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. Advisory is a great time to double check that all work is done for the day!

• Use your assignment notebook to write down what you have to work on for every class

• E-mail or talk to teachers if you need help outside of class time.

We have been very busy in all our classes! In science we have explored the scientific method and plate tectonics. We will shake things up a bit when we start earthquakes and volcanoes!

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.

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: Julian Burciaga and Brinley Lentz!

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.

The 7th-grade Students of the Month are Sophia Martinez and Teancum DeWitt. Great job! Keep up the good work.

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 to stay on top of their assignments. 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 reading short stories to work on expanding their knowledge of fictional elements. We will also be working on studying the concepts of characterization as we write a Literary Analysis Essay, which will discuss the traits of a character from one of the short stories that we have read.

Instructional Language Arts: We are finishing up our first novel study, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Students have been doing a great job paying attention to character traits and have become pros at completing plot diagrams. Students continue working on a variety of comprehension skills, we have finished up 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 Equations 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. We have begun our unit on algebra, starting Chapter 1 (Integers) and moving into Chapter 2 (Functions). Each week, we will use online resources to enhance our lessons. You can encourage your studen to log into iXL at home (https://www.ixl.com/signin/sandwich) for even more practice.

Science: We will be 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 Evelyn Sparti and Chase Clark. These are two hard working students who have great attitudes and are kind to others. They are great role models!

October 7th - No School - Institute Day

October 10th - No School (Columbus Day)

October 14th - End of 1st Quarter

October 19th - Picture Retake Day

November 8th - No School - State Election Day

November 21st - 11:10 dismissal - P/T conferences

November 22nd - No School - P/T Conference

November 23rd & 25th - No School - Non Attendance Day

November 24th - Thanksgiving

Sandwich Middle School is pleased to offer the Rainbows program. The Rainbows curriculum is designed to assist children and youth who are grieving a death, divorce or any other painful transition in their family within a safe, supportive environment. When something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected. Death, divorce and loss have a profound effect on the children touched by these experiences. If a parent dies or a divorce occurs, not only do the parents grieve, the children do also. The Rainbows program helps these children put those feelings into words, work through their grief, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, and begin to accept what has taken place in the family. If your child is part of a single parent family, a step-family, has experienced the death of a loved family member, friend or sibling, or is struggling with a painful experience, this will be an opportunity for him/her to share with others what they have gone through in a confidential setting. Through the Rainbows support group, we hope to assist children in expressing and understanding his/her feelings, to feel acceptance for what has happened, and to build their awareness that they are not alone. The Rainbows program will be offered during lunch periods. The group will meet once per week for 12 weeks. If you have any questions and/or are interested in your child(ren) taking part in this group, please call your site facilitator, Erin Pearlman, LCSW, at (815) 786-2138 ext. 23009 or epearlman@sandwich430.org Please leave a message if needed and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Flu season is around the corner! Protect yourself and your family this season with an annual flu vaccine for everyone who is 6 months and older. Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Visit www.flu.gov or talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

Shannon Joiner, MSN, RN

The carry over period for students who were receiving free/reduced lunch for the 2021-2022 school year will end on October 3, 2022. If a new 2022-2023 application has not been submitted by that date your child will automatically be put on paid breakfast and lunch beginning October 4, 2022.

Please click on the link below to apply for free/reduced breakfast and lunch:

2022-2023 Free/Reduced Application

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, and Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.