33 Parent Newsletter May 16th 2014 -...

The Seekonk School Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

Parent Newsletter May 16, 2014

Dear HMS Families, This week was extremely busy for our students and staff. All three grades took the Mathematics MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday. The eighth graders also took the Science and Technology MCAS on Thursday and Friday. According to many of the students that I have spoken with, the testing went well, and they felt very prepared. Next Friday, May 23rd will be an early release day for the Seekonk Public School District, as the afternoon will be dedicated to professional development for teachers. Dismissal time for students will be 12:10 pm. That morning, our entire student body will participate in an assembly featuring Aaron Polansky. Mr. Polansky is the Assistant Principal of Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, and last year was awarded the honor of being the 2013 Assistant Principal of the Year. His presentation includes “strong messages to students regarding goal setting, kindness, honesty, and working together (Dr. David Thomson, Raynham Middle School)”. You can learn more about Mr. Polansky at http://www.geeksox.com/. Friday, May 30th, is the 8th Grade Dance. The students are asked to dress appropriately for this event. The dance takes place from 6:30-‐9:30 pm, and is held in the HMS Cafeteria. Parents are asked to please drop their child off at the front entrance of the building. Students should be picked up by 9:30 pm at the rear entrance of the building (Tower Lobby). We encourage all eighth graders to attend the event for a night of fun and food with their friends. Transportation to the event via limousine is strongly discouraged. Permission forms are required to attend this dance. The forms can still be obtained in the main office, and should be turned-‐in as soon as possible. Please contact Maria Harris at [email protected] if you are available to volunteer in any way, including the donation of food.* This past Wednesday, I had met with the parents of eighth graders going on the class trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg, PA. The meeting was well attended. All of the parents in attendance received an informational packet that included a behavior contract. The behavior contract is due back to the school signed by a parent and the student by May 30th. Students must also hand in the medical form as soon as possible to be able to participate. All forms for the DC Trip are available in the main office. Preparations for our 8th Grade Promotional Ceremony are well underway. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 25th at 6:00 pm. Last year’s promotional ceremony included guest speaker Mike Tamburro, President of the Pawtucket Red Sox. This year’s event will also include a well-‐known and respected guest speaker. The guest speaker for this year’s event will be announced soon. For news and details on all events for Dr. Kevin Hurley Middle School, continue to check the Principal’s Page of our website, and follow me on Twitter @DrWhalen3.

@DrWhalen3 *This newsletter contains info. from the PTO for those interested in helping w/ the 8th grade dance

Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle SchoolDr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School 650 Newman Ave.650 Newman Ave.

Seekonk, MA. 02771Seekonk, MA. 02771 508508 -- 761761 -- 75707570

www.seekonk.k12.ma.uswww.seekonk.k12.ma.us Dr. William V. Whalen III Mrs. Mary C. Westcoat Principal Assistant Principal


Red team news: Progress reports were sent home today. Red team via Edline and Yellow Team via a paper copy. History with Mr.Mare’ – Students did a great job during this shortened MCAS week finishing up a short chapter on SE Asia. We did a read-a-around where students tested their independent note-taking skills. I was very impressed with the progress they've made in making connections and identifying the most important pieces of information from a reading! They're becoming more and more like 7th graders every day! We finished up the week with a recap of the chapter and played a student favorite: Hot Seat! as a way to review key information. Just a friendly reminder, students will have their last Map Quiz of the year on Monday! English with Ms Thivierge – We are finished with Drama! This year is flying by! To wrap up May and June, the kids are going to be reading the novel "The Phantom Tollbooth" and working on a response journal, vocabulary, and various different activities. They are also working independently on a research project to work just-a-little more Informational Text into their brains! Each student was assigned a group to complete a 'Natural Disaster' brochure - topics include blizzards, tsunamis, etc. They each have their assigned pieces and should be researching at home - their time in school to work on this is very limited! :) I'm looking forward to seeing their creative brains at work. Happy Friday!

Math with Mrs. Handfield – I have to congratulate all of my students on a job well done on the Mathematics MCAS this week! As I circulated around the room, I noticed students using strategies we


discussed all year, eliminating multiple choice answers and including labels with answers We will be working on a project next week using take-out menus. I have asked all students to bring in a take-out menu from their favorite restaurant by Monday. If it is one that you would like to have back, please make sure your last name is on the menu so that it is returned to the proper family! Thanks for your help. Science with Mrs. Jones - Red team science students have been examining various forms of evidence to prove Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift. Students are using the evidence examined to create a model of Pangaea. Students have also discovered that although the scientific community did not accept Wegener’s theory, and he died before his theory was proven, a scientist named Harry Hess discovered sea-floor spreading, which explained how the continents moved to their present locations proving Wegener’s theory. The chapter 14-2 test, “Restless Continents,” is scheduled for Monday, 5/19th.

