7th Grade News
November 2017
Thanksgiving break!
Reminder: School will be closed Monday, November 20th- Friday, November 24th, 2017 for our Thanksgiving break!
School will resume on Monday, November 27th, 2017
We hope that all of our CMS families will enjoy a safe, relaxing break with family and friends!
PBIS Updates & Events!
Crabapple Middle School Teachers and Staff are committed to continually helping students succeed through positive behavior. CMS has three main behavioral expectations, known as the "3 Bs" Be Prepared (on time and with all materials), Be Engaged (on-task and using technology appropriately) and Be Respectful
The Positive Behavior System relies heavily on support from parents. Parents can view students' points in each of the 5 target areas through the PBIS Parent App. Follow these steps for access:
1. Send email request to Ms. Miller (millerb@fultonschools.org) with "PBIS Parent App" in the subject line. Include the student name in the body of the email.
2. Download PBIS Parent App from your App Store
3. Using the QR code included in the letter emailed to you, sign in to the App
Tentative Dates for our upcoming PBIS Rewards:
November 16th, 2017: Lunch with a friend in the café day!
December 8th, 2017: Pajama Day
December 20th, 2017 (date is subject to change depending on mid-term exams):
"Winter Extravaganza"--Movies, Popcorn, Games & More....
Students will be able to earn "tiered levels" for a variety of activities and experiences throughout the day.
We will notify students of the confirmed date, points needed for each "tier" of activities, and additional details ASAP!
Pizza Party Contest for Cafe Behavior!!!
Only a few more weeks left before we announce the homeroom winner for the "Pizza Party" celebration!
Currently, the top 3 homeroom classes are as follows:
Ms. McMahon
Ms. Howell
Mr. Sarris
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
MANY CLASSES ARE ONLY TRAILING A FEW POINTS BEHIND TOP 3!
Science Updates
In Life Science, we are just finishing up our unit on cellular transport and energy where we performed to exciting labs. The first on was the Egg Osmosis Lab, and the second one being the Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration lab. We have a test covering these topics on Thursday Nov. 9th for Shaw and Nolan, and Friday Nov. 10th for Mason. Our next unit will be cellular reproduction, which we will preview right before the Thanksgiving break.
Math Updates
7th Grade Math will conclude our equations unit this week. Students have been working hard and are showing real growth with solving two-step equations! Our next topic of study - solving inequalities - should take us right up to Thanksgiving break. Please check our teacher websites for on-line practice link, weekly calendars, and redbird resources.
Social Studies Updates
Social Studies classes are embarking on an adventure into Africa. Students are learning about the geography, environmental issues, religious and ethnic groups through a project called Jigsaw. Students decided which country to research from the standards, and either developed a web page or a newspaper article to become experts. Students will redeliver the information to other students, showing their mastery. Junior Achievement is also right around the corner (January 26th-30th), and permission slips are due back by November 15th. Please consider joining us as a chaperone, and you can sign up here: www.bit.ly/7thGradeJAFieldTrip.
Language Arts Updates
As you know, all 7th grade students have selected books of interest for independent reading.
Please encourage your student to continue their independent reading at home!
ELA 7- We finished our “Week of Narrative Writing” last month. Currently, our grammar topics include: conjunctions, prepositions, phrases and clauses, and sentence structure. Please refer to your teacher’s website for specific quiz dates.
In December, we will begin our Drama Unit.
We have an exciting drama performance planned for our students.
Stay tuned for additional details!
ELA 8- In 8th Grade Language Arts, we have started Unit Two which will focus on non-fictional texts and informational writing. We are exploring the importance of understanding other people’s stories and perspectives. In a few weeks, we will begin a memoir book club. Students should continue to read independently, as well.
WORLD LANGUAGE UPDATES
Students in Spanish 1B are wrapping up their unit on la familia with their project presentations. Great job students your presentations look terrific! Students have learned conjugation for ER/IR verbs, special verbs Tener and Venir, Tener Expressions along with possessive adjectives this unit. Following our test next week students will enjoy a cultural craft on the non-religious holiday Dia de los muertos, the day of remembrance, by painting and decorating wooden spoons or foam skulls. Our next unit will be los pasatiempos covering activities outside of school.
PARENT WORKSHOP ON RTI
Parent Workshop: Response to Intervention
Join our Graduation Coach, Ms. Pannek, on November 14 at 8:30 in the CMS Media Center for a workshop about Tier 2 and the Response to Intervention process. Learn about the structure in place for students who need more academic and/or behavior support. Ms. Pannek will discuss the methods of identification, tier progression, exemplars of strategies used, and how we collect data to progress monitor students. Email Ms. Pannek at Pannek@fultonschools.org if you plan to attend.
COUNSELING CORNER
Ways to Help You and Your Child Develop a Positive Relationship
Within the School Community
Parents play an important role in helping their child feel connected to their school, and in creating a positive school community. There are several actions you as a parent can take, at home and at school, to help your child feel more connected to his or her school, including:
• Encourage your child to talk openly with you, teachers, counselors, and other school staff about his/her ideas, needs and worries.
• Attend school meetings, read information that the school sends home to you and talk to teachers and staff. Find out what your child is expected to learn and how they should behave in school, and support these expectations at home.
• Help your child with homework and teach him/her about good time management techniques.
• Encourage your child to participate in school activities. Keep informed of these by reading school newsletters, attending parent meetings, checking out the school website, etc.
• Get your child involved in helping other adults – at home, school or in the community. Volunteering is a great way to do this.
• Set regular meetings with your child’s teacher to discuss his/her grades, behavior, accomplishments, challenges, etc.
• Get involved as a parent in various school activities, committees or working groups.
These are only a few ways that you as a parent can get involved. Talk to other parents or those in your school community about what you can do to help support or create a positive school culture.
Questions / Concerns – Do not hesitate to reach out to 7th grade counselor Amy Levin (last names A-L) levina@fultonschools.org or Gina Severino (last names M-Z) at severinogc@fultonschools.org
A NOTE FROM MRS. PSALMONDS
Dear CMS Parents:
It has been a pleasure connecting with you all and serving as your child's 7th grade administrator over the last several months. I am very aware of the challenge that each of you have as parents, in particular, as parents of children during the middle school years! With that said, please know that while one critical aspect of my role is handling discipline matters and issuing consequences, I am equally focused on helping students learn from mistakes, build upon their current successes, and become responsible well rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges ahead. The task at hand is no easy charge; however, I believe that working collaboratively together we can move toward the common goal of helping all students at CMS experience success! Have a blessed Thanksgiving break!
Warm Regards,
Ginger Psalmonds