Unami United
February 13, 2017
Dear Unami Parents, Guardians & Students,
On February 16, all professional staff will hear from one of the leading experts on adolescent anxiety. Dr. Dahlsgaard presented to CB parents last year as part of our Parent Positive speaker series.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard
Katherine K. Dahlsgaard, Ph.D., ABPP is Lead Psychologist at the Anxiety Behaviors Clinic (ABC) and Director of the Picky Eaters Clinic, Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She is board certified in cognitive and behavioral psychology and is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania and New York with expertise in cognitive-behavioral therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. Dr. Dahlsgaard specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders in young people.
We hope you enjoy our letter!
Unami United,
Mrs. Lang
Principal
INSTRUCTIONAL SPOTLIGHTS
This year, along with our newsletter, we will be "tweeting" out photos and 144 character descriptions of all the fabulous happenings in our community. You can easily filter these "tweets" by using the district's new CB Mobile App.
CREATING OUR OWN SPANISH TOWN...
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GEOGRAPHY AFICIANADOS!
The National Geographic Bee is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society, designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. Students from 10,000 schools across the United States are competing in the 2017 National Geographic Bee for a chance to win college scholarships and the glory of being the National Geographic Bee Champion.
Please join us in congratulating Unami's 2016-17 top three student finalists!
3rd Place - Trevor B. - 7th Grade
2nd Place - Hannah B. - 8th Grade
1st Place/Champion - James G. - 7th Grade
FRENCH CLUB BAKE SALE FOR HAITI..
During the week of February 6 to February 10 the French Club students participated in a Bake Sale for Haiti. This is the 4th consecutive year for French Club selling baked goods for one dollar and donating the money to Outreach International. The donated money will be used to build schools, furnish them, and supply clean drinking water to students in Haiti. French Club members sign up to bring in food, and to sell it after school from 2:30 to 3pm. French Club calls this week “Love your international neighbors week”. Due to the snow day on February 9, the students will give it one more day’s effort and sell on Tuesday February 14. It looks like the students have raised about $500, but they hope to beat last year’s numbers by selling on Tuesday. Thank you to all students and parents involved in helping to donate to this worthy cause.
360 DEGREEE VIEW OF HISTORY
Students in Mrs. Weaver’s 9th grade classroom used virtual reality coupled with the touch screen laptops to complete a 360 degree view of history. After studying the various battles in WWII, students researched primary sources to compare and contrast the past battle sites to present day. After viewing primary source images of their battle sites during WWII, students utilized Google Cardboard to virtually “fly” to their battle site to see what it looks like in the present day. This allowed students to explore such themes as recovery from war, the will to persevere and nation building. To conclude the lesson, students were asked to reflect on a quote and apply it to what they witnessed through the primary source images and by virtually visiting the sites.
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: Tegan M. and Maeve M. experiment with shapes used in construction.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS HONORS BAND CONCERT
to connect to our CBSD Music Twitter account and view a snippet of the concert!
BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK
We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day here in the library with our “Blind Date with a Book.” It didn’t work out with this book? It’s simply not for you? No problem! Just bring it back to the library, it’s feelings won’t be hurt.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY NEWS...
Current 8th/9th grade students with a rolling cumulative GPA above a 3.50 received an application for the National Junior Honor Society to their CB emails this week (current 9th grade members did not receive an e-mail). The National Junior Honor Society recognizes students with outstanding academics as well as individuals that exhibit high qualities of leadership, character, service and citizenship.
The application requires students to complete a resume, write an essay, request two teacher recommendations as well as a recommendation letter from an adult that knows the individual well. Students must request the teacher recommendations by Tuesday, February 14th. Students must submit the student resume, essay, teacher signature form and recommendation letter from an adult to Ms. Adams, Ms. Timko, or drop it off in the main office by the end of the day on February 23, 2017.
CB LOGO CONTEST
Students: Consider entering the CB logo contest!
The district is redesigning our logo and website for a fresh, contemporary look and feel. We are holding a logo design contest open to all Central Bucks students, K-12. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship. The deadline is March 3 at 8 a.m. You can read more here. Please send any questions to Brian Merrill at bmerrill@cbsd.org.
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
The Program Planning process for 7th and 8th grade is underway. Students attended grade level assemblies this week to provide them with info about the process and important dates.
Teachers are having conversations with students about their recommendations for next years academic courses. Rising 8th graders can add Advanced English, Social Studies and/or Science to their schedule as appropriate, and rising 9th graders now have the opportunity to be recommended for Honors level courses.
7th and 8th Grade Program Planning
Both 7th and 8th grade students need to decide if they are continuing with their involvement in Performing Music classes (Band, Chorus and Orchestra). Beyond the music selection, 7th graders will be placed in electives according to need, assuring they experience all five of the required courses at least once in 7th/8th grade. 8th graders moving to 9th will be scheduled for PE/ Health in order to earn 0.5 credit of the required 1.0 credit needed to graduate. Beyond PE, they will have choice of 1 (Music) or 2 electives (see list) opposite PE.
