Rio Reporter Spring 2020
SPRING EDITION Qtrs. 3 & 4
Welcome to Spring 2020 at Rio Norte!
Greetings Rio Norte Students and Families!
None of us imagined a fourth quarter like this one. Thank you students, parents and faculty for your flexibility as we have worked together to save lives. We know that the battle isn't over yet, but we will continue to educate and support our students according to the guidelines of our district and the CDC.
This Tuesday is "Teacher Appreciation Day," and it is disappointing that we can't have our usual celebrations for "Staff Appreciation Week."
Our teachers and staff members are so very appreciated! We thank all of our teachers for teaching and caring for our Rio Norte students all school year, but especially during this final virtual stretch!
To our 8th grade students, we miss you, we believe in you, and we wish the best for you next year. You are prepared and we believe you will excel in high school! To our 7th grade students, we miss you, and we look forward to seeing you at Rio next year!
I believe that challenges provide opportunities for growth. Some of the strongest people the world has ever known, overcame extremely difficult challenges. They found ways to thrive, and my hope is we will all do the same.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay positive River Hawks!
Thank you,
Audrey Asplund
Principal
Rio Norte Jr. High School
PTSA News
We are disappointed that our students were not able to experience all of the exciting activities and events we planned for the fourth quarter.
We will continue to support our students and the staff at Rio Norte as we close out the year and begin plans for next year.
- Thank you for assisting with the Valentine's Day dance!
- Congratulations to our finalists at the SCV PTSA Reflections Gala on February 13!
- With your support our PTSA celebrated our Rio students at the Student of the Month luncheons on 1/24, 2/21, and the Academic Awards Assemblies on Jan 27-31.
Thank you,
Christine Davis, PTSA President
Team Amazon
English
We just finished our reading of "Marigolds" which was a great way for students to practice reading comprehension and creative writing skills. We are now beginning Anne Frank, which will be used to continue our process of answering the essential questions: How is adulthood defined? What marks the passage from childhood to adulthood? We definitely miss seeing each other!
Science
Mrs. Robb is turning her home into a chemistry lab for Quarter 4. While it is not quite the same as doing chemistry labs at school, the students are still going to be doing lots of online investigations during the month of May. More At-Home Family Lab Experiments (to try in your kitchens) coming soon as well! Be sure to check Google Classroom every Tuesday and Thursday for updates.
Math
Students have been using Edpuzzle to watch videos of notes that one of the eighth grade math teachers made. They then do either a kahoot, quizizz or work out of the book. Math 8 - We just finished the section on Exponents and are now on to Scientific Notation and Volume. Algebra - We are in the middle of quadratics. Factoring, Quadratic Formula, Completing the square and Complex numbers.
History
In US History, we just completed our study of Manifest Destiny. We are currently learning about Antebellum America--a study of how North and South grew apart during the time period leading up to the bloodiest conflict in American history: the Civil War. We will conclude our quarter with an in-depth look at our nation’s most challenging time, and how we became a stronger and more united nation on the other side of that war.
Team Columbia
Greetings from Team Columbia! Here are some updates from our living rooms:
English
In Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s English class, students are learning about figurative language by working through reading pieces that investigate the questions: How is nature always at work? What makes nature so meaningful and important? How does nature influence people? They are also reviewing how to write concise paragraphs and cite textual evidence. As always, Mrs. Fitzpatrick encourages her students to read as much as possible by engaging with the Rio librarian, Mrs. VanDuzee, and offering suggestions of where to find free books online. While Ms Dawson’s English classes are exploring figurative language in literature. They will be reading short stories, memoirs, and poetry and creating their own!
Math
In both Mrs. James & Mrs. Groller’s classes Math 7 will finish off Quarter 4 with lots of Geometry: Angles, Triangles, 3D figures, Surface Area and Volume. Accelerated Math 7 will follow suit and will also have some Probability to dabble with right before school gets out. I'm happy to finish the year strong, covering all the standards for the year. Great job Columbia!!
Science
Science James´ Team Columbia class has had fun learning how adaptations can be advantageous for survival in different ecosystems. After natural selection, we will be learning about genetics and seeing how those organisms receive or are passed those advantageous adaptations. Genetics is my favorite--so get ready for lots of genetic questions your children might ask you.
History
Mr. Sheridan's History class will continue their analysis of the important people and effects of the Age of Exploration, and will finish the year becoming familiar with the important theories, ideas, and figures of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. While Ms Kratofil’s History students have been cruising along well during this “distance-learning” adventure! They have discovered the changes European society embraced during the Renaissance, along with the enhanced artistic techniques created during this time. They are currently analyzing the changes to Christianity during the Protestant Reformation, and will soon be venturing out from Europe to the rest of the world during the Age of Exploration.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Team Columbia students who are “giving it their all” far away from the traditional classroom. It shows! Together we will increase and improve your reading, writing and critical thinking skills so that you are ready to be strong, capable 8th graders!
