Canaan Middle School Update

December 2, 2022

Principal Corner

Canaan Families,

I hope this message finds everyone healthy and warm as we move into the cold season. We are quickly approaching Winter Break but we have a lot to accomplish before then. First, we have Winter MAP assessments coming up between now and the end of January. This assessment was given in the fall and is given a third time in the spring. This assessment is one of the ways to see how students are progressing academically. You should have received the results from the Fall assessment with your student's grade card. Once all assessments are complete, we will send home the Winter results as well.


On December 12th and 13th, 6th-grade students will be taking part in SOS lessons. Students take part in this lesson in Middle School, Junior High, and High School. All 6th-grade students have received a paper copy with more information on SOS and also an email with the same document has been sent to all 6th grade families.


Also always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you all for partnering with us



Mr. Walter, Principal

Canaan Middle School

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5th Grade Update

Students had a great experience visiting the “Think Big” space at JAHS. Activities provided students with several engaging opportunities to extend their technological skills. Activities included coding robots to travel down a number line with fractions, and then adding the fractions together to compute the total distance traveled. Students created a character for a story using coding blocks, Bloxels, and invented food webs using Sam Lab blocks. Students also created their own video games using a program called “Hour of Code” which is age appropriate, and can be used at home, and it’s FREE!

6th Grade Update

Before Thanksgiving break, students participated in their first PBL ( Project Based Learning) activity. Students were challenged with trying to build the tallest, free standing tower that they could with only pipe cleaners. Teams had 30 minutes to build, but they had many challenges that they had to overcome. At one point students were only able to build with one hand, and later on they also couldn't communicate with each other. It was fun to see students work through the challenges and the creativity they used when coming up with their structure. Take a look at some of their work!

Counselor’s Corner - Mrs. Hein

Fifth graders recently had the opportunity to view the Great Job video series, featuring real Ohio professionals who provided a behind-the-scenes look at their exciting careers. Students enjoyed learning about some of Ohio’s fastest-growing careers: Biomedical Engineer, Radiologist, Machinist, Prosthetic Specialist, and Sonographer to name a few.

Band Concert Information and A message from the Band Boosters

Our Winter Band Concert for 5th and 6th Grade is Thursday, December 8th at 7 pm in the JAHS Gym. Please see your student's Canvas announcements for details or the letter sent home with them this week.

Canvas Access

Canvas is a Learning Management System that is used at grades 5-12 at Jonathan Alder. You and your student will find a lot of information about the school and your students classroom through this platform. It is VERY important to stay connected and log on to Canvas. This link should help you log on and explain Canvas.

Upcoming Important Dates

December 6th: Canaan PTO Meeting at 7 PM

December 8th: Canaan Middle School Band Concert at the HS at 7 PM

December 21st-January 2nd: Winter Break

Mark Your Calendar

Families: Please add the following dates to your calendar. Our staff will be taking part in Professional Development meetings on the following dates and students will NOT be in school.


Tuesday, Jan 17, 2023

Friday, March 3, 2023

#youmatterJA

About Us

About Us

About Us

7055 U.S. 42, Plain City, OH, USA walterro@japioneers.org 614-873-5621 alder.k12.oh.us/canaanmiddleschool_home.aspx