HMS Weekly Update #37
Friday, June 2nd, 2023
Dear Hoboken Middle School Family,
I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter. Please take some time to read through the updates below to learn more about this past week and our upcoming events.
Enjoy,
Principal Sorafine
ryan.sorafine@hoboken.k12.nj.us
June Reminders:
- HMS Grade 8 Moving Up Ceremony ~ June 22nd at 11am @ Louis Taglieri Stadium
- Last day of school ~ June 22nd, 2023
- HMS Field Day ~ June 15th (sign ups and lunch information below)
Arrival Information:
The entrance on the 4th street side of the building is open to all students from 7:30 - 8:15. If your child arrives early, they should report to that door and enter the building. Students will then report to the HMS Cafeteria where breakfast will be served. The grade 6 (Garden Street) and grade 8 (Bloomfield Street) entrances doors open at 8:15 each day.
Please take some time to read through the updates below to learn some more about this past week and upcoming events. Some highlights are:
- HMS Help Desk
- Lunch Application Information Link
- Chromebook Insurance Link
- Pre-AP Information for Rising 8th Graders
- Warm Weather Dress Code/Uniform Reminder
- Oncourse Connect ~ Parent Information
- PTO Corner
- Passport to Learning Corner
- Clubs & Activities Corner
- Guidance Counselor's Corner
- Move This World at HMS
- Our corner's that highlight areas within our school community
- Grade and content level summary to give you a peak into the classroom
- Helpful information at the bottom of the newsletter
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- Students should bring a full water bottle to school everyday. If you would like to purchase an HMS Water bottle for $2 please have your child stop by the main office and see Ms. Munoz. We have water hydration stations in the building on the 1st floor and 3rd floor so they can fill up their bottles.
- Chromebooks must be charged each night at home. Please check in with your child to remind them to charge their Chromebook at night.
- Please communicate any health issues to Nurse Kirwin (NKirwin@hoboken.k12.nj.us). You may also share any documentation with her that the school would need.
- Here is the HMS Student Handbook for your convenience
- Please find the HMS School Uniform Guidance information
HMS Dress Code & Uniform Reminder
- Shorts and Skirts - Please note they must be appropriate length
* Khaki (Tan or navy blue in color) Bermuda style shorts (knee length), skirts (knee length), and jumpers (knee-length) are permitted.
* Not Permitted: shorts/skirts that are too short; spandex shorts
* School Spirit Option – School issued athletic shorts that display the HMS Logo Shirts – Must be worn with arms through sleeves.
* Polo-style collar shirts or t-shirts (short or long sleeve) - SOLID navy blue, yellow, gray, or white,
* Not Permitted: tank tops, cut-off shirts, crop tops
* School Spirit Option – School issued t-shirt (long or short sleeved) that displays HMS Logo, HMS Activity or any other approved HPSD Activity (i.e. Theater, Band, etc.)
Please take the time to review the HMS Uniform Guidelines. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Baskinger (robin.baskinger@hoboken.k12.nj.us)
8th Grade Cap & Gown and Diploma Information
ATTENTION 8TH GRADE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES...
Please complete the linked 8th Grade Cap & Down/Diploma Google Form to properly order your child's cap and gown and their diploma for the HMS Moving Up Ceremony in June. If you have any questions, please email me. Further information about dates and times for the Ceremony will be shared with families at a later date. Please complete this form if you have not done so already!
Thank you,
Dr. Baskinger
(robin.baskinger@hoboken.k12.nj.us)
Pre-AP Information for Rising 8th Graders!
Dear Current 7th Grade Families,
In 8th Grade at HMS, you will have the opportunity to partake in our Pre-AP courses. Please find the descriptions of Pre-AP Algebra 1 and Pre-AP World History, linked below:
Please select the Pre-AP course offerings you are interested in for the 2023-2024 school year. Note that the forms will close on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023.
To fill out the interest form. CLICK HERE!!!
If you have any questions regarding the Pre-AP course offerings, please reach out to Dr. Baskinger (robin.baskinger@hoboken.k12.nj.us) and Ms. Falcone (sfalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us).
HMS Field Day ~ June 15th!
