MJS Class of 2016
A Newsletter for All Things 8th Grade
Week of November 30, 2015
Curriculum Spotlight: English
Students are wrapping up their study of the novel Bless Me, Ultima and preparing to write about the novel on their final exam. One of the major motifs (a word we have learned!) of the book is the idea of DREAMS, both the dreams that we have when we are sleeping and the dreams that we have for our lives. We will take a day to focus on Martin Luther King Jr.'s renown "I Have a Dream" speech, which connects to our novel and also to our 8th Grade Service Learning Project. Students will choose lines from the speech that have the most meaning to them and illustrate them. We will also connect the speech to our reading and to current events (which they focus on weekly in history class).
In addition to questions about Bless Me, Ultima, the final will have a vocabulary section that covers Unit 5 as well as their "Forever Words" from Units 1-4. They will also have to correctly identify the parts of a sentence, including direct and indirect objects.
November 19: Technology Code-Off Arcade
Secondary School Reminders from the Registrar
Final Exams
Final exams are just around the corner!
In order to prepare our students for their future academic career, we provide the experience of final exams to our students. This semester, students will take 90 minute finals in Math, English, History, Science, and World Languages.
This tends to be a time of heightened anxiety for students and parents. Please know that we are aware of this. The teachers do everything they can to ease the normal stress associated with final exams. A lot of time in classes will be spent teaching students strategies for studying for larger summative tests like these.
Finals Schedule:
Thursday, December 10: Math Final 8:20-9:50am, World Language Final 10:05-11:35am
Friday, December 11: English Final 8:20-9:50am. Afterwards, 8th graders will be invited to sit with their mothers at the Mother's Christmas Luncheon. Student have free, semi-formal dress on this day.
Monday, December 14: History FInal 8:20-9:50am. Students performing in the Christmas Concert will leave for St. Andrew's church after for dress rehearsal.
Tuesday, December 15: Science Final 8:20-9:50am (Christmas Concert at 6pm)
Christmas Concert
December 15, 6pm
St. Andrew Church
We hope that you will attend this special event so that we may celebrate the season together! This beautiful concert is a Mayfield tradition, and never fails to impress.
Only 8th grade students who are involved in Chamber Choir, Student Council, and/or Rock Band will be participating in the Christmas Concert. Rehearsals will be during the normal school day and regular after school meeting times, as to not interfere with preparation for final exams.
We are proud of our multi-talented students who are able to balance arts, athletics, and academics, and we look forward to an impressive display of their musicality at the Concert.
Good Shepherd Shelter: Adopt-a-Family
THE FIRST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER IN LOS ANGELES
For over 15 years, Mayfield School Families have participated in the Adopt-a-Family project providing Christmas gifts for the women and children at Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles. Gifts are purchased from wish lists distributed each November, lovingly wrapped, collected in large boxes for each Good Shepherd family and then blessed at the start of the Mothers’ Christmas luncheon.
This MJS tradition is an opportunity for the eighth graders as leaders of the student body to show commitment and responsibility as they organize the donated gifts with their younger school family members and prepare them for delivery. As eighth graders explore more about their role in social justice issues through their service learning projects this year, the act of making a difference in the lives of the Good Shepherd families is more meaningful and offers a valuable opportunity to think beyond themselves as the holidays approach.
For more information on Good Shepherd Shelter visit the website below. For questions on the Adopt-a-Family program, please talk to your 8th grader.
The gifts will all be collected on Friday, December 4.
How do I locate ISEE test sites?
Below is the link to the ISEE testing site. If your student is going to be applying to a high school that requires the ISEE, be sure to sign up at one of these sites. Some high schools ask that the test be taken before a specific date. Be sure to check the website of the schools your student is applying to. If you have any questions, please contact Patti Long at 626.229.2125 or plong@mayfieldjs.org.
To sign up for the MJS test site on January 9, you will need the following code: vELiJqPL
Space is limited to 20 students.
8th Grade Reach Out: St. Francis Center
December 1st student ambassadors to St. Francis Center will be Evy, Serafina, Aidan, and Paige. For the complete schedule and more information on our Reach Out, please click here.
Thank you to Mrs. Dilbeck for your supervision of this Reach Out and to all of our parent drivers!
Buy Your Christmas Tree from Mayfield Senior!
Believe it or not, Christmas will be here before you know it. Mayfield Senior School is the place to get your Christmas tree!
For more information click HERE or you can place your order now by simply clicking on the following link: https://www.mayfieldsenior.org/christmasstore.
LET'S GO MUSTANGS!
Please come and support our Mayfield Mustangs! Here is what's coming up this week, for the complete season schedule, please visit the "MJS Athletics" page on the parent portal.
DEC 1: Boys A and B Basketball
Start 3:00 PM vs High Point
Location: Mayfield-GymDEC 1: Boys C-3 Basketball Team
Start 3:00 PM
Location: High PointDEC 1: Girls A Soccer Only
Start 3:00 PM (High Point does not have a B team)
Location: High PointDEC 2: Boys A and B Basketball
Start 3:00 PM
Location: PolyDEC 2: Boys C-1 Basketball Team
Start 3:00 PM vs. Poly
Location: MayfieldDEC 2: Girls A and B Soccer
Start 3:00 PM
Location: MayfieldDEC 3: Boys A and B Basketball
Start 3:00 PM vs Chandler
Location: ChandlerDEC 3: C-1 vs C-3 Boys BB
Start 3:00 PM
Location: MayfieldDEC 3: Girls A and B Soccer
Start 3:00 PM
Location: ChandlerBoys A/B Team Basketball Schedule
Have you followed us on Twitter yet? @MJSAthletics It's a great way to get up-to-date game results!
Bikes and Skateboards
Hover Boards are NOT allowed on campus.
Things to Look Forward to...
- Monday, November 30: Advent Prayer Service, 8am
- Saturday, December 5: ISEE, 8am-12pm HPAC
- Tuesday, December 8: Mass of the Immaculate Conception, 9am GYM
- Thursday, December 10-Thursday, December 17: Final Exams
- Friday, December 11: Mother's Christmas Luncheon, 8th graders are invited to sit with their mothers
- Tuesday, December 15: Christmas Concert, 6pm St. Andrew Church
- Friday, December 18: Christmas Prayer Service, 9am GYM
HALF DAY - noon dismissal
8th Grade Advisory Team
Lisa Byrne, Advisor, Play Director, and Co-Team Leader (lbyrne@mayfieldjs.org)
Chris Goethals, Advisor and Secondary School Liaison (cgoethals@mayfieldjs.org)
Juan Garcia, Advisor and Student Council Leader (jgarcia@mayfieldjs.org)
Ruth Villarreal, Advisor and Athletics Director (rvillarreal@mayfieldjs.org)