J.M.S. News...
JANUARY 2018
A message from our PTSA...
There have been several requests from our community for information about where one could make a donation in memory of Karen Kweit, our former treasurer and an ardent supporter of our school and PTA. Karen's family has informed us that, as someone who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 20, it has always been a goal of Karen's to try and help find a cure for this disease. Therefore, per the family's wishes, anyone wishing to make a contribution in memory of Karen may choose to do so by making a donation to the Lymphoma Research Foundation by:
1) Going to www.lymphoma.org and clicking on “Donate” in the upper right hand corner of the webpage. Then, on the left hand side of the webpage, choose “Honor/Memorial Gift."
OR
2) Mailing a completed donation form (below) to: Lymphoma Research Foundation, Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10005.
Quotes for the Month of January:
January 2-5: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
January 8-12: "If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."
January 15-19: “You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
January 22-26: “Intelligence and character. That is the goal of true education.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 29-February 2: “The expert in anything was once a beginner.”
Monthly SEL Theme for the Month of January: Cooperation (Tolerance and Brotherhood)
Brotherhood is the habit that reaches beyond comfortable relationships to extend a welcome to those who may be different. Brotherhood demonstrates the dynamics of Understanding, Tolerance, Sensitivity, and Acceptance.
These dynamics are such powerful habits of the heart that even when only one person reaches out to do right, the impact can be life long.
I would like to share a beautiful and meaningful story entitled “Starfish.”
"The Starfish Story"
There was a man who lived along the ocean. One morning, at about 5:00 a.m., when he could sleep no longer, he decided to take a walk along the beach. It was a foggy morning, and the first rays of the sun were slipping above the horizon. The man enjoyed the walk; it was as if the beach belonged to him. He glanced down on the beach and saw a figure that seemed to be dancing. He wondered why anyone would be on the beach so early; his curiosity caused him to quicken his pace. As he drew nearer, he realized that the figure was that of a young man, and he wasn't dancing --- he was throwing something into the water. As he drew very close, he realized that the young man was picking starfish off the beach and was tossing them back into the water.
"Why are you throwing starfish into the water?"
"The tide is going out, the sun is rising, and the starfish that are left on the beach will surely die." said the young man, continuing on his task.
"But that's such a waste of time and energy! There are so many starfish, and there are miles and miles of beach. What difference does it make?"
The young man thought for a moment. He reached down to pick up a starfish and said, "It makes a difference . . . to this one."
Adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley
As you can see, brotherhood, to be preserved, must be practiced and lived each and every day. A good community cannot exist without it.
Classroom News!
TEAM 6A:
In ELA, students have been working on the elements of short stories and applying what they learned to Pixar shorts. In Social Studies, students took a riverboat tour down the Nile and explored the wonders of ancient Egypt! In Math, students have become familiar with ratios and rates and can accurately tell you how much their hourly rate should be for a given task, over $15 an hour for babysitting or snow shoveling…sorryJ. In Science, we have continued to learn about matter and its changing states. We also threw in a little holiday magic with Snowflake making, Throwback Tuesday Game Day and a holiday physics experiment with snowman balloon races and kid EdCamp! The fun continues in Team 6A!
Team 6B:
Team 6C:
Do you know what the best smelling hand gel is according to Jericho Middle School? Would you like to know our review of a new board game called Operation Escape? How would you like to laugh at riddles, jokes, and tongue twisters written by our very funny sixth graders? There are so many articles that students wrote for Kidsday. Please read all of our work the week of January 27th in Newsday and tell us what you think.
Team 6D:
Team 6D really knows how to enjoy delicious treats while learning!! The team spent time together sharing Dippin’ Dots while learning about the phases of matter! Dippin dots are tiny beads of ice cream made using cryogenic technology, the perfect way to experience phase changes! They even had the opportunity to see sublimation in action as the dry ice kept it cold during shipping!! Fun times were also shared while eating treats and reading a holiday story to kick off the winter break!
