ABMS Weekly News
**Updated with Bond Information** October 28, 2022
This Week's Tireless Teacher
Photography Club's Photo of the Week
"Lens Flare" by Sarina Ahmad
NEW - Musical Matinee for Our Students
November 3rd and November 4th our Musical cast and crew will put on a Musical Matinee for our students of Shrek Jr.. This is during the school day and is for students only. The parents/guardians and school community are invited to the evening shows.
Nov 3rd Matinee is for our 5th grade and 6th grade. This will start around either 9:00 or 9:15
Nov 4th is for 7th and 8th grade and will start at either 8:00 a.m. or 8:15 (exact start time will be share prior)
The Matinee will last around 75 minutes.
NEW - No School on October 31st
NEW - Spirit Week
Tuesday Nov 1: PJ Day
Wednesday Nov 2: Decade Day Staff - 90’s, 6th grade - 80’s, 7th grade- 70’s, 8th grade- 60’s
Thursday Nov 3: Tie Dye Day
Friday Nov 4: ABMS Spirit Wear day OR 6th grade - wears silver, 7th grade - wears black, 8th grade - wears green or everyone wears ABMS gear.
NEW - MUSICAL Update - IT'S SHOW WEEK!
Reminders for show week:
- Dress Rehearsals are Tuesday and Wednesday night til 6:30pm!!! Please have a ride at 6:30! (Cast, Sound crew, light crew, curtain crew, set movers, and hair/makeup crew)
- All cast need a plastic tub on Tuesday with their name on it (piece of tape with their name sharpied on works great. They will store them at school during show week. In the tub should be anything they need for their costume:
- base layer (like shorts/shirt/tank top)
- shoes
- socks/tights
- makeup
- DEODORANT
- hair stuff (brush, bobby pins, hair ties)
- TICKETS are on sale now for ANYONE who would like to see the show: https://bluevalley.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?schools=37
**CREW STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TICKETS. They will be backstage or seated in a crew section together.
- Show shirts were handed out this week. We will wear them on show days (Thursday and Friday Nov. 3-4). If you did not order one, you can wear a black shirt, an ABMS shirt, or anything you want! We traditionally have worn pj pants to school that week. That is totally optional for all cast and crew.
- PIZZA PARTY: OPTIONAL on November 4. All cast and crew are invited to stay after our last show on Nov. 4 until 10pm. PLEASE pick them up at 10pm =)
- DVDs: OPTIONAL - We have the rights to film and sell DVDs of this show! If you are interested in purchasing copies, please fill out the form below and return by Nov. 10:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17YcqKb4aetJkkukhIjxSm2Drz-MviiX3/view?usp=sharing
- CREW: all info is posted on the SHREK Canvas page. You can also find your crew assignment and crew calendar here: https://sites.google.com/view/abmsmusical/products-services?authuser=0
All questions - please contact Kim Vail, the director, at KSVail@bluevalleyk12.org
NEW - Spring Play Auditions Coming Soon
Auditions for the Spring Play are quickly approaching! Please note the important information and dates below. Next week, Garcia will begin handing out paper copies of the audition/signup packets. Please check the website tinyurl.com/abmsspringplay for more information, including all packets that students can print at home if they do not receive a copy from Garcia. Once the cast and crew are decided, be on the lookout for more information through a Canvas page all involved will be invited to join. This is how directors will communicate important information to the company and their families.
- To audition for a speaking role in the show:
- Students must find and prepare a 1 minute monologue to present at their audition time.
- Students must sign up for an audition time slot on the board outside of Mr. Garcia’s classroom (room 171). Audition times are in 2 minute time slots.
- Students must arrive to their audition early to be prepared and ready to audition for the directors.
- Students must complete the Spring Play Audition form and bring it with them to their rehearsal time. Right before they take the stage to present their monologue, they should hand their packet to the directors. This packet is due right before they go onstage for their audition.
- Find helpful tips, tricks, guidelines, and resources for monologues in the audition packet.
- To signup to be in the crew for the play:
- Students must complete and submit a Crew Signup form and submit it to Mr. Garcia in room 171 before Friday, November 18.
