From the Middle First Edition
Administrators
Mr. Jeffrey Swiatowicz, Principal
Ms. Catherine Graybosch Assistant Principal - 6th Grade
Mr. Mike Pompa Assistant Principal - 7th & 8th Grade
- SCHOOL HOURS: 8:10 a.m. - 2:48 p.m.
- MAIN OFFICE HOURS: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- MAIN OFFICE PHONE: 914-763-7500
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Wow, can you believe it?! The second half of the year is well underway! Our days have been jam-packed with hard work and endless fun, and we wouldn't have it any other way!
Our students had a lot of fun at the PTO sponsored events! From the 6th Grade Game Show to the 7th Grade Rec & Roll, and with the highly anticipated 8th Grade Social just around the corner on April 12th, the excitement is in the air! Let's also remember the fantastic music concerts held in early January, the spectacular showing of the JJMS Spring Musical, Willy Wonka, and the remarkable attendance at the Science Fair! A huge thank you to our staff, faculty, PTO and volunteers for these memorable experiences for our students!
The month of March can be particularly challenging for students since the next scheduled days off are not until spring break, but we tackled it head-on with Wellness Week from 3/11 to 3/15! Together the staff and faculty worked together to support the JJMS community with physical and emotional wellness activities during Wellness Week. Sometimes, all it takes is a good laugh with friends, a moment of meditation, or some quality time listening to our favorite music to uplift our spirits and refresh our minds. In fact, many students earned a "Way to BE" sticker or a Wolf Shout Out certificate because they demonstrated our JJMS Community Expectations – BE Safe, BE Respectful, and BE Responsible.
Thanks to our dedicated JJMS faculty and PTO, we have more exciting events lined up in the upcoming months! Make sure to check out the Important Dates section of our newsletter—we know schedules can get hectic during the last few months of school!
Let's make the rest of this year the best one yet!
In partnership,
Jeffrey Swiatowicz
Principal JJMS
IMPORTANT DATES
APRIL:
- April 1-5: Spring Recess
- April 8: Students Return from Spring Recess
- April 8 is NO LONGER a weather reserve day. School is open.
- April 12: Course Verification Due
- April 12: PTO Sponsored 8th Grade Social
- April 10-11: NY State ELA Testing
- April 26-27: JAY FEST
- May 1-2: NY State Math Testing
- May 14: NY State Science Testing (*GRADE 8 ONLY*
(Accelerated/Earth Science students do NOT take this exam.) Please note this is updated information since our last communication. - May 13: Orchestra Concert
- May 15: Band Concert
- May 22: An Evening of Fun at JJMS!
- Cultural Celebration Event 5-6:30pm
- Art Night 6-7pm
- Chorus Concert 7-9pm
JUNE:
- June 7: 8th Grade Boat Trip
- June 13: Last Full Day of Classes
- June 24: 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony and Celebration
- 6th & 7th Grade End of Year Class Field Trips
- June 25: No School for Students
- June 26: Last Day of School
---We will always send out reminders and notices of new dates or cancellations.---
FROM THE PTO
The JJMS PTO wishes that everyone has a fun and safe spring break. We look forward to our spring events – the 8th grade dance on April 12th and Staff/Teacher Appreciation Week May 6th-May 10th. More information will be sent via email.
Please remember to update or create your membership toolkit with your student's grade, team, and any other information that may have changed. https://jjmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/user_profile
This is so we can make sure you can receive important communications from the PTO. The Membership Toolkit app is a great way to stay connected on your smart phone.
We are excited to announce that the school directory via Membership Toolkit will be open to all JJMS families regardless of payment. Please note that we are going paperless this year.
FROM THE COUNSELORS
6TH GRADE
Mrs. Makover had the pleasure of visiting students in their academic classrooms in January to discuss information for 7th grade scheduling. She presented a PowerPoint to highlight the similarities and differences between the 6th and 7th grade schedules and discussed what students can expect next year in 7th grade. The 6th and 7th grade schedules are very similar, outside of a few differences. Two options in 7th grade Math were discussed, as well as an “Academic Extension” period replacing the “Academic Block” that was solely devoted to extra time in ELA and Math. Academic Extension will be an extra period of ELA, SS, Science, and Math, on a rotating basis throughout the 4-day cycle.
Mrs. Makover also highlighted the recommendation timeline for 7th grade Math, and the differences between Math 7 and Math 7A (Accelerated). We also discussed the waiver process for Accelerated Math, and the deadline for any schedule change requests (March 28). Lastly, if any student would like to change their music class for 7th grade, please e-mail Mrs. Makover by March 28 indicating the change they would like to make.
We look forward to warmer weather and a strong end of year for our 6th graders!
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN 6TH GRADE?
MATH
SOCIAL STUDIES
We have completed our study of ancient Egypt and now ‘travel’ to ancient India and China. We are studying how these civilizations developed in relative isolation to the rest of the world due to the geographic barrier of the Himalaya Mountains and the Takla Makan and Gobi deserts. Ask your child to tell you how the Himalaya Mountains formed and how they affected the development of these
civilizations.
