FWHMS Family Newsletter
Connecting Families to School - November 2017
Grade 6 Happenings
Sixth graders are anxiously awaiting their field trip to Nature’s Classroom. All forms and payment must be turned in by November 3rd. Students need to arrive to school with their luggage, pillow and sleeping bag. Students’ medications need to be brought to school by a parent and given to Mrs. Wiegers by November 16th. Please make sure your child arrives to school promptly on November 20th as the bus will be departing at 8 am. If you have any questions, you can always refer to your packet or contact badamz@bmrsd.net (6 Gold team leader) or nlaren@bmrsd.net (6 Purple team leader).
Please keep in mind your child’s supplies especially pencils may need to be replenished throughout the school year. We are always accepting and appreciate donations of tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels. Kindly mark your bag with 6 Purple or 6 Gold.
Thank you!
Grade 7 Happenings
On October 12th and 13th, the seventh grade traveled to the Hockomock YMCA in North Attleboro Massachusetts. Upon arrival, students were engaged in quick large group activities to warm up. Without realizing it, students were randomly divided into groups that they stayed in for the remainder of the day. The first day of activities focused on team building using six different activities including Saving Planet Earth, Capture the Pig, Hopping on Dots, The Blanket Toss, passing under a rope without using their hands and navigating a plank course. As students moved from station to station, they slowly moved from working as individuals to working as a team. It was truly amazing to watch this transformation, especially as some students began to emerge as leaders within their team.
The second day was just as exciting as students moved onto the high elements on the ropes course. After a safety lesson, students were given the opportunity to climb at least two elements. During these activities, students were cheered on by their peers as they climbed trees, a cargo net and jumping from the high plank which was the only way down! The encouragement students displayed toward their peers that were worried about heights was incredible. It’s certainly one moment that you need to experience in order to understand the excitement generated by the students! We certainly appreciate the time and effort the staff at the YMCA takes to coordinate the activities! Thank you to Mrs. Herrick, Mrs. Watson, Mr. Niemczyk, and Mr. Giroux for chaperoning this year’s trip.
During October in social studies, students completed their cereal box project on “Theseus the Minotaur”. Many students used our 3-D printers to create a “toy surprise” hidden inside their cereal box. Students created miniature minotaurs, boats and more. Be sure to check out the projects in the glass display cases on our floor and the main lobby during parent-teacher conferences!
Grade 8 Happenings
The school year is in full swing, and it’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of first quarter. In History, Students have made their way out of the Middle Ages and are discovering all of the wonders of the Renaissance. Art projects introduced History students to the importance of expression and creativity during that time. Soon, the ideas of Humanism and the Renaissance will open the doors to even more changes in World History and they will be working on their first group project for the Reformation.
In ELA students will be wrapping up “Flowers for Algernon” by bridging the text with a nonfiction unit focusing on the ethics behind animal testing in science. In Science, students will be exploring how forces affect the universe, planetary interactions, and tides.
Extended Algebra students will be entering the world of equations, while Algebra students are venturing into polynomials – one of the most interesting, yet difficult topics of the year.
Noticias Españolas (Spanish News)
In seventh grade, students wrote their own conversations and role played in front of the class an authentic conversation in Spanish.
Grade eight Spanish 1 students completed an activity called "El Mercado" in which teams of students used their vocabulary skills from the numbers unit to buy and sell merchandise with other students. Students had to use only Spanish to set their prices, and bargain with other student to make the most money. If they were caught speaking in English, they had to pay a fine.
Wellness Happenings
Grade 6
The sixth grade wellness class learned about time management and came to understand the payoffs that learning how to manage their time now will have throughout their lives; students participated in a variety of learning experiences including a reciprocal teaching jigsaw. Each group worked collaboratively on a subtopic of time management and shared their information in small groups.”How do I prioritize my to- do- list?” and “What do I need to know to manage my time?” were the Essential Questions that your child should be able to answer. We will finish the quarter learning about the dangers of tobacco products and the techniques advertisers use to hook teens.
