"Eagle Updates @ 5"
Colin Powell Middle School Monthly Community Newsletter
September 2023 Edition
Principal's Message
Greetings, Eagle Families!
For the past 13 school days, the Eagles have been acclimating to the procedures and expectations, familiarizing themselves with new locker combinations, completing NWEA Beginning of Year (BOY) assessments, and settling in after Open House (which was amazing)! Now that we have mounted up, we are ready to take off! As we fly into the month of September, please peruse the 2nd Edition of Eagle Updates @ 5:
Dr. Jason Black Streeter
Principal
The Colin Powell Middle School
Spotlight on Eagle Academics
This year, we have already had the opportunity to implement our e-learning plan successfully! While the transition to e-learning is never ideal, staff and students quickly pivoted and executed two successful e-learning days during the heat wave! Nothing will stop our scholars from getting their education!
Scholars took the NWEA Map Growth test for reading, math, and science. The assessment informs teachers and scholars of their academic levels based on normative data and what skills scholars are exceeding or need support to develop. Teachers will use the data to discuss students learning and progress with the students and develop lesson planning and small group instruction. The assessment will be administered in January again to measure growth and in May as a summative assessment of your scholar’s academic progress for the year!
Spotlight on STEM:
Governor Pritzker and Dr. Tony Sanders, State Superintendent, visited our brand-new STEM Center. Ms. Carter’s 6th graders demonstrated how to use hydroponics to feed humans if we lived on Mars.
Spotlight on SEL:
This year, we have introduced a new curriculum, Second Step, to develop and support scholars' social and emotional learning. Scholars participate in daily lessons focusing on academic success, belonging, growth mindset, helping others, planning ahead, perspective-taking, resilience, and starting the year right.
A Peek into the Classrooms:
6th grade:
Science: In science class, we are working on the basics to get scholars ready for the rigors of our new STEMscopes curriculum. We are reviewing science tools and safety, which will lead to scientific investigations. We will conduct class investigations to get hands-on experience to prepare us to conduct our science fair experiment.
Math: In Math, our first module is on Ratios and Rates; students will use their prior knowledge of fractions and fraction equivalence to develop an understanding of ratios and rates. Ratio and proportional reasoning is a foundational topic for middle school mathematics, with applications in algebra, geometry, probability, statistics, and everyday life!
SS: We kicked off class with a Geography Challenge on TCi and will be diving into our geography unit for the next two weeks. Students will begin learning about the 5 themes of geography (location, place, movement, region, and human-environment interaction) and applying those themes by researching a country of their choice and creating a Google Slides presentation! We will then continue learning important geographical terms and work on developing our map reading skills and identifying U.S. states, countries, and continents on a map.
ELA: We have started Unit 1 in our HMH books, Discovering Your Voice. Students have been talking about different ways they can make themselves heard. We will begin our first read within the week!
7th grade:
Science: This month, we will work with our exciting new program, STEMSCOPES. Scholars will receive their new books on September 18th.
Math: 7th Graders are working on Proportional Relationships for September. Click on the link below to learn how you can help. 7th Grade Math Module 1 Family Letter on Proportional Relationships.docx
ELA: Quarterly Book Reports instead of Accelerated Reading, we have started a new challenge/requirement. Students will read at least 50 books per quarter per class. We are doing this challenge/requirement to encourage students to read more independently; these novels/chapter books (fiction or nonfiction) must be at the student's level! The book must be logged into the reading binder in class, along with the start and end date. This will allow us to track what’s being read, the length of time, and if it’s a novel on the students' level. Once the student has completed the book/novel, they must complete a project showing their understanding of what was read (one project per quarter). Students will have options for showing understanding (will be discussed in class with students). Once the assignment is submitted, the student will receive credit in the grade book and a notch toward the challenge for that class. The projects are mandatory! Each student MUST read at least one novel/book per quarter and complete a project of their choice, as it is a grade. Any reading beyond the 1 required will be extra credit AND add to the number of novels read for that class! The first project is due October 3, 2023!