- To signup to be a Student Director/Stage Manager:
- Students must be 8th graders to apply for these positions with extra responsibility and commitment.
- Students must fill out a SD/SM Application form and submit it before Friday, November 18.
- Students must have two teachers who have known them for a year minimum fill out the Teacher Recommendation form attached to the SD/SM Application form.
NEW - Learn More About Bond 2023
All registered Blue Valley voters will have an opportunity to vote in a no tax rate increase bond election in January 2023. Bond projects include investments in facilities, safety and technology that will benefit staff and students for years to come.
Here are a few ways to learn more about the bond and how it will impact our school.
- School-specific projects: Learn more about the projects that will impact our school and other schools in our attendance area. School-specific project lists are available on the left-hand side of the Bond 2023 website.
- Bond 2023 Informational Video: Watch an informational video that highlights the opportunity to invest in facilities, safety and technology projects through Bond 2023.
- What is a bond?: Want to learn a little more about what a bond is? Watch a short video that breaks it down in a easy to understand format.
- Website: Review the Bond 2023 website for information about voting, answers to frequently asked questions and more.
- Register to Vote: All registered Blue Valley voters will automatically receive a mail ballot around January 11. Not a registered voter? Register online.
NEW - From 6th Grade
ELA:
ELA students started reading the class novel titled, Amal Unbound. We read chapters 1-8 and analyzed the main idea and the plot line for these chapters. Students also worked on writing summaries. ELA classes attended a Book Fair Preview in the library on Thursday. We are scheduled to go back next Wednesday, November 2nd to the Book Fair for students to purchase books if they desire. As an option, we are encouraging students to bring money this day to purchase books that interest them.
SS:
Social studies classes talked about ancient Egyptian politics and religion this week. We participated in a “tour” of important sites along the Nile. Next week we will be having some fun reviewing everything we’ve learned about Egypt by playing a couple of different games.
Math:
Math classes will continue to work through our unit two learning targets next week. We will start the week by comparing and ordering rational numbers. Please see the attached family letter for more information about this lesson.
Science:
Science classes focused on lunar phases this week and ended the week with a quick verbal assessment over these phases. We will continue our examination of our Moon next week with more emphasis on eclipses.
NEW - From 7th Grade
ELA:
Seventh grade students had a Book Fair Preview Presentation on Wednesday of this week. We will go to the library on Thursday, November 3rd to select/purchase books. Students are continuing to read Touching Spirit Bear and have identified changes in the main character, Cole Matthews. He is a dynamic character, and they have noted this through evidence in the text.
SS:
Social Studies students have been learning how to analyze population pyramids and determining challenges countries face with both rapid population growth and negative population growth. For their assessment, they will be looking at population trends of a country of their choice over a 100 year time period.
Integrated Math:
We are assessing simplifying expressions this week. Next week will be moving into solving 2 step equations. Our Algebra Unit is an important part of future Math skills for students.
Advanced Math:
We are working on simplifying expressions and will be starting multi-step equations using like terms and distributive property
Science:
This week we continued to review the cell cycle (mitosis & meiosis) and took an assessment to check for understanding. We also started learning about the cell processes of diffusion and osmosis. Next week we have another station rotation to help with these concepts.
NEW - From 8th Grade
ELA:
We will delve deeper into the twisted depths of Edgar Allan Poe’s work as students attempt to borrow elements of his writing style to craft their own “POE”try.
SS:
Continuing “America: Age of Expansion” Unit. Students are using evidence to build claims on how justifiable westward expansion was. Students are also participating in skits that illustrate how key territories were acquired.
Math 8:
We will continue our work with identifying functions from a table, graph and set of ordered pairs.
Algebra: We are wrapping up Unit 2: Solving multi-step equations this week. Our Unit 2 (Part 2) Assessment will be held Wednesday, Nov 2nd for both Cook and Willson’s classes.
Science:
This week we will begin working on properties of matter. The first property we will study is density.
General News:
Musical performers and stage crew will present the matinees on Thursday for 5th and 6th graders and Friday of 7th and 8th graders.