Grade 7
This month students in grade 7 wellness learned about nutrition including information on the new food label, energy drinks and caffeine, emotional eating, portion control and taming our sweet tooth to name a few. Students focused on the implication of their food choices today and 30 years from now. They choose a topic of interest, researched it, and shared their information with the class. The last unit of study is Sleep and the Teenage Brain. Students will explore why sleep is essential, and whether school should start later.
Grade 8
Students in 8th grade wellness focused their attention on anger management, managing conflict, and developing a feeling vocabulary. Students learned the difference between reacting and responding,”good” ways to be mad, anger triggers, physical effects of anger, and healthy strategies to express anger. They wrote and performed role plays to demonstrate their understanding of dealing with emotions like anger.
Physical Education Happenings
This month students were hard at work learning that PE is a whole lot more than sports and games and offers personal development opportunities through play and play-induced scenarios. Things that children in early-childhood education classrooms are being taught across the country, still rings true in our middle schoolers when it comes to play and how to co-exist with others. These life skills are the foundation of the PE philosophy here at FWHMS and promote respect far above ability and talent. Through a variety of physical activities, students can practice and demonstrate the same skills needed throughout their lifespan from getting along on the playground to collaborating as professional adults. Thus this is how our PE curriculum is focused. Team-building challenges, wacky cooperative games with a mix of some traditional team sports, and leisure activities are just a few examples of the things your students experienced in the month of October.
To better understand how this philosophy may differ from your personal PE experiences, click the link below:
https://www.gophersport.com/blogentry/how-to-teaching-life-skills-through-physical-education
Guidance News
Parent involvement is key to helping middle schoolers succeed. As your child attempts to become more independent, it is difficult to maintain a balance of involvement and hands off. This month’s article focuses on how to keep communication open with your tween. Typically between the ages of 9-12 years old, our tween will no longer want anything to do with us. Pre-teens are developing new independence and want to see how far they can push limits set by parents. What you may not know is your tween needs you as much as ever. A strong parent-child relationship now can set the stage for a much less turbulent adolescence.
In her article, “10 Parenting Tips for Preteens and Tweens”, Juliann Garey has tips for communicating with your child. Tip one is not to feel rejected by your child’s new independence. It’s age appropriate for kids to start to turn away from their parents and rely more on their friends. Don’t misinterpret it as refusal or oppositional behavior.
The second tip is to continue to set aside special time with your child. It’s tough to get pre-teens to open up and talk. Set aside 1:1 time. Make sure you provide undivided attention which means also not working or texting during this time. This role plays crucial interpersonal skills.
Tip three is to try the indirect approach. When they were younger, you could ask direct questions. Now you need to take the opposite approach and be more of a listener. Don’t try and step in and solve all their problems. Give advice if they ask for it, otherwise, just empathize with them about their feelings.
Tip four is to not be afraid to start conversations about taboo topics. You need to start having difficult and uncomfortable conversations about drugs and relationships. It is important to give them correct information and developmentally appropriate information. You also need to connect on topics around the messages that media instills. Their peer group is going to be providing information, but you want to provide the correct information. Try to do so in a nonjudgmental way. If you child is talking about another student experimenting with substances, don’t judge what they are doing, but rather give facts around it.
Tip five is to not to overreact, but don’t be clueless either. Pre-adolescents are already hyper-reactive. Don’t amplify drama that your tween might get involved in, instead provide solutions. Don’t also be a parent who ignores stuff. You risk seeming unconcerned to kids.
Tip six is to encourage sports for girls. Girl’s self-esteem peaks at around age 9, but research shows girls who play on teams have higher self-esteem. They also tend to do better academically and have fewer body images. You should try and nurture your boy’s emotional side. Encourage boys to be sensitive and vulnerable at home while acknowledging the reality that those traits might not go over well at school. Finding the right balance with your tween won’t be easy but keeping communication open during these years is worth the work you will have to put in.
