FWHMS Family Newsletter
Connecting Families to School - April 2018
MCAS Dates
Tuesday, April 3rd
Wednesday, April 4th
Grade 8 Math
Tuesday, May 1st
Wednesday, May 2nd
Grade 8 Science/Tech
Tuesday, May 15th
Wednesday, May 16th
Grade 7 ELA
Tuesday, April 10th
Wednesday, April 11th
Grade 7 Math
Tuesday, May 8th
Wednesday, May 9th
Grade 6 ELA
Wednesday, April 4th
Thursday, April 5th
Grade 6 Math
Wednesday, May 2nd
Thursday, May 3rd
Grade 6 Happenings
STEM - Students have been busy constructing birdhouses this month. Students have been working in teams to plan the design, cut the wood and construct the bird house. Once completed, each birdhouse is then painted and decorated.
Social Studies - Students have recently wrapped up a unit on India focusing on geography, culture, and religion. Next, students will be moving onto China to learn about the dynasties, culture, and religion.
Reading/ ELA - MCAS is fast approaching and in each subject students have been exposed to different genres and writing prompts. In Reading, students read about the blizzard of 1888 also known as “The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard”. Students read an excerpt from “Magic Elizabeth” and were required to write the ending as a narrative focusing on plot development and dialogue.
Thank you to all the parents who have continued to send in tissues, cleaning wipes and paper towels. We will accept your generous donations all year! Please continue to check and replenish your child’s pencil supply and binders may need replacing as well.
Grade 7 Happenings
New this year for MCAS, grade 7 will be taking all MCAS sections on the computer. This will be the first time this group of students has had a computer-based assessment such as this, so the grade 7 teachers have been practicing with students on how to log in and maneuver around the site to make the most of the available tools and resources. There are still some things we do recommend for students to do at home to maximize their scores. We encourage the following: Get a good night's sleep the night prior to each test date. A well-rested mind and body are more likely to function at full capacity! Eat a balanced breakfast (with protein) the morning of each test. Students must also bring a book to read to each test session in case time remains after they have finished.
In History classes, students have been doing an exhaustive study of Alexander the Great. We first began by studying his father, Philip II of Macedonia. We learned of Philip’s admiration for Greek Culture, military skill, conquest of Greece and his ultimate demise. Then, we studied the accomplishments of his son, Alexander the Great. We learned of Alexander’s conquests in Egypt, Persia and India. Students used this information to create a resume for Alexander the Great and imagined he was applying to be Ruler of the World. Soon we will be turning to the Etruscans and the founding of Rome.
Science classes have been learning about how energy moves through ecosystems. We have been working in our interactive notebooks almost every day and have followed a character named Doug as he has described biotic and abiotic factors, the types of interactions that animals can have, the resources the rainforest has and how we can protect it, and the levels in an ecosystem energy pyramid. The unit will wrap up with a brochure project done in school on the ecosystem that each student chooses. All science classes on both teams are in desperate need of glue sticks as we will continue to use the interactive notebooks until the end of the year. Please send your child in with glue sticks as soon as possible!
In math, students have been learning how to set up and solve proportions for a variety of situations. Students were also introduced to slope, also called the “constant of proportionality” and how they are related to functions. Finally, we began percent applications, calculating a variety of discounts, sale prices, original prices, taxes, tips, commissions, increases, decreases, and error. We will continue to work with percents in April and will begin our unit on Measurement and Geometry.
Now that English Language Arts students have become experts at identifying irony in stories, film, pictures, and even song lyrics, you may have noticed them having fun finding the irony all around them! We have spent time reviewing how to punctuate direct quotations, as students will have the chance to rewrite the ending of a short story while incorporating dialogue and everything they have learned about characterization in the previous unit. In preparation for the MCAS, we will be visiting the computer lab to view a practice test and become acquainted with various reading and writing tools. After having our second Language Benchmark Assessment, we will continue to build on our language skills in preparation for eighth grade. Students have been busy working on their Independent Novel Projects and we look forward to watching their individual talents shine through as they experiment with new technology and design formats and polish their presentation skills. In the following unit, we are excited to “spring” into poetry!
As always, be sure to check the Homework Page on the school website to keep up with daily work, even if your child is absent.
Grade 8 Happenings
History
The Holocaust - a very serious subject to discuss but necessary to learn about. 8th grade students are working on researching a European region involved in the Holocaust and the effect it had during this time period. This project will culminate with our version of a Holocaust Museum. The topic also coincides with the English departments study of the Diary of Anne Frank. The students will end this unit by listening to a Holocaust speaker scheduled for April 27th @ 11:30 am here at the Middle School. More information to follow. Once we complete the unit on the Holocaust, students will return to their study of American History and the writing of some very important documents. First, the Declaration of Independence and road to revolution. Students will learn the responsibilities required for independence and what they may want to seek independence from.