School Council Meeting Wednesday, May 28th

HMS Library 4:00 pm


7th Grade Green Team Geography Mr. Sandstrom's geography students are learning about cultures and civilizations in pre-‐Columbian Latin America. Several students recently had the opportunity to practice the skills required to play pok-‐a-‐tok, an ancient game heavily ingrained in Mayan culture. Though the mysterious Mayans often used the game in religious ceremonies and to settle diplomatic disputes between tribes, the students competed for much higher stakes... bragging rights!

7th Grade Green Team Math Congratulations to all students for your SUPERB effort this week on the MCAS! Your enthusiasm for finding those clever MCAS tricks and remembering all of our own tricks for solving the problems was truly awe-inspiring! We couldn't be prouder of you! Mrs. Costa's math classes will be continuing to work on our Geometry unit with some fun games thrown into the mix. "Zombie Expressions" "Line Up!," and "I Have . . . Who Has . . .?", anyone?!?!? Please continue to get your Mathletics assignments in on time and take advantage of the bonus topics.

7th Grade Green Team Science Green Team students have recently finished up Earth Science with creative postcards about the planets and our moon. The postcards had messages explaining how mass is related to gravity and weight. The more mass something has the more gravitational pull it has on an object. We know are moving on to understanding potential and kinetic energy.

Please note that there will be a traveling program from the Boston Museum of Science coming on June 23rd to Hurley Middle School. The due date for the $3.00 is Monday, May 19, 2014. The check or money order should be made out to the Town of Seekonk. Thank you!


HMS Speech-Language Newsletter May 2014 Spring has certainly sprung! I love seeing the flowers, trees, and grass all regaining their splendor after such a tough winter. We are in the thick of fourth quarter, finishing up MCAS and beginning to tie things up. But we still have a good deal of learning to do! Please continue to reinforce the importance of school with your student. We all get spring fever, but some of the most enjoyable activities happen now that the MCAS cloud has lifted. :)

6th grade We continue the reading and writing unit. We have read about Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones' encounter in Langston Hughes' "Thank You Ma'am". Next up will be a comparison of another thief in ancient Japan We will then compare and write, "Is there such a thing as an honest thief?" We may also occasionally spiral back to review multi-‐meaning words. The pragmatics group continues to work on ways to deal in social situations as they come up, including how to self-‐

7th grade We continue to delve into the mysteries of Skull Island, and we're finding Robyn and Flora have many similarities even though they live hundreds of years apart. Some sections continue work on their on their novel or non-‐fiction "book" of 5 chapters. The pragmatics group is working on the "Bioboard" project and overall social skills as situations come up.

8th grade We will move into studying learning styles, goal setting, and study skills in all groups, including pragmatics. Interspersed will be some non-‐fiction comparison writing, focusing on stories written by authors about their childhood. We'll also do some fun activities to wrap up middle school, like a "senior will".


advocate. Homework help! Click here for this month's article. Above is a link to this month's article. Though it feels like we are winding down, this doesn't mean that homework stops. This quick article gives tips on organizing your student for homework and studying. Hope you find it helpful!

Tammi Miller, MS, CCC-SLP

Follow HMS on Twitter @DrWhalen3 Check out the Principal’s Page for updates on school events and activities at: http://hms.seekonk.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=249026&pageId=284097


Blue Team News: English: All classes have completed their class novels and are designing their final projects in their collaborative groups. Some projects are a 3-D map of the setting, a 3-D board game, a newcast including commercials advertising the book, a book poster, a scrapbook, a song and dance related to a scene, etc. Time will be provided in class for this to be done. Congratulations to the following students whose poems were chosen for publication by poeticpower.com: Denise Dagraca Brady Fournier Jamie Holland Cheyenne Moten Arianna Reynolds Ethan Santos Their poems were selected from poems submitted from a Supercore activity.

Science:

Wow! What a busy week with Math MCAS! We wrapped up our Earth Science unit last week and each student was given an Individual Development Report that shows his/her scores on the Earth Science Galileo post test. Now, it's time to take on the study of potential and kinetic energy! All 7th graders are reminded to bring in a check for $3 (made out to the Town of Seekonk) to pay for the Boston Museum of Science traveling show on Forces and Motion.


