FWHMS Family Newsletter
Connecting Families to School - March 2018
National School Breakfast Week - March 5th to March 9th
Want to win a bike? A bike will be raffled to one student who purchases breakfast from March 5th to March 9th. On Friday, March 9th, Join Superintendent Himmelberger for breakfast! He will be serving the students breakfast that day.
After-School Clubs Update
Winter Session Update
Next week (week of 3/5) was to be the official last meetings of the winter clubs. The following have extended meetings beyond next week's classes due to cancellation from snow or missed days.
Board Game Club - 3/14 and 3/21
Coding Club - 3/13
Lego Club - 3/15
Movie Making Club - 3/15 and 3/22
Off-Season Sports Training Club - 3/14 and 3/21
Photography Club - 3/12
Spring Clubs
Parents will be send a OneCall email on March 9th with the link to sign up for the clubs. We will have two clubs running for this session: Friends of the Library and Creative Writing Club.
Grade 6 Happenings
Intriguing Books
Mrs. Tasker once again planned an engaging library activity for students this month. Sixth graders perused selected novels by only being able to see the first sentence of that book. The books were completely covered thus keeping the students intrigued by not knowing the title or author. Once a student selected a novel, he/she was then able to remove the book cover. Students were then pleasantly surprised to find a novel written by a new author that they had never considered reading before or they were delighted to reunite with a familiar author. As we enter our March Madness reading contest sixth graders may use the books they found as part of their weekly reading minutes.
This year’s Wax Museum was another success thanks to all the parents and relatives who attended. Click here to read about our Family Wax Museum that was in the Blackstone Valley Tribune. You will need to scroll down to page 10.
Grade 7 Happenings
Can you believe we are already two months into 2018! We certainly cannot, as time is certainly flying by! We would like to thank the parents who were able to come out and meet with us during our Tea with the Team which took place the week before February break. We are looking forward to meet with more parents/guardians during our next Tea with the Team. Be on the lookout for next invitation.
Before break we has students clean out their lockers, and we reminded them to restock their school supplies. It is very important that they come to class with pencils, pens, and paper.
Prior to break we were also able to celebrate our quarter two Homework Hot Shots which are students who had zero missing or late assignments in all four of their core classes during second quarter. All Hot Shots were invited to a make-your-own sundae party during lunch. We are hoping that our number of Homework Hot Shots continues to grow even more next quarter!
Science is continuing to learn about energy. Students are finishing a unit on thermal energy and then we will start to learn about how energy moves through ecosystems. We will continue to work in our ever-growing interactive notebooks, learn through demonstrations and labs, and will have a brochure making project at the end of the unit. The science teachers are in desperate need of glue sticks! We will also need donations of empty clear 2 liter bottles for a soil erosion demonstration in a few weeks. The STEM classes are building bridges and learning about transportation systems. There are many more fun projects coming up before the end of the third quarter that includes building airborne devices and learning about the binary system. The STEM classes are looking for donations of non-flexible straws and craft sticks. Please consider donating!
In our English Language Art classes we have been learning about the different types of narrative perspective and how to identify them in a fictional text. Students will be using this knowledge to help them read and analyze narrative perspective with the following short stories: “Zoo”, “Ribbons”, “He--y, Come On O--ut!”, and “After Twenty Years”. While reading these short stories students will also be practicing comprehension skills, vocabulary usage, grammar usage, identifying theme, and making predictions and inferences. Prior to February break we started taking notes on and discussing the different types of irony used in fiction. Students always seem to enjoy our study on irony because they have seen examples of irony in a variety of forms, but they never knew the literary technique being used. So, get ready for your student to identify ironic twists and/or endings in everything you say, watch and read! As we delve into our study of irony we will be discussing the ironic twists in the before mentioned short stories. We hope you all had a relaxing and rejuvenating break!