Science
For the month of April, the 8th graders will be finishing their exploration of atoms and the periodic table. They will then begin “Life Science”, Heredity, the importance of Inheritance and Variation of Traits. The 8th graders will use models to describe structural changes to genes. They will compare and contrast the genetic effects, sexual versus asexual reproduction. They will communicate through writing and diagrams that chromosomes contain many distinct genes, which in turn holds the instructions for specific proteins. Models using Punnet squares will be used to show variant alleles of each chromosome passed down to offspring from both parents.
English
Students read argumentative (persuasive) and historical texts, then imaginative writing (poetry) that links to historical events. They will respond analytically and also create supported arguments (persuasive writing) of their own. Students will also be ready to fully apply the symbolic steps of the Hero's Journey using all different genres of literature.
Math
Algebra 1 and Extended Algebra students are both entering a unit on Graphing Linear Equations. We are working extensively with slope and the slope intercept form. After becoming linear equation experts, we will begin working with parallel and perpendicular lines, and solving systems of equations through graphing, substitution, and elimination.
Coming Soon to 8th Grade
*Holocaust Museum and Speaker-April 27th @11:30 (More information to come)
*Washington DC Trip-June 10-13, 2018
*8th Grade Field Day and Farewell Dance-June 2018
Art Happenings
On Friday, April 6th, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, the 12th annual Art in the Valley 2018 student art exhibition will be held at the Hartnett Middle School. The event will begin with a reception and will include light refreshments. The exhibition, featuring artwork created by students in grades K-8 throughout the Blackstone Valley along with their teachers’ artwork, will continue on Saturday, April 7th, 10:00am – 12:00 noon.
Grade K-8 art teachers from throughout the Blackstone Valley have been invited to each submit 15 pieces of student work, representing outstanding achievement in art, which will be displayed along with art created by their teachers. Families, friends, and the general public are invited to attend this exciting event to view incredible works created by these most talented students. The purpose of Art in the Valley is to provide a regional venue for a formal presentation of grade K-8 student works from schools within the Blackstone Valley, both public and private. In addition, the show supports the development of inventive minds while highlighting our school art programs.
Wellness Happenings
Grade 6
Students are practicing their time management skills while completing group projects on time management sub topics such as ways to break bad habits, getting organized, procrastination, and test taking skills including an acronym PIRATES that Mrs. Curt shared with us. Students will be sharing their understanding of their topic with the class. The last unit of study is tobacco, including e- cigarettes. Resource Officer Dave Laudon will co- teach the tobacco lessons.
Grade 7
The District’s Resource Officer, Dave Laudon, will be co- teaching lessons about marijuana with me. Lesson topics include marijuana facts, the ways marijuana affects the developing teenage brain,myths about marijuana, and how THC affects safely driving a car, studying for a test, and personal relationships. Students will create a video about the dangers of using and abusing marijuana. The last unit students will engage in is sleep and the teenage brain.
Grade 8
The quarter is quickly coming to a close and in the remaining 2 weeks students will write and perform a role play demonstrating their understanding of the key points in expressing feelings, anger management, and conflict resolution. A short unit about safe sun care and the ABC’s of skin cancer will end the quarter.
Spanish Happenings
Grade 6
In 6th grade Spanish class we learned the colors in Spanish, along with several animals. Students created books in Spanish and read them to another sixth grade class in Spanish! The students also created basic conversations and performed skits with their groups in the front of the class. We just started a unit on numbers, and will start the calendar next week.will be creating their own book in Spanish in the next week using the colors and animals.
Grades 7 and 8
In the 7th grade semester class, students have been listening to songs, as well as creating and illustrating stories using the target vocabulary. We practice speaking, listening, reading, as well as writing everyday. Each student has a Spanish name, and in the classroom, that is how they are known to everyone. We create stories based on these names and the students interests.
In 7th and 8th grade Spanish classes we learned the numbers up to 100 and all about how the calendar we use here in the US is different than the calendar used in Spanish speaking countries. We learned the weather, and students created a weather related project for a different Spanish speaking city.
Spanish 1
In Spanish 1 class, students are able to have conversations, using a multitude of vocabulary and verbs. The students now can conjugate -er and -ir verbs, and enjoy playing ‘Un minuto loco’ to demonstrate how many verbs they can conjugate in one minute - it is quite a competition! They learned how to form questions correctly in Spanish, my hallway is decorated with many examples of their original questions. We are finishing up our food unit, they students created posted to demonstrate that You are what you eat!
