Parent  Newsletter    October  5,  2018    Dear  HMS  Families,       I  have  really  enjoyed  this  past  week  at  our  school,  as  I  dedicated  a  tremendous  amount  of  time  to  observe,  participate,  and  engage  in  classroom  activities  with  teachers  and  students.  On  Tuesday,  I  utilized  our  new  mobile  desk  for  the  very  first  time  this  school  year.  

                                                                              I  started  my  day  on  Tuesday  by  visiting  Mrs.  DeLeo’s  Computer  Applications  class.  We  learned  about  how  computers  worked,  and  played  “Kahoot.”  I  enjoyed  it  so  much,  that  I  returned  to  Mrs.  DeLeo’s  class  again  today  to  play  Kahoot  along  with  SRO  Keith  Perry.  Also  on  Tuesday  I  visited  Ms.  Skodras  and  Mr.  Pellegrino  in  the  gym,  where  students  were  playing  wiffle  ball.  I  even  saw  a  homerun!  I  visited  Mrs.  Thivierge’s  6th  grade  ELA  class,  where  students  were  learning  about  the  use  of  suspense  in  writing,  and  I  even  took  the  opportunity  to  share  a  story  of  my  own.  In  Mr.  Durand’s  class  I  examined  some  African  artifacts  with  students,  some  of  which  were  authentic  and  brought  in  by  one  of  the  children  from  the  class.    I  also  spent  some  time  traveling  and  speaking  with  students  and  staff  in  the  hallway….    

                                                                             

 

    In  Mrs.  Handfield’s  class,  students  were  engaged  in  an  interactive  notebook  activity  using  Google  Classroom.  I  spent  time  observing  Dr.  Shurtleff’s  7th  grade  ELA  class,  where  students  were  reading  The  Pig  Man  aloud,  and  taking  two-­‐column  notes.  In  Mrs.  Dumas’  room,  students  were  working  on  preparing  for  a  research  assignment  in  a  co-­‐taught  class  that  was  supported  with  Ms.  Damiani.    I  stumbled  upon  Mr.  LaFond’s  science  Super  Core  class  in  the  hallway,  preparing  for  an  upcoming  activity.    In  Mrs.  Turner’s  class,  students  were  using  Google  Classroom  in  preparation  for  a  writing  assignment  for  the  novel,  The  Phantom  Tollbooth.  I  returned  to  Mrs.  Turner’s  co-­‐taught  class  that  includes  Mrs.  Hindle  on  the  next  day,  and  participated  in  discussion  about  people  and  their  influence  in  our  lives.  This  related  to  who  influences  the  character  Milo  in  the  story.  Students  were  also  engaged  in  discussion  about  other  characters  from  The  Phantom  Tollbooth,  and  worked  on  their  note-­‐taking  strategies  during  that  time.  In  addition  to  visiting  classes,  I  spent  time  in  the  cafeteria,  chatting  with  students  and  teachers,  and  enjoyed  some  chicken  nuggets  as  well!         On  top  of  all  that,  I  have  been  very  busy  meeting  with  teachers  as  they  set  their  Student  Learning  and  Professional  Practice  Goals  for  the  school  year.  I  feel  blessed  to  work  with  such  a  dynamic,  hard-­‐working,  creative  group  of  people  on  a  daily  basis.         On  Tuesday,  October  9th,  I  will  be  meeting  with  the  8th  grade  class  to  present  the  itinerary  and  logistics  of  the  DC  Trip  to  them.  I  will  follow  that  up  with  a  meeting  for  parents  on  October  24th  at  6  pm  in  the  cafeteria.         On  Thursday,  October  18th,  I  will  be  offering  a  Pizza  with  the  Principal  session  for  parents  at  6  pm  in  the  cafeteria.  I  will  present  some  information  regarding  curriculum,  instruction,  assessment,  and  school-­‐wide  data.  Ms.  Bouchard  will  be  on  hand  to  discuss  school  culture  and  safety.  We  will  also  open  it  up  to  questions  and  answers,  and  hope  to  receive  feedback  from  parents  and  guardians  as  well.       I  am  proud  to  announce  that  on  Friday,  November  2nd,  we  will  be  hosting  administrators  from  Massachusetts  and  from  across  New  England  at  our  school.  As  a  NELMS  Spotlight  School,  Ms.  Bouchard  and  I  have  the  opportunity  to  showcase  our  school,  and  present  best  practices  to  others.    We  consider  this  quite  an  honor!       Have  a  wonderful  Columbus  Day  Weekend!  If  you  have  not  accessed  the  parent  portal  in  order  to  view  your  child’s  Term  1  Progress  Report,  we  ask  that  you  please  do  so.  Information  in  regard  to  this  can  be  found  at  the  end  of  this  newsletter.  Feel  free  to  contact  your  child’s  teachers  or  guidance  counselor  with  any  questions.    Dr.  Whalen  