A Message from Mrs. Eddy and Mrs. Robitaille: We did it again!!! After two days of Mathematics MCAS, we needed a break! In Learning Center, we decided to learn about Grant Wood's 'American Gothic' to decompress. Mrs. Robitaille led the class discussion! Did you know that the woman in the original portrait is actually Grant Wood's sister? The man was his dentist!!! Although most people think that this is a portrait of a farmer and his wife, the artist really wanted it to be a farmer and his daughter! There was a 32 year age difference in the two! We looked through some of the parodies of this classic and then the students created their own renditions! These are two examples from both ends of our spectrum! Mackenzie Rodgers went the traditional route and Aram Diarbian went a little wild! We love all of our portraits and they are currently on display in our room!


Art News from Mrs. Farrow Many thanks to the families of *6th GRADERS* Jacob Dezotell, Ryan Gill, Madison Horlbogen, Charlotte Drainville, Juliya Tolman, Madison Khan, Vianne Turcotte, Abby Tenreiro, Page Fecteau, Justin Edwards, & Tyler Metivier *7th GRADERS: Brook Parks, Monica Tawadros, Erin Broadmeadow, Savanna Amaral, Makenna French, Maddie Whelan, & Matt Dyer for their generous donations to the art department! All a greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!!! Band News from Mrs. Grande Please see the three attached band flyers! Thank you! Health News from Mrs. Latimer 6th Grade: We have begun our Nutrition unit. Students will be learning about the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) and MyPlate, learn how to read nutrition labels, practice portioning out food/serving sizes and learning how what we eat (and what we don’t eat) can make us sick. Students will be able to:

o Demonstrate the understanding of the key nutrients to growth and development

o Analyze personal eating habits o Explain the importance of a healthy diet and exercise to growth and

development o Analyze food and beverage nutrition labels o Demonstrate the understanding of the RDA and portion sizes for each food

group/MyPlate. MA Frameworks Standards covered:

o Disease Prevention & Control (8.5) o Nutrition (3.8, 3.9, 3.11)

National Health Education Standards: o Standard #1: Core Concepts o Standard #5; Decision Making o Standard #7: Self-Management

7th Grade: We will continue with our Mental Health Unity with the topic of Eating Disorders and Body Image. We will talk about Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder. We will also discuss the issue with body image. In this unit students will be able to:


• Explain the difference between Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder

• Identify some of the causes of eating disorders • Identify signs and symptoms of eating disorders

MA Frameworks Standards covered: o Growth & Development (1.8) o Mental Health (5.8, 5.8, 5.11, 5.16, 5.17, 5.19)

National Health Education Standards: o Standard #1: Core Concepts o Standard #7: Self-Management o Standard #8: Advocacy

8th Grade: Students have begun our Substance Abuse Unit. We will be learning about various drugs including over the counter drugs, prescription drugs, club drugs, street drugs and narcotics. We will also be discussing he difference between responsible drug use, drug misuse and drug abuse. Of course, we cannot discuss all of these substances without practicing decision-making skills. Students will be able to:

o Explain the difference between responsible drug use, drug misuse and drug abuse

o Identify the different classifications of drugs o Explain the effect of marijuana on the brain, particularly the adolescent

brain o Accurately respond to scenarios using the decision-making model taught in

class o Explain the difference between “snitching” and reporting o Describe the stages of addiction o Identify internal and external factors that influence decision to use or not to

use drugs. o Identify physical, emotional/psychological and social effects of using drugs

MA Frameworks Standards covered: o Tobacco, Alcohol & Substance Use/Abuse Prevention (10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8,

10.9, 10.13 National Health Education Standards:

o Standard #1: Core Concepts o Standard #4: Interpersonal Communication o Standard #5: Decision Making o Standard #7: Self-Management o Standard #8: Advocacy

Library News from Mrs. St.Michel All Library Materials Due June 6 All HMS library materials must be returned to the library by Friday, June 6. This due date is necessary so that Mrs. Cabral & I can resolve all outstanding library


obligations with the students before the end of the school year. If your child has a library book, please be sure that they return it to us by this date. Students who have lost or damaged library items will receive a bill that must be resolved by end of the school year. Long outstanding bills will be mailed to the home. Please note that we do allow students with lost or damaged items to pay for these items by donating similar books that are approved by Mrs. St. Michel. Summer Reading Book Offer Summer Reading fliers have been distributed to all HMS students detailing the reading requirement to be completed in the summer. As in the past, the HMS Library has worked with Barnes & Noble to offer the required reading titles at a discounted price as detailed below: Sixth Grade Students: This week, summer reading fliers were distributed, offering the summer reading selections for incoming 7th graders. All orders are due to the HMS Library by next Wednesday May 21, 2014. This flier is attached at the end of this newsletter. Seventh Grade Students: The summer reading assignment for students who are entering 8th grade is two free choice novels - one fiction, and one non-fiction. Because students can choose ANY grade-appropriate book for their assignments, there is no reading suggestion list. However, students can see Mrs. St. Michel in the library if they need a book suggestion. Eighth Grade Students: This week, summer reading fliers were distributed to all 8th grade students offering the reading selections for students entering ninth grade at Seekonk High School next year. These orders are due to the HMS Library by Monday, May 19, 2014. If you have an incoming 6th grader, summer reading fliers were distributed to Aitken & Martin Schools this week as well. Those orders are due by Wednesday May 21, 2014.


Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School 2014 Summer Reading Program for Incoming 7th Graders

This summer, all incoming 7th grade HMS students will read two books in preparation for the 2014-2015 school year. As a service to our Hurley families, we are offering these books for sale on a pre-order basis. The books you order will be delivered to you at school by the end of the school year! If you choose to purchase your summer reading titles through this offer, please complete this order form and return to Mrs. St. Michel with payment by Wednesday, May 21, 2014. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. St. Michel at 508-761-7570 X3145, or via email at [email protected] Student Name: _________________________HR Teacher:___________ Quantity Title Cost All incoming 7th grade students will read one of the following books:

Holes by Louis Sachar Stanley Yelnats is wrongly sent to a juvenile detention center. He is told that the hard labor he must perform...digging 5 foot holes in the dried up soil where Green Lake once sat...is meant to build character. But is soon becomes clear to Stanley that the warden is really using the boys to search for something very valuable. $6.00

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen Roy Eberhardt is the new kid--again. If it wasn't for the school bully mashing his face against the school bus window that day, he might never have seen the tow-headed running boy. This led him to meet the tall, tough, bully-beating Beatrice, who led him to discover the burrowing owls living in the lot on the corner of East Oriole Avenue, which led him on the adventure of a lifetime. $6.00

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong In August 1914, Ernest Shackleton and 27 men sailed from England in an attempt to become the first team of explorers to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Five months later and still 100 miles from land, their ship became trapped in ice. In this amazing survival story, Shackleton and five others navigated 800 miles of treacherous open ocean in a 20-foot boat to fetch a rescue ship. $10.50

Small Steps by Louis Sachar (sequel to Holes) Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home trying to turn his life around. He seems to be on the right path until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. Suddenly, Armpit's life spins out of control. Only one thing is certain: he'll never be the same again. $8.00

In addition, students will also read one “free choice” book. We have included some titles on the reverse side of this page. However, you are not required to choose your free choice from this list. Any book that is of appropriate page length for 7th grade is fine. Total Books Ordered – This Side $


Dr. Kevin M Hurley Middle School

SPRING BAND FESTIVAL CONCERT

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Dear Parents, I am pleased to announce the 2014 Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School Spring Band Festival Concert Schedule. The concert will be held in our middle school gym on Tuesday, June 10. The schedule is as follows:

6:00 P.M. – Pegasus Band & HMS Jazz Band Brief Intermission 7:00 P.M. – Intermezzo Band - HMS Concert Band The 6th Grade Pegasus band should arrive no later than 5:30 P.M. and report to the BAND ROOM for warm up and tuning. After completing the performance, students will return their instruments to the band room closet. All students are invited to stay for the remainder of the concert. Jazz Band will perform immediately after the Pegasus Band. The 7th grade Intermezzo band and 8th grade HMS Concert band should arrive no later than 6:45 P.M. 7th grade students will get their instruments and put cases on the floor near the fire exit door, then stay on the left side of the band room. 8th grade students will put their cases near the MIDI lab and stay on the right side of the band room. All students will warm up and tune at the SAME time! Please be quiet and ready. Students are reminded to wear concert attire for their performance: Black pants/skirt and white shirt blouse. I look forward to seeing you! Mrs. Susan Grande- HMS Band Director


BICYCLE SAFETY School-‐aged children, 5-‐18, account for more than 50% of all nonfatal bicycle injuries in Massachusetts. Each year, approximately 5,566 school aged children, are hospitalized or treated in emergency rooms for bicycle injuries. Among this population, most non-‐fatal bike injuries occur in 10 to 14 year olds; boys are also 3 times more likely to be injured as bicyclists than girls. Most bike-‐related deaths are associated with head injury. Without proper protection, a fall from a bike can result in a skull fracture or a traumatic brain injury. Approved bike helmets (ANSI or SNELL) have been shown to reduce head injury by as much as 85%, yet in a recent study only 41% of children 5-‐14 years of age were observed to be wearing helmets. Massachusetts General Law c.85,s.11B(2) requires that a secured, approved, fitted helmet be worn by persons 16 years of age and under who are operating or being carried as a passenger on a bicycle, in-‐line skates, a skate board, a scooter or other manually-‐propelled wheeled vehicle. It is not enough to simply buy a bicycle helmet – it should be properly fitted, adjusted, and worn each time you ride. Helmets come in various sizes, just like hats. Size can vary between manufacturers. For the most comprehensive list of helmet sizes according to manufacturers, go to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) site: http//www.danscomp.com/products/charts/helmetchart.htm Things to know when selecting a bicycle helmet:

