SAUK PRAIRIE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle Level News - October 2018
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Website: http://www.saukprairieschools.org/schools/mid/
Location: 207 Maple Street, Sauk City, WI, United States
Phone: 608 643-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saukprairiems/
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Families,
The school year is moving along quickly, and students and staff are making the most of this year already. I am very proud of what has been accomplished in a few short weeks here at SPMS!
We are in the midst of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! Our students have been learning about Hispanic culture and decorating our school with flags and artwork representing Hispanic and Latino countries and people. We will continue our celebration through October 12th, so ask your child what they are learning about the important contributions Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to our communities!
We are also celebrating Homecoming Week! During this week, your child will receive his or her SPMS t-shirt to wear with pride on Friday. It’s always great to see the school full of red, black and white! The week ends with the Homecoming parade, a pep assembly with the high school marching band, spirit squad, and some high school students who participate in other activities and sports. Since this year is the 50th Anniversary of Sauk Prairie Middle School, any adult alum or former staff member of SPMS is invited to attend the pep assembly on Friday, October 5th from 2:45 to 3:20!
We have finished giving the STAR assessment in Reading and Mathematics to all students. This assessment provides information about your child’s strengths and weaknesses in Reading and Mathematics, allowing teachers to meet your child’s needs. This is also our universal screener to help us decide what interventions students might need if they are struggling. Parents will receive information about their students’ results at Parent/Teacher conferences. All students will take the STAR again at or near the end each trimester to measure their growth over the course of the year.
We have had a great start to the year, and we aren’t letting up! We are going to keep the enthusiasm pedal to the floor as we work to make sure SPMS is a strong learning community. Please help your child remember to take care of herself, take care of each other, and take care of SPMS!
Yours in education,
Ted Harter, Principal
7TH GRADE MATH
Students are starting the year with probability and statistics. In this unit, students have been learning to interpret the probability of an event as the proportion of the time that the event will occur when a chance experiment is repeated many times. They have been estimating and computing probabilities using a variety of methods, including collecting data and using tree diagrams. In the coming weeks, they will learn to use random sampling to draw informal inferences about a population and will learn to estimate a population mean using numerical data from a random sample. They will also learn how to estimate a population proportion using categorical data from a random sample.
If students are looking for some extra math help or practice, www.khanacademy.com is a nice resource to help them improve their math skills and understanding. It is a free website and students can log on using their Google (school Gmail) account. In addition to math, it includes other subjects as well. Check it out!
7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
7TH GRADE SCIENCE
Team-P Science
Students began the year by designing and performing experiments to help us better understand and build on prior knowledge of the Scientific Method. We have also looked at the difference between Qualitative and Quantitative data and learned to make logical inferences.
In October, we will begin our second unit: Cells and Heredity. The students will be looking at how cells are important to the structure and function of living things. They will also learn the parts that make up an animal cells and what function or role those structures have.
7TH GRADE ENGLISH
We also start writing a position paper in October. Students will pick a topic and practice writing leads, counterclaims, and organization. Students will also write to develop elaboration skills.
Oddly October is not the eighth month. In the original Roman calendar it was the eighth month, hence the Latin root octo.
8TH GRADE MATH & SM-1
SM-1 students are working on the Foundations of Algebra, including a review of variables and expressions, order of operations, operations with integers, and properties of real numbers. We will also review solving equations with tables and graphs. The next lesson will focus specifically on solving equations algebraically. This math textbook has many on-line resources for students including all of the book pages, practice and tutorials. Students have a password and username to access this (the same as SS). Students and parents can also find the daily homework for SM1 on the Homework Website, accessible through the SPSD Webpage.
Math 8 - After a few days of discussing Growth Mindset and the Mathematical Practices that we will be using daily in class this year, we began Unit One - "The Number System". We started this unit with a discussion of rational numbers and continued with exponent rules. Unit one will end with lessons on scientific notation, and square and cube roots. This math textbook has many on-line resources for students including all of the book pages, practice and tutorials. Students have a password and username to access this. Students and parents can also find the daily homework for Math 8 on the Homework Website, accessible through the SPSD Webpage.
8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Team L: In October, we will study the Colonial Period and work our way to the Declaration of Independence. Students can expect homework at least twice a week. Each student should enroll in my Google Classroom site by using the following code: xd7tzg. So far, approximately 60 students have signed up, so please double check with your child at home. Additionally, students can access the textbook website at home at pearsonrealize.com. Their login is the same as the beginning of their email address. The password is speagles1.
Example:
bacontim23
speagles1
Team M: Students are moving on from Native American cultures as they existed prior to European contact to the impact of European contact on those cultures. We will move on to the development of the original thirteen colonies. We'll focus on the creation of early government in the colonies and how those early attempts led to the American independence movement and the Declaration of Independence.