Health Office News
Physicals
In order for me to maintain up to date health records, whenever your child has a physical exam by his/her doctor please make sure that I get a copy of the exam and immunization record. Any student trying out for a winter sport must have had a physical within 13 months prior to the first day of tryouts. I need to have a copy of the physical exam in order to sign the athletic eligibility form. Students are not allowed to tryout for a sport if the eligibility form is not signed. Dr. Perriello, our school physician, will be here on Wednesday, November 8, to give sports physicals for those students who need one in order to tryout for a winter sport and can not have one by their own pediatrician. Please call me or have your son or daughter come see me by Monday, November 6 if they need to have a physical.
SBIRT
The guidance counselors and I will be conducting the interview-based SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) screening on all 7th grade students this month. This is a new mandated screening to help prevent students from starting to use substances, or intervene with early use. Please refer to the letter that I included in the student packets at the beginning of the school year for detailed information regarding the screening.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sue Wiegers
School Nurse
508-876-0193, option 3
Parent - Teacher Conferences November 13th and 16th
If you are unable to attend parent-teacher conferences, then please email the following to book an appointment.
Teams
Six Gold - badamz@bmrsd.net
Six Purple - nlaren@bmrsd.net
Seven Gold - ldansereau@bmrsd.net
Seven Purple - hhannon@bmrsd.net
Eight Gold - lscott@bmrsd.net
Eight Purple - kfinnegan@bmrsd.net
Rotation Staff
Mrs. Blanchard - mblanchard@bmrsd.net
Mr. Northup - jnorthup@bmrsd.net
Mrs. Devine (Volk) - kvolk@bmrsd.net
Mrs. Riedel - jriedel@bmrsd.net
Coffee with Superintendent Himmelberger
Monday 13th from 4:30 pm to 5 pm
Thursday 16th from 7:30 pm to 8 pm
Parent Portal
National Grid Fundraiser Order Pick Up
Winter Session
The sign-up link will be emailed to all parents on November 17th. It is on a first come, first serve basis. You will only be notified if your child does not get into the program(s).
The following are some of the club offerings for this session:
Board Game Club, Coding Club, Off-Season Sports Training Club, and Photography Club.
Ski Club - Sign Up Now - Starts Jan 7th
Are you someone who loves to ski or snowboard? If so, then this club is for YOU! The Ski/Snowboard club travels to Wachusett Mountain every Sunday for 6 weeks starting January 7, 2018. The club takes a coach bus which leaves the middle school at 3:00 pm and returns at approximately 9:00pm.
There are options available for renting equipment, ski/snowboard lessons (offered at a variety of levels), and use of the Terrain Park for anyone interested.
Fees for the club:
-A MANDATORY bus fee (approximately $120 for 6 weeks)
-Lift badge fee to ski/board ($120 for 6 weeks)
-Additional fees for rentals, badge insurance, lockers, etc .
Click here to view flyer and how to register through Wachusett Mountain. Bus fee is paid through the school. Make bus fee checks/money orders payable to Hartnett Middle School.
Scholastic Book Fair
Grade 8 Washington, DC Trip Information
The first payment of $148.75 is due on 11/9. Checks can be made payable to FW Hartnett Middle School. Please make sure that you designate the name of your child either on your check or on a slip of paper. The payment schedule is also listed below.
Payment Plan Schedule
Payment #1 148.75 Due Date: 11/9
Payment #2 148.75 Due Date: 01/10
Payment #3 148.75 Due Date: 03/09
Payment #4 148.75 Due Date: 05/15
Fundraising Opportunities
This year we have set up three fundraising opportunities in order to help all families off set the cost of the trip. The first is Christmas wrapping paper and orders are due November 8th in order to get the orders back in time for Christmas. The second will be Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough and take place in January. The third will be Yankee Candle in March. All profits will be credited to the student's account and parents will be notified.
