KMS 6th Grade Parent Update

All schedule changes are complete at this time.

Yearbook Club takes place every Tuesday, 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Students meet in room 217

Mr. Hinman: Yearbook Advisor

Wednesday 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Meet in Auditorium Foyer

KHS Room 127

Meets Wednesday 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Room 103

Mr. Freeman/Mr. Hodge: Advisors

Kodiak has some amazing teens deserving of this recognition! Spirit of Youth recognition - deadline for nominations extended through Feb 1. Nominations can come from anyone who wishes to recognize a hard-working Alaska teenager. Nominations can be made in one of 8 categories. Recommendations often come from school staff and board members; youth clubs and organizations; the business community or other teenagers. Any community member inspired by a teen’s efforts can submit a nomination. https://www.spiritofyouth.org/categories/

Exciting news this week was the start of 6th grade Intramural Volleyball. Coach Kristine King (KMS Art teacher) opens the doors Monday-Friday at 7:45 a.m. Students will practice in the 6th grade gym. So far feedback from the participants has been really positive. There's plenty of room for more. Start the day with some exercise, it's a great way to get the brain engaged for the school day.

We have some amazing students here at KMS and we love to recognize them and show our appreciation!! When a middle school faculty or staff member observes a student exhibiting positive characteristics or behaviors, he/she can write that student a Grizzly Ticket. Then, at the end of each week, one of our administrators will draw ONE ticket from each grade, awarded for kindness, citizenship, respect, integrity, or some other positive action or trait.

This week's winner was....

AUSTIN SABANGAN

for demonstrating good Citizenship and Integrity by cleaning up someone else's mess in the cafeteria without being asked.

These weekly winners (one per grade) receive a small prize, and ALL Grizzly Tickets awarded since the start of the school year will be entered in a big prize drawing in May!

In addition, we are currently in the middle of a Grizzly Ticket Challenge! Each grade is competing as a team to be the first to collectively earn 90 Grizzly Tickets and win a special treat for their entire grade!

Sixth graders still maintain a healthy lead.

Keep it up, 6th graders!! You are doing an amazing job!!!

Friday, January 20, the 2023 KMS SPELLING BEE was held after school, in the KMS Commons.

Sixth-grader Malakai Thompson came in first place!

Seventh-grader Lincoln Roberts came in second place!

Sixth-grader Lucas Cook finished as alternate!

Malakai and Lincoln will represent Kodiak Middle School at the district level next month.

Way to go, guys!!! We are so proud of all 23 students who showed up and did their best.

This week's prize was provided by Island Espresso, and the winning team members were

Lilly McNeil

Congratulations, 6th graders!!

During lunch, students may sit with their friends. Tables are grouped by colors to assist with lunch pick-up and dismissal. This week students were introduced to a point system for volume, keeping hands and feet to self, clean tables, and "High Five". Tables can earn or lose points based upon:

1. volume at their tables (no yelling/screeching)
2. Clean tables (garbage is picked up on top of the table and on the floor)
3. Students keep their hands and feet to themselves (no pushing, shoving or rough play)
4. "High Five" (student voices are off, a hand is raised, and eyes are on the teacher)

At the end of the month, the table with the most points wins Pizza from the Principals.

Students are showing their competitive spirit and the volume has dropped noticeably in the cafeteria.

Monday-Friday

7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Meet at Green Room entrance

Practice Monday-Friday

3:45-5:00 p.m.

KHS Mat Room

Monday 2:45 - 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday/Thursday 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Friday Performances as scheduled

This week we have been preparing for starting our whole class novel Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. We had an anticipation guide where we shared our opinion on various topic, and then we had a whole class discussion where we shared our ideas and backed it up with evidence/examples and explanations. Monday, we’ll be starting the book and practicing reading deeply to analyze the characters, plot, and theme. This is a fun book that I think the students will enjoy!

This week students continued their research on a country. I have been impressed with how well they have stayed focused and productive during multiple days of research. We have been reviewing and implementing strategies for staying focused which include moving seats/environments, listening to music (alpha waves), chunking our work with a timer and taking a break (Pomodoro technique), setting a mini goal for that class period and reflecting on it at the end of class. Ask them about their country! On Thursday they earned a “Brain Break” for all their hard work, which means they got free choice, but no iPads. Next up, a creative postcard project using the information they’ve collected!

In math, students have been working on finishing our 6th grade algebra unit by learning math properties like the commutative property, associative property, and distributive property. We are going to have an algebra review sheet for homework next week with a test on Friday, Feb 3. We are moving on to studying negative numbers next in more depth. What does it mean to be “below sea level”? To have negative dollars in a bank account?

This week in science, we discussed weather and climate. We are particularly focused on temperature and wind. Your students have a solid understanding of what heat is, where it comes from, and how it is stored. Now we are building on this to understand how wind works. For the rest of the semester, we will regularly go outside to check the temperature, wind speed, and wind direction.

1. Email volunteer@kibsd.org that you are interested in becoming a volunteer and let them know which volunteer opportunity you’re interested in.

2. Check your email for a message from Sterling Volunteers (TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com) and follow the steps in the email. If you don’t receive the email within 3 business days, please contact volunteer@kibsd.org

3. You will receive an email once your background check is complete, with instructions to visit a school site, complete a volunteer agreement form and present your ID to the secretary.

4. Start volunteering!

5. Any questions? Contact KMS Secretary Amanda Transano (Amanda.Transano@kibsd.org)

Email: hnorton01@kibsd.org
Website: www.kibsd.org/kms
Location: 722 Mill Bay Road, Kodiak, AK, USA
Phone: (907) 486-7459