parent newsletter october 18th 2013 - dr. kevin m. hurley...
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Parent Newsletter for October 18, 2013 Dear HMS Community, This week I had the opportunity to meet with the parents of those eighth grade students who are interested in going on the class trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg, PA in June. I presented the details of the trip and answered the many questions that parents were inquiring about. Everyone in attendance received a packet of information about the trip that included the permission form as well as the schedule of payments for the trip. All students have the opportunity to participate in fundraisers throughout the school year to defray the cost of the trip. As of yesterday, we have officially begun the Wreath Fundraiser. Students are selling wreaths to people in the community for $12 a piece. Students will not be going door to door without an adult to sell wreaths. The wreaths are of high quality, as they are fresh and very full. Students earn over 50% from each individual wreath sold which is then credited directly to their balance owed on the trip. ALL of the money that students collect from selling wreaths must be turned in to Mr. Holden no later than December 2nd. Remember that all of the fundraising that students do defrays the cost of their own personal balance owed for the trip. The wreaths will be delivered to the school on December 7th. Over that weekend, students should distribute the wreaths that they sold to the people that ordered them. Students should turn in their wreath orders and the money collected to Mr. Holden. Informational packets are available for those parents that were not able to attend the presentation are in the main office and in the cafeteria at lunch. There will be a Halloween Dance next Friday, October 25th from 6:30 to 9 PM in the gym. Costumes are allowed, however students may not wear a mask, or bring any props that resemble weapons. The cost of the dance is five dollars at the door. All students must have their ride home at the school by 9 PM. Next Friday, October 25th is also Pink Out Day. Students are encouraged to wear pink in recognition of cancer awareness for the month of October. Lifetouch will be here for student portrait re-‐takes next Thursday, October 24th. I encourage the HMS Community to follow me on Twitter @DrWhalen3 for more information on upcoming events, including details and deadlines for the 8th Grade class trip. Have a great weekend! Dr. Whalen
Blue Team News English -‐ Mrs. Dumas Our mystery unit continues! Last week we wrote essays comparing/contrasting stories by W. W. Jacobs. Students loved the unexpected twists in Jacobs’s stories! This week we move on to Edgar Allan Poe. Students were surprised to learn he wrote the first detective story and the first science fiction story by an American! We read his biography and will see how his bizarre life influenced his writing of characters, setting, and plot details. Our writing this week will be a personal narrative with “revenge” as the theme, as it was in many of Poe’s stories. Social Studies - Mr. Durand This was a short but busy week in Social Studies! We used two primary sources in class this week to analyze the slave trade in Africa during the 1500-1800s. We had a great debate in class Wednesday and we began an essay in class Thursday (due Tuesday, parents!). Next week we'll be looking at African independence and nationalism. Have a good weekend! Science – Mrs. Metcalf Students are wrapping up their understanding of "What is Life?" They know (scientifically) how to tell if something is alive and how to keep it alive. Our Bread Mold Lab also began this past week. Students, using the scientific method, asked if more mold would grow on a wet piece of bread rather than on a dry piece of bread. It will take about 10 days to prove or disprove the hypothesis the students developed and are now testing. Next week we begin our study of the Classification of Living Things.
Green Team News
Math – Mrs. Costa The students have just finished their first Mathletics assignment that was due today. They are currently working on learning the many different properties that are essential for solving equations in algebra. After a quiz on the properties on Tuesday, students will be putting their properties to work by identifying and combining like terms to simplify expressions. An awesome checklist to accomplish this awaits! ELA – Dr. Shurtfleff The students continue to work on spelling and vocabulary skills. We will be on unit 7 next week. We have also completed an essay and are now reading Edgar Allan Poe stories. The students enjoyed reading W.W. Jacobs and have shown a greater interest in Poe. His stories never disappoint and are always memorable. We have completed "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat". We will read "The Cask of Amontillado" next.
Halloween Dance—next Friday, October 25th.
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM $5 at the Door Costumes are allowed—NO Masks or props that resemble weapons.
A Message from the Band Director, Mrs. Grande: Just a reminder that Wednesday, October 23 is an after school day for all 6th grade clarinets. We will work on going over the break and some alternate fingerings. Also, students should have a 2 pocket poly-vinyl folder for their band music. Jazz band students should be returning their contracts, Holiday concert date is Thursday, December 19th.
HMS Soccer The boys got back on the winning track yesterday defeating Somerset 2-0 with goals scored by Logan Casala and Josh Contois. We have an away game Tuesday at Taunton Catholic followed by two home games on Wednesday and Thursday versus Dighton and Raynham, respectively. We will have a brief practice on Monday, ending at about 3:30. We have seen some great competitive games this season and that will continue next week. Thanks to everyone for their support Coach Pellegrino
Lifetouch will be here on October 24th for picture retakes. If your child did not have their photo taken during the initial photo shoot, please be sure that they have their picture taken on this date so that they can be included in the yearbook. They are not required to purchase a portrait package in order to be included in the yearbook.
The Scholastic Book Fair is next week!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at HMS next week! This is a great opportunity for students to purchase a book of their own, while supporting the HMS PTO! Fliers went home this week previewing some of the available titles and detailing the schedule. Students will visit the fair with their English class on the following dates:
Monday October 21: 8:00-‐2:30 6th grade Tuesday October 22: 8:00-‐2:30 7th grade, TAP, BEST, and STARS Wednesday October 23: 8:00-‐2:30 8th grade Thursday October 24: 8:00-‐8:15 Open for payments, etc.
The book fair accepts cash, checks (payable to HMS PTO) and
credit cards.
Jennifer St. Michel, MLIS Library Media Specialist
From the Desk of Mrs. Westcoat…. “Although children are only 24 percent of the population, they’re 100 percent of our future
and we cannot afford to provide any child with a substandard education.” Ed Markey
Please discuss with your children the importance of keeping their lockers locked! Often students will leave them ajar to make it quicker to get in and out of, however, there is ample time for students to go to their lockers and get to class on time. As always, thank you for your continued support and for sharing your children with me! They put a smile on my face every day! We are embarking upon step # 4 in our ten-‐step guide for parents. Step # 4 Know the facts before you talk to your children. You may be surprised to see that your pre-‐teen may know more about drugs, tobacco, and alcohol than you do! Here are some facts to get you started:
• Most pre-‐teens don’t use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. • The younger kids are when they start using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, the
greater the chance that they’ll get addicted and not be able to quit. • Brain damage can happen when kids use alcohol, tobacco, and many other drugs. • There are now more new users (12 years old and older) of prescription drugs than
any other illegal drug – even marijuana. 1 • You may have a lot of products at home that could be used in illegal ways.
1 Colliver, J.D., Kroutil, L.A., Dai, L., & Gfroerer, J.C. (2006). Misuses of prescription drugs: Data from the 2002, 2003, and 2004 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (DHHS Publication No. SMA 06-‐4192, Analytic Series A-‐28). Rockville, M.D.: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies.
Yellow Team Social Studies
Our students have been learning the history of Latin America from the early Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas through conquest by the Spaniards and then independence from Spanish and Portuguese control. We are finishing up the study of the cultures of the various regions of Latin America. Students have labeled maps, taken notes, and worked in groups to complete graphic organizers to help organize some of the information they have been learning. Today we listened to three very different selections of Caribbean music. We start off most days with two Daily Geography questions that students use atlases to help them with their answers. This activity aids students in becoming more familiar with our world and gives them practice in using an atlas. It is also helpful in preparing students for the Geography Bee that will be beginning in the November. All students will participate in the first round and then the ten