Our Awesome PTSA Parent Volunteers!!
Valencia College to Career Day at Rio Norte
Socratic Seminar in English!
Team Nile
English
As we venture into the last quarter of this year, and distance learning, our focus is on the human struggle and overcoming obstacles. Students began by reading about the Dust Bowl and writing their own “story” about what happened during that time. We finish the school year with WWII and the Holocaust. Students read the play version of The Diary of Anne Frank and watch several clips that illustrate the devastation of WWII and the Holocaust. Always check the stream section of Classroom! Miss you all.
History
In history, students should continue checking Google Classroom each Monday and Wednesday for assignments. Going forward, students will focus on the causes of the Civil War and how the war affects the nation. Please make sure to keep up to date on work and keep up all the hard work.
Math
In math, students should continue checking Google Classroom each Tuesday and Thursday for assignments. It is also beneficial to check the stream regularly on Google Classroom for any new information and/or answers to questions. Students, please check your email, especially if you are emailing about questions. Everyone has been doing a spectacular job with the assignments and asking questions through emails and/or office hours. Keep up the good work!
Science
Students are completing the study of matter and thermal energy. The final instructional segment of the year will focus on chemical energy and reactions. Students will continue to use online simulations and videos to replace hands-on labs and activities. Please check Google Classroom for new science material on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am proud of the effort students have put forth during this challenging time of distance learning.
Spelling Bee Champions!
District Honor Band!
DFY SCV club activity time!
Team Rio Verde
English
Team Rio Verde English students are currently heading into Anne Frank. Students will apply their contextual knowledge of social justice to this particular time period in history. Students have been highly engaged and reflective within the Online Notebooks discussing social justice and World War II.
History
US History with Mrs. Bonilla looks......different this year :) I hope all of our Rio Verde families are well. Thank you for being so flexible as we navigate through uncharted territory. This quarter we have achieved Manifest Destiny and our country now extends from sea to shining sea. We are headed into the causes of the Civil War and will end the 8th grade year looking at the war and the rebuilding of our country after war. There are so many cool websites that let you explore the war... be on the lookout for some great movies to keep your quarantine watching list going.
Math
While learning math virtually can be challenging at times. The students are doing exceptionally well adjusting. Students are learning math virtually using Edpuzzles to teach/learn the math, then using other online sources such as Quizzizz and Kahoot to allow kids to practice the math concepts. Students also have the opportunity to do math live chats with multiple teachers before a test or quiz.
Science
We are staying the course in science during our time at home. The next few weeks we will learn as much chemistry as possible. The students will start exploring the Periodic Table, and they will also do chemistry simulations through sites like Gizmo and Phet. Students have been working diligently to complete assignments on their own and thankfully most students have access so we can continue learning through these difficult times. Take care!
Team Shenandoah
In distance learning Ms. Romero has taken over team Shenandoah Science. Together we have completed Evidence and Evolution. Just before spring break we began Natural Selection, such as adaptations affecting reproduction and survival. Students have been making strides in science and meeting the goals of distance learning. Additionally, students have been great partners in learning by advocating for themselves when they meet an assignment that confuses them. I look forward to a great semester of learning with team Shenandoah.
In English class, during the third quarter, we focused on argumentative writing. We analyzed texts and identified examples of effective argumentation, including the persuasive appeals known as pathos, logos, and ethos. We also participated in a number of engaging Socratic Seminars on a variety of topics. Our quarter culminated in two argumentative essays in which students produced polished writing on argumentative topics. In the fourth quarter, we turn our attention to reading and analyzing the novel "Where the Red Fern Grows," analyzing and writing poetry, and writing our own short stories. I'm proud of my amazing students!
In Math 7, we culminated the third quarter learning the extremely important gateway into Algebra- multi-step equations and inequalities. We've switched gears for the fourth quarter learning about probability (so many fun things we could have done in the classroom :-( ) and are heading into our Geometry unit next. In Accelerated, students did a great job learning Systems of Equations from home (again, so sad I couldn't teach it in person). We now have moved onto Probability as well- and will also segue into Geometry and Transformations! Keep up the good effort students!