The students also are learning about monsoons, seasonal winds that blow in from the northeast in the winter and from the southwest in the summer. Your child should be able to tell you how the monsoons affect the climate of and people of India and China. Did you know that monsoons also blow over the southwestern United States?
The people of the Indus River valley and the rivers of the Huang He and Yangtze lived fascinating lives and impacted our culture today in a variety of significant ways.
Students created Egyptian inspired tomb art and created paper pyramids.
Teams Aspire, Zest and Curiosity all hosted Ancient Museums in the JJMS library.
ELA
Sixth grade ELA classes have been centering their work around a whole class read, A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park. During this unit, students learned about the geography, life, and struggles of the Dinka and Nuer tribes in South Sudan. Through analysis of websites, articles, and powerful videos, students considered the impact of conflict in the region of northeast Africa on the lives of those who live there. Students analyzed the ways in which Linda Sue Park crafted the story of Salva Dut's personal journey around themes such as loss, uncertainty, leadership, perseverance, acceptance, hope, personal change, and selflessness.
Sixth graders also spent several months crafting powerful life stories which began as a seed idea and culminated with a Personal Narrative. Students brainstormed small moments in their lives when they learned something about themselves or about others. Reimagining an important moment helped students to describe the details of the story exactly the way they happened, “bit by bit”. While re-living the moment, students helped their stories come to life by providing exact dialogue and inner thinking, painting a clear picture of this memorable episode. Along the way, students examined other authors’ texts to emulate the strategies taught and the overall writing quality. Daily writing workshop consisted of students assessing their work, reviewing and implementing new strategies taught, and making their own decisions about the day’s work.
SCIENCE
Sixth graders have been hard at work elaborating on data collected in labs as they develop detailed diagrams, follow/write procedures and synthesize data into scientific explanations. They continue to learn to support their thinking with evidence and make connections to scientific principles. In 6th grade science, we have been investigating thermal energy as we explore how the liquid within thermometers ascends and descends from the bulb! In addition, we are conducting an inquiry to determine if the rate of heating and cooling differs from land to water. As we deepen our understanding of thermal energy, students will make careful decisions as they choose materials to design insulated gloves. This spring, 6th graders will continue to develop inquiry skills to help them understand phenomena in their everyday lives.
👨🍳🧵UNIFIED ARTS 🎨👩💻
6TH GRADE UA
ART
We're thrilled to share the exciting artistic journey our students embarked on during Trimester 2. In the Colored Pencil unit, our budding artists delved into a world of creativity, exploring various drawing techniques such as gradients, burnishing, layering, hatching, and cross-hatching. Color theory took center stage as students practiced shading spheres using complementary colors, leading to the final creation of Neurographic Art.
For those unfamiliar with Neurographic Art, this innovative form of expression was developed in 2014 by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev. It invites students to explore the connection between their inner reactions and the outer world, transforming fears and chaos into calming, peaceful artworks.
In the Procreate unit, our young artists ventured into the digital realm, mastering the professional drawing app. They honed their skills with basic tools like brush selection, color picker, layers, and various drawing aids. The pinnacle of this unit was the "My Wish for the Next 25 Years" theme, where students crafted doodles for Google. This unique opportunity allowed them to enter Google's national competition, vying for scholarship money and the chance to have their doodles featured on the Google homepage for 24 hours!
We're immensely proud of our students' artistic growth and creativity during Trimester 2. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in the world of art!
TECHNOLOGY
Mr. Zoeller’s 6th grade students implemented the KLSD Solution Process to build a car out of two sheets of paper that keeps a raw egg “Passenger” safe during a front impact test.
The students started by identifying the project’s requirements and constraints and then explored the automotive industry and what keeps them safe in their cars. They brainstormed ideas that they could implement and sketched out possible solutions before teaming up with a partner to choose the design they wanted to create.
The students planned out the construction and then built a prototype car which they beta tested on the test ramp. After watching slow motion video that they captured on their iPad, they improved the designs and will test their cars at the beginning of the third trimester.
WORLD LANGUAGES
FRENCH 6
As we continue in our exploration of French language and culture, we are learning how to get along in French speaking countries. For example, we learned how to order food and drink in a café, how to pay for what we order and how to use French money. In addition, we focused on the basics of learning to tell time, to give the date and day of the week, and to talk about the weather.
We are currently learning to describe daily activities, express likes and dislikes, ask and answer questions, invite friends to do something, and accept or turn down an invitation. In addition, students will learn about grammar—how to conjugate and use the irregular verb ÊTRE in both the affirmative and negative.
Through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities, students are deepening their understanding of the differences between their own language and French and appreciating the differences between their culture and the various cultures of the French-speaking world.
