Aubry Bend Weekly News
Friday, September 11, 2020
Calendar
Clarity and Simplicity
- In-Person Learners – Students enrolled to come to ABMS in person
- Distance Learning – In-person learners at home due to gating criteria
- Virtual Learner - Students enrolled full-time in virtual classes and will not return to the building even if the gating criteria changes
VirtualEd Learners will receive more information regarding scheduling from the district’s VirtualEd team early next week.
Back to School Night 20-21
We’re excited to host our Back to School Night for 20-21! Tuesday, September 15 families will receive an email with links to short pre-recorded video presentations from each staff member. Join us by tuning in to the videos of your student’s teachers. Although we can’t wait to meet you in person, we want to introduce ourselves to you now. The links will be live all year long, so even when electives change at quarter or semester, you’ll still have access to meet the teacher. The video link will also be available on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.
Chromebook Support
Chromebook Update: Many Chromebook issues can be fixed simply by updating the Chromebook and restarting the device. The following video link will give a step-by-step explanation on how to update your student's device: Chromebook Update Tutorial
Camera Issues: If you are experiencing problems with your Chromebook's camera, and you have already updated your Chromebook, this video will show you how to check your Chromebook's camera settings: Chromebook Camera Settings
Modified Block Schedule for In-Person Learners
- Students will use the schedule below on Green and Silver Days.
- Elective classes meet each day.
- Core classes (ELA, Science, Social Studies and Math) are longer periods and meet on a rotation of two cores each day.
PTO News...
· ABMS MASKS -THANK YOU to everyone who ordered masks. The orders are being processed and will be ready to ship and/or pick up in a couple of weeks. We will keep you updated!
· SPIRITWEAR - Thank you for everyone who placed an order! We should be receiving the items around September 4 and will be reaching out to coordinate distribution.
· PTO Volunteers - We have a few openings on our PTO and would love to see them filled. Please reach out to aubrybendpto@gmail.com with any questions. Visit the sign up to see which spots are available... https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44abac23aafc1-20202021
· Invest in ABMS/PTO membership - Any and all support is very much appreciated!! Log into ParentVue to donate.
· AMAZON SMILE - Did you know you can support ABMS by shopping through Amazon Smile? It's an easy way to help, but you must shop through our link.
· "BE IN THE KNOW WITH ABMS PTO"- Be sure to follow us on FB (@AubryBendMSPTO) and twitter (@AbmsPto).
· MEETING - Our next PTO meeting will be via zoom on September 18 at 9:00am. Contact aubrybendpto@gmail.com for the meeting invite.
· DIRECTORY - It is time again for our student directory cover design contest!
PTO Cover Design Contest
Library Updates
We’re happy to announce that beginning the week of Monday, 9/21 we will be offering Curbside Checkout to all ABMS Distance Learners. For this process students will place checkout “holds” through our online catalog. Students can browse the catalog and hold up to 3 library books. Once the hold is placed we will process the books and email your child through Canvas & their school email account when they’re ready. Pick up days will be on Tues & Thurs. The items will be wrapped and held on a cart in the ABMS main entrance vestibule. Students will learn the process of placing a hold during their ELA classes. You may view a video on the Library webpage that explains this easy process. Virtual Learners will begin Curbside Checkout the week of Oct 1st.
6th Grade News...
Welcome to ABMS! We are so glad you are here and we were very excited to see your smiling faces these past couple of days! We can’t wait to get to know you better as we embark on the 2020-2021 school year! Thank you for a great first week.
Chromebook Update: Many Chromebook issues can be fixed simply by updating the Chromebook and restarting the device. The following video link will give a step-by-step explanation on how to update your student's device: Chromebook Update Tutorial
Camera Issues: If you are experiencing problems with your Chromebook's camera, and you have already updated your Chromebook, this video will show you how to check your Chromebook's camera settings: Chromebook Camera Settings
7th Grade News...
ELA:
We are excited to meet all of our new students! This has been a different start to the year, but it's been fun nonetheless. Right now we are acclimating to Zoom and Canvas modules. Here's to a great school year!
