unit of study on alcohol which included alcohol poisoning, alcoholism, and the Social Host Law. The last unit, Expressing Emotions and Dealing with Anger will focus on developing a feeling vocabulary, the effects of anger on the body, and conflict resolution skills.
Spanish News
It has been an exciting few weeks in the Spanish classroom. The 6th graders learned the alphabet, colors, and are now creating genuine conversations in Spanish. The picture is a book the 6th graders learned and read to other students called Oso Pardo, Oso Pardo, ¿Qué ves ahí?
The 7th and 8th grade students created skits and performed them in front of their classmates to reflect various conversations; we just finished a unit on numbers, and will begin the calendar in January.
Other 7th and 8th graders (semester and year long students) learned how to describe themselves and others, as well as how to discuss their likes and dislikes. They wrote descriptive paragraphs in Spanish and added QR codes so we could check them on our phones. The students really enjoyed writing, reading, and guessing who the person was! The picture is of Spanish 1 class, making their guesses, and double checking the QR codes on their phones.
Music Department
Mr. Marcotte, Mr. Martins and Mrs. Ryan would like to congratulate the 6th, 7th and 8th grade band members and the 8th grade chorus members for their wonderful performances in their Holiday Concerts. A great deal of hard work and talent went into these performances. Keep up the good work!
Guidance News
Blackstone Valley Tech (BVT) applications can be picked up at the main office starting January 5, 2018. Students and parents are to complete the front page, sign the application and return it to the main office by Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Guidance will complete the rest of the application and submit them to BVT by Friday, February 2, 2018. If the application is submitted late, it can not be guaranteed to be submitted to BVT by their deadline.
Health Office News
“Aunt Bertha” Website
Sometimes in life you find yourself and/or your family in an unexpected situation. If there is ever a time where you need assistance there is a free, comprehensive, easy-to-use online resource to help connect you with organizations that might be able to help you. Aunt Bertha is a program that exists to connect all people in need and the programs that serve them with dignity and ease. Aunt Bertha can help you find services for food, shelter, health care, work, financial assistance and more.
Aunt Bertha is a nationwide social service search engine. The website is www.auntbertha.com. Once you locate the website you can search for your area’s local resources by entering your zip code. Aunt Bertha makes it easy for people in need to find out what services are available. If you have any questions about this unique and beneficial program please contact me.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sue Wiegers
School Nurse
508-876-0193, option 3
Grade 8 Washington, DC Trip Information
There will be one of two parents meetings to discuss information for Washington DC on February 7th from 6:30-7:30 here at the Middle School Library. An additional meeting will be schedule for later spring prior to departure.
Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser will run from January 9th to January 23rd. All proceeds will be credited to the student's trip account. Families will be notified via email of the amount.
Dates: June 10th to 13th
Payment #2 of $148.75 is due on 1/10 (if you are using the payment schedule).
Cost: Price $595.00
Trip price includes: Bus, Hotel, Meals,-Dinner on the way down and dinner on the way back ($30.00 for both) is not included in the meal cost, t-shirt and museum ticket cost.
**Make checks payable to: Hartnett Middle School
Payment Plan Schedule
Payment #1 148.75 Due Date: 11/9
Payment #2 148.75 Due Date: 01/10
Payment #3 148.75 Due Date: 03/09
Payment 4 148.75 Due Date: 05/15
**Fundraising questions - please contact Mrs. Curt Hoard: tcurt@bmrsd.net
** Trip insurance is available if you would like to purchase it. Click on this link https://nta.aontravelprotect.com/index.jsf . The tour operator location number is: 386016. The estimated cost for a basic plan is $59.00 and $79.00 for an enhanced plan. Please check with the insurance company for actual prices.
Scholastica Refund Deposit Policy:
Calendar Days Before Departure Date
30 or more
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 20% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive an 80% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations.
14 to 29
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 25% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive a 75% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations, contingent on the group or individual being paid in full.
13 or less
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 50% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive a 50% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations, contingent on the group or individual being paid in full.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Trip Itinerary: A variety of Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath laying, Monuments and Dinner Cruise along the Potomac.
2. Chaperones-teachers will be chaperoning this trip-as they have done in the past.
3. Meals are included (in the price) with the exception of the meal going to DC and the meal returning from DC.
4. Hotel Rooms typically consist of 4 per room (this is always subject to change).
5. Parent Meeting will be scheduled late winter, early spring to cover any additional questions, discuss finalized information for the trip, medical concerns and communication lines.
6. Please email Mrs. Finnegan: kfinnegan@bmrsd.net with any questions.
Ski Club
For more complete details about the ski club, check out our new page on our school's website at: http://www.bmrsd.net/SkiClub.aspx
Yearbook
This year, we have partnered with Jostens to bring you a high-quality, full-color 2017-2018 yearbook.