• Measure your head for size. • Try the helmet on to ensure it fits snuggly. • Make sure the helmet does not rock side to side or rock forward into your eyes. • Sizing pads come with most helmets so make sure to use them if needed. • The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead – one to 2 finger-‐

widths above your eyebrow. • Center the left buckle under your chin. • Adjust the slider on both straps to form a V” shape under and slightly in front of the

ears. • The chin strap should be snug so that no more than 2 fingers fit under the strap. • Buy a helmet that fits now, not a helmet to “grow into”. • Replace any helmet that has been outgrown.

A BICYCLE HELMET CAN PROTECT YOUR HEAD AND BRAIN ONLYIF YOU WEAR IT EACH TIME YOU RIDE! For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at: www.nhtsa.gov or www.mass.gov. Angie Volpe, RN, BSN School Nurse


SEEKONK YOUTH SOCCER - FALL 2014

REGISTRATION

REGISTER NOW for the Fall 2014 Season • Games will be played on Saturdays starting in September. • Registration fee is $65 per player with family discounts. • Register before June 26th to avoid the late fee and waiting list.

Registration closes on July 15th. • Our program is open to ages 4 ½ (by July 1) to 16. • Please volunteer when you register. We will be looking for

coaches/assistant coaches at every age level. We also need administrative help, and help field preparation.

• Registration/Information for Travel Soccer (U10 – U14) is also available online. Deadline is the same. All players will be waitlisted for travel. You must register for Recreation soccer to be eligible for travel. In the event that there is no Rec. league for an age level, travel may still be an option. Anticipated Fee for travel is $35.00 pp.

• For more information or to register visit: www.SeekonkSoccer.org


The Positive Coaching Alliance

Parent Workshop The Seekonk Parks & Recreation Committee is proud to present:

“Second-Goal Parent Talk: Tips and Tools to Develop Winners

in Life through Sports”

Thursday June 5, 2014 Seekonk High School Auditorium.

There will be 2 sessions, 6:15pm & 7pm. This 30-minute talk covers many of the highlights from the full Second-Goal Parent workshop. Parents will come away with knowledge about tools for supporting their child in his/her sports experience, including:

Parents’ goals and their child’s goals related to sports participation The parent’s role in helping keep the fun in sports How to support their children to bounce back from mistakes and setbacks Parents who attend this talk should be able to: • Match their behavior as a parent to their goals for their child’s youth sports experience • Teach their children about the importance of a growth-mindset • Understand and manage the relationship between the Parent and Coach • Understand what is expected of them as a sports parent

Parents who attend this talk will receive the book Positive Sports Parenting, which provides insightful and sensible advice on how parents can help children get the most from sports, as well as maximizing parents’ relationships with their kids.

FREE GIFTS TO ALL WHO ATTEND! GIVEAWAYS AND PRIZES! ENTER TO WIN A DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION FOR A SEEKONK RECREATIONAL LEAGUE.*

Must be present at the time of drawing to win.

To register contact mailto:[email protected] with your Name, Phone number, email address and which session you will be attending. 6:15pm or 7pm *This program is highly recommended for all parents/coaches involved in Seekonk Youth Soccer. We strongly encourage you to attend. The program is free and is sponsored in part by Seekonk Youth Soccer and other Recreational leagues in Seekonk.


The Lady Warriors defeated Taunton catholic middle 7-‐2 yesterday and improve to 5-‐3 on the season. Taylor Troiano pitched a complete game walking only 2 and striking out 4. Ashleigh Wyrostek put the lady warriors ahead with a pinch-‐hit grand slam in the 4th inning. Defense was led by Chloe Lunnie with 6 put outs from 3rd base. The HMS Baseball Warriors also defeated TCMS 4-‐0. Terry Smith had a stellar performance pitching, striking out ten batters and pitching a complete game!

33 Parent Newsletter May 16th 2014 -...

Documents

Transcript of 33 Parent Newsletter May 16th 2014 -...