In Math, students have been learning about patterns, specifically arithmetic and geometric progressions, as well as rates and unit rates. The application of rates and unit rates to real-world situations opens up a variety of activities that students can apply to life outside of the classroom. All they need to do is recognize that rates and unit rates are all around them and are very important in making decisions. Just look at the Olympics! Rate of speed was key for many of the downhill skiing events, for all the bobsled, luge and skeleton events, speed skating and much more! The Olympics are a mathematicians dream! Coming in March, setting up and solving proportions, direct variation, percents and percent applications.
In History, students have had a very eventful month. We have studied the twelve major Greek gods and goddesses, delved into the details of Hellenistic Culture and reviewed major events from the first semester. Through their perseverance, students were able to place ancient Minoan, Mycenaean and Greek civilizations in context and visualize the past. We have also gone in depth reviewing Greek Religious Practices, Greek Philosophers, and Scientists. Students wrapped up with a unit assessment featuring a review of the Olympics. We are beginning to discuss the Macedonian take over of Greece and the conquests of Alexander the Great. Soon students will begin a project detailing Alexander's goals and accomplishments.
As always, be sure to check the Homework Page on the school website to keep up with daily work, even if your child is absent.
Grade 8 Happenings
History
The French and Indian War has come to a close with terrific student storyboards! During the months of February and early March, students will explore the very deep subject of American Slavery that coincided with the colonies and rise our new nation. From there, in order to provide background information for the reading of Anne Frank in ELA, we will jump into the 20th century and learn about the Holocaust and its effect on the World. This will culminate with a Holocaust Survivor visit the end of April.
Math
March will bring the culmination of our units on Geometry and Measurement. The tessellation projects are filling the hallways with their beauty! All math classes will be moving onto bivariate data, and will then be starting the very important topic of slope. One of our favorites! Be prepared to see a lot of graphing over the next few months.
ELA
Students will learn a multi-step and complex literary technique (The Hero’s Journey) by reading different genres of literature in addition to analyzing how the concept applies to their own lives as well as pop culture. They will also read The Giver by Lois Lowry.
Science
For the month of March, classes will be continuing with chemistry - the science of particle motion. The topics will include: density, properties of matter, chemical and physical changes, atoms, molecules, compounds and mixtures.
Art Happenings
On Friday, April 6th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, the 12th annual Art in the Valley 2018 student art exhibition will be held at the Hartnett Middle School. The event will begin with a reception and will include light refreshments. The exhibition, featuring artwork created by students in grades K-8 throughout the Blackstone Valley along with their teachers’ artwork, will continue on Saturday, April 7th, 10:00am – 12:00 noon.
Grade K-8 art teachers from throughout the Blackstone Valley have been invited to each submit 15 pieces of student work, representing outstanding achievement in art, which will be displayed along with art created by their teachers. Families, friends, and the general public are invited to attend this exciting event to view incredible works created by these most talented students. The purpose of Art in the Valley is to provide a regional venue for a formal presentation of grade K-8 student works from schools within the Blackstone Valley, both public and private. In addition, the show supports the development of inventive minds while highlighting our school art programs.
Wellness Happenings
Grade 6
Students are completing their goal ladder and are writing their SMART goal. They will participate in a Socratic Circle on the topic of characteristics or qualities that are needed to reach one’s goals. Later in the month students will focus their learning on time management. Essential Questions include the following: “ What do I need to know to manage my time?” “How do I prioritize my to- do- list?” The last unit of study is tobacco, including e- cigarettes. Resource officer Dave Laudon will co-teach the tobacco lessons.
Grade 7
Students have researched a nutrition topic and during the first week of March and will be presenting their work to the class in a 5 minute presentation. You might want to ask your child to be an audience for them to practice their presentation. Ask to see the rubrics which are their guide to success. To end our nutrition unit, students will learn about the sinister science of junk food addiction. Later in the month we will be focusing our learning on Marijuana- myths and facts, and the effects of marijuana on the body. The District’s Resource Officer, Dave Laudon will be co-teaching these lessons.