   

   

     

   

   

   

                     

 

     

   

 

                       Hello  Hurley  Families,     On  Thursday   this  week   I  spent   the  day  visiting  many  classrooms  as  well  as  participating   in   activities  while   navigating  my  way   through   the   building  with   the  mobile  desk!  I  decorated  the  desk  with  our  core  values  of  The  Warrior  Way,  as  well  as  sending  a  message  to  always  choose  kind.  Our  core  value  Be  Kind  is  one  in  which  we  will  reinforce  this  month  as  it  National  Bullying  Prevention  Month.  Ms.  Balasco  advises   the  Bullying  Prevention  Poster  Club  which  has  already  begun,  and  we  will  also  come  together  in  a  school-­‐wide  pledge  to  choose  kind.  Stay  tuned!  See  pictures  below  from  my  mobile  desk  experience,  and  all  the  great  things  that  happen  at  HMS  on  a  daily  basis!  

                                                   Mr.  Durand’s  class  discussing  the  reign  of  Mansa  Musa.            Density  stacks  w/  Mrs.  Downing    

                                                                       8th  graders  in  art  drawing  from  observation!              Sara   Grace   explaining   expectation   in   Mrs.  Kenney’s  class.  

                                                               Mrs.  Yttredahl’s  class  discussing  Charlemagne.   7th   graders   in   Mrs.   Reilly’s   class   working   with  microscopes.    

             Mrs.  Cipoletti’s  students  working  dilgently.    

 Mr.  Mare’s  class  practicing  their  cuneiform.  

 Mrs.  Ditrolio’s  8th  graders  working  on  slope  and  y-­‐intercept.  

   Have  a  great  long  weekend,  Ms.  Bouchard            

             

 

Gray Team

ELA:-This week we had fun doing a cool anticipation guide prior to reading Poe’s “The Black Cat.” Students were instructed to find facts about black cats vs. myths. We uncovered some startling information. Students were eager to begin reading the story now that they know so much about black cats. Science: Now that we know what defines life, we spent time looking at life through a microscope. The students were able to identify simple parts of cells and compare how the different types of cell look from each other. The students will explore in more detail bacteria and its effects (both positive and negative) on Earth when completing a webquest. Next week: comparing unicellular vs multicellular and plant vs animal cells. Math: This week we challenged ourselves to add and subtract signed fractions and mixed numbers. We combined our knowledge from last year on fractions with the integer rules we learned this year. Students will have their first math test of the year at the end of next week.

Gray Team September Spotlights! Congratulations to the following students for achieving Gray Team’s

coveted Spotlight Award!! Students were chosed unanimously by all four of their Core teachers for their attitude, effort, academic success, and for being

role models to others! They will be honored with a mid-year pizza party with their parents!

Perry Biggs

Pierce Donnelly Samantha Hamilton

Caleb Helgerson Seamus Kane

Maeve McNamara Jayde Moniz

         

         

     

             

 

                                                                                 

October  18th  6  pm  

HMS  Cafeteria    

   

BAND NEWS 10/5

GREAT JOB by all 6th grade clarinet students at the after school extra help. You will be hearing them practicing “going over the break” at home. Some students tried the Bass Clarinet too. Special thank you to 8th grade assistants Lauren Corbett and Sophia Wilcox for helping out! Teacher assistant Emily King worked with French Horns. GREAT JOB everyone. NEXT week (10/10) is after school help for 6th grade percussion. We will work on rolls, rudiments and timpani. Slips have been sent home. After school help is from 2:40-3:30. Late busses are available. Our first HMS BAND PARENT MEETING is this Wednesday, Oct. 10th from 6:00-7:00 PM in the band room. All are welcome to come and see what the group is all about. NEXT JAZZ REHEARSAL is Tuesday Oct. 9th at 7:15 AM. Remember to drop your child off at the “farm” door, to the right of the school. WELCOME Connor Terrien on Tenor Sax. Glad to have you join us! Please return the signed Jazz Band Contract. Thank you A few reminders for 6th grade students: ALL instruments belong in the CLOSET after class. Please do not leave them in the middle of the band room. Make sure your name is on the case and your folder/book. Builders Club Update