Music Department
Congratulations to the 7th and 8th Grade Bands for participating at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor's Association concert festival on the weekend of March 24th-25th! The 8th Grade Band earned a silver medal and the 7th Grade Band earned a gold medal. The 7th Grade Band will move on to perform at the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase at Symphony Hall in Boston on Saturday, April 21st at 10:50 am. This concert features the finest school bands, orchestras, and choruses in Massachusetts and is free to the public.
Students participating the Junior Central District concert festival have upcoming rehearsals on Monday, April 9th and Wednesday, April 25th from 3:30-7:30 pm at Nissitissit Middle School in Pepperell, MA. The performance will be held here in the BMR auditorium on April 28th from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Information from all events listed below can be found on http://www.bmrsd.net/MusicDepartment or on Facebook on New-Friends of Blackstone Millville Music Association.
Guidance News
HELP! I HAVE A TWEEN ……..
A MONTHLY COLUMN THAT ADDRESSES EITHER QUESTIONS SUBMITTED OR SIMPLY SHARES ARTICLES THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO STUDENT GUARDIANS. THIS COLUMN IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FWHMS GUIDANCE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT A QUESTION PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL (BMIGNANELLI@BMRSD.NET OR SRIELLY@BMRSD.NET .
April is Mathematics Awareness Month - It is a common statement to hear ”Foster the love of reading.” How often to you hear “Foster the love of math"?Here are some tips on how to foster and instill the love of math in your child.
Set aside your negative feelings about math.
It is not uncommon to hear parents say that they hated math as a child, or they are not good at it. Set aside your distaste for math and encourage your children as much as possible. “Young children are eager to learn. “It’s hard to learn to talk or walk. But they don’t care,” says Sue VanHattum, a community college math teacher in Richmond, Ca., who blogs about math learning on www.mathmamawrites.blogspot.com. “They just push themselves over their limits. They are going to come at math with that same attitude.”
Avoid talking negatively about math, even if you have no need for trigonometry in your daily life. “A lot of people will only joke that they cannot do math or announce publicly, ‘I’m not a math person.’ When a parent does that in front of a child, it suggests that math’s not important,” says Char Forsten, education consultant and writer, who urges parents to create that desire to learn by constantly screening the environment for math. “Have you seen any good math lately?” she likes to ask students. If your child believes that math doesn’t really matter, he’s not going to be as open to learn. “Attitude has everything to do with learning.”
Flexing Math Muscles
Think of all the things you have learned as a kid; bike riding, playing an instrument or a sport, swimming in the deep end of a pool, dancing, playing a video game, dance and drawing. All of these favorites required practice, so does math! “Math is an intellectual muscle building; it’s crucial for fully developing a child’s potential,” Mahoney says. “Those muscles can atrophy. If school is the only place you do math, then it becomes something you only do at school. Then you don’t even think about using it in real life.” So brush off those negative feelings about math and instill enthusiasm. Math will play a role in your child’s life forever. “It’s important to remember that those basics are essential for later learning. A lot of the stuff we learn in math we apply in different ways later,” says Gojak, who emphasizes the thinking skills that math provides. “I might not have to worry about what an isosceles triangle is, but it’s still an important part of education.”
As they grow, kids will learn that they are willing to work hard at something they love. It may just be math. Either way, remember that your child does not have to excel at math to enjoy it. “It doesn’t matter if they’re good, it matters whether they like it,” VanHattum says.
- Excerpts from PBS Parents, Instill a Love of Math , By Laura Lewis Brown
No matter what you or your child are struggling to learn, do not use the statements, “I can’t,” “I not good at this,” or other self-defeating statements. No matter what you are trying to learn, try saying “I am not good at this yet!”
Health Office News
Postural Screenings
I will be conducting postural screening exams to detect spinal problems in children of grades 6, 7 and 8 on April 26 and 27. This screening is mandatory under Massachusetts State Law; Chapter 71; Section 57. The purpose of the screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems. It is not a diagnostic service, but a program to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take your child to your family physician or pediatrician for further evaluation. The majority of the students exhibit no findings.
The procedure for screening is a simple one in which the physical education instructor (for boys) or school nurse (for girls) looks at your child’s back as he/she stands upright and bends forward. Boys will be asked to remove their shirts and girls will be asked to pull their shirt up around the neck line in order to visualize the spine. To respect the privacy of each individual student this exam is not done in front of other students.
If you wish to have your child exempt from postural screening you must submit a written request to me by April 25.