Parent/Guardian Sign Up Information
Grade 6 Field Day Sign Ups (SIGN UP HERE!)
Grade 7 & 8 Field Day Sign Ups (Sign Up Here!)
HMS Field Day Lunch - 2023
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Hoboken Middle School PTO, along with the administration, is eagerly awaiting our annual field day on Thursday, June 15th . Along with the many activities on the field, the students will have a BBQ luncheon.
In preparation for this event, we ask that you select a menu item for your child. This information will assist in the purchasing and distribution of lunches. In addition to the item selected, all students will receive corn, watermelon, Doritos chips, 100% juice fruit ice pop and milk. Water will also be available.
Your child has the option to bring his/her own home lunch and snacks. Please note that choosing this option, they won’t receive the above items.
Please complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher no later than Monday, May 23rd. (CLICK ME!)
We will be looking for parent volunteers to help out on Field Day. Information regarding online sign up will be sent out in the coming weeks, until then please save the date: Thursday, June 15th.
Thank you for your support in making this a successful event for all of our students.
Path Poster Contest Event: June 1, 2023
Congrats HMS Students: Will Rakela, Jayda Acevedo, & Piper Morales!
Yesterday, Port Authority and PATH hosted Hoboken Public School District's students and families in a spectacular event held at the PATH terminal. Our Top 25, Top 3, and Grand Prize WInning students all gathered, along with their families, to celebrate being chosen out of over 500 pieces of art! The Top 25 summer themed artworks were proudly displayed and served as a colorful backdrop for the energetic performance by Brand Chorus, directed by Mr. Panfile. Their joyous voices and artwork certainly caught the attention of the entire terminal!
The Top 25 winners were each given a certificate by Clarelle DeGraffe, Director/General Manager, PATH. The Top 3 winners were also given a certificate and had their grand posters presented to the entire audience who was left to wonder, "Who is the Grand Prize Winner?"
The Top 3 students and their families were invited to board a special PATH Train car which was elaborately decorated in the theme of Summer and travel PATH’s Journal Square Station in Jersey City. We deboarded and walked up to the PATH administrative offices 5th floor conference room at Journal Square Transportation Center for a luncheon and presentation of gifts to winners.
We are overjoyed to share our Top 3 Winners:
K-2: Gabro Younan, Brandt
3-5: Rose Simons, Wallace
6-8: Will Rakela, Hoboken Middle School
...and the Grand Prize Winner is...?
Rose Simons! Congratulations, Rose!
We are thrilled to celebrate the Top 25 Winners:
Alexandra Crimmins - Brandt, grade 5
Emma Maydick - Brandt, grade 1
Reese Katzman - Connors, grade 2
Camille McCauley - Brandt, grade 2
Nolan Goldberg - Connors, grade 1
Miriam Rasul - Wallace, grade 2
Vivienne Kostopoulos - Wallace, grade 2
Eva Balagula - Brandt, grade 1
Piper Morales - Hoboken Middle School, 7
Jayda Acevedo - Hoboken Middle School, grade 8
Harrison Green - Hoboken Middle School, grade 7
Maya Newfield - Connors, grade 4
Nicholas Pickerel - Connors, grade 4
Paige Forman - Brandt, grade 5
Aaliyah Rosario - Brandt, grade 4
Kamora Beals - Connors, grade 4
Ella Resnick - Brandt, grade 4
Zoe Nguyen Mueller - Brandt, grade 5
Liam Keegan - Brandt, grade 4
Kavya Sahu - Wallace, grade 4
Isaac Vainshel - Wallace, grade 3
Veer Bhardwaj - Wallace, grade 3
Serena Bufano - Connors, grade 3
Noah Vasseur - Brandt, grade 4
Maria M. Otero - Brandt, grade 3Hoboken Public Schools is honored to be partnered with the Port Authority and the PATH Summer Poster Contest. Now, the Path trains will shine bright all summer long - even while underground. We look forward to 2024 where we will participate in the next annual partnership with Port Authority/PATH Summer Poster Contest Event.
Thank you to our District and Building Administrations as well as our enthusiastic Art Instructors for their support in this tremendous experience.