8th grade:
Science: 8th grade Science is working on improving metric and lab skills lab safety procedures, and we will be kicking off our brand new science curriculum after the Covenant Harbor trip.
Math: Please 4e sure your child has all supplies for their math class, including a Composition Book, Spiral Notebook, and Pencils. Please also encourage your child to practice their Aleks topics DAILY. Exact Path math practice is coming soon!
SS: 8th Grade Social Studies: Students have been studying United States Geography Skills in preparation for the upcoming State Research Project (5 Themes of Geography). Students will receive directions and a rubric after returning from the Covenant Harbor Trip. Instructions, Guidelines, and Rubric will be provided in class. Students are expected to continue to work independently at home on the project. The Due Date is September 29, 2023. Next, we will begin with an Introduction to our new program: TCI with Unit 4 Americans in the mid-1800s.
ELA: In ELA and LIT, students have begun Unit 1: Gadgets and Glitches. Students have been busy memorizing 50 literary terms and have been reviewing elements of narrative writing. Students will dive into short stories and begin writing a narrative paper relating to the theme of technology.
Explore Team:
Art: In September, art students will jump into the basics of drawing and color theory as they prepare to draw portraits and negative space drawings. We will also work on some PBIS posters to hang around the school.
Music: We are working on learning different styles of music. The students have been having a great time traveling through time and seeing how music has changed and evolved over the years. We listen to music in class, and the students have been sharing the music they like with me as well. I encourage parents and grandparents to share their favorite songs with the students as we go on this musical journey. Hearing a song that has resonated with you will help them understand how music has influenced your life.
Band: Welcome to another great year of Band in District 159! Students are expected to bring their Instruments and Band Binders home at least TWICE a week, every week, for about 20-30 minutes of individual practice time to ensure we are making progress. You should hear 6th-grade students practicing the Concert Bb Scale from their Band binders and working on the skills of Articulation & holding long tones. 7th & 8th Grade Band members should be practicing selected songs from the Essential Elements Band Book. Please ensure you attend Parent/Teacher Conferences on September 22nd because we will be passing out band uniform items and/or sizing students for band uniform items. Please contact Mr. Jensen (djensen@dist159.com) for 7th/8th Grade Band questions or Ms. Perry (jperry@dist159.com) for 6th Grade Band questions. Thank you!
P.E.: In PE, we are beginning our units on soccer and physical fitness. Students will begin wearing their PE uniforms starting September 5th. If you have not already done so, please bring your $20 and purchase your uniform. Wearing the PE uniform and appropriate footwear are required for class.
Health: We are looking into building self-esteem through goal setting and making Good Positive Life Enhancing Decisions in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels. Then, each grade level will address more grade-level topics for personal growth. 6th Graders will address Physical Fitness and Nutrition. 7th graders will address Nutrition, Healthy Body Weights, and Personal Safety. 8th graders will address Managing Stress and Substance Awareness.
Spanish: Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, recognizing the achievements of Hispanics everywhere. El mes de la herencia Hispana es celebrado del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, en reconocimiento a los logros alcanzados por los hispanos alrededor del mundo . I am very pleased to work with you & your child this year. The focus for this year for 6th through 8th will consist of basic vocabulary growing to include Hispanic culture as spoken and written fluency. The program emphasizes listening, speaking, comprehension skills, simple conversation, dramatizations, songs, and stories. Learning a foreign language broadens students’ global understanding and expands career opportunities for your child's future. Estoy muy contenta de trabajar con usted y su hijo/a este año. El enfoque de este año es de 6th a 8th consistirá en un vocabulario básico que crezca para incluir la cultura hispana como fluidez hablada y escrita. El programa hace hincapié en las habilidades de escuchar, hablar y compresión, la conversaciónes son simples, las dramatizaciones, las canciones y las historias, el aprendizaje de un idioma extranjero amplía la comprensión global de los estudiantes y amplía las oportunidades de carrera para el futuro de su hijo/a.
In Partnership,
Dr. Jason Black Streeter