LATIN 6
6th grade Latin students are reading stories that take place in the Roman household and in the amphitheater. Through the readings, students are learning about the PRESENT, IMPERFECT, and PERFECT verb tenses.
Classroom learning activities focus on reading and games. In addition, students enjoy acting out the stories in Latin and in English role plays.
Students are researching ancient Roman recipes and clothing in preparation for a Roman cena (dinner).
SPANISH 6
Students are learning how to describe people using physical and character traits. Students are expected to use Spanish as much as possible in class; to ask to use the bathroom, to ask for a pencil or paper, and to use other useful expressions they have learned throughout the year. We will continue to focus on cultural topics in each unit of study this year.
SPANISH 6A
Students are learning how to describe the weather at different times of the year. Next they will learn about the cultures of various Spanish speaking countries by completing a travel project. Students continue to watch videos and listen to songs to improve their listening comprehension and to review vocabulary. Our next topic will be learning how to describe a classroom and how to use definite and indefinite articles.
Students playing ‘Pirinola’, a common spinning top game in Spanish speaking countries.
Students acting out weather expressions while singing a weather song in Spanish.
ORCHESTRA
Orchestra students have been working hard on their spring concert repertoire. The 7th and 8th grade orchestras are learning about Irish fiddle tunes in “For the Star of County Down” and they have mastered 6/8 time signatures! They are also learning a fun pizzicato piece called “The One-Bow Concerto” in which one bow is shared by violin, viola, and cello soloists. 6th graders have been making leaps and bounds in maturing their sound since the winter concert. Their current favorite piece is called “Song of Peace” which contains beautiful melodies and dramatic tremolos. Our spring concert is on Monday, May 13th at 7:00 PM. We hope to see you there!
BAND
Band has been learning their spring concert music. Our focus for the month of March has been rhythm. We have been working on sight reading quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes in 6th and 7/8th grade band. Our final concert for the 23-24 school year is May 15th. More information to come.
DISCOVERING MUSIC
This trimester, students have been researching genres of music. Some students even discovered genres they wouldn’t have listened to before such as “outlaw country” and “phonk.” Below and to the left is a picture of a theremin a student brought in for their project on electronic music. A theremin is an electronic musical instrument played by moving your hand within the electromagnetic field it produces – pretty neat!
CHORUS
A message from the Library Media Specialst
The library has been incredibly busy over the past weeks, with students working on a variety of projects. We’ve seen some fantastic work from students studying ancient Egypt and China. We also hosted the Science Fair, where we saw some incredible work done by our student scientists!
In February, we offered our students the opportunity to go on a “Blind Date with a Book.” Students chose a specially wrapped book with only a few keywords to describe them. Once they read it, they filled out a review form and were entered to win a prize.
March brings our JJMS Library March Madness Book Tournament. Students read two book descriptions and vote for which one they are more interested in reading! So far we have had some great participation, and the competition is really heating up!
For more information about our library, please visit the Library Media Center website, or follow us on Instagram: @jjmslib
A Note From the PE Teachers
Beyond traditional sports, our fitness activities promote holistic well-being, empowering students to develop healthy habits and lifelong skills. With each session, our PE class ignites a passion for physical activity, ensuring students are not only physically fit but also engaged and enthusiastic participants in their own health and wellness journey.
HEALTH OFFICE REMINDER
Health Information
Please help by providing up to date and accurate health information to your school nurse. This includes:
- Current physical exams and dental exams for Grades Kindergarten, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and all new entrants
- Current immunization records
- Current doctor’s orders for medical excuses, conditions and medications.
Your school nurses also need to be made aware of the following:
- Broken bones
- Injuries that require crutches, wheelchairs, slings, casts, or any other assistance device.
- Lacerations that required stitches or staples
- Concussions
- Contagious diseases-Covid-19, RSV, flu, strep throat, fifth's disease and other illnesses.
- Serious medical conditions-diabetes, heart disease, asthma, anaphylaxis, seizures and other concerns.
As a reminder, students who are ill must remain home for a full 24 hours and be free from fever, vomiting or diarrhea before returning to school, or have completed a one full dose of an antibiotic.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
For updated Covid-19, Influenza and RSV guidance as well as other updated from Health Services department, see attached below or click here.
Physical Education Excuses
If a student sustains an injury, please consult the health office prior to their return to school. A parent note excusing a student from participation may only be honored for one class. After that, a doctor’s note is required. Doctor’s notes for PE restriction must be signed, dated and sent to the health office. If the doctor writes “until further notice” then a follow up note must be provided within 30 days to either clear them for activity or to renew their restriction. If crutches are to be used in school, this must be indicated in writing by a physician. PLEASE NOTE that restriction from physical education class at JJMS results in restriction from attending outdoor contest field recess.
Mary Mullaney, RN BSN
Office: 763-7508
Fax: 763-7314
Anna Iamiceli, RN MS
Office: 763-7505
Fax: 763-7314