8TH GRADE SCIENCE
8TH GRADE ENGLISH
During October students are working on defining and researching social justice problems. The goal is to learn critical thinking skills and practice public speaking. Ultimately the students will present the results of their efforts.
Picture Retake Day
All students will have school photos taken by Lifetouch National School Studios on Thursday, October 18th during the school day.
Save time and hassle on Picture Day and order your school portrait package online now! Simply click on the link below. Forms are also available in the office.
SPMS PARENT CONNECTION GROUP
➢ Coordinate fundraising activities (Eaglewear, Square One Art, Chocolate bar sales)
➢ Provide support to teachers (Food during conferences, appreciation gifts, instructional technology)
➢ Provide support to students (Money for school t-shirts, field trips & retreat days, technology) ➢ Organize opportunities for students and their families to have fun (Free Family Fun Night, 8th Grade Graduation party)
We meet the first Monday of every month from 6:30-7:30pm in the school office. * OUR NEXT MEETING IS NOVEMBER 5th * Everyone is welcome ~ just come when you can!
If you have questions you may email us at spmsparentconnection@gmail.com
You can also follow us on Facebook: Sauk Prairie Middle School Parent Connection-PTO
Builders Club
Builders Club is a Sauk Prairie middle school organization that builds leadership and community for students in grades 6-8. We have been in existence for 15 years. Active members of Builders Club come to weekly meetings held on Thursdays after school until 4:30. Students are not required to come to every meeting but are encouraged so that they are up to date on current and upcoming activities.
All students must have a permission form turned in to participate in activities. Meetings are done at 4:30 pm. Any questions should be directed to 643-5566 or cindy.quam@saukprairieschools.org.
GAME NIGHT
SPMS Drama presents: "The Bard is Back - A Musical"
Show dates: October 19, 20, @ 7:00, 21 @ 2:00
River Arts Center / Available at the door / Students -$5 / Adults -$8
The students of Hilltop High are excited! They're going to put on a performance of "Romeo and Juliet." But the music director, Miss Peggy Donahue, pressed into service by a principal eager to please his superintendent is horrified. Twenty years before, when she was a student at Hilltop High, she starred in a disastrous musical version of Shakespeare's "Scottish Play," and she believes the curse lingers on. Sure enough, everything that can go wrong does.Add a hysterical playwright ( the superitendent’s wife), a pushy stage mom , and a mysterious cult of techies who pledge allegiance to their favorite "tool," duct tape,and a football star who wants to be in the musical and you have a rolicking comedy.
Cast includes:
Karley Blau, Rianne Detter, Sara Endres, Molly Fabian, Evelyn Fritsch, Lexie Ganser, Chris Garcia, Madeline Gassman, Kassie Gavol, Gabe Harter, Jalen Higgins, Carly Kinnamon, Ethan Kolnik, Keeli Kraemer, Marcus Larson, Kyra Manning, Marcus Martinez, Maddie Mauch, Jack Rausch, Ava Shimpach, Josie Toberman, Chloe Wernsing
Director: Diane Sullivan / Music Director: Marita Kelter
Choreography: Emma Kinnamon, Lacey Taylor
Middle Level Leader
Natalie Curtis was the Optimist’s Middle Level Leader for September. She is an 8th grader and the daughter of Joy & Tom Curtis. Natalie was nominated by Emily Rennicke, Physical Education teacher.
Mrs. Rennicke had this to say about Natalie: “ Natalie is a polite, caring, and fun student. She is always willing to help other students and the teacher without being prompted. She helps quiet a class down or pumps up the excitement in a game. She often asks if she can help set up or tliclean up and is one of the first to volunteer for things. She's good at including everyone on her team and problem solving so everyone can be successful. She has a great sense of humor and is a great leader to have at SPMS
At the Middle School Natalie is a Sixth Grade Mentor and is involved in Cross Country, Basketball and Track. Outside school she enjoys bowling. Natalie plans to attend college to become a Physician’s Assistant.
GOOD CITIZENS, ROLE MODELS AND LEADERS
Cole Helgerson / Mya Taylor / MariElla Viola / John Fabian
7th Grade Role Models:
Wyatt Olson / Detsy Garcia / Annika Staedter/ Chase Kruchten
8th Grade Leaders:
Blake Howery & Ben Kures
IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Library Display: Completed by Marisa Harpold, Cecilia Fortney and Clara Lawton
Bulletin Board: Completed by Alicia Shelton and Elena Frey
News from the GT Department
Students have asked for it so we are adding a fall Battle of the Books!
What is this?
Students read the 6 chosen books on their own or make a group of 2 or 3. The books can be checked out from the middle school library or either of the public libraries. The group has until Nov. 6th to get the 6 books read before the trivia challenge in the cafeteria. All of the trivia questions will be from the 6 books and the team with the most points can win money, gift certificates and more.
