Amboy Middle School Newsletter
February 2019
STUDENT SURVEY
We recently had all students take a survey to gain some insight from their perspectives. Here are some data charts to share with you. We are happy with the results but have some work to do to get all students feeling the same way. If you would like to discuss the data results, feel free to set up a meeting with Mrs. Vonderharr and Mr. Krause. Thanks for all your support.
HEALTH AND FITNESS HAPPENINGS
Second semester is quickly approaching. Here is the Amboy Middle School Health and Fitness dressing policy as well as our combination lock policy from our Health and Fitness Handbook. It is as follows:
Students are expected to wear the Amboy "approved" PE shirt or plain (No Logo) grey/black tee shirt (no scoop or V necks), shorts or sweat pants (NO JEGGINGS!!), socks, and non-marking tennis/cross training-type shoes; all other shoes will not be acceptable. If a students loses their PE shirt, they can either buy a new one in the main office ($6.00), or they may wear a plain grey/black tee shirt; shorts are $8 in the office. Students may also wear sweatshirts and sweatpants when we are outside. Sweats should be plain in nature. NO JEGGINGS!!
Students are responsible for their lock and must provide their own lock. DO NOT give out a combination. Teachers will not open a locker that is not the student's own locker. Students must KEEP ALL THEIR ITEMS LOCKED UP! The Health and Fitness staff are not responsible for lost or stolen items!
Students should be prepared for Health and Fitness the first Monday of the new semester.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing all of your bright and smiling faces!
5TH GRADE FOCUS
MATH
We are currently working on measurement conversions. Students need to continue practicing multiplication/division facts at home, as it is necessary to be solid with these facts wen learning more involved math skills. Some math websites that can be helpful when learning any new math skill include: Khan Academy, LearnZillion, and Scholastic Study Jams.
LANGUAGE ARTS
We are starting our first round of narrative writing. Student are working hard to incorporate plot, sensory details, and dialogue into their writing.
READING
During the month of February, students will be reading stories about prominent figures in history.
SCIENCE
Students are working on ecosystems projects.
Missing assignment sheets, or Congratulations! No missing assignments sheets, go home with students every Friday. These need to be returned to the homeroom teacher with a parent/guardian signature. Please send students with more pencils, paper, and notebooks as they run out throughout the year.
6TH GRADE SUMMARY
Three students from Ms. Nordberg's class, Jake Halme, Sawyer, Kysar, and Charlie Silvis, will be representing Amboy Middle School on March 10th at the Solar Car Challenge. They are currently designing and testing out their car during our schoolwide SOAR Enrichment time.
OMSI FIELD TRIP
What a great learning experience 6th grade student got to participate in on January 24th! They were able to see ancient history come to life with an up close and personal view of ancient Egypt and King Tutankhamun's tomb. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who took time to come with us. We couldn't have done it without you all! Thank you as well to everyone who donated toward making our field trip more affordable for all students.
CHROMEBOOKS
Just a friendly reminder that Chromebooks are considered to be a school supply, so we need ALL students to come prepared each day with it charged and ready to go. Also, we have had many issues recently of students putting stickers on Chromebooks. Please remind your student that this is district property and is on loan. This device should be treated the same as you would a book; keep it clean and in good condition.
END OF 1ST SEMESTER
February 8th is the end of the 1st semester. Please make sure your student is aware of this upcoming deadline. Please encourage them to use additional time at home to be working on getting all missing work completed and turned in as well as correcting any work to improve their grades.
40 BOOK CHALLENGE
We are halfway through the school year, and your student should be at 20 books (or more) to meet the 40 book challenge! Keep up the great reading!
EXPECTATIONS
As a school we have three main expectations that we expect of everyone, everyday; Safe, Responsible, Respectful. We know that these are expectations that EVERY person can adhere to in all areas of the school. Lately, we have been experiencing many forms of disrespectful behavior in and out of the classroom. We review these expectations many times throughout the year in many different ways but are still seeing many students choose to be disrespectful to their peers and adults. Please help us help them by reminding them of these expectations. We want everyone at our school to feel that they are a part of a great community!
7TH GRADE SCOOP
Wood: We will be writing informational essays to explain and elaborate on a topic, vocabulary building through root words, and reading informational text for inferences and main ideas.
Wood and Mathis History: We will be covering Medieval Europe. The students will be making symbolic heraldry and shields along with learning about the period after the fall of the Roman Empire into the Middle Ages.
SCIENCE
In 7th grade science students will be learning about macro-molecules and using their extensive knowledge to solve a food poisoning case. Then we will learn about photosynthesis and respiration and note how these reactions are actually opposite of each other.