Thank you very much to all of the families who have donated socks! We will be collecting them for another week. Our donation will accompany news shoes, along with a handmade card to needy children in the area. Since October 8th is a holiday, the next Builders Club meeting will be held on Monday, October 15th after school in the art room. Mrs. Farrow & Mrs. Kenney Advisors

Computer  Applications  News  from  Mrs.  DeLeo    Grade  6:    Students  have  been  working  on  the  “How  Computers  Work”  unit  for  the  past  2  weeks.    This  week  they  turned  in  a  take  home  quiz  and  we  reviewed  in  class  using  @Kahoot!  and  Quizlet  (which  is  linked  to  their  Google  Classroom).    Last  week  I  recommended  they  read  over  their  notes  every  night  for  5-­‐10  minutes  to  help  retain  all  this  mostly  new  info.    They  have  videos  linked  to  their  GClassroom  that  will  also  help  them  study.    A135  students  will  take  their  test  on  Tuesday,  10/9  and  A246  &  D246  students  will  have  theirs  on  Wednesday,  10/10.    Please  remind  your  child  to  spend  focused  time  studying  for  this  test  (it  is  the  most  difficult  one  they  will  have  in  this  class  this  semester).    Grade  7:    Classes  have  spent  the  week  writing  scripts  for  the  topics  they  chose  that  mean  a  lot  to  tweens/young  teens  for  their  PSA  projects.    Next  we  will  be  finishing  storyboards,  learning  about  camera  shots  &  angles,  then  shooting  their  video  projects.    Plenty  of  time  is  given  during  the  class  to  do  all  of  this  so  they  should  not  have  to  do  this  at  home  unless  they  choose  to!    We  will  share  a  link  to  their  videos  once  they  are  produced  and  posted!    Grade  8:    We  have  spent  a  lot  of  time  learning  about  news  –  what  makes  it  relevant,  trustworthy  sites,  types  of  news,  and  now  we  are  on  to  real  vs.  fake.    We  also  started  building  their  digital  portfolios  using  Google  Sites.    This  project  will  be  worked  on  throughout  the  semester  (requiring  time  out  of  the  classroom  to  complete  it  as  well).    It  will  be  graded  in  place  of  a  final  exam  and  worth  200  points  at  the  end  of  the  semester.    As  always,  students  may  stay  after  school  on  Mondays  or  Wednesdays  to  work  on  this.    October  Means  Breast  Cancer  Awareness  AND  Honor  for  all  Cancer  

Patients    

   Here  we  are  in  October  already.    For  me,  that  means  sharing  my  story  and  promoting  breast  cancer  awareness.    Students  and  staff  will  be  donating  money  to  “build  a  wall”  but  ours  is  of  honor  and  hope,  HMS’  Wall  of  Hope.    Pink  honor  cards  will  be  sold  at  all  lunches  for  .50  each  to  line  the  wall  outside  of  the  lunch  room.  We  will  also  be  selling  pencils  with  multi-­‐colored  ribbons  to  honor  victims  and  survivors  of  all  cancers  for  .50  each.    All  proceeds  will  be  donated  to  the  American  

Cancer  Society.    Our  annual  PINK  OUT  DAY  will  be  October  26th,  the  students  always  look  forward  to  this  as  we  turn  HMS  pink!    8th  graders  will  once  again  take  a  class  photo  in  the  shape  of  pink  ribbon  –  so,  Grade  8  –  go  all  out  with  the  pink!  

October 26th

6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

HEALTH OFFICE                     The  following  mandated  annual  screening  will  be  starting  for  all  students  that  are  having  PE  class.      

6th  –  scoliosis    7th  –  scoliosis,  vision/hearing,  height/weight    8th  –  scoliosis    

Inform  the  nurse  if  you  do  not  want  your  chilld  screened.    If  you  have  any  questions  about  any  of  the  annual  screenings  please  contact  the  nurse        

Please  inform  the  school  nurse  via  email,  phone  call,  or  note  about  any  illness  that  is  contagious  so  I  can  monitor  for  any  increases  in  specific  illness.        

 If  your  child  has  a  fever  or  has  vomited  please  keep  your  child  home  for  the  24  hour  free(  no  vomiting  or  fever)  period.        

Thank  you  !      