Trip Information
As a reminder, the dates of the trip are June 10-13th. We will be traveling by bus to and from DC, with dinner stops both going and returning. Part of your child's trip fee will include money for these stops. Once in DC, our trip will consist of a number of exciting locations to visit-Memorials, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery and our annual boat cruise along the Potomac River. The Washington DC trip continues to be a highlight to the end of our students middle school time here at the FW Hartnett Middle School. If you should have any questions regarding the itinerary of the trip, please email Mrs. Finnegan at kfinnegan@bmrsd.net.
Parent Meeting
A parent meeting will be held in the early spring to provide more information with regards to packing, student expectations, and any questions you might have. We are beyond excited again for what will be a wonderful adventure and learning experience for your child.
Yearbook
This year, we have partnered with Jostens to bring you a high-quality, full-color 2017-2018 yearbook. If you act now, you can take advantage of our lowest price of the year (until December 31st). Yearbooks can be ordered online by clicking here, or by printing, filling out a form (click here) and returning it to the main office with payment.
This year, we are offering yearbook recognition ads. Yearbook recognition ads are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. In addition, revenues from recognition ads help our school to create a better yearbook. To purchase your ad online, follow the instructions on the form (click here) or click here for the direct link to the ad site. You will have to set up an account with Jostens to complete an ad. Please take into account our school's ad content guidelines on the bottom of this form during the creation of your ad online. All ad orders must be placed online by 11/30/2017. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Tasker at stasker@bmrsd.net.
PBIS School Store Donations Wanted
We are looking for donations of holiday novelty items. They can be purchased from places like the Dollar Store, Ocean State Job Lot, Rhode Island Novelty, Oriental Trading, Walmart, and Target. Please donate in sets of at least a dozen. We would also like donations of new holiday hats and headbands for our Holiday Spirit Day.
Homework
https://sites.google.com/bmrsd.net/homework/home.
If your child needs help, teachers are available Monday to Thursday to help your child for 15 minutes after school. If you book an appointment, they are available for 30 minutes. Please email your child(ren)'s teacher to book an appointment.
Pay Online for School Lunch
You can view the account balance, see what was purchased, and schedule automatic payments if you wish.
Be Fearless, Be Kind Pledge from Hasbro
From now through December 20, for everyone who takes the BE FEARLESS, BE KIND pledge, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots, up to 250,000 toys, for children in need this holiday season. Visit https://leadasap.ysa.org/pledge/ to take the pledge.
"BE FEARLESS BE KIND is Hasbro’s new signature philanthropic initiative. It’s designed to inspire and empower kids to have the compassion, empathy and courage to stand up for others and be inclusive throughout their lives.The goal of BE FEARLESS BE KIND is to elevate this issue and provide resources to help parents and kids with the ultimate goal of building a kinder generation. A generation where all kids are included; where differences are appreciated; where empathy and compassion are nurtured in kids, and where kids get the feeling of fulfilment that comes with doing the right thing....Because of the pervasiveness and influence of our brands on kids around the world, we have a unique opportunity to elevate these issues and teach children the emotional skills that will help them stand up for others and be inclusive throughout their lives. Our call to action is simple: BE FEARLESS BE KIND. We know it’s not always easy to be kind. If often takes courage to do the right thing. That’s why we use the words BE FEARLESS BE KIND.We want kids to stand up for others, include everyone, and take action when they see a problem."
