Sandwich Middle School Newsletter
October 2021
6th Grade News
We can’t believe September is already over! This year has already been full of new skills and routines. Remember that students should be working on all classes every day of the week. Here are some tips to stay on top of classwork!
Check your e-mail daily
Check your agenda for each class daily
Use your assignment notebook to write down what you have to work on for every class
Message teachers if you need help outside of class time. You can use Private comments in a Google assignment or e-mail.
We have been very busy in all our classes! In science we have explored the plate tectonics and earthquakes. Next, we will be exploding with volcanoes and then digging up rocks & minerals.
In Math, students have started the year off with reviewing the basic operations of whole numbers and decimals. The students were really excited to get their workbooks so we could dive into multiplying and dividing fractions. In October we will start working with integers (positive and negative numbers). Hope no one thinks “negatively” about the topic. :)
In Language Arts, we have been reading fiction and learning all about the story elements and parts of a plot. We also are looking at figurative language and how it is used to enhance fiction writing. We are setting up our LA binders to organize our notes to use for reference throughout the year.
Instructional Language Arts - We are learning different reading strategies and also about fiction, such as the parts of a story and how the plot develops. We have many stories we will be reading this month as well as working on comprehension and writing skills.
In Social Studies we will continue our study of ancient people by learning about the Phoenicians. After that, we will be heading into exploring the Egyptians and their amazing processes of pyramid building and mummification!
Congratulations to our first students of the month for this school year: Ty Leopold and Keri Munch!
7th Grade News
We have officially made it through the first half of the first quarter! We have just a few reminders to help your student be successful. Please sit down with your student on a regular basis to look at Google Classroom. You can see the status of the work by going to the “classwork” tab on the top. Then, on the top left, click on the “View Your work.” Please keep in mind that Google Classroom will NOT show your student’s grade, so please check Tyler for grades.
Students may want to bring a refillable water bottle with them to school to stay hydrated throughout the day. Please note that only water is allowed in the classrooms. Also, please make sure that your student is bringing the necessary supplies to class each day. It is very important that students charge their Chromebooks every night to be ready for the next school day. Please reinforce the importance of wearing masks correctly while in the building. This includes covering both the mouth and the nose. We appreciate your support while we continue to navigate through this pandemic.
The 7th-grade Students of the Month are Yesley Pedroza and Peyton Skulski. Great job, girls. Keep up the good work.
8th Grade News
It has been a pretty good start to the school year and I think we are all finally getting the hang of things! Organization is certainly the key. It is important that students understand they need to check into their Google Classroom every day. Assignments are posted in their “Classroom” setting and important announcements are posted on their “Stream.” Also, the students have been told that Tyler is where their grades will be posted. Students are encouraged to check into Tyler at least once a day whether they are at school or home. We also encourage students to email us if they have any questions. Below you will find a brief synopsis of what is happening in each of their core classes.
Language Arts: The language arts students are using the Pearson literature series titled, MyPerspectives. In October, we will be finishing up The Outsiders Novel Unit and starting “Flowers for Algernon”. We will be studying figurative language and working on narrative writing throughout this unit.
Instructional Language Arts: Instructional LA students have been working hard with beginning of the year placement tests. Students are assigned passages through readworks.org to enable students to work at their current independent levels. Students are continuing a writing “bootcamp” stressing basic writing skills. We just started our first novel study, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students are working on a variety of comprehension skills, starting with main ideas & details and cause and effect and will move into sequencing skills next.
Math: In math we are working our way through Chapter 2 Equations in One Variable. We are solving equations with rational coefficients, solving two-step equations, writing two-step equations, solving equations with variables on each side, and solving multi-step equations. By mid month we will be going into Chapter 3 Equation in Two Variables. We will cover the constant rate of change, slope, and linear equations. It is important that all students bring their calculator and math workbooks daily to class as they will be needed.
Instructional Math: In instructional math, we are reviewing the basics: calculations, number sense, and functional math that we use in our everyday lives. In the upcoming weeks, we will begin working in the books, starting with a unit on integers.
Science: We will be finishing our study matter and working on the periodic table unit. Students will learn about elements and how to use the periodic table to gather information. This will give students a good foundation for our chemistry unit to follow.
History: After we finish our chapter on Urbanization and The Growth of Cities at the turn of the century, we will continue on to our chapter on Progressive Reforms. Students will learn about the progressive movements, women’s rights and suffrage, and progressive presidents.
Students of the Month: Our 8th grade Students of the Month are Bailey Frieders and Diego Diaz. These are two hard working students who have great attitudes and are kind to others. They are great role models!
Nurse News
Sandwich CUSD #430 is following the most recent guidance from the IDPH when deciding if a student needs to be sent home from school. Students will be sent home or denied entry to school if ANY of the following symptoms are present: Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches from unknown cause. Per the IDPH, medical evaluation and testing are strongly recommended for all persons with COVID-like symptoms. If you are interested in having your symptomatic child tested at school using the BinaxNow rapid antigen test, please keep them home and call the school to schedule a time.
Life Skills News
Mr. Velez
It has been a fun and interesting return to start this school year. I am very happy with how this quarter has been progressing and looking forward to the rest of the semester. Thank you parents and guardians for all of your support!
6th grade has been learning how to read nutritional labels and the differences between proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
7th grade has been learning about the importance of Hygiene and the effects of nicotine use.
8th grade has been learning about bodily systems along with working on a career project and what it entails in order to get their dream job.Explore Student of the Month
Important Dates to Remember
October 11th - Columbus Day No School
October 15th- End of 1st Quarter (grades 6-12)
District 430 News
Substitute Teacher, Paraprofessional (teaching assistant), Custodian, Bus Driver, Bus Aide
Want to be a sub teacher or paraprofessional in the district? If you have a Bachelor or Associates degree and would like to consider becoming a substitute in Sandwich CUSD 430, the DeKalb County Regional Office of Education (ROE) can answer all your questions and guide you through the necessary steps of becoming certified. Call the ROE at (815) 217-0460; or visit the ROE office at 2500 North Annie Glidden Road, Suite C, DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Substitute Custodian
If you are interested in becoming a substitute custodian, please contact a building principal:
SHS (815-786-2157) SMS (815-786-2138) HED (815-786-8498)
LGH (815-786-8812) PV (815-786-8811) WWW (815-786-6316)
Full Time or Substitute Bus Driver & Bus Aide
If you are interested in becoming a full time or substitute bus driver or bus aide, please call the transportation department at (815-786-8325).
Sandwich CUSD #430 is following the most recent guidance from the IDPH and our local health departments when determining exclusion from school. Students will be sent home or denied entry to school if ANY of the following symptoms are present: Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of sense of taste or smell, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches from unknown cause. As of 9/29/21, we are no longer able to accept doctor's notes with alternative diagnosis for COVID-like symptoms. We require a negative COVID test to return to school. We still encourage you to follow up with your child's healthcare provider should you choose to do so.
Our district does offer free BinaxNow rapid antigen testing for students with symptoms. If your child has symptoms, please keep them (and any other household members in the district) home and call the student's school.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a rapid BinaxNow test for your symptomatic student, please call me at 815-786-7971 (Woodbury) or 815-786-7824 (Prairie View). Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn!
About Us
Email: smorel@sandwich430.org
Website: www.sandwich430.org
Location: 600 South Wells Street, Sandwich, IL, USA
Phone: 815-786-2138