7th Grade BMI Screening
All 7th grade students will have their height and weight measured at the same time they have their postural screening. According to the state’s BMI regulation, schools must collect height and weight measurements on all students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. These measurements will then be used to calculate each child’s BMI.
A Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.” It is calculated using an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, a BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks. BMI provides a guideline based on weight, height, sex, and age to assess a child’s health and wellness.
It is important to measure and monitor growth over time in all children as an indicator of health and development (US Preventive Services Task Force, 2005). The goal of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Comprehensive Growth Screening Program is improvement in the health and well being of school-age children in Massachusetts so that they are healthy and ready to learn.
During the screening your child’s privacy will be respected at all times. The results of your child’s BMI are strictly confidential. If you would like to know your child’s BMI and percentile, the information will be provided to you, upon request, through a confidential mailing or other confidential communication. If you wish to have your child be exempt from the BMI screening, please submit a written request to me before April 25.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sue Wiegers
School Nurse
508-876-0193, option 3
Grade 8 Washington, DC Trip Information
A parent meeting was held in February. If you missed it, please look for the presentation information in an email from Mrs. Curt. Email her if you did not receive it.
Paperwork necessary for the trip will be distributed to student early spring. Be on the lookout for that. A OneCall email will let you know when it goes home with your student.
Dates: June 10th to 13th
Payment #4 of $148.75 is due on 5/15/18 (if you are using the payment schedule).
Cost: Price $595.00
Trip price includes: Bus, Hotel, Meals, Dinner on the way down and dinner on the way back ($30.00 for both). It includes the t-shirt and museum ticket cost.
**Make checks payable to: Hartnett Middle School
**Fundraising questions - please contact Mrs. Curt Hoard: tcurt@bmrsd.net
** Trip insurance is available if you would like to purchase it. Click on this link https://nta.aontravelprotect.com/index.jsf . The tour operator location number is: 386016. The estimated cost for a basic plan is $59.00 and $79.00 for an enhanced plan. Please check with the insurance company for actual prices.
Scholastica Refund Deposit Policy:
Calendar Days Before Departure Date
30 or more
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 20% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive an 80% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations.
14 to 29
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 25% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive a 75% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations, contingent on the group or individual being paid in full.
13 or less
Scholastica Travel Inc will retain 50% of the trip deposit. Each individual or group will receive a 50% refund of money deposited with Scholastica less any nonrefundable prepaid reservations, contingent on the group or individual being paid in full.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Trip Itinerary: A variety of Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery for the wreath laying, Monuments and Dinner Cruise along the Potomac.
2. Chaperones-teachers will be chaperoning this trip-as they have done in the past.
3. Meals are included (in the price) with the exception of the meal going to DC and the meal returning from DC.
4. Hotel Rooms typically consist of 4 per room (this is always subject to change).
5. Parent Meeting will be scheduled late winter, early spring to cover any additional questions, discuss finalized information for the trip, medical concerns and communication lines.
6. Please email Mrs. Finnegan: kfinnegan@bmrsd.net with any questions.
Eighth Grade Farewell Dance
The Eighth Grade Farewell Dance will be held on Friday, June 22,2018 from 6-9:00pm in the FWH Middle School Cafetorium
I. Dress Code:
No clothing items are to be worn that are:
Girls
Backless tops/dresses
Formal gowns
Mini skirts
See-through or sheer tops/dresses
“Cut-out” tops/dresses
Low cut or plunging tops/dresses
Visible undergarments
Jeans or shorts
2 piece outfits with no more than an inch of mid drift visible
Boys
Jeans or shorts
Visible undergarments
Tuxedos
Appropriate clothing items:
GirlsDresses &/or skirts must be fingertip in length
Dress pants may be worn
Boys
Collared shirts*
Ties*
Dress shoes*
*these items are preferred but are NOT required
II. Pictures:
There will be buddy “style” photos taken at the dance. The prices will range from $3-$5 per person, per photo (depending upon the size of the photo).
III. Food/Beverages:
At the dance there will be “finger foods” (chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, etc) to snack on. There will also be drinks (soda, water, juice) as well as a “Farewell” cake. There is NO additional cost for any food or drink at the dance, it is all part of the ticket price.
IV. Pick-up:
As with all dances PLEASE have your ride come into the building when they arrive, the dance will end at 9:00pm. NO Limos please!
V. Tickets:
Ticket prices for the Farewell Dance will be $30 and an announcement will be made closer to the event when students can purchase.
If you have questions regarding any of the above items please contact Mrs. Mignanelli or Mrs. Maurice (bmignanelli@bmrsd.net or jmaurice@bmrsd.net or call 508-876-0190)
Yearbook
This year, we have partnered with Jostens to bring you a high-quality, full-color 2017-2018 yearbook.