Science:
This week, 7th grade science had fun getting to know each other by creating virtual lab coats, and focusing on the importance of a growth mindset. Next week we will explore how good scientists make claims supported by evidence, and "How Science Works". Enjoy your weekend!
Math:
7th grade math has really enjoyed getting to know our students this week! Next week, we will learn how to collaborate on mathematics with our classmates in Google Slides, and assess what we remember from previous years. Thanks for an amazing first week!
Social Studies:
It has been wonderful connecting with the kids again, even if virtually! We enjoyed getting to know each other this week. Next week we will look at the importance of learning history and geography. It is "Celebrate Freedom Week" and we will have learning activities to explain our Constitution.
Chromebook Update: Many Chromebook issues can be fixed simply by updating the Chromebook and restarting the device. The following video link will give a step-by-step explanation on how to update your student's device: Chromebook Update Tutorial
Camera Issues: If you are experiencing problems with your Chromebook's camera, and you have already updated your Chromebook, this video will show you how to check your Chromebook's camera settings: Chromebook Camera Settings
8th Grade News...
Farris Science:
30-45 second Introduction Video. The scientific method.
8th Grade ELA:
We have had a wonderful week getting to know our students!!! Next week we will be focusing on elements of narrative fiction, literary analysis, and close reading.
Math: Algebra 1 & Math 8:
We will get diving into some mathematical mindset activities this week. This will be to get kids thinking about math ideas in multiple ways and will be the foundation for what we take into all of our units for the year.
Social Studies:
Students will be exploring the American Ideals. Opportunity, Liberty, Democracy, Equality & Rights. These ideals were what the country was founded on and will come through in various ways throughout our study of American History this year. This week we will focus on defining the ideals and what they meant to the country at its founding, as well as the meaning for us now. It is also Freedom Week which celebrates the Constitution every year. We will use these ideals to begin our study of the Constitution.
Chromebook Update: Many Chromebook issues can be fixed simply by updating the Chromebook and restarting the device. The following video link will give a step-by-step explanation on how to update your student's device: Chromebook Update Tutorial
Camera Issues: If you are experiencing problems with your Chromebook's camera, and you have already updated your Chromebook, this video will show you how to check your Chromebook's camera settings: Chromebook Camera Settings
From the Desk of Mrs. Tate...
We did it! What a week! It was so awesome to see our kids’ smiling faces this week. I can’t tell you how many times this week I heard a teacher say how wonderful it was to finally see kids faces and interact with them. We are so happy to be back “in” school!
I know we had some technical, last minute difficulties that caused frustration for some of our families, and I sincerely apologize for that. It is never our intent to cause anyone to be anxious or worried about school. Sometimes, though, things out of our control cause us to take a hard left turn to plan B. I know our plan B may not have been perfect, but it was the best we could do with the time we had to prepare.
From the Zooms I attended with kids and teachers this week, I’m calling our start a success. Was it perfect? No. Did we do the best we could with the time and tools we had? Yes. Kids met their teachers and interacted with them to start building those important teacher/student relationships, and that’s what’s most important to me this week. We want our kids to know that they’re important to us and that we want to build/rebuild the relationships with them. Through those relationships, we will build a community and atmosphere – no matter the location – that supports their learning and well-being throughout the entire school year.
It is important to me to acknowledge and thank our families! I know this is hard on you, too. Parents, guardians, and siblings are working together at home in new ways never envisioned, and it’s going to take time to get into a routine. Thank you for the support and encouragement you’re providing to our students; we are so thankful for our partnership.
Finally, thank you for the kindness and support so many of you have shared via email, phone calls and social media. You have no idea how much one kind comment can lift our spirits as we try to accomplish something we’ve never done before.
We are a strong community that cares for each other, and we won’t let any obstacle tear that apart. We take our responsibility seriously. You can depend on us. 20-21 is going to be an awesome school year!
Thank you for joining us on this wonderful journey!
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Aubry Bend Middle School
Email: AubryBendMiddle@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: www.bluevalleyk12.org/ABM
Location: 12501 West 175th Street, Overland Park, KS, USA
Phone: 913-624-2300
Facebook: facebook.com/AubryBendMiddle
Twitter: @ABMSWolverines