Meeting in the Middle
Linden Middle School Newsletter; October 2014
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As the 2014-15 school year settles in, LMS is in full swing! The first full week of October marks our Homecoming celebration week! Monday will be kicked off with PJ day, and Friday will wrap up the week with spirit day - red, black and white day!
The end of our first Progress Reporting Period is Friday, October 10th. Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, October 16th from 3:00-8:00 PM. There is no school on Friday, October 17th. Teachers traveling to Washington D.C. with our eighth grade students will be leaving conferences at 5:00 PM. If your child has the following teachers, please contact them to make arrangements to meet with them before or after conferences:
Mrs. Elmer, Mr. Kirkey, Mrs. Mason, Ms. Nelson, Mr. Kimball and Mr. Allessie
This year, Linden Middle School continues to offer after school class help each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:40-3:40 PM. Registration slips can be picked up in the office or at after-school tutoring. Supervision is not available after 3:40 PM, so please make sure your child is picked up at 3:40 PM.
Our first LMS dance fro 7th and 8th graders is Thursday, October 23rd and will run from 6:00-7:30 PM. Students are not to stay after school waiting for the dance. Please be prompt picking up your child by 7:30 PM.
Parents and students will find daily homework posting on ParentVue/StudentVue! When you log on, go to "Class Website." The tab is located on the left hand side of the main page.
As always, we encourage continued communication between homes and the school. Please contact teachers with any questions you may have.
Respectfully,
Julie Brown
5 Common Sense Parenting Tips
I’m not saying parenting is easy. Of course it’s not. But it does require common sense, so here are five core parenting tips to help bring you and your child closer.
1. Plug In
Your kids are living in a different world than the one you and I grew up in. When we were kids, there was no Internet, no cell phones and only a handful of TV stations. Now, our kids are saturated by it at all hours of the day. Do you even know what they’re watching and listening to? Make a conscious decision to plug in to your kids’ world. Find out what they’re listening to and playing with, get to know their friends, and monitor their access to cell phones and the Internet.
2. Spread The Word
Research shows us that the amount of trouble kids get into is inversely proportional to the number of words spoken in the home. What that means is, the less you talk at home, the more trouble they get in outside the home. Also, when you talk to your children, spread out your logic so they can see why you're saying what you're saying. Explain your thinking and let them learn from you.
3. Talk About Things That Don't Matter
How do you ever expect to talk to your kids about things that do matter if you haven't practiced by talking about things that don't? Conversations — even about unimportant topics — give you an opportunity to understand how the other thinks and to feel close to each other. That dynamic and relationship are essential when you inevitably need have to have the tougher conversations.
4. Remember, You're The Parent
Children have lots of friends who tell them what they want to hear. They don't need you to be another friend — and you shouldn’t be! They need you to be an authority figure who lets them know where the boundaries of acceptable behavior are. Trying to be your child’s friend will only undermine your authority as a parent and come back to bite you. Children model behavior they witness. If you make good decisions, they'll learn to make them, too.
5. Allow Your Kids A Sense Of Mastery
You have to put your kids in a world where they feel a sense of mastery over their own environment. It's important that they don't feel they're subject to arbitrary guidance or haphazard decisions. Empowering kids to make their own decisions — ones they've learned from watching you and talking with you — is a great way to help them grow up with confidence and independence.
Talented Talons
· What a great start to our sixth grade year! Students have done a tremendous job adjusting to the building and middle school life. They’ve tackled the lockers and are getting to class on time with their needed materials. The Talented Talon Team teachers are impressed.
· We all enjoyed building team unity last week during our Covenant Hills team building day. It was a great way to show off the skills we didn’t even know we had.
· ParentVue is up and running and is a great resource for checking on your child’s homework assignments (for math updates use your son/daughter’s Digits’ account.) We would still like you to help us encourage students to use their planners as this is a great organizational life skill to learn. When you log into ParentVue, open the "Class Website" area located on the left hand side of the main page.
