MJS Class of 2016
A Newsletter for All Things 8th Grade
Week of 9/21/15
8th Grade Back to School Night/Secondary School Q&A
Please note that 8th grade teachers will not be a part of the Middle School Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 22.
Thursday, Oct 1, 2015, 07:00 PM
HPAC
Parents can go on Schoology?!
- Parent Access provides a snapshot of assignments due, upcoming assessments, and teacher updates.
- Grade information viewed online is NOT LIVE. We update data every other week. Review data without expectation that the information is final (it is a marathon, not a sprint).
- Homework continues to be posted daily online, but is a BACKUP to the planner we expect middle school students to use. Students are expected to write down or input their homework on their iPad before checking Schoology at night.
Parents who do not have their 8th grader's access code, please email Adrienne Bononi atabononi@mayfieldjs.org.
Watch this video below to learn how to get on Schoology.
For more parenting support, please come to the Parent Workshop: Wholehearted Parenting led by our own Susan Reedy, MFT...
“Wholehearted Parenting: Raising Imperfect, Messy and Resilient Kids”
Mondays, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19
8:30 – 9:45 am
Hayden Performing Arts Center
Raising children is an experience unlike any other. This parenting workshop will be based on author Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly. Our time together will be a time to honestly look at what we want to cultivate in our children and how to teach them to engage with the world from a place of worthiness, embrace their vulnerabilities and imperfections, feel a deep sense of love and compassion for themselves and others, value hard work, perseverance and respect, have the courage to be imperfect, vulnerable and creative, and know how to PLAY!
This Week's Curriculum Spotlight is on English with Ms. Bonfils
8th Grade English
In 8th grade English students will develop as enthusiastic, confident, and competent readers, writers, listeners, and speakers. Students will sharpen their academic writing skills in both short and in-depth assignments as they enjoy a wealth of great literature. Daily and long-range assignments will consist of reading, full-length essays, timed writings, responses to reading, vocabulary study, and review of grammar and punctuation. The class aims to enhance their ability to think critically and independently, to develop well-supported opinions about their reading, and to write convincingly in a variety of modes.
Bless Me, Ultima
Vocabulary
LET'S GO MUSTANGS!
The season is about to begin! Please come and support our Mustangs! Here is what's coming up this week, for the complete season schedule, please visit the "MJS Athletics" page on the parent portal.
Monday, September 21
Girls C Volleyball @ Westridge - Dismissal 2.25pm
Tuesday, September 22
Boys C Football v Gooden @ MJS 3.15pm
Thursday, September 24
Girls C Volleyball v Gooden @ MJS 3.00pm
Have you followed us on Twitter yet? @MJSAthletics It's a great way to get up-to-date game results!
School Family Sheets Have Been Distributed!
Graduation Video
Hi parents!
Believe it or not I am already starting to put together the graduation video for our 8th graders! The video will be shown at the graduation party and it is always a highlight at the event. The kids LOVE seeing their old pictures and those of their friends, families and teachers over the years at MJS. It’s never too early to get started and find, digitize and organize all of those photos.
Here’s what I will need from you:
8-12 digital photos of your child, either solo or with family, friends and/or teachers (a mix of solo and group shots are best) inJPEG format put on a USB or CD - please do NOT send me actual photos. I don’t have time to scan them and I don’t want to lose or damage them. Target, CVS, Printefex in La Canada and others will put your pictures on CD or USB and clean them up for you if needed. I am looking for at least one baby photo and the rest are up to you. I will advise that photos of them when they are younger get the most “ooohs and aaaahs.” Also, try and stick to MJS photos or photos with MJS classmates/teachers featured. The audience is MJS and everyone loves seeing pictures of kids and families they know.
Also, in addition to the 8-12 of your child, feel free to send extra group shots from over the years at MJS. Those are always a big hit! They can be on the same USB or CD.
It’s really helpful if you label the files:***
1) Brendan Segment (and label each photo Brendan 1, Brendan 2, etc)
2) Group shots
***This way I will know which photos you want to use in your child’s segment and if you have a preferred order.
Lastly, I will create the video in the order I receive the kids' photos. If you get yours in first, your child will be first in the video, etc.
I will return your USB and CD to you once the video is finished (likely the end of the school year).
Thank you again for your help in making this video a success for your child and for the whole class!
Best,
Aly Pernecky
Things to Look Forward to...
- Friday, September 25, 1pm in the Gym: Mass of the Holy Spirit, Student Council Installation, and School Families Begin
- Saturday, September 26: 6th-8th Gr ISEE/HST Practice Test in the HPAC (8:30-12:30pm) Contact Mr. Wolfe for more information (jwolfe@mayfieldjs.org)
- Sunday, September 27: Opening Mass at 10am in the Gym
- Wednesday, September 30: Picture Day! 8th graders should come to school in concert dress. They may change into their regular uniform after pictures have been taken.
- Thursday, October 1: 7pm Secondary Q&A and 8th Grade Back to School Night in the HPAC. Everyone (students and parents) should attend. (8th grade families do not need to attend the Middle School Back to School Night)
- Reach Out at St. Francis Center begins in October - please expect an email from Mrs. Dilbeck regarding sign-ups for drivers.
8th Grade Advisory Team
Lisa Byrne, Advisor, Play Director, and Co-Team Leader (lbyrne@mayfieldjs.org)
Chris Goethals, Advisor and Secondary School Liaison (cgoethals@mayfieldjs.org)
Juan Garcia, Advisor and Student Council Leader (jgarcia@mayfieldjs.org)
Ruth Villarreal, Advisor and Athletics Director (rvillarreal@mayfieldjs.org)