NEW - From Elective Classes
ABMS 7th & 8th Grade Choirs will perform at Crown Center on December 15th at 5:00pm and 5:45pm. Plan a family outing to come join us!
NEW - PTO Oh What A Wolverine Activity Night!
BIG SHOUT OUT TO RITI CANTU AND ALL THE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED MAKE WOLVERINE ACTIVITY NIGHT THE BEST ONE YET! This year's attendance was bigger than we can remember! It was great to see students dance the night away to DJ Kirk Dutcher, brought to you by Klein and Walker Orthodontics. In addition to dancing, we loved watching the students play basketball, compete at ping pong, do some karaoke, and play board games!! And who can forget the great (and busy) concessions!! Thank you, thank you for making this night at success!! Stay tuned for our spring WAN!
Congratulations to the ABMS Football Team! Last game of the season is Tuesday 25th!
Please help support our team and come watch some and volunteer some in our fabulous concession stand! Proceeds benefit all our students and staff through the PTO!
Not able to come for football? Join us Wed 26th for some wrestling starting at 5pm!
See the sign up genius below to help out!
Go Wolverines!
NEW - PTO Busy Busy Busy
This is a busy time of year with sports, the musical, and the book fair! We could really use your help! Remember that students can help as well as long as there is one adult with in the stand! Students can get volunteer hours, even counts for National Honors Society!
BOOK FAIR~ October 28th, November 1-4th
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C48AFA72CA2FB6-book2
MUSICAL~ November 3-4th
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4DABAE22A6FC1-abms2.
WINTER SPORTS CONCESSIONS
NEW - PTO Extended Days for Spirit Wear
Spirit Wear store is live and ready for you! Why is Spirit Wear so important? This is your chance to show pride in your child's school at their next event. Nothing beats your kid seeing you from the stands or audience showing how proud you are of them. But they won't be here much longer so don't miss out! Get ready for your child's event at Aubry Bend with any of our spirit wear selection that is comfortable, stylish and easily affordable so you can have the best!
NEW - PTO Update on BVFE
Blue Valley Educational Foundation hosted the third Women’s Giving Circle event on October 18th, and it was a great success! The group heard 3 presentations from Blue Valley teachers and collectively funded a $15,000 grant to Blue Valley High School for a Green House Aquaponics System. The grant will fully equip a greenhouse at BVHS currently being acquired. The greenhouse will be operated by students and includes growth plans to be added to the natural areas in development at BVHS, BVN, and BVNW. The greenhouse will be operated with an innovative agricultural practice of aquaponics, complete with Koi.
BVEF is working on securing a date and location for the spring Women’s Giving Circle in April 2023, so stay tuned for more information on that!
REVIEW - 8th Grade PSAT Test Date
Each year Blue Valley Middle Schools offer the PSAT 8 to 8th grade students to be taken during the academic school day. The PSAT 8 is the 8th grade version of the PSAT National Merit scholarship test given to high school juniors, and further serves as practice for future standardized testing events. It also provides students/families information about their child’s academic progress. ABMS will have all 8th grade students take this test the morning of November 15th. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments during the morning hours from 7:51am - 11:15am as the test will be administered during this time. There are no makeups for this test if a student misses the testing window. There is also no ability to start the test late or finish the test at a later time. More information will be shared in the coming weeks about this assessment.
REVIEW - The Countdown to the Book Fair is ON!
SAVE THE DATE 📣 Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon to ABMS, with hundreds of awesome book options for students to choose! Students can shop at our in-person Scholastic Book Fair November 1st-4th! You can shop at our online book fair from November 1st-14th! Every purchase supports our school library!
Visit out ABMS Library Book Fair Website for more information:
To help make this event run smoothly, we are looking for volunteers to help! Please use the link below to sign up for a volunteer spot.
REVIEW - Clubs at the Bend
REVIEW - PTO Social Media
Please follow ABMS PTO on:
ABMS PTO FACEBOOK PAGE - @AubryBendMSPTO
ABMS PTO INSTAGRAM PAGE. @ABMSPTO
ABMS PTO TWITTER PAGE @AbmsPto