Grade 8
Be sure to ask your child about their knowledge about alcohol, addiction, and opioids. The District’s Resource Officer, Dave Laudon co-taught these lessons with me. We will be beginning a unit on expressing emotions, conflict resolution, and communication. Essential Questions include, “Why express feelings?” What are healthy ways to express emotions?” “What are some effective conflict management and resolution strategies. Students will participate in a Socratic Circle discussing expressing emotions The last unit of the quarter will focus on safe sun care and skin cancer.
Spanish Happenings
Grade 6
We learned the Spanish alphabet and students made posters and they can spell any word in Spanish. We also learned a song, the students enjoy practicing this song even today, ask them to sing it to you! We also learned the colors and how to use them in sentences. The students will be creating their own book in Spanish in the next week using the colors and animals.
Grades 7 and 8
We learned about where in the world Spanish is spoken and why it is such an important language to learn. We are currently learning the countries and capitals of the Spanish speaking world. We also learned and developed basic conversations. The students asked and answered questions of their classmates to get basic information about each other.
Spanish 1
Students are able to have conversations, using a multitude of verbs. In groups, students conjugated -ar verbs, creating posters to demonstrate their vast vocabulary. We also learned how to explain in Spanish the location of items in a classroom and a school, we read maps and followed directions in Spanish! We just started a new unit on food - the students are very excited to learn all about the different foods that are eaten in other countries. We may even sample a few!
Music Department
Congratulations to Rory Hagerty and Leo Isaac for being selected for the Junior Central District Chorus, and Carson Ciak, Akasha Quarles, and Tori Gervais for being chosen to perform in the Junior Central District Band!
March 4 - BMMA Craft/Vendor Fair 10am-3pm at BMR High School
March 7- 7th & 8th Grade Adjudication Concert 7pm at BMR High School
March 24 & 25- MICCA Concert Festival
7th Grade band: Sunday, 3/25 at 12:30 at Hopkinton HS
8th Grade band: Saturday, 3/24 at 1:30 at Hopkinton HS
Information from all events listed below can be found on http://www.bmrsd.net/MusicDepartment or on Facebook on New-Friends of Blackstone Millville Music Association.
Guidance News
HELP! I HAVE A TWEEN ……..
A MONTHLY COLUMN THAT ADDRESSES EITHER QUESTIONS SUBMITTED OR SIMPLY SHARES ARTICLES THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO STUDENT GUARDIANS. THIS COLUMN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FWHMS GUIDANCE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A QUESTION PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL (BMIGNANELLI@BMRSD.NET OR SRIELLY@BMRSD.NET .
It’s time we ease the pressure on our stressed out kids. We feel the pressure to achieve and excel every day as adults and too often we pass this pressure on to our children through our actions. We make sure they stay on top of their assignments, make “helpful” suggestions about work and athletic performances, make big deals over common kid mistakes and often expect them to know things they should not already know. We need to be aware that the words we say and the tone we use can become our kids internal voice.
During Middle school years we need to surrender our need to control every situation. It is time to let them make decisions even if they are not the same decisions we would make. Our kids need to make decisions, take responsibility for them and own them while at the same time we provide support, solutions and advice. An example would be if our child does poorly on a test. Our instinct is to try and save, come down hard and hope they learned a lesson. What we need to do is sit, listen and problem solve so they learn these skills for next time. Even if they stumble, fail or triumph it will make them stronger, wiser and more capable the next time. They need to develop an internal guidance system and positive self concept.
With this, we as parents need to show trust in our childrens decision so they learn to trust themselves. We need to be available to listen without judging, offer advice when asked and sometimes be more concerned with the emotional wellbeing and mental health than with classes, grades etc. We need to let them know we believe they are doing the best that they can and support without being critical. We need to let them know they can be less than perfect and we will still love and support them and that it does not define who they will become.