                 

Physical Education News… Ms. Skodras & Mr. Pellegrino

Net Games  

6th  grade  -­‐  Pickleball  Pickleball  is  similar  to  tennis  and  ping-­‐pong!  The  ball  must  bounce  once  and  players  have  one  shot  to  return  it  over  the  net.  We  will  discuss  the  history  and  practice  some  skills  such  as  the  forehand  and  backhand  shots.  We  will  also  set  up  a  video  projector  to  watch  and  analyze  a  regulation  pickleball  singles/doubles  match.      

7th  grade  -­‐  Badminton  We  will  discuss  the  history  and  set  a  video  projector  to  watch  and  analyze  an  Olympic  badminton  singles  and  doubles  match.  Students  will  learn  and  practice  the  forehand/backhand/clear  shots,  and  underhand  serve.                        

8th  grade  -­‐  Volleyball  We  will  set  up  a  video  projector  and  watch  an  indoor  and  beach  volleyball  game  to  analyze  the  game  play  and  differences.  Students  will  have  the  opportunity  to  track  different  objects  in  the  air  and  “keep  it  up”  working  on  adjusting  to  the  objects  and  communicating  with  each  other.  Students  will  learn  the  bump,  set,  spike,  and  serve.  We  will  also  discuss  the  history  of  volleyball  and  game  concepts.    

   

       

Health Education News! 6th Grade: Students have moved on to the subject of Puberty. I must say, they are all handling it well and we are actually having some fun learning it! :) As I mentioned in the memo I sent home earlier this semester, we will be discussing the physical changes as well as social and emotional changes. At the end of this topic, students will be able to: o Identify the male and female reproductive systems o Identify the physical, emotional, social and developmental changes that occur during puberty o Identify how to care for menstrual period (females only…this will be done in a private class separate from the boys) MA Frameworks Standards covered: o Sexuality and Reproduction (4.1, 4.2, 4.5) o Growth & Development (1.9) National Health Education Standards: o Standard #1: Core Concepts o Standard #7: Self-Management 7th Grade: Students are continuing with our Mental Health unit. We are finishing the topic of Body Image and Eating Disorders. Students will be reviewing for a quiz on October 15th or 16th, depending on when their class meets. I have posted a Quizlet in their Google Classrooms to help them prepare. I will post the quiz dates in the Google Classroom and the Portal. In this unit, students will be able to:

Students will be able to: • Identify and describe the experience of different feelings and how feeling affect daily functioning • Identify healthy ways to express emotions • Identify positive ways to guild self-esteem • Explain what stress IS o Identify positive ways of dealing with stress o Identify the long-term damage of chronic stress • Identify ways to de-escalate their anger • Demonstrate stress management skills at school and at home. MA Frameworks Standards covered: o Growth & Development (1.8)

o Mental Health (5.8, 5.8, 5.11, 5.16, 5.17, 5.19) o Violence Prevention (11.2) National Health Education Standards:

o Standard #1: Core Concepts o Standard #5: Decision Making o Standard #7: Self-Management 8th Grade: Students are continuing to learn about communicable diseases, those that are spread from person to another person, animal or object. We have already covered many diseases that are spread and we are currently learning about the immune system and how it prevents us from getting sick. Students will have their first homework assignment given to them today and will be due on Wednesday. In this unit students will be able to:

o Describe how the body fights germs o Apply the skills to prevent & control the spread of

disease o Explain how the immune system functions to prevent

and combat disease o Identify positive behaviors that reduce the risk of

communicable and noncommunicable diseases o Explain the prevention and control of communicable and noncommuicable

disease MA Frameworks Standards covered:

o Disease Prevention & Control (8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.13, 8.14, 8.19) National Health Education Standards:

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

Personal Development News We have been learning some strategies for note-taking. Some students identified in their needs assessment at the beginning of the semester that they needed help in this skill area. We will continue with study skills next week. I cannot stress enough that students need to come to class prepared with their PDL Folders and AGENDA. MOST IMPORTANTLY, students need to fill out their agendas daily. I periodically check their agendas and some students are not using the strategies given to them. Using their agenda is essential in helping students with homework completion and preparing for assessments in their classes. As always, if you have any concerns or questions regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.          

                                         

Follow  us  on  Twitter!    

@HurleyMiddle  

Student progress reports have been uploaded to the portal. Parents’ who have not created their Plus Portal Account must activate their account in order to view their child’s progress report and report cards. Activation emails have been emailed home to the main email address on file. If parents have not received an activation email please contact your guidance counselor. Below please find the helpful screen shots and links on activation and the Plus Portal.

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Guidance  News    

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6- https://www.rediker.com/solutions/student-information-system/plus-portals