Parents of 8th grade students - please ask your student for the Electives Course Selection sheet they were given to take home and share with you this weekend. They will be registering for their electives choices in Science class on Monday, Feb. 6.
Please visit the Unami Guidance webpage for more information or email or call Mrs. Houpert or Mrs. Mallon with any questions.
For even more specific information please visit:
The 2017-2018 Grades 9-12 Program of Studies can be found by clicking here.9TH GRADE PROGRAM PLANNING
MIDDLE BUCKS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
All student's considering attending MBIT are encouraged to set up an appointment to "Shadow" an MBIT student during a typical school day. Appointments to shadow can be made by contacting Lauren Doherty, School Counselor at MBIT via email at ldoherty@mbit.org or call 215-343-8626 X243. MBIT applications are due to MBIT by April 1, 2017.
8TH GRADE PROGRAM PLANNING - 9TH GRADE HONORS COURSES
The 2017-2018 9-12 Program of Studies can be found on our website at http://www.cbsd.org/domain/387
ENERGY AND GAMING DRINKS
Energy and performance drinks are often attractive to adolescents. The promise of quick energy, increased athletic endurance and/or game performance is difficult to resist. Unfortunately, teenagers often do not know the potential risks of consuming these drinks.
Caffeine in large amounts can cause altered cardiac function, muscle tremors, stomach upset, headaches and irritability. Drinks may contain ingredients like taurine and guarana which are also stimulants adding to the adverse effects. When teenagers ingest these on an empty stomach or in powder form, the potential for dangerous side effects increases.
The following links from National Institutes of Health and The American Academy of Pediatrics provide more in-depth information and risks of energy drinks and performance enhancing substances.
Energy Drinks
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/energy-drinks
Performance Enhancing Substances https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports/Pages/Performance-Enhancing-Substances.aspx
CB CARES
The partnership between CBCEF and the Central Bucks School District is long-standing. Since its inception, CBCEF has been involved in promoting the 40 Developmental Assets in our local schools through programs and trainings, with the goal of fostering positive behaviors and values in our community’s youth. At the present time, there are many active school programs which represent the mission of CBCEF - serving as a community catalyst by engaging, empowering, and linking people, organizations and businesses in the community.
Congratulations again to Unami's own, Connor W! Check out his accomplishments in February's Backpack! Click here for the latest Backpack Newsflash.
ARAMARK STUDENT SURVEY
We’re all ears!! Your feedback is important the cafeteria is conducting the Student Viewpoint survey; it is a web based survey. They need a minimum of 60 students from our school to participate. If you take the survey you will receive a cookie and if at least 60 students participate you will have the chance to win a $50.00 Wawa gift card. They want to hear your voice so they can make the cafeteria the best it can be. The survey ends February 14th. Go to www.studentvp.com/CBSD.
Thanks and let your voice be heard.
FUTURE READY...
Future Ready - Feedback Wanted Central Bucks School District is beginning a comprehensive analysis of how we use technology in our classrooms, as part of an exciting nationwide initiative called Future Ready, and we need your input. For more information, click here for a message from Superintendent John Kopicki.
BROADWAY CARE EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS BENEFIT CONCERT
The CB East Patriot Players will once again host a BCEFA Benefit Concert on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00pm in the East auditorium. East, South West, Holicong, Tamanend, Unami and Lenape will present selections from their spring musicals: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Big Fish, Catch Me If You Can, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Guys and Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress, Crazy For You .
In addition, there will be a silent auction of Broadway memorabilia. Admission is $5, and tickets will only be available at the door on the night of the show.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
February 16, 17 - No School for Students - Professional In-Service for Teachers
February 20 - No School for Students - Presidents' Day
February 23 - Parent Council at 9AM
March 3, 4, 5 - Unami Musical "Once Upon a Mattress"
March 7 - Middle School Orientation for 6th grade parents @ 7PM
*For more details please visit the Unami website
2016-17 District Calendar
Click here for one-page calendar and monthly calendar of events.
Fundraise for Unami While You Shop-- A Fantastic Way to Support Your School!
If you use the following vendors, please think about supporting UMS while you shop:
- If you shop at Target and have a Target Red Card, you can register your card for Target's Take Charge of Education program so that Unami receives a percentage of your spending. Thank you to all Target shoppers!
- Giant Food Store has an A+ School Rewards program through their clip-less coupon card. Note, each year you need to reselect Unami so that your shopping benefits UMS.
- Clip and send in Box Tops to the attention of NJHS; or, shop at the Box Top Market Place where you will find vendors such as Best Buy, KMart, Justice and more.
- If you like to shop online, check out the eScrip Online Mall. When you sign up for an account, selecting Unami earns money for our school.
Follow @ CBSDInfo on Twitter
Follow Central Bucks School District @CBSDInfo for up-to-the-minute notifications of school delays, closures and emergencies
Unami Middle School
Email: cbsdunami@cbsd.org
Website: cbsd.org/unamims
Location: 160 S. Moyer Road, Chalfont, PA
Phone: 267-893-3400