· As always we feel communication is one of the keys to academic success. Please contact any of us with any questions or concerns via phone or email. Our conference time is 12:37pm – 1:30pm.
Winged Warriors
The school year is off to a great start! The children seem to be adjusting well to the middle school schedule of passing classes. There are a few students who seem to be late for class daily. Please talk with your child about the importance of being on time. It may be that he/she needs a bit of help getting organized. It is not necessary to go to the locker area between each class. Also, some children need pencils. Please ask your child if he/she has all the supplies necessary to be successful.
In Social Studies, we are working through a unit called “Maps and Globes.” In this unit the students will learn to read maps using the compass rose, scale, key, and inset map. They will learn to use lines of latitude and longitude to find a place on a map. They will learn about the polar regions, tropical regions, and the mid-latitude zones. They will understand how time zones work. Finally, they will be asked to identify the four hemispheres, the seven continents, and the four oceans of the world on a blank map.
In Language Arts, students are studying non-fiction literature. They have been reading and analyzing several different types of non-ficgtion and locating text evidence to back up their inferences. Students are also working on sentence parts and structure. Weekly spelling/vocabulary words are given on Monday, and students complete various activities using these words throughout the week. A 5-question quiz is given each Friday reviewing the learning targets for the week. Please check ParentVue/StudentVue (online grade book) on a regular basis with your child.
In Math classes we have been working on unit 1 which is variable and numeric expressions. Students have learned about the order of operations and that letters, called variables, will be in math problems now. Homework will always be expected to be done the following day. If not completed by the following day, students need to complete as soon as possible. Work will receive no credit after 3 days. If needed, computer labs are open before and after school. Homework and grades can be accessed from www.mymathuniverse.com or www.successnetplus.com. If you have any problems when logging on or accessing the account, please call 1-800-234-5832. This is the Tech support number for the site. This week, students are beginning Topic 2 which involves the different properties of equality and Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and Least Common Multiple (LCM).
In Science, we have been learning to think like scientists. After learning about the Scientific Method and Lab Safety, we have begun our study of Scientific Measurement. We are taking an in-depth look at The International System of Measurement (the Metric System). By completing several measurement activities, the students are beginning to practice and understand measuring and reporting their data. Soon we will begin applying what we have learned using the text The Nature of Matter.
Regal Eagles
Welcome to the 2014-2015 7th grade Regal Eagles Team where we “Strive to prepare noble eagles for a majestic flight!” We look forward to working with you this year. Additional descriptions about our courses and contact information can be found on the Linden Middle School website which is accessed at www.lindenschools.org. In order to help every student meet their academic and social goals for this school year, it is essential that teachers and parents/guardians continue to communicate. Please don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as you have a question. We can make your job as a parent easier, and your child will be more successful!
Throughout the school year we would welcome donations of Kleenex, disinfecting wipes, and pencils, which are three items that seem to run low in supply throughout the year. Your donations are greatly appreciated and needed.
In social studies, students completed a foundation unit that reviews what geography is, why it is important, and the tools and technology that geographers use. In addition, we have discussed the importance of historical thinking and how history is organized using timelines and calendars. Students have practiced identifying primary and secondary sources to learn about history. Using informational reading strategies, we have expanded our critical thinking and problem solving skills. Within the next few weeks, students will review the five themes of geography and continue learning about topics from Chapter 2, "Planet Earth," and Chapter 3, "The World's People."
In science, we just completed our Scientific Method and Measurement Unit. Your student should have shared the quiz grade with you, and a progress report was sent home. We are currently beginning our Characteristics of Life Unit. This unit includes looking at what it means to be a living thing, exploring how to classify living things, and identifying the structure and function of cells. Upcoming projects and activities include making a dichotomous key, creating an animal classification card, and creating a 3-D model of a cell.