Team 6E:
Team 6F:
Team 6F has been learning about algebraic expressions in math, phase changes in science, and different types of conflict in ELA. In Social Studies, we have been delving into ancient Egypt, trying our hands at the mummification process (virtually of course!) and building a model of the Great Pyramids with sugar cubes. We also had a lot of fun challenging our brains and working together with digital breakout puzzles, and we acted out our vocabulary words in video form. Check it out at this link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VfnYDb76bc
Team 7A:
Students of Team 7A participated in a holiday/going away party for their ELA student teacher, Ms. Lewis. They brought in various treats and made a card for Ms. Lewis, thanking her for teaching them. Ms. Lewis was touched by the kindness of both the students and parents of Team 7A and we all wish her good luck in her future endeavors!
Team 7B:
After reading So B. It in ELA class, Team 7B students completed an interdisciplinary cooking unit with Mrs. Rodriguez to make chocolate pudding and key lime pies. The results were delicious!
Team 7C:
With the holiday season came a wonderful gift from our principal Dr. Gately! Room 116 is now stocked with its very own personal library and the kids were ecstatic to see the new collection. Math class brought a December full of solving equations and simplifying expressions and students learned all about the systems of the body in science. They even engaged in some pretty cool labs that were hands-on and in some cases muscle-on! Here's looking forward to a great 2018!
Team 8A:
On team 8A students have been diligently working on their NHD research projects. Students are in the process of finalizing their work, gathering sources and conducting interviews to make their projects shine. We look forward to the presentations of their work at Jericho History Day!
Team 8B:
Ms.Scalera's ELA students worked collaboratively with students on Teams 8B and 8C to compose poems and perform in videos for their Roem (rap poem) project.
Team 8C:
December brought Team 8C another exciting month of National History Day preparations as the students get ready to submit their projects. In addition, students worked on some amazing things in Earth Science and Biology. Bio students wrapped up the year with an amazing "Escape the Room" style activity while students in Earth Science created scale models of the solar system. Imagine all 8 planets stretched out across one desk! Here's looking forward to a great 2018!
Dates to Remember...
January 4 - MS PTSA Exec Mtg-Faculty Meeting- 8:30 AM
January 4 - MS PTSA Mtg & Principal's Coffee Hour- MS Library- 9:15AM
January 5- SEPTA Exec Mtg- District Conference Room- 9:30AM
January 5- National History Day
January 10- MS Orientation Incoming Gr. 6 Parents Mtg-MS/HS Auditorium- 7:00PM
January 12- MS Spirit Day
January 15- Schools Closed
January 17- MS PTSA Mtg & Incoming 7th & 8th Grade Parents Mtg-MS/HS Auditorium- 7:00PM
January 17- MS Play Auditions
January 18- MS Play Auditions
January 19- MS Geography Bee
January 23- MS/HS Evening Guidance Hours 7:00PM-9:00PM
January 24- MS Winter Bands Concert-MS/HS Auditorium- 7:30PM
January 25- MS Parent Brunch & Learn- MS Library- 9:00AM-10:30AM
January 26- MS/HS 2nd Marking Period Ends
January 31- MS/HS POPS Concert-MS/HS Auditorium- 7:30PM
Tips from the School Nurse
January is National Thank you Month
Never underestimate the importance of saying thank you. Saying thank you to someone who helps you or does something special for you lets them know they are appreciated. Everyone wants to make a difference in this world. When you say thank you to a person it’s telling them they made a difference in your world. You never know when someone is having a difficult day. Your words can make a huge impact in their day.
Think how good it makes you feel when someone says thank you to you.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is J.M.S. News?
Follow Jericho Middle School on Social Media!
Jericho Middle School
Email: dgately@jerichoschools.org
Website: jerichoschools.org
Location: 99 Old Cedar Swamp Road, Jericho, NY, United States
Phone: (516) 203-3600
Twitter: @JerichoMS