The Eagle Gazette
A PUBLICATION FOR KMS PARENTS
From the Principal's Desk
Hello, Killough Family!
Students and staff have made it through the first 10 weeks of school, and we are off to a very productive start. I want to thank each of you who were able to visit with us during our Open House, and a special thanks to those parents who opened their homes and allowed a group of us to visit with them. On October 20, teachers and staff visited 11 homes to talk to parents about their child’s progress, and their impressions of Killough Middle School. We may not have visited with you this Fall, but we will visit more homes during the Spring semester.
We learned several lessons from the visits:
1. We have to improve our communication from school to home.
2. The parents felt welcomed when they visited the school.
3. Parents want to know how they can assist their child with his/her learning.
4. Parents want their students prepared to be successful adults.
5. How can we brighten up the appearance of the school?
We appreciate the constructive criticism, and we are preparing to address those areas. Our Family Center Liaison, Mrs. Caceres, will send out a schedule for parents to visit the Family Center and hear from staff members who will address some of these concerns…and more.
Our counselors will address character traits that are being shared with our students each month. Ms. Fields, our Transitional Counselor, will talk to you about your student’s journey from middle school to high school, and beyond. Our specialists will talk to you about ways you can help your student to be a more focused learner, and how to set up daily routines to be a more successful learner. We will also set up monthly talks with the principal so that we can keep the lines of communication open as much as possible. We will send a schedule out, soon, and will begin our sessions after the Thanksgiving holiday. As far as the school’s appearance, we will have a new look in the front foyer and front office soon. Once the construction has been completed on our roof, and our yard has been re-seeded, we will beautify the landscaping of our entrance.
We want to be a partner with you in the growth and development of our students. As we mentioned at the beginning of school year: Students Matter, Relationships Matter, Expectations Matter, Good Teaching Matters, Safety Matters … It All Matters at Killough Middle School! #IAMKMS
Let’s finish this Fall semester on a high note, and bring the new year in with a renewed dedication to teaching and learning! I will push as hard as I can on this end…and I expect you to do the same on your end! Blessing to you all! #IAMKMS
Sincerely,
Mr. Bilton
Principal
Family Center
Hero Night
Dec.4 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Killough will be hosting Hero Night. We'll be assembling care packages for our military heroes. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite super hero or wear your camouflage. Light snacks will be provided.From Oct. 22 - Nov. 30 we'll be collecting the following items:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Foot powder
- Shaving cream
- Baby wipes
- Deodorant
- Note cards/stationary
- New socks
- New underwear - s, m, l, xl
- New t-shirts - s, m, l, xl
Counselors Corner
Character Education
In September we focused on “RESPECT” and we had 95 students receive “Caught Ya Tickets.” These students will also receive a special treat. Did your child receive a ticket? Our focus inOctober was “RESPONSIBILITY.” Students received “Caught Ya Ticket” for showing they were responsible while at KMS. Encourage your child to get caught this month being "TRUSTWORTHY."
Special Events
- October 1st KMS participated in the World Day of Bullying Prevention. Students wore blue to take a stand against bullying.
- October 17th our 8th grade students took the PSAT which is closely aligned to the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10. The exam serves as a “check- in” on progress, allowing students and teachers to pinpoint areas for focused practice as they progress through high school.
- On Oct. 31, the 1st Nine weeks “Honor Roll Celebration” took place during all lunches.We love to honor our students who display academic excellence!
- Oct. 29 - Nov. 2 participated in Red Ribbon Week activities to learn how to make healthy, responsible choices and avoid drug abuse.
Blue Out against Bullying - Oct. 1
Honor Roll Celebration - Oct. 31
Our Dedicated Counselors
Library/Technology
New Library System - Destiny
We’ve had a very busy beginning of the school year in the library. We started out with orientation for every English class. In addition, the district is transitioning to a new library system called Destiny. This powerful library system has many useful features for teachers and students alike. Mrs. Scholl has been conducting training with staff and students on the new system.Author Visit - Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano
Twenty-four students went to Hastings High School September 10 to hear authors Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and illustrator Giovanni Rigano discuss their new graphic novel Illegal. It was inspiring to hear the authors discuss their interactions with refugees who influenced their work. Ten students received free, signed copies of the book.
Book Fair Coming!
We’re looking forward to the Scholastic book fair November 30 - December 7, so start saving your money and thinking about all the great gifts you can buy! There’s something for everyone at the book fair!
Technology Initiatives
The Math Department and the English Language and Reading Department have successfully launched iReady and ISIP programs.
The Electives Department have successfully launched its PBL entitled “A Multiverse STEAM Experience” with the first component being developing a community on Mars, with contributions from the Art, Computer Apps, and CTE classes. The next components in the works are robotics from the Orchestra, Band, and Theater classes.
Students Attending Author Visit
Mrs. Scholl Training Teachers on Follett Destiny
Book Fair Coming Nov. 30 - Dec. 7
Math
7th Grade: The 7th Grade Team is currently wrapping up their third unit of study for this school year. During this unit, the students are analyzing proportional relationships with geometric shapes.To ensure students are grasping the concepts, teachers often times work with students in small groups. Here is an example of a teacher working with 3 students to review circles.
7th Grade PreAP:
In PreAP, the students are currently working on percents! Since percent applications are used in everyday life, feel free to ask your child about percent increase and decrease the next time you are out and about!