Language arts students have been reviewing literary terms and using them to discuss realistic fiction short stories. Students wrote an author’s bio and shared them with their classmates. We are reviewing the parts of a sentence and practicing correcting grammar errors in our writing. Look for your child to bring home vocabulary words to study and a short story to read throughout the week for homework. Both will be quizzed on Fridays.
Soaring Eagle
Welcome to a new and exciting school year! We hope that your son or daughter is having a great year so far. We encourage parent/teacher communication. Please call or e-mail us with any concerns or questions. Our team information is posted on the Linden Middle School website.
Hopefully, you have had the opportunity to visit ParentVue and check on your student’s grades. If you haven’t received your log-in, or are having trouble with your log-in, please contact the main office.
Mrs. Boyer will be out for several more weeks on maternity leave. We’d like to welcome Mr. Michael St. Charles to our team until Mrs. Boyer returns.
Remember, Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, October 16. We hope to see you there!
We would like to welcome the following students to our team: Chardae Cooper, Joshua Davis, Connor Love, Damon Massey, Katherine Strickert, Hope Webster, and Elijah White.
Welcome to Linden!
Eighth Grade October Newsletter
Eighth graders are off to a great start in 2014! We are already almost half way through the 1st trimester. It is important to check your student’s progress on ParentVue! Did you know your student has a StudentVue account? If your student would like to activate his/her account, have him/her stop in the office for information. Also, teachers are posting homework assignments with due dates and upcoming tests/quizzes on ParentVue to keep you informed. If you still cannot access your account. please call the office. It is also important to keep checking your student’s Digits math account. This will help you check for missing assignments!
Please make sure your student is properly dressed according to the school dress code. For your reference, use a 4 by 6 inch card to measure length of skirts/shorts (from the knee) and necklines! The dress code information can also be accessed on page 37 of your student’s handbook.
8th Grade students are gearing up for the Washington D.C. trip! Thursday, October 9th at 6:30 P.M. there will be a meeting for ALL parents/chaperones of 8th grade students that are going on the D.C. trip in the Cafetorium.
At 7 P.M. is the meeting for all travelers to D.C.!! Please make plans to attend this very important meeting! Students have already chosen their roommates for the trip. Travelers will start loading the busses at 7:30 P.M. and leave at 8 P.M. on Thursday, October 16th and return early morning Tuesday, October 21st. Students will be expected to be picked up upon return.
Students not attending the Washington D.C. trip will be expected to be in school each day. Students will be going to the Holocaust Museum in Farmington Hills on Tuesday, October 21st. The cost is $3.00 and includes transportation. Students can bring their own lunch or money to purchase food. We will be stopping at the Novi Mall food court for lunch. Permission slips must be turned in by Wednesday, October 8th!!
Please help us welcome to the 8th grade hall, Amanda Pattyn. Amanda comes to us from Central Michigan University. She is student teaching in Mrs. Elmer’s and Mrs. Mason’s calssrooms. Amanda will be teaching both Math and Science. She will be with us until the second week of December.
LMS Calendar
October 9 Washington D.C. Parent/Chaperone Meeting; Cafeteria; 6:30 PM
October 9 Washington D.C. Traveler Meeting; Cafeteria; 7:00 PM
October 10 Progress Reporting Period Ends
October 10 Pasta Fundraiser Begins; Forms available in advisory classes
October 16 Parent/Teacher Conferences; 3:00-8:00 PM
October 17 No School
October 22 Washington D.C. Travelers back to School
October 23 LMS 7th/8th Grade Dance; 6:00-7:30 PM
October 24 Patriot's Pen Writing Contest Papers Due to Main Office
October 29 EDP Parent Meeting; Media Center; 6:00-7:00 PM
October 30 Pasta Fund Raiser Ends; Forms Due to Main Office
November 3 LMS Newsletter Posted on Website
November 4 Parent Koffee Klatch Meeting; Media Center; 4:00-5:00 PM
November 18 Choir Concert; Cafetoria; 7:00 PM