Yearbooks can be ordered online by clicking here. Please order by as soon as possible to ensure we can guarantee you a yearbook.
Attention 8th grade parents! We are looking for baby pictures of your 8th grader for the yearbook. If you have a digital picture, you can upload it directly to the Josten's website using this link: https://images.jostens.com/409703603. If you do not have a digital picture, students can bring their baby picture to Mrs. Tasker in the library. Pictures will be returned the same day they are brought in. Any questions please email Mrs. Tasker at stasker@bmrsd.net. Pictures are now overdue and need to be emailed right away.
Homework
https://sites.google.com/bmrsd.net/homework/home.
Please note: TeacherWeb (previous homework website) is shutting down as of 12/31/17. In order to make the transition easier, we are not using it at the start of this school year so that we do not have to change it in the middle of the school year.
If your child needs help, teachers are available Monday to Thursday to help your child for 15 minutes after school. If you book an appointment, they are available for 30 minutes. Please email your child(ren)'s teacher to book an appointment.
Pay Online for School Lunch
You can view the account balance, see what was purchased, and schedule automatic payments if you wish.
Calendar of Events
- Week 4 Reading Logs for Fantasy Reading due this morning. No late logs will be accepted after 8 am.
- MCAS - Grade 8 ELA - Session 1
Wednesday, April 4th
- MCAS - Grade 8 ELA - Session 2
- MCAS - Grade 6 ELA - Session 1
Thursday, April 5th
- MCAS - Grade 6 ELA - Session 2
- 6 pm to 8 pm - Art in the Valley - HMS Cafeteria
Saturday, April 7th
- 10 am to 12 pm - Art in the Valley - HMS Cafeteria
- MCAS - Grade 7 ELA - Session 1
Wednesday, April 11th
- MCAS - Grade 7 ELA - Session 2
- End of 3rd Quarter
Thursday, April 12th
- Fantasy Reading Celebration Assembly
- Reading Kahoot Game - At all lunches
Monday, April 16th to Friday, April 20th
- Spring Vacation - NO SCHOOL
Monday, April 23rd
- 5 pm - School Council
- 6 pm - PTO Meeting
Thursday, April 26th
- 3rd Quarter Report Cards and Honor Roll Letters Distributed
- Holocaust speaker for grade 8
- 2 pm - Central District MA Music Educator's Junior High Concert Festival - Jazz Band and Chorus
- 4 pm - Central District MA Music Educator's Junior High Concert Festival - band
Be sure to visit our school web site to view our school events calendar.
ABC's of Student Success
D is for Determination
Children need to hear their parents say that making an effort, working hard, and planning ahead are important. Encourage them to set reasonable expectations and celebrate when they make progress. They need to learn that sometimes they must sacrifice to achieve a goal. Struggling from time to time is part of a student's "job". In the end, the feeling of accomplishment they get will lead to bigger and better accomplishments in the future.
-EducationWorld.com
Math @ Home
If Your Body is Average . . .
the length of your stretched out arms at shoulder height will be about the same as your height. Measure your wrist to your elbow and your elbow to your shoulder. How close are those two measurements? Is the measurement from your wrist to your elbow about the same length as your foot?
-EducationWorld.com
Parent Pointers
- Do not allow your child any personal information without your permission.
- Encourage your child to talk with you about any online communications that might be confusing or inappropriate.
- Monitor Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and various texting apps like Kik and Viber regularly.
School-wide Ongoing Fundraisers
BoxTops - You can find the tops on participating products. Cut out the top and have your child bring it to school. We earn 10 cents for each top collected. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for a listing of products.
Stop & Shop A Plus Program - Register your rewards card to help us earn $$. Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online USE SCHOOL ID: 07080 or dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone.
Big Y Education Express Program -
1. Visit bigy.com and log in or create a myBigY account with your Big Y Silver Savings card.
2. Select “Join Education Express”.3. Select your school.
4. Look for the Education Express logo on items in their weekly circular, online and on signs in our stores.
5. Purchase these specially marked products and your school earns points. They redeem the points for the supplies they need.
Amazon - Please click here to shop on Amazon.com. A small percentage of what you purchase will go to the Hartnett Middle School PTO to help support field trips, assemblies, special events, and after school programming. It is the same Amazon.com you may use, with a small percentage supporting middle school students.
About FWHMS
Email: tcurt@bmrsd.net
Website: http://www.bmrsd.net/frederick_home.aspx
Location: 35 Federal St, Blackstone, MA, United States
Phone: 508-876-0190
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fwhms2003
Twitter: @fwhms2003