SMS Weekly Update
1.12.23
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow we have a half day. Tomorrow is the end of Semester 1. We have no school on Monday to celebrate MLK Jr. Day.
Second semester starts on Tuesday, January 17th. All student schedules can be found in their Student Connect account.
WINTER SEASON TRYOUT INFORMATION REMINDER
Rides Home After Athletic Events
SCHOOL STORE OPENS JANUARY 17th!!
SPELLING BEE
Any interested students need to contact Mr. Abate (abatea@wwcsd.net) or Mrs. Rourk (rourkd@wwcsd.net) by Tuesday, January 17th to participate.
Quarter 2 Awards Plan
Second Step Update
On Second Step Wednesday this week, we did the first lesson in Unit 3: Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions. Here’s the breakdown for each grade:
Grade 6:
The goals of this unit are:
Recognize that social challenges are common during adolescence and often get better in time with support from others
Adopt a growth mindset
Set personal goals
Create plans to achieve goals
Monitor progress toward achieving a goal and determine if they need to try a new strategy
Lesson 14 is What Emotions Tell You. Students learned why emotions matter in their lives. They listed emotions and thought about how the emotions might be telling them something important. This week, students will be paying attention to their emotions and what they might be telling them.
Grade 7:
The goals of this unit are:
Recognize that social challenges are common during adolescence and often get better in time with support from others
Try new things and take on difficult tasks
Determine how to adjust, persist, or change course after making a mistake
Identify roadblocks to achieving goals and generate If-Then Plans that include appropriate strategies for responding to them
Lesson 14 is Emotions Matter. Students learned how and why strong emotions can affect your decisions. They watched a video teaching them about how the brain’s cortex can get overwhelmed when they are feeling strong emotions. This week, students will be paying attention to situations that cause them to feel strong emotions, and think about what’s happening in their brain.
Grade 8:
The goals of this unit are:
Recognize when they are feeling stressed or anxious
Recognize that some stressors can provide positive challenges and opportunities for growth
Apply stress-management strategies to cope with their stress
Lesson 14 is Understanding Stress and Anxiety. Students learned to recognize how stress and anxiety affect their emotions, thoughts, and body. Stress is an emotional and/or physical response to something external (like an upcoming test or a fight with a friend). Anxiety is persistent, excess worry that feels out of a person’s control. It’s important to get help from a trusted adult when experiencing anxiety. This week, students will look for clues in their emotions, thoughts, and body to see if they are stressed.
FREE Tutoring at SMS!
Winter is Upon Us!
FOOD DRIVE IS COMING UP
Quarter 2 RAPS Party is Coming Up!
Math and Read 180
Overview of Math and Read 180
Math 180® is a blended-learning, intensive math intervention program that builds algebra competence using best practices for striving students. Personalized software combined with teacher-facilitated instruction accelerate students toward grade-level proficiency, raising achievement scores by an average of 2+ years in one school year.
Read 180® mixes high-interest content and adaptive technology accelerating students to grade-level proficiency, helping them achieve an average of two years growth in one year. Teachers save time while meeting the needs of all learners, thanks to integrated tools for differentiation and development of growth mindset.
Why are students working on this platform?
It is important that we continue to strengthen our classroom instruction by offering this program paired with small group and whole group instruction around our priority content standards in math and ELA classes. After the learning loss some students experienced during COVID shutdown and virtual learning, we have put this in place district wide to accelerate learning and growth in grades 5-9.
What if my student does not need this?
If your student has tested at proficient levels, we have enrichment platforms and additional opportunities for him or her, so that they are getting what is needed as determined by his or her ability level.
College Opportunities
8th Grade Washington DC Trip
Mental Health Support
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If you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of us directly at domank@wwcsd.net (Student Last Names: A-Le) or phillipsae@wwcsd.net (Student Last Names: Li-Z).
Sincerely,
Mrs. Doman and Ms. Phillips