Spring Music Concert May 30th
On Tuesday May 30th, our award winning Music Department presented their stunning Spring Music Concert to a crowd of 500 community members. Our students in 6th-12th grade presented 90 minute selections in concert band, chorus and strings that showcased their talents and personal growth within the music department and encompassed their efforts over the entire school year. Selections included Ashokan Farewell - Jay Ungar - Arr. Bob Cerulli &
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N' Roses Arr. Larry Moore from the strings, Mission Impossible - Arr. Paul Lavender,
Dark Ride - Randall Standridge, and Livin' on a Prayer - Arr. Paul Murtha from the middle school concert band, Red Giant - Jorge L. Vargas, The Incredibles - Arr. Paul Murtha, and September - Arr. Paul Murtha from the high school concert band, I Want it That Way - Arr. Nathan Howe and Before You Go - Arr. Mark Brymer from the middle school choir, Louder Than Words - Arr. Mac Huff and Dies Irae - Ryan Main, from the high school choir, and Earthquake - by Cassidy Byars and Sidewinder - by Cassidy Byars from the show stopping percussion ensemble. We are so proud of our students for putting on an amazing concert. Thank you to our dedicated and talented educators David Stasisk, Maria Monblatt, Fran Azzarto, and Stephanie Safko for making this night possible and providing wonderful educational experiences and memories for our students.
Hoboken Public Schools 2023-2024 Music Program Information
The Wait is Over! Be a Part of the Soundtrack of Our Artful District!
As we round the culminating corner of our successful 2022-2023 school year, we reflect on the gleaming talent of all children involved in our award winning Hoboken Music Programs. We applaud you and invite you to make more memories with us and join us next year!
- Our rising 6th and 7th grade students, continue in the music programs you love! If you are interested in joining us, you are welcomed into a true musical family.
- Our current 8th graders, please use the Hoboken High School form as you will be rising 9th graders next year. Join now to become a member of the award winning Rockin' Red Wings Marching Band!
Please choose your rising grade below to fill out the registration form related to Band / Strings as well as Chorus.
Once this form closes, your music educators will be in contact with you to provide you with additional program information as well as the rental link, if applicable.
Please complete your forms by Friday, May 19th.
Thank you and we cannot wait to have you!
Jessica Fasolino
Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts
JFasolino@hoboken.k12.nj.us
The Hoboken Public School Art Department
The Hoboken Public School Art Departments had a unique opportunity to participate in Hoboken's Through The Window Emerging Artists art exhibit sponsored by Hoboken Business Alliance and Main Street Pops. Throughout the month, storefront windows are transformed with works of art from professional and emerging artists in over 90 storefront locations. This is the largest outdoor art exhibit in our region with the help of the city’s vibrant business community. The exhibit throughout our beautiful town, allows our students to have their art work displayed with professional artists in the windows of prominent shops in Hoboken.
From May 1st-June 15th, artwork will be displayed from Hoboken Public Schools in the following locations
Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton Street
Playday Hoboken, 99 Park Ave
WolfPack Fitness, 101 Park Ave
Have fun walking around town and viewing all the amazing artwork!
For more information please view https://hobokenbusinessalliance.com/hoboken-citywide-art-walk/
HOBOKEN MIDDLE SCHOOL student participants:
Emma Alvarado, Chloe Peel, Jaydin Menzies, Georgina Torres, Piper Morales, Lucas Balsera, Valerie Valerio, Isabella Pietri, Jaydin Menzies, Elise Pascual, Avery Martinez, Arsima Uruchyan, Benjamin Gabriel, Jackson Kirsch, Michael Keegan, Emma Henderson, Andrea Mendoza, Izayah Johnson, Fletcher Modrzewski, Isabella Rosado, Molly Lamb
HMS Help Desk
Here are some helpful items for our families:
My child is going to be absent...what do I do?
Email WVasquez@hoboken.k12.nj.us and SFalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us to inform us about the absence.
I need to pick up my child early...what do I do?
Call the main office 15 minutes prior to pick up so your child can be waiting at the 4th street entrance. The main office is (201) 356-3754. You will need to come into the security area to sign the book for your child to leave.I have an issue with my Chromebook...what do I do?