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, November 1st
- 8:30 am to 1 pm - Manufacturing Trip to Dell - grade 8
- 10:40 am to 1 pm - School Flu Clinic
- Halloween Candy Donation Begins
Friday, November 3rd
- Halloween Candy Donation Ends
- School Picture Retakes
- BVT Information Trip Forms available in Guidance
- 9 am to 10 am - District Title 1 Informational Meeting for Parents at FWHMS
Monday, November 6th
- First quarter ends
Tuesday, November 7th
- 6 pm to 7:30 pm - Cross Country Awards
Wednesday, November 8th
- 7:30 am to 3:30 pm - National Grid Fundraiser Pick Up
- BVT Informational Table - 8th Grade lunch only
- DC Trip Fundraisers Due
- 6:30 pm - Winter Athletics mandatory meeting at BMR
Thursday, November 9th
- 7:30 am to 3:30 pm - National Grid Fundraiser Pick Up
- 8 am to 9 am - 8th Grade at BMR for Inspirational speaker Jessie Funk from America's Got Talent
- BVT Information Trip Forms due in Guidance
- Report Cards Distribution
Friday, November 10th
- Veteran's Day Observed - No School
Monday, November 13th
- Scholastic Book Fair Begins
- 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm - Parent/Teacher Conferences - by online registration
- 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm - Coffee with Superintendent Himmelberger - Media Center
Tuesday, November 14th
- 8:30 am to 11 am - BVT visit for interested 8th graders
- 9:30 am to 10:30 am - Bwana Iguana Reptile Show - 8th graders
Wednesday, November 15th
- 8 am to 8:40 am - 6th grade Honor roll breakfast
Thursday, November 16th
- 8 am to 8:40 am - 7th and 8th grade Honor roll breakfast
- 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm - Parent/Teacher Conferences - by online registration
- 7:30 pm to 8 pm - Coffee with Superintendent Himmelberger - Media Center
Friday, November 17th
- End of Fall After school programs
Monday, November 20th
- Winter After school program sign ups begin - OneCall email will be sent with link
- Nature's Classroom - Grade 6
- 5 pm to 6 pm - School Council Meeting
- 6 pm to 7 pm - PTO Meeting
Tuesday, November 21st
- Nature's Classroom - Grade 6
Wednesday, November 22nd
- 11 AM Dismissal for half day
Thursday, November 23rd
- Thanksgiving - No School
Friday, November 24th
- Thanksgiving Recess - No School
Monday, November 27th
- Winter Athletics Try Outs Begin
Be sure to visit our school web site to view our school events calendar.
ABC's of Student Success
If children are to show respect for others, they need to understand what it is to be respected. Author Michelle Borba emphasizes these parent practices that nurture respect.
- Treat your child as the most important person in the world
- Encourage your children to have high -- but achievable -- expectations of themselves
- Give love with no strings attached
- Listen attentively and respectfully
- Enjoy being together
- Tell kids often why you love them
Math @ Home
Simply Symmetrical
A shape is symmetrical when two halves of it are exactly alike. For example, a heart and a butterfly are symmetrical because, when folded in half, their left sides mirror their right sides. How many symmetrical things or designs can your child find in your home? Encourage your child to look at wallpaper, floor tiles, pictures, bedspreads, appliances and more.
-EducationWorld.com
Parent Pointers
- Each day, ask your child about how school went. If you make this a habit, your child will be expecting the question and know that you expect a thoughtful reply.
- Let your child speak openly to you -- and listen to him or her. You might just learn something.
- Ask your child for an opinion. Then give him or her a fair opportunity to think it through and share it.
School-wide Ongoing Fundraisers
BoxTops - You can find the tops on participating products. Cut out the top and have your child bring it to school. We earn 10 cents for each top collected. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a listing of products.
Stop & Shop A Plus Program - Register your rewards card to help us earn $$. Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online USE SCHOOL ID: 07080 or dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone.
Amazon - Please click here to shop on Amazon.com. A small percentage of what you purchase will go to the Hartnett Middle School PTO to help support field trips, assemblies, special events, and after school programming. It is the same Amazon.com you may use, with a small percentage supporting middle school students.
About FWHMS
Email: tcurt@bmrsd.net
Website: http://www.bmrsd.net/frederick_home.aspx
Location: 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA, United States
Phone: 508-876-0190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwhms2003
Twitter: @fwhms2003