8th Grade:
Similar to the 7th Grade Team, 8th Grade is also currently focusing on proportionality. The name of this unit is Proportional and Non-proportional Relationships and Functions. In class students are working on creating Function Machines in order to deepen their understanding of the foundational concepts of functions as they relate to proportional and non-proportional relationships.
Pre-AP Algebra I:
In PreAP Algebra I the students are currently working on transforming and comparing functions! For this lesson, the students are describing the change in graphs as it relates to linear functions.
Social Studies
The History department partnered as vertical alignment team members to develop strategies to connect topics both 7th and 8th grade subjects have in common. This process will support student content comprehension and encourage deeper thinking.
7th grade:
234 students participated in Texian Market Day, October 19, 2018. This celebration of Texas history allowed students to relive the past and experience 1st hand the journey of Texas through the eras.
8th grade:
Students learned about the first thirteen colonies and how each region developed differently based on the geographic factors. As the colonies matured the relationship between Great Britain and America became tense and led to the American Revolution. As the new 9 week grading period begins students will focus on the development of the United States constitution and the challenges the young nation had to overcome as an independent country.
English/Language Arts
7th Grade:
Students are exploring Identity and thinking critically about what matters most in developing a sense of who we are as individuals. At the end of the grading period, students should have two published portfolio pieces: one narrative essay and one evidence-based writing.
8th Grade:
Students are exploring Taking a Stand and thinking critically about what is worth fighting for and what it means to be a hero. At the end of the grading period, students should have two published portfolio pieces: one persuasive essay and one evidence-based writing.
Science & STEM
Science
7th grade will explore the wonderful world of inheritance. Don’t be surprised when your student explains who he/she knows which parent has the dominant traits. This will lead into body systems. Students will investigate and identify the main functions of each system.
8th Grade
It’s all about chemistry! Students will describe the structure of atoms, interpret the Periodic table, identify substances in a chemical formula, investigate chemical reactions and how it relates to the law of conservation of mass. Next up, is force and motion. Students will calculate how forces change speed or direction of and object. In addition, 8th grade students will investigate Newton's laws.
STEM
It’s STEM election time! Voting for STEM officers were held October 22nd in CTE class. Students Rocked the Vote✔! Energy Day Houston was held October 20. More than 70 local companies participated ensuring STEM fun, engaging activities and more. Speaking of engaging activities. Grade level PBL’s begin this month. 8th grade will focus on medical advancements while 7th grade identify solutions for health and nutrition in school.
KMS Robotics will take over November. Starting with the Southwest BEST Robotics competition. Next in line is Sea Perch (Underwater ROV construction). Practice begins in November. In addition, KMS will participate in the National Day of Design Challenge and host the KMS Design Competition. There’s much more to come, so stay tuned.
English Language Learners
TELPAS results are in and have been mailed out to parents and families. TELPAS stands for Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System and is a way to measure the growth of a student’s English language proficiency over the course of a year.
Students in our sheltered ESL classes have been working hard with their teachers in Math, Science, Social Studies and English. We are also pleased to have a full-time interventionist working with these students, Ms. Hughes.
Fine Arts
Rodeo Parent Night
Killough’s Rodeo Artists will present their work at Mata Intermediate Thursday, December 13th 2018 starting at 6:00 PM
Alief Band Day
All Alief Middle and Intermediate School bands watched the High School Marching Bands and Drumlines perform at Alief Crump Stadium Thursday, October 4th 2018
Performing Arts Concert
Get in the holiday spirit with our Performing Arts performance on December 11.
Career and Technology Education (CATE)
Investigating Careers
We are soldering individual night lights to show our understanding of transistors, capacitors and electron flow. Then we will be learning the beginning of binary coding with secret messages. From there we will explore the world of nanotechnology and budget our oil cleanups, comparing tropical saltwater and freshwater to arctic saltwater and freshwater results.
Advanced Computer Applications
Students in Advanced Computer Applications are currently learning how to use Microsoft Excel. They are gathering data about occupations, income, and the experience and training required for each job and converting them into accessible bar charts. This is one of the first of many lessons the students undergo in learning how to process data in quick and convenient ways.
College and Career Readiness
Students are doing an in-depth analysis of the five endorsements of House Bill 5 in preparation for high school. Students will review various career clusters and develop informed opinions about their own career choices.
Gateway to Technology I Students will begin the process of creating their own puzzle pieces and be able to sketch these items using GeoGebra and SketchUP.
Investigating Careers
Advanced Computer Applications
College and Career Readiness
Athletics
Athletics
Girls Basketball tryouts began Wed., Oct. 24 from 4:15-6:00 for both 7th/8th graders. All physicals and paperwork should be turned in by Tues., Oct. 23. Students must have a physical completed by a doctor and 3 forms must be completed online at http://aliefisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx in order to tryout. Tryout and physical forms can be picked up from one of the female PE coaches.
The boy’s football teams played great games and improved week to week. Our last football game was Oct 29th for 7th grade and Oct. 30 for the 8th grade teams.
The Boy’s basketball tryouts began November 2nd. The boy’s will need a physical and all online paperwork done before tryouts. Information can be obtained from Coach Butler or the boys P.E. coaches.
Killough Middle School
Email: contact@aliefisd.net
Website: https://www.aliefisd.net/Killough
Phone: 281-983-8444
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/killougheagles/?rf=712473328835367
Twitter: @KilloughEagles