Please visit the HPS-Tech in Our Schools Site for any tech related questions or problems with Chromebooks.
I have a question about dress code or purchasing...what do I do?
Email Dr. Baskinger (robin.baskinger@hoboken.k12.nj.us) for information
I have a question for about my child making up work if they are absent...what do I do?
Email Ms. Falcone for assistance (SFalcone@hoboken.k12.nj.us)
Oncourse Connect ~ Parent Information
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers:
Here is the link for parents to sign up for Oncourse Connect:
https://hoboken.oncourseconnect.com/login
I am also including the link that has FAQ's and videos to assist parents logging in:
https://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/log-_in_options/on_course_connect_parent__student_login_portal
Girls in Gear!
Hoboken Youth Football Camp!
HMS PTO Corner
Hoboken Public School PTO Golf Outing
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
The PTO is partnering with Krispy Kreme donuts for one last fundraiser for this school year! Kindly fill out the order form and Venmo payment to @HobokenMiddleSchool-PTO.
Form: https://forms.gle/4hie58cVXUPnSL989
The fundraiser kicks off Monday, May 15th and runs through Tuesday, May 30th.
Pickup at HMS on June 2, 2023 between 3-4 p.m. (Students can pick up.)
Don’t want to purchase donuts but would still like to donate towards Field Day? Please send your donation via Venmo. Any donation is greatly appreciated!
HMS PTO Booster Wall!
Office of Special Services: Special Education Parent Advocacy Group (SEPAG)
Hoboken Public Schools Theatre Department Corner
The Spongebob Musical Movie Night
Junior Thespians Attend Broadway Museum
On May 31st 8th grader Junior Thespians Gabriel Colon, Kevin Melendez, Tyler Mara, Sophia Castiglione, Gloria Williams, and Emerson Blischke-Villavicencio traveled into NYC with the High School Thespian Competition Team to "The Museum of Broadway".
This is an interactive and experiential museum that celebrates Broadway's rich history through the timeline of Broadway from its birth to present day. Students got to see hundreds of rare costumes, props and artifacts. Each room was an experience that highlighted groundbreaking moments in Broadway’s history, the moments that pushed creative boundaries, challenged social norms, and paved the way for those who would follow.
We had a blast going behind the curtain into the making of Broadway shows that honor the community of brilliantly talented professionals both onstage and off.
Hudson River Showcase: Call for Youth Judges
Hudson River Explorers Institute at HMS
Seining, Oysters and Pequest Hatchery Field Trip
May has been an exciting month for the Hudson River Explorers Institute! The current focus has been to sample and identify a maximum of species. The students have been utilizing various traps to sample benthic (bottom feeding) as well as pelagic (free swimming) species. They have found several blue crabs, mud crabs, Asian shore crabs, glass shrimp, isopods, Atlantic Silverside fish and several oyster toadfish, and more! The students have been taking note of the depth of the traps as well as locations to determine the preference of each species for their specific habitat.
The group has also completed a seining expedition at Hoboken Cove in association with Resilience Paddle Sports. The students found several interesting species that they hadn’t seen before, including sampling an entire school of minnows! The students were also able to observe oysters that have been seeded onto a wooden submersible “oyster reef”. They were able to view the oysters earlier this year when they were still “oyster spat” (oyster larvae) and were able to see how much they’d grown in six months.
Finally, the group had a fun field trip to Pequest Trout Hatchery. This is in association with Trout in the Classroom (we have 50 rainbow trout fry which the students raised from eggs and will be released in mid June!). They were met with DEP biologists who took them on a guided forest walking tour. They helped the students to identify several species of plants, both native and invasive. A highlight was when they went underneath a bridge over a trout stream, and then on top of it, where they spotted a large rainbow trout resting! They also got to see where the trout that are released for stocking are raised. They even got to see how they are fed – by a truck which drives by at high speed and sprays the trout food into all of the tanks!
HMS Passport to Learning Corner
Rock Climbing
Students are continuing to challenge themselves as we approach the final week of rocking climbing.
Intro To Swimming
HMS Clubs & Activities Corner
GSA
Yearbook Club
We're excited to announce that: Yearbooks have arrived! They will be distributed in the upcoming weeks!