Yearbooks can be ordered online by clicking here, or printing and filling out this form and returning it to the main office with payment.
In addition, this year we are offering yearbook recognition ads. Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. To purchase your ad, follow the instructions on the form. Click here to access and print the form. Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines on the bottom of this form during the creation of your ad online. All ad orders must be placed online by 1/31/2018. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Tasker at stasker@bmrsd.net.
Photos Wanted
Great Kindness Challenge - January 22nd to 26th
The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible on campus. Using the provided checklist of 50 kind acts, students accept the challenge and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!
Homework
https://sites.google.com/bmrsd.net/homework/home.
Please note: TeacherWeb (previous homework website) is shutting down as of 12/31/17. In order to make the transition easier, we are not using it at the start of this school year so that we do not have to change it in the middle of the school year.
If your child needs help, teachers are available Monday to Thursday to help your child for 15 minutes after school. If you book an appointment, they are available for 30 minutes. Please email your child(ren)'s teacher to book an appointment.
Community News - Blackstone Public Library - YA Librarian Mrs. DelVecchio
Pay Online for School Lunch
You can view the account balance, see what was purchased, and schedule automatic payments if you wish.
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, January 3rd
- 3:30 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- 4:45 pm - Boys' Basketball Home Game
- All Lunches - Trivia Day - Kahoot Game
- 9 am - District Attorney Presentation - Bullying/Harrassment
- 9:45 am - District Attorney Presentation - Bullying/Harrassment
- 3:30 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser Begins - DC Trip students only
- Second Payment for Washington DC trip Due
- 6 pm - BMR Auditorium - School Committee/Town Joint Meeting - School Budget
- No School - Professional Day for Staff
- 3:30 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 2:45 pm to 3:30 pm - Tea with Team - Grade 7 only
- 3:30 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- 3:30 pm - Boys' Basketball Home Game
- 6 pm to 10 pm - Rock In, Lock In - Grade 7 only
Monday, January 22nd
- Great Kindness Challenge Week Begins
- 3:30 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- 5 pm - School Council Meeting
- 6 pm - PTO Meeting
- Otis Spunkmeyer Cookie Dough Fundraiser Ends - DC Trip students only
- 3:30 pm - Boys' Basketball Home Game
- Second Quarter Ends
- Great Kindness Challenge Week Ends
- 3:30 pm - Boys' Basketball Home Game
- 4:45 pm - Girls' Basketball Home Game
- ACCESS testing
- ACCESS testing
- ACCESS testing
- Second Quarter Report Cards Sent Home
- 3:30 pm - Boys' Basketball Home Game
- 8 am - 6th Grade Honor Roll Breakfast/Wax Museum
- 8 am - 7th/8th Grades Honor Roll Breakfast
Be sure to visit our school web site to view our school events calendar.
ABC's of Student Success
When kids face obstacles that seem insurmountable, parents must be there to:
- encourage children to have high - but achievable - expectations
- ask children How do you eat an elephant? (one bite at a time) That's how people face obstacles, too. Help your children divide and conquer their obstacles.
- help children recall past experiences. Emphasize their accomplishments. Use those memories to build kids' confidence as they "keep their eyes on the prize"
Math @ Home
The Game of Pig
Roll a single die. How many dots do you see? If you wish, keep rolling and keep a running total of your rolls, but if you roll a 1, you score 0 for that round. The key is to roll as many times as you can without getting a 1. For older kids, play with two dice. If 1 comes up on both die, then your score is 0 for that round.
-EducationWorld.com
Parent Pointers
- Children value the things they see their parents value. Let your children see you reading.
- Plan a weekly Family Reading Night or an evening when you go to the public library. Show you value reading by maintaining the routine.
- Give books as gifts.
- Visit web sites of your child's favorite characters, books, and authors.
School-wide Ongoing Fundraisers
BoxTops - You can find the tops on participating products. Cut out the top and have your child bring it to school. We earn 10 cents for each top collected. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a listing of products.
Stop & Shop A Plus Program - Register your rewards card to help us earn $$. Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online USE SCHOOL ID: 07080 or dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone.
Amazon - Please click here to shop on Amazon.com. A small percentage of what you purchase will go to the Hartnett Middle School PTO to help support field trips, assemblies, special events, and after school programming. It is the same Amazon.com you may use, with a small percentage supporting middle school students.
About FWHMS
Email: tcurt@bmrsd.net
Website: http://www.bmrsd.net/frederick_home.aspx
Location: 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA, United States
Phone: 508-876-0190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwhms2003
Twitter: @fwhms2003