PGMS Memo
January 2020 Pottsgrove Middle School Newsletter
Important Dates For the Month of January
- January 8 and 9 - MAP #2 Testing
- Testing Block 8:30am - 10:15am
- January 10 - PGMS PTA Event
- 7:00pm - 8:30pm
- January 16 - PGMS PTA Meeting
- 7:00pm
- January 20 - No School
- January 30 - 9th Grade Course Selection Night (For all 8th Grade Students)
- PGHS Cafeteria at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
January 30 - 9th Grade Course Selection Night
- For all 8th Grade Students (Incoming HS Freshmen)
- PGHS Cafeteria at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- The 8th grade students will view the same presentation during the school day at 9:30am
- All 8th grade parents are encouraged to attend the program at the HS to review courses and have all their questions answered by the PGHS guidance counselors
Robotics at Pottsgrove Middle School at recent competitions on December 7th
The 8th grade team won first place for Robot design. For the Robot Design Award, judges assess the robots mechanical design, innovation, programming effectiveness and team strategies for solving missions in order to determine the overall design quality. The judges deemed PGMS’s robot the best robot design out of 18 teams. Justin McMorrow, was our main robot designer and constructed the winning robot.
The 8th Grade LEGO Robotic Team
The 8th Grade LEGO Robotic Team attended the First LEGO League Competition on Saturday, December 7th at the Aim Academy in Conshohocken along with 16 other teams from schools throughout the state. The team members were: Isabella Kerlin, Dustin Penot, Fred Vasquez, Kashon Young, Emily Sorg, Cory Herbsleger, Kaitlyn Alessi and Louis Marsteller.
The topic for this year was City Shapers. Students were required to identify a problem with a building or public space in our community and design a solution and share it with others and then refine it. They were also required to design, build and program a LEGO Robot to complete various challenge robotic missions. Although the team did not advance to the State competition
PGMS Presents "Frozen Jr." ....You Don't Want to Miss it!!!!
Pottsgrove Middle School Will Be Presenting the Musical " Frozen Jr." in March
Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood.
* Play Dates at PGMS - March 12, 13, 14 (all shows start at 7:00pm) *
Mental Health Panel - Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Stress and Anxiety
From 5:00pm - 6:00pm will be a health fair with information from various agencies and from 6:00pm - 8:00pm the panel. We will have a teacher, State Representative, suicide survivor, social worker, and psychologist.
They are not only speaking to suicide prevention but also depression, anxiety, and stress. The hope is to reach families and give them support and information early.
This will be open to all schools in Montgomery County, both public and non-public, parents, community members, teachers, administrators, and students.
Holiday Concerts at Pottsgrove Middle School
Mr. Hayes
Mr. Einhorn
Mrs. Trout
~ Mrs. Trout and the Chorus ~
~ Mr. Hayes and the Band ~
~ Mr. Hayes and Hand Bells ~
Our Music Programs in December were AWESOME.....Fabulous!!!
Special THANK- YOU to Mrs. Kovach for her work on the piano!!!
~ Mr. Einhorn and the Orchestra ~
Samantha King Speaks and Presents to the PGMS GSA Club in December...
Samantha King, MSW, MEd, LSW, is the education coordinator and an intake specialist at the Gender and Sexuality Development Clinic at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. ... Through this role, Samantha provides direct resources to students, families and supports transgender and gender expansive youth in school and community .
Student Coalition Update - Great Stuff!!
The Student Coalition is our leadership group at the middle school, that performs different services in the community and in the school.
After a great deal of back and forth, the PGMS Student Coalition started this winter off by focusing on ways to give back without raising/spending money this season.
This began a 2 week campaign penning Christmas cards to soldiers. Not only does Mrs. Kelly have a brother who served, but one of our members has a newly-enlisted sibling, as well. Because of this, the students spent time researching organizations that facilitated contact and handled mailing. They selected the Red Cross, and settled on mailing the remaining cards directly to a veterans’ hospital.
Additionally, a local organization donated a tree that we strung lights on. We then ran a quick drive to gather gently-used ornaments, that we packed and delivered, with the UPPD, to a local family in need.
Onward to 2020 where we plan to support the NJHS in their Winter Coat Drive, revisit our local women’s shelter, The Laurel House, and continue to keep open dialogue to address the issues of our peers and the community.
~ News from PGMS Classrooms ~
Creative Lesson at PGMS - Mrs. Britton ELA Classes
Students in Mr. Moyer and Mr. Algeo's 8th Grade World History Classes performed Mock Trials during the first week of December.
Based on their research, the students determined what the likely outcome would be if a citizen was put on trial for the chosen offense. Then, students created a script for the trial abiding by the laws of either Justinian’s Code or Sharia.
They did a great job!
8th Grade Social Studies - Ms. Diegelman
Students created three-dimensional models of the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. The dioramas included examples of trade, defense, religion, architecture, leadership, law and technology. Students worked collaboratively to make their idea of Constantinople come to life.
PGMS Staff Profile, Mrs. Amanda Koch....Special Education Teacher-Reading Intervention/LA Seminar
Position at PGMS:
Special Education Teacher-Reading Intervention/LA Seminar
How many years have you been in education/at PGMS:
This is my 14th year in education and my 4th year at PGMS.
What is the best part of your job:
I love working with middle school students and seeing them overcome their struggles and finding success! I enjoy seeing them grow from 6th graders to 8th graders.
What would you be doing if you were not in education; why:
If I were not in education I would most likely own a restaurant at the beach.
List three interesting facts about yourself that other may not know
1. I travel to Canada every summer for vacation.
2. I was a cheerleader from the age of 3 to 17
3. I love playing board games and card games with my family.