You still have time to order a yearbook! Reach out to Ms. Brown if you have any questions
Student Council
This week during our student council meeting, we discussed ideas for our final project. The student council will be beautifying HMS by planting flowers in the flower boxes surrounding our school. The date of this initiative has not yet been set, but we invite anyone who would like to participate is more than welcome! We also discussed what kind of flowers we would like to plant and we then started the initial planning of the event by counting how many planters we will be filling with flowers.
Band Club
Chorus Club
Effective School Solutions Corner
During the adolescent years, youth are exploring their identity and how they want to be in the world as well as how others perceive them. This significant chapter in their life could cause anxiety for them. It also influences their behavior towards their caregivers where you can witness their hot and cold behavior towards you due to feeling conflicted about their independence meanwhile at times wanting your support. This article recommends to consider the following when helping your child manage their anxiety:
1. Calmly be available for your child and try to take your anxiety out of the equation when they are present
2. Reassure your child but give them space when they need it
3. Help validate and normalize your child's feelings
4. Be helpful and supportive but don't solve their problems for them -- important learning moments for them!
5. Help them break down their issue into manageable pieces
Ms. Falcone's Guidance Counselor Corner
Marking Period 4 Interim Report became available on OnCourse on May 25th. If you would like to schedule a conference with your child's teacher(s), please email me.
I would also like to thank our HMS Ambassadors for being such enthusiastic and welcoming greeters at our HMS Parent Information Session on Wednesday evening.
Move This World at HMS
We continue to support our students' social-emotional needs and mental health through Move this World. Move this World is integrated into our Fine & Performing Arts classes during periods 1-3. Additionally, all teachers have been utilizing Move this World in their classrooms to allow students opportunities for a break and movement. This week, Mrs.Bruce's class participated in the Power of Pause, which served as a brain break during Math.
I invite all our families to log into Move this World as well!
Below, you’ll find log in instructions:
Visit: sel.movethisworld.com
Username:hobokenms.family
Password:movethisworld
To learn more about Move this World, please visit their website.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions!
Thank You,
Ms. Falcone
(201) 356-3600 ext. 3746
HMS Nurse's Corner
If your child has any medical needs please feel free to call me to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. As a reminder, if your child has any kind of over the counter or prescribed medication that needs to be kept in school and administered, please have your doctor fill out a medication form and supply me with the medication.
Please do not send in the medication in your child’s backpack or drop it off with the security guard. This is a safety concern! All medications must be handed to the nurse, by the parent, with orders.
Good management of your child’s asthma is important to his or her success at school. Clear communication between you and your child, your health care provider and school staff is the key to managing asthma at school. A written Asthma Action Plan developed by your health care provider and shared with the school will help keep your child safe at school. Following the Asthma Action Plan will enable your child to participate fully in school activities.
If your child has an Asthma Action Plan, please send a copy to the school nurse. If your child does not have an Asthma Action Plan, please talk with your health care provider about developing one that can be shared with the school staff. Your child should not be carrying an inhaler around with an asthma action pan in place.
It can be faxed directly to the school at 201-792-4801 or sent via email to the nurse at nkirwin@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
Should you have any questions or concerns I can be reached at 201-356-3744 or nkirwin@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
HMS World Language Corner
Spanish
In Spanish class, Grade 6 students are working on a project using previously learned skills with the purpose of allowing others to get to know them better. For example, students will demonstrate mastery of subject pronouns, definite and indefinite articles, the verb to be, (Ser, Estar), verbs ending in ar, possessive adjectives, nouns, adjectives, and cognates on a project called "Todo Sobre Mi", (All About Me). Students are using Google Slides or Canva to create this project. Presentations will begin at the end of this week. I am super excited to watch my students present their product to the class. Grades 7-8 students are also working on a project too, their project is to choose a cultural event, activity or group that was not discussed in class. Some students are creating videos to show their presentational skills and I will share their videos next week. I can't wait to see my students putting all their skills into action. Hasta luego!
