South Central Middle School
We Have the Right Mental Attitude
News from our Junior High
Multimedia
At the beginning of the semester students in Mrs. Oney’s Multimedia 7th & 8th grade classes explored the palettes of Print Shop 4 as they created flyers for various events at school. Students used iMovie to create informational and promotional videos, one of which was of our school play, Shrek the Musical. Students explored some of the tools in Adobe Photoshop. Students are using Google Suite to create docs, drawings, spreadsheets, slideshows, and forms. Each student will create their own google site to be used as an eportfolio. Students will be using Microsoft Word to create a middle school resume’ and other documents as well. Students practiced their photography skills as they used the digital cameras and camcorders to capture footage and images of the 8th grade rocket launch. This year’s rocket launch video was created by students and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/qnPpOh1mKlg. Currently, students are working on a science concepts slideshow using Keynote. Each slide includes text, media, smart builds, a transition and animation (Pictured below).
Science
South Central 8th grade recently built and launched model rockets as part of a unit on forces. Some of the forces studied were gravity, air friction, thrust, and wind drift. There are pictures and a video below.
Student Council Prepares for the Food Drive
South Central’s Middle School Student Council consists of six students each from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade (7th and 8th graders are pictured below) The students are selected by their grade level peers and use their leadership skills in a variety of ways. Council members sponsored and organized our fall spirit week in October. This included being involved in our fall pep rally which highlighted academic achievement and introduced our fall athletes. They also worked together to create a float for the 2018 homecoming parade. The float was entitled “Munch the Mounties” and was based on an M&M theme. The Student Council members’ hard work earned them 3rd place in the float contest.
Student Council members are now preparing for their annual holiday food drive. The Middle School Student Council has sponsored a food drive for over 20 years, donating thousands of canned goods and non-perishable food items to area food pantries. The items are then distributed to people in need in our own communities.
Our 2018 drive will take place the week of December 10 – 14. Students in grades 5 – 8, if they are able, are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items during the week of December 10. Student Council members will record how many items each student brought in. The homeroom bringing in the most items will earn a pizza party. In addition, the three students in each grade that bring in the most items will also earn a prize. Food items will be distributed to food pantries in North Fairfield and Shiloh to be distributed to local families.
If you are interested in donating items, please be aware that we cannot accept outdated items. Also, if items generally come in a multi-item pack, such as ramen noodles, packets of hot chocolate and so on, students will receive credit for each complete package they bring in, not each individual item. Students having fines in the library can turn in canned goods to Mrs. Wallace. She will erase $1 in library fines for each item turned in to her. The Student Council will also accept donations by cash or check. Each dollar donated counts as one food item.
The Student Council has set a goal of 2018 non-perishable food items to be donated this holiday season. Thank you to the South Central community who has generously supported this cause for so many years.
Submitted by: Mrs. Grose, Mrs. Oney and Mr. Oney
Mohican Outdoor School
5th graders attended Mohican Outdoor School in Butler, OH this October (see pictures below). Even though it rained most of the time, students were busy exploring and learning while outside. Students were able to learn about and handle different animals such as snakes, rabbits, goats, turtles, and bearded dragons. They found "critters" during their water class like salamanders, bullfrogs, and creek chubs.
They learned how to start a fire and build a shelter in survival class. After learning about and seeing the red tail hawk, students dissected owl pellets.
There was a fall festival to celebrate the season and allowed students to dress up for Halloween. On the living history trail when students learned about people from the history of the area, they trick-or-treated, too. Archery, ecology, herpetology, and other activities kept students very busy.
Each student had a community job to help make sure everything ran smoothly. Some helped care for the animals. Some set the tables for meals. Others swept floors, took out the trash, or took out the recyclables. Everyone pitched in to keep the dorms clean.
Submitted by: Mrs. Smith
Upcoming Events for December
1 JH BBB at Monroeville
JH GBB home v. Monroeville
4 JH GBB home v. New London
Interims go home
6 JH BBB at New London
8 JH BBB at Mapleton
JH GBB at home v. Mapleton
10 JH GBB at Willard
JH BBB home in HS gym v. Willard
11 JH GBB at Plymouth
12 Choir Concert
13 JH BBB home v. Plymouth
14 JH Dance
15 JH BBB at home v. Crestview
17 School Board Meeting: JH GBB at Crestview
18 JH GBB at home v. Western; BBB at Western
19 Spelling Bee
20 JH GBB at St. Paul; JH BBB home v. St. Paul
21 Early Release at 1:00
24-1 Winter Break