Students that have questions can ask Mrs. McGuire in the library, Mrs. Bruno or Mrs. Breunig in room 109.
Books chosen for this fall are: Who is Steven Spielberg? / The Land of Stories #1 / Ungifted / Flygirl / So B It / Tesla's Attic
Attention Problem Solvers!
Ever hear of a breakout room? You know, the rooms you get locked inside and you have to follow clues to get out of the room?
A breakout box is similar.
There is a sign up sheet on Mrs. Breunig and Mrs. Bruno’s door (room 109) for those interested to come in during their flex time to explore a breakout box.
The sign up sheet includes 6 slots and are usually for Tuesdays and Thursdays during flex. The box will change each week.
Students are to pick up a “ticket” that is attached to the door when they sign up. Students will need to have the ticket signed by their flex teacher and bring it day they are going to come. That will be their “ticket” to enter. If they do not have their homework done, they cannot come.
Opportunity for Girls @UW Madison
Expanding Your Horizons, a day of career exploration activities in science, engineering, and mathematics for young women in middle school, takes place October 27 on the UW Campus. Information about the conference and registration information can be found at https://geoscience.wisc.edu/eyh/more-conference-information/
If your daughter is interested, you will need to register on the website by October 12. Please note, Sauk Prairie Middle School does not provide transportation for this event.
ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS
- This is a reminder that back packs/ carry in food & drink/ skateboards/balls, etc are not allowed at sporting events.
- If these items are brought to events, they will be left at the main gate at the responsibility of the owner (gate workers are not responsible)
- If you have any questions, please contact the high school athletic office.
Enjoy the season!
ATTENDANCE
Hello! My name is Megan Marshall and I am the new attendance administrative assistant for the middle school. I look forward to a wonderful school year and very much look forward to meeting all the students and parents!
I do have a couple of reminders about absences and the best way to contact us regarding an absence for your child. Here are the following ways you can contact me if your child will absent due to illness, has an appointment or any other personal reason:
1) CALL the attendance line designated solely for attendance reporting. This is a 24-hour line so leave a message any time! 643-5580.
2) EMAIL me with any absences (illness, appointment notices, personal, etc.) to MSATTENDANCE@SAUKPRAIRIESCHOOLS.ORG.
3) **Coming Soon** - There may even be a more EFFICIENT way to let us know of absences...Do you use a smartphone with Skyward enabled on it? Beginning in 2019 you may have the new added feature to send an absence through the Skyward app! Watch for upcoming newsletters for more information.
SPMS ATHLETICS
Online registration for Middle School Wrestling and Boys Basketball is now open and will only be open through October 15th. Please sign your student up via Skyward Family Access (link below). Boys and girls in 6-8 grade are eligible to participate in wrestling. Boys Basketball is open to boys in grades 7 and 8.
If you are not able to register online, you can access the forms from the Sauk Prairie Middle School Athletics webpage (link below). You can also access athletic schedules from that page.
The cost per sport is $45. You can pay this online via online registration or you can submit payment via check/cash directly to the school office.
Both Wrestling and Boys Basketball will begin practice around October 29th. Specific dates will be available soon.
Winter Band Concert
Mark your calendar!
The Winter Band Concert for 6-8 grade students will be held on Tuesday, December 4th.
It will be in the Middle School South Gym beginning at 7:00 p.m.
SPMS School Store
Pencils Pencil grips 2 for $0.25 Pencil $0.10 Mechanical pencil $0.50 Mechanical pencil & 4 color pen $1.50 Small pencil sharpener $0.25 Chocolate pencil sharpener $0.50 Sharpener and eraser $1.25 Pencil lead (0.5, 0.7, 0.9) $0.50 Colored pencils $1.00 Koala pencil hugger $0.50 Fluffy pencils $0.50 Pens Stick pen $0.10 Paracord pen $1.00 Erasable pen (red, blue, black ink) $1.50 Erasable Highlighter $0.75 4 color pen $0.50 Mechanical pencil + 4 color pen $1.50 Set of 6 Glitter Gel pens $2.00 Erasers Pencil top eraser $0.05 Eraser $0.10 Kneadable eraser $0.50 3 wheel eraser $0.75 Chocolate pencil sharpener & eraser $0.50 Paper Composition notebook $1.00 Loose Leaf paper $0.50 Mini-composition book $1.25 Neon Mini-notebook $1.25 Notebook $0.50 Post-it notepad $0.50 Small notepad $0.25 Other items Dividers $0.50 Ruler $0.25 Stapler $1.50 Calculator $2.00 Scientific calculator $5.00 Glue stick $0.50 Locker mirror $2.00 Locker holder $2.75 Bracelet keychain $0.50 Stress ball $2.50 Emoji Rubiks cube keychain $1.00 Magic wire ring $1.25 Gum $1.00 Locker WhiteBoard $2.00 Earbuds $1.00 Mesh drawstring bags $1.50