8TH GRADE UPDATE
What does the New Year bring for your 8th grade student? The 8th Grade Team (teachers, counselors, and District) are thinking about high school placement. What classes will they take? What extracurricular activities are they interested in? What high school are they going to attend? Here are a few things you should be considering for their high school journey: Grades count! The new semester will start the clock for your child's interest in sports or some extracurricular activities. A child cannot participate in fall activities if they have a failing grade in any of their 8th grade classes. On the upside, the class will be taking a tour in early March to Battle Ground High School. During the tour, they will see classes, attend an assembly, and participate in a Career and Technology Education (CTE) fair. Just before spring break, the students will also have the opportunity to sign up for their high school classes, which the 8th grade teachers will be helping out with at our school. So, let our resolution be: working hard and finishing up this journey on a confident path.
SCIENCE
We are beginning our work in energy and energy transformation with an ongoing emphasis on human impact. Students will be investigating types and sources of energy and analyzing the stewardship of those resources. We are continuing with watershed/macro studies. Students will be heading down to the creek to take measurements of stream qualities - both physical and chemical. Other students will have the opportunity to investigate the macroinvertebrate life in our creek. They are gathering data to support a conclusion as to the overall quality of Chelatchie Creek. This is a great opportunity for our students to take part in real-world field science. See your student's science teacher for volunteer opportunities.
MATH
In math, the students are learning Exponents and Linear Equations. These are extremely important standards for your child's success in Algebra next year. So, please have your child review material and complete all assignments. If they are having trouble, our math department recommends having the child review the tutorial from the online math book. REMEMBER: my.hrw.com.
LANGUAGE ARTS
We are starting the Poetry Unit. The purpose of poetry for 8th grade is to teach Figurative Language, Speaking, and Listening of the Common Core standards. We will be analyzing poems, and your child will present a poem at the end of the unit.
SUICIDE PREVENTION: SIGNS OF SUICIDE
We have kicked off our suicide prevention lessons for 7th and 8th grade students. Mrs. K is giving presentations in Health class to explain the signs of suicide and how to help a student in need. By doing so we hope to heighten students' awareness of the resources available to students in need and to give students the skills to know when to get help for a friend. Here are a few key facts and resources that will be shared with students:
*An average of two youth under age 25 die by suicide each week in Washington.
*Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth age 15 - 19.
*Friends are an important part of a person's support network.
*Many suicidal youth will go to a friend for help before they go to an adult.
Community Resources: Crisis Line - 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Nine line - 1-800-999-9999; LGBTQ - 1-866-4U-TREVOR (488-7386); Emergency Services - 911; Crisis text line - text "start" to 471471.
As always, there are also many adults within the building students can to to for help and support.
AMBOY ESSAY WINNER!!
Amboy Middle School 6th grader Kevin Sarkinen placed first in the BGPS district and 4th overall in the state in the VFW's annual "Patriot's Pen" essay contest! Each year, more than 132,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the contest, which encourages young minds to examine America's history and their own experiences in modern American society by drafting a 300-400 word essay expressing their views on an annual theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. This year's theme was "Why I Honor the American Flag." Congratulations, Kevin!
GATZ'S GALLERY
ASB ANNOUNCEMENTS
The SOCIAL!!! February 22nd after school until 3:15. Admission is $2 to cover the cost of snacks and supplies. Movie rooms, music, game room, and gym activities. Permission slip to go out the week of February 11th.
ASB will be selling Candy Grams (5th through 7th) and Carnations (8th grade only) February 5th and 6th during lunches.
Donations of plants and planting materials for the after-school Random Acts of Kindness group would be greatly appreciated.
MR. BONG'S BAND BEATS
Amboy 8th grade North County Honor Band participants will be performing with 70 other musicians from the north end of Clark County on Saturday, February 2nd, at Hockinson HS. They will be spending Friday evening and all day Saturday in preparation for the evening concert at 6 pm. Their guest conductor will be Richard Elliott from George Fox College. Fourteen middle schools will be represented. Amboy Advanced Band musicians selected for this event are:
Sydney Brown, Percussion
Clarity Cook, Tenor Saxophone
Amber Enzler, Alto Saxophone
Chloe Porter, Trumpet
David Young, Flute
They will be representing Amboy in the fashion of all of our previous great participants. The concert is free.
Advanced Band prepares for BG District Band Festival on March 7th at Prairie HS. All of the top middle school and high school bands in the Battle Ground district will be participating in this annual event. Each group will be judged by two qualified adjudicators as well as given a clinic by a third director. It's always good to hear what others think about how well we play. A great experience for players and listeners.
Amboy Middle School Spring Concert takes place on Thursday, March 21st, at 7 pm. Come out and enjoy listening to all of the bands and the progress they have made so far this year.