French
In French class, 6th graders took a quiz for which they demonstrated mastery of French numbers twenty through one hundred. Students also reviewed for their last unit test, which will take place next week, by reviewing the conjugations of the irregular verb avoir and completing receptive language tasks on Quizlet involving school supplies and numbers. On Friday, they prepared their answers to their last oral assessment, which they will practice and memorize next week. 7th and 8th graders learned about the last new vocabulary topic of the school year on the subject of clothing. Students demonstrated mastery of receptive language skills by identifying the English translation of each vocabulary word in review games and on their assessment.
Mandarin
In Mandarin class, 6th graders finished the Unit test. The test included basic vocabulary words and expressions, picture descriptions, reading comprehension, and writing and listening comprehension questions. Afterwards, we started a new unit on the topic of family. We learned the basic words of family members and also talked about Chinese family relationships, which can be described as "respect the elderly and take care of the youth." 7th and 8th graders continued with the unit on weather. Students reviewed many expressions about their physical feelings like cold, hot, warm, and chilly based on the weather conditions. Next, we learned the vocabulary of the four seasons. Students talked about their preferences of each season and their reasons in Chinese.
Grade & Content Level ~ What Have We Been Learning?
6th Grade
Language Arts
After returning from the long Memorial Day weekend, our 6th graders are in the home stretch in ELA. We started off the week with an introduction to our reading final project. Students will have a choice to complete an activity of their choice with any whole-class novel we have read this year. Students may complete a writing-based activity, such as creating alternative endings or a thematic essays; as well as putting their creative artistic skills to work by creating a setting-based diorama or board game based on the novel. We ended the week with brainstorming a list of global, local and school-based issues as we generated ideas on our upcoming argumentative essays.
Math
This week our 6th grade mathematicians continued to work on the PLTW portion of our mathematics course, “Green Architecture.” Student’s worked on the “Design Process”. Students worked on creating their ideal bedrooms to scale. Students brainstormed what they wanted to put in their bedroom. Students researched different furniture pieces they wanted for their bedroom. Once done, they had to now transfer those items and use graph paper to equal the exact measurements and items to fit in their room. Using the six elements of design, the students drew their ideal bedrooms on graph paper. Students then learned about the different types of flooring(carpet, tile, hardwood, etc…) and chose a flooring that they liked the best. Next week, students will be learning what sustainable architecture is and why it is important today.
Social Studies
This week in Social Studies we examined the different approaches used by the U.S. Supreme Court to interpret the meaning of the Constitution. Students identified arguments in favor of or against the methods. Later in the week students analyzed real-life cases interpreting the 8th and 5th amendments to see whether they interpret the Bill of Rights the same way the Supreme Court did and discover how tricky interpreting the Constitution really is.
Science
In science this week, 6th graders learned about the many things that have a direct impact on our Earth’s atmosphere. They read informational texts, articles, and watched videos to interpret various scientific terms, explain natural effects on Earth’s atmosphere (supervolcano, eruptions, and asteroids), explain human impacts (greenhouse gasses and ozone depletion), and finally develop a claim-evidence-reasoning on the question, “Should society put more resources into mitigating human impacts on the atmosphere or natural impacts on the atmosphere?” Next week we will move into studying how human impact affects climate change.
7th Grade
Language Arts
This week, seventh graders began drafting their Book Reviews. These reviews are part of our Argumentative Writing Unit. Students chose one of our core novels from this year, crafted a specific claim, and found evidence from the novel to support their claim. Next week, we will complete our first drafts and begin editing!
Math
This week in math, students continued to work on Project Lead the Way: Automation & Robotics. They added motors onto their Simple Gear Machines and used VEXcode to program the motor to spin forward. Then, students attached wheels and a “Brain”! We will continue working on PLTW next week.
Science
This week the 7th Grade Science students worked on creating presentations on specific biomes and ecosystems. The students needed to identify the climate, types of environment threats faced, the ecological food web, and types of living things present in the biome and ecosystem. The groups, as always, were very creative and used vivid images to support their information. Each group created a series of academic questions and created a Kahoot! challenge to collect data on their classmates' understanding of their presentation topic. The students finished the week finalizing the presentation script, and practiced for their live presentations starting next week.