In History, we spent 3rd quarter studying about the Middle Ages, including significant events such as the Crusades, the building of cathedrals and universities, and the Bubonic Plague which brought it all to a crashing halt! But, there were good things that came from this disease. Travel was opened up, the old feudal system was replaced with business and shops, and the economy improved! The end of the Middle Ages ushered in a new time period that we call the Renaissance...and the world changed forever due to new art, culture, scientific discoveries, new philosophies, inventions (like the printing press), and works of literature and poetry by Shakespeare and others. Students are now exploring these events by evaluating primary sources, analyzing art, and even making their own art using the technique of linear perspective. As always, we look for connections to our current time. We can look for new learning, new inventions, and new ways of doing things after our current COVID -19 emergency ends. Hopefully, we find the opportunity in these "darker" times to make meaningful human connections within our families and even personal time to reflect, educate ourselves, and maybe even try something new. Of course, nothing takes the place of seeing students weekly, and we miss our team VERY MUCH! A silver lining is that most of you will be Rio students next year too, so we will meet again soon!
Team Yukon
English
Distance Learning for English 8 has been using zoom Wednesday mornings, to connect with one another and clarify lessons. We have started reading the play "Diary of Anne Frank" while working on research projects that were co-hosted with our librarian Mrs. VanDuzee. All lessons are on Google Classroom and the agenda for each English Block is on the announcement stream. I miss seeing my students in person, and hope that all are safe and well at home. Ms. Sosa
Science
Yukon science sleuths are working hard to adapt to distance learning. These students have done a fantastic job of engaging while making the best of a hard situation. I am so very proud of their adaptability and commitment to making these changes.
Team Zambezi
Here we are in the waning days of 4th quarter and the teachers on Team Zambezi are happy to report that none of us has lost our minds just yet! We are so very proud of the work our kids are doing and the support we've had from all of you at home. Here is some of what distance learning
is serving up these days:
English
In English we are reading and exploring the themes of a novel called Stargirl. A unique 10th grader comes to a new school and forces her classmates to examine who they are and what sacrifices they all make to fit in. My hope is that our kids begin to ask themselves some of these very important questions and allow themselves to be reminded that there's room in the world for people to be different.
History
In History class we are learning about the tools and ideas that led to the Age of Exploration. Students are learning about the fearless navigators like Columbus, da Gama, Vespucci and Magellan, who led the great voyages of discovery. Next we will learn how riches and greed led to the downfall of the mighty Aztec and Inca civilizations.
Science
Science classes have been learning about how animals are adapted for survival. We will be finishing the year learning about genetics. The transition to distance learning wasn’t easy, but we are proud of Team Zambezi students for doing their best, asking questions, and continuing to learn at home. We miss being in class with you, but we are glad to all be doing our part to flatten the curve.
Math
Math 7 is wrapping up the year with geometry and statistics. Accelerated Math is finishing with geometry and systems of equations. Students have been impressive online learners keeping up with their schoolwork, advocating for themselves, and participating in zoom meetings to ask questions and stay connected. I’m sad the year ended this way because we had such an amazing group of kids. Thank you for helping at home and stay safe!
Science
Science classes have been learning about how animals are adapted for survival. We will be finishing the year learning about genetics. The transition to distance learning wasn’t easy, but we are proud of Team Zambezi students for doing their best, asking questions, and continuing to learn at home. We miss being in class with you, but we are glad to all be doing our part to flatten the curve.
The Passing of a Hero
Yesterday I thought about reaching out to Dr. Henry Oster to see how he is doing with his battle with cancer and found out he passed away. I was reading about people who live long, fulfilling lives and I thought of him. One of the keys to a long life is optimism. Dr. Henry Oster was one of the most optimistic and kind souls I have ever met. He shared his story of being a Holocaust survivor to teach students the important lessons of kindness, tolerance, and respect for human dignity. He taught students about the dangers of subtle racist thoughts and actions that turned into national policies of intolerance, hate and murder. How many reasons did Dr. Oster have to be a hardened, bitter soul? Many, but instead he choose hope, kindness and life. When he came to the U.S. he worked hard to become an optometrist, and used his gifts to make his community a better place. He provided free care to families and students in schools, and he shared his survivor story whenever he could. He preached kindness, and modeled it. He was supposed to speak at Rio Norte this Tuesday, he will be with us in spirit. Share kindness and optimism for Dr. Oster this week.
♥Audrey
Here is a part of Dr. Oster's story:
Rio Norte Junior High School
Rio Norte Mission Statement
The Rio Norte Junior High School community is dedicated to providing a safe, flexible, positive, and nurturing learning environment, in which all its members have the opportunity to experience a sense of belonging and personal growth, and all students have the opportunity to develop academic excellence.
Website: www.rionortejuniorhigh.com
Phone: 6612953700