South Central Middle School
We have the Right Mental Attitude
News from the 5th Grade
ELA
The 5th graders are beginning to make use of the Chrome books and several programs on the computer. We need headphones or earbuds almost on a daily basis. These were on your child's supply list at the beginning of the year, but we are just now using them more often. If you bought them but left them at home, now is the time to send them in. If you haven't bought them yet, now would be a great time to get your child a set. We do not need anything expensive or fancy! Just something the kids can plug into the computer and listen.
Fifth graders have been learning to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers. They have been very impressive in how quickly they have been catching on. Their understanding of fractions has made what can be the hardest part of 5th grade math a fun and exciting time. We, hopefully, will be wrapping up addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers next week then moving on to multiplying and dividing fractions.
Science
Students are learning about Earth's characteristics, which includes its rotation (e.g. day/night), orbit (e.g. 4 seasons), the amount of water here, and the purpose of our atmosphere. Next week, we will start learning about the sun and the other planets in our solar system. After completion of these topics, students will begin preparing for the state assessment in science.
Social Studies
Students are learning about the Incas, which includes how they farmed, communicated with one another, what they grew to eat, and how they constructed their buildings and homes. Upon completion of that, they will start to learn about the three different types of government (e.g. monarchy, dictatorship, and democracy), supply and demand, and interdependence, which is the depending upon other countries to trade for items they need.
Art
5th Grade has spent all school year learning about color theory, or how the color wheel and value (the lightness to darkness of a color) works. Students created a value painting and chose to create either a landscape or a self-portrait. Students chose one color from the color wheel, either a primary, secondary, or tertiary color and had to mix the tints and shades of those colors. Artists who created portraits added the complementary color to the background to make their portraits pop. Each project had to have a minimum of four value changes. Many students exceeded that amount, adding anywhere from five to six values (see pictures below).
Computers
Students in Mrs. Oney’s computer classes have been learning to code using Code Studio, an online programming website. Students that have completed the One Hour of Code received a certificate and moved onto another section of coding. Students will be continuing to code as the school year progresses. When school resumed after Christmas break, students chose a word for 2019 that depicts a way in which they’d like to make a change in their life for 2019. Students created a display of their One Word 2019 in Print Shop and then recorded their One Word video using an application called Flipgrid. Most recently, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, students learned about the life of the civil rights leader and composed a document about him. Students learned some keyboard shortcuts as they edited their document. They inserted images into their document and corrected any spelling or grammar errors before turning it into google classroom. Students will be reflecting on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as they record a second Flipgrid video telling how they can make the world a better place.
Government Shutdown and Free and Reduced Lunches
If you’ve been following the news, you’re most likely aware of the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government. To some South Central School district residents, it’s more than a news story. As employees or contractors for the U.S. government, going without a paycheck is placing a real financial hardship on their families.
I wanted to take a moment to remind all South Central families about our free and reduced lunch program. Even a temporary impact setback to your income due to a furlough or layoff can qualify your child to participate. A family of four with a weekly income of $628 or less qualifies for free breakfast and lunch at school. A family of four with a weekly income of $890 or less qualifies for reduced-price breakfast and lunch.
The most important thing I want you to know is that both the application process and who is receiving free and reduced meals is confidential. To apply, all you need to do is fill out an application you can print it from the website or receive a copy from the school. In the cafeteria, no one knows who is on the free and reduced program and who is not. Every student receives the same meal options and every student simply punches in an assigned four-digit pin number to get their food.
Once qualified for the program, you’re qualified for the whole year, even when you go back to work – giving families a little bit of a financial cushion to help recover from those lost wages.
The food served in our school’s cafeterias includes nutritious foods made by our dedicated staff. We all know that a good, balanced meal helps us be at our best. We want every student to be able to get the nutrition he or she needs to grow, learn and succeed.
To apply for the free and reduced lunch program, just go to www.south-central.org and click on the FORMS tab at the left of the page to find the online application. If you have questions about the program, please call Food Services Director, Jeanine Wilhelm @ 419-752-0011. If your family is facing financial hardship for any reason, I urge you to apply or to contact Jeanine to learn more.
Upcoming Events for February
2 JH BBB FC Tournaments begin (7th grade at South Central & 8th Grade at New London);
JH Wrestling FC Tournament at Plymouth; 8th-grade GBB consolation game @10:30;
Powerlifting at Bucyrus
4 Seventh-grade GBB Championship Game @ 6:30
5 BB Tournament Continues
6 JH Wrestling v. Hillsdale at Mapleton
7 BB Tournament Continues
11 School Board Meeting
15 Sodagrams delivered
16 Powerlifting at Danville
18 NO SCHOOL President’s Day
19 Malley’s Easter Candy Fundraiser Begins
23 Powerlifting at home
About Us
Email: amckee@south-central.org
Website: www.south-central.org
Location: 3291 Greenwich Angling Rd, Greenwich, OH, USA
Phone: (419)752-0011
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/South-Central-Schools-414505255377842/?eid=ARBMlQ0jh_ARQEGXmgg8t1W3W31TCq94y-fiGoElBH-JbfbMKijU0IvMrutpUrsQqn_mIOrk77kWJi6R
Twitter: @scms_trojans