Social Studies
This week the 7th grade students continued their work on finishing the Brazil Chapter of our unit of study. Students worked in groups to read and answer questions about what Brazil is like today. They discovered the culture, the environmental issues, the economy, and the government in modern day Brazil and compared it to what we learned last week about the history of Brazil. Because of the field trip this week, the test has been pushed back to next week, and we will begin our unit on Africa.
8th Grade
Language Arts
This week in ELA, students continued reading Night by Elie Wiesel. Students analyzed the memoir by completing critical thinking questions as they read. Additionally, students utilized Wiesel’s memoir as inspiration to their own memoir brainstorming. Students considered influential people in their lives, utilized descriptive language to describe settings, and recalled important events as ideas for their own memoir pieces. Lastly, students began to study all 8th grade vocabulary words to prepare for a cumulative end of the year vocab quiz.
Pre-AP Algebra
Welcome to June everyone!
This week in algebra students embarked full force on the App Creators adventures. Together we learned how to access the student resources as well as the online coding environment. Students considered the idea of an algorithm both in math and the coding world and then learned to transfer these ideas to the creation of “event handlers”- the blocks that do given jobs in our coding environments. Students were also introduced to conditional statements and boolean logic. In this environment students created directions for a bus to take on a field trip and developed an app that connects different germs and how they are transmitted. Students who are already very familiar with coding are expanding their learning by starting to design their own apps. Hopefully the students will share their apps with you!
Pre-Algebra
Woohoo it's June! This week in pre-algebra students embarked full force on the App Creators adventures. Together we learned how to access the student resources as well as the online coding environment. Students considered the idea of an algorithm both in math and the coding world and then learned to transfer these ideas to the creation of “event handlers”- the blocks that do given jobs in our coding environments. Students were also introduced to conditional statements and boolean logic. In this environment students created directions for a bus to take on a field trip and developed an app that connects different germs and how they are transmitted. I hope the students share their excitement about their coding discoveries with you.
Science
This week in science we finished up our solar system posters and prepared for our unit 4 test on Friday. The test asked questions about the planets, eclipses, solstices vs. equinoxes, phases of the moon, tides, and human populations. To review, we played review games. Our solar system posters displayed an accurately-scaled model with all the planets, moons, asteroid belt, etc. Next week we will begin our exploration into the galaxy, gravity, and the known universe!
Pre-AP World History
This week in Pre-AP World History and Geography, the students began to examine the development of Early Islamic states during the Classical Period. The students analyze the origins of Islam and its first leader, Muhammad. The students studied the massive reach the Islamic empire had once the religion began to spread. The students learned what a Caliph and Caliphate are. The students finished the week by examining the impact of Muhammad and what he promoted during this time. Next week, we will continue to examine the expansion of Islamic States.
Social Studies
This week in World History and Geography, the students were able to experience a part of how some people live in China by examining the story of Xiao, a Chinese teen who lives with his family on a farm in China. They were able to understand the effects pollution has on resources such as available drinking water. The students then mapped important places to know in China for their notes. The students finished out the week with an activity that called for the students to group together in “family groups” and after receiving specific roles to play in their families, the students then had to decide if their family should migrate 200 miles away from their home on a farm. We discussed the reasons for migrating and the pros and cons of it. Next week we'll be learning more about the history of China!
Fine and Performing Arts Corner
Pre-AP Visual Arts
Creative Writing
Over the next few weeks our creative writers will be working on creating an original myth. Myths tell stories/provide explanations for how things came to be. After reading a few myths, our writers will draft their own explanation of how something came to be. In the meantime, students finished Word Association Writing and/or worked on Mood in writing.
Pre-AP Dance
Physical Education
Hoboken Middle School Recognized as Kindness Certified School!
Parent Resources for Cell Phone Monitoring
Most children today have a cellphone on hand and use it extensively to do homework, communicate with friends, and view social media platforms. It is almost unimaginable to think of a modern-day child who doesn’t take full advantage. These rapid advancements in technology have been proven to be a recent challenge. Below are two suggested cellphone monitoring services that include activity monitoring, location services, filtering, and screen time management. Though not offered through Hoboken Public Schools, these resources may be helpful in managing cell phone usage. Click on each link below below to be taken directly to the resource website.
Qustodio: The All-In-One Parental Control and Digital Wellbeing Solution