Health Office News
Any student trying out for a spring sport must have had a physical by a physician within 13 months prior to the first day of tryouts. I need to have a copy of the physical exam in order to sign the Athletic Medical Eligibility form. Students are not allowed to tryout if the eligibility form is not signed. Dr. Perriello, the school physician, will be here on Tuesday, March 6 to give sports physicals to those students who need one in order to try out for a spring sport. Please have your son or daughter come see me if they need to have a physical.
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 27th from 6:30-7:30 here at the Middle School Library. An additional meeting will be schedule for later spring prior to departure.
Dates: June 10th to 13th
Payment #3 of $148.75 is due on 3/9/18 (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). It includes the t-shirt and museum ticket cost.
**Make checks payable to: Hartnett Middle School
Payment Plan Schedule
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.
Athletics
Spring Sports info Meeting
When: Tuesday, March 6th at 6:30pm
Where: BMR Auditorium. Please do your best to attend this meeting. Any questions email Jill Cole at Jtosti@bmrsd.net
Start: Monday, March 19th
Don’t forget to register on FamilyID and have a current physicals.
Spring athletics offered by grade level:
Softball (JV and Varsity) 7-12th grade
Baseball (JV and Varsity) 7-12th grade
Girls and Boys Track and Field (Middle School and Varsity) 6-12th grade
Yearbook
March is the last month for ordering yearbooks, so order yours today!
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 the attached form and returning it to the main office with payment. Please order by March 31, 2018.
Attention 8th grade parents! We are looking for baby pictures of your 8th grader for the yearbook. If you have a digital picture, you can upload it directly to the Josten's website using this link: https://images.jostens.com/409703603. If you do not have a digital picture, students can bring their baby picture to Mrs. Tasker in the library. Pictures will be returned the same day they are brought in. Any questions please email Mrs. Tasker at stasker@bmrsd.net. Pictures are also due by March 31.
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.
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
Monday, March 5th
- Second Chance Breakfast Celebration Begins
Tuesday, March 6th
- Progress Reports Available in Parent Portal
Wednesday, March 7th
- BMR High School Course Selection
- 7 pm - 7th/8th Adjudication Concert at BMR
Friday, March 9th
- Second Chance Breakfast Celebration Ends
- Third Payment for DC Trip Due
Friday, March 16th
- 6th Grade Social - Sponsored by HMS PTO
Saturday, March 24th and 25th
- MICCA Concert Festival
Thursday, March 29th
- No School for Students - Professional Day for Staff
Friday, March 30th
- Good Friday - No School
Be sure to visit our school web site to view our school events calendar.
ABC's of Student Success
More than ever, we need to reassure our children that they are safe and secure. We can do that in many ways:
- Limit exposure to TV, adult conversations
- Give children only the information they need to know
- Help them understand that images on TV are far away events, not impending threats
- Avoide overreacting
- Watch for child's unspoken reactions
- Listen to what our children have to say and reassure them that their feelings are normal
-EducationWorld.com
Math @ Home
Pennines in the Pot
Start the game with 25 pennies. Each player takes a turn rolling a single die and picking up the number of pennies he or she rolls on the die. To pick up the last pennies, however, the number on the die must match exactly the number of pennies that remain. When there are no pennies left in the pot, the player with the most pennies is the winner. Don't forget to bring in the pennies to school to donate in our Pennies for Patients campaign.
-EducationWorld.com
Parent Pointers
- Stay involved with your child
- Know what is going on at school and with friends in your child's life
- Spend more time listening to what they have to say. Don't interrupt them when they are talking. Then they'll spend more time listening to you
- Be brief
- Avoid the use of words such as guilt, never, and always
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.
Big Y Education Express Program -
1. Visit bigy.com and log in or create a myBigY account with your Big Y Silver Savings card.
2. Select “Join Education Express”.3. Select your school.
4. Look for the Education Express logo on items in their weekly circular, online and on signs in our stores.
5. Purchase these specially marked products and your school earns points. They redeem the points for the supplies they need.
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