Amboy Middle School
February 2020
COMMITTED TO CREATING AN ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL
SAFE, RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL
5TH GRADE FOCUS
In February, 5th grade students will be wrapping up place value and decimals and will begin working on multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals.
Here is a link to the Unit 4 overview:
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/documents/family/PAR-BR5-U4.pdf
READING/ELA
Buckle up because it is nonfiction month. In February, students will be reading several non-fiction texts relating to Black History Month. We will also focus on stories related to the WW2 genre about Japanese internment camps, leading up to our play in March.
SCIENCE
In science, we are continuing to work on Earth's Systems. We will be wrapping up the biosphere portion of Earth's Systems and moving onto the next one, the geosphere. In the biosphere unit we learned about ecosystems, plants, life cycles, adaptations, and the human impact between systems.
As we begin the second semester the 5th grade team would like to share some general reminders:
- Missing assignment sheets (or Congratulations! No missing assignments) go home with students every Friday. These need to be returned to the homeroom teacher with a parent/guardian signature.
- Please check binders and supply more pencils, paper, and notebooks as needed.
- If you know in advance that your child will be gone, please call or email ahead of time so teachers can get work ready.
- Students are filling in their planners every day. They should be in their binder. Binders should be brought home every day.
6TH GRADE SUMMARY
- Complete any unfinished work and turn it in as soon as possible
- Complete and turn in any required redos (60% and below)
- Complete and turn in any optional redos (below 70%)
- Signing up for Homework Help to get more time/assistance in finishing work or extra help in areas where there are struggles.
- Being in class and ready to learn every day.
- Ask for help or clarification when needed.
It is very important that students have their Chromebooks at school and charged every day. If your child is having a hard time meeting that expectation, feel free to contact his/her teacher for suggestions.
8TH GRADE UPDATE
The upcoming major event for 8th grade is the Battle Ground High School tour on February 24. We would like your help guiding the 130+ students at the school. The students will be taking the bus down to BGHS; you can join us on the bus or meet us down there. If interested please contact your child's homeroom teacher as we are required to provide names to BGHS. You must have a VOLUNTEER FORM approved prior to the trip. The 8th grade teachers will be sending a permission slip home soon with more detailed information.
A few things have changed with Forecasting. The district will be using a different program. On February 20 Battle Ground High School administration, 8th grade teachers, our counselor, and Amboy administration will be introducing the new program and class requirements to students.
After the tour, families will be invited to the high school for an evening Open House. Please read the BGSD Bulletin for further information. On March 2 the students will be forecasting (selecting classes) at Amboy for Battle Ground High School. Amboy teachers, counselors, and administration will have each child fill out forms for the classes they are interested in. We will be sending those forms home to you for signatures. If you are considering one of our other district high schools such as CAM, Prairie, or River Homelink, we will be able to help with those school, too, but you will be required to fill out other paperwork. Contact our counselor, Mrs. Kalliainen, or your child's homeroom teacher with such questions.
We saved the best for the end of the journey: the 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony. On the last day of school, all 8th graders will be a part of the best ceremony in the district. The students have started making the decisions for this special occasion. This is their ceremony, and they will be doing most of the work, but they will be needing after-hours support from parents with decorating and getting items to the school. Contact your child's homeroom teacher if you are interested in helping.
Important Date for 8th Graders Are:
February 20 from 7:55 to 9:35 - Pre-Forecasting at Amboy Commons
February 24 Time TBD - Battle Ground High School Tour
February 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 - 8th Grade Parent Night at BGHS
March 2 from 7:55 to 9:35 - BGHS Forecasting at Amboy Commons
June 9 Time TBD - Recognition Ceremony at Amboy Gym
BUS PASSES - PLEASE PLAN AHEAD!
Parents, please remind your students to plan ahead when they want to go to a friend's house after school. We are getting a lot of students who call home for bus passes during lunch on Fridays. The last-minute bus passes make if difficult to track where students are going, which can then become a safety issue. Bus passes can be emailed to amboyoffice@battlegroundps.org.
SEND A FRIEND A FLOWER OR TREAT FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!
$1 each
Profits go to the 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony
Rice Krispy Treats and Motts Fruit Snacks (5th, 6th, and 7th grade) are on sale during lunchtime February 4th, 10th, and 11th or until sold out.
$1 each
Profits go to the Race Into Summer Event
MS. GATZ'S GALLERY
Frida Kahlo's "Viva la Vida Reimagined" by Layne McBride
MR. BONG'S BAND BEATS
February is a month of growth and preparation for the band at Amboy Middle School.
The Beginning Band is charging ahead with their abilities and practice habits and are sounding AWESOME!
The 8th, 7th, and selected 6th grade band members are preparing for the Battle Ground District Band Festival on March 3rd at Prairie High School.
All bands are excited to perform for friends and family at the Spring Concert on March 17th in the Amboy Commons.
Note: The Instrumental Showcase has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 10th. More information to follow.
LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED TO THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7.
PTO PRESS - SHOE DRIVE!
Your PTO is hosting a shoe drive! We will be collecting new and gently used shoes starting February 10 through April 30. The shoes will be sent to micro-enterprises in 60 countries around the world to be repurposed and resold. We will earn .40 cents per pound of shoes with our goal being 300 bags of shoes with 25 pairs in each bag. Students can bring shoes to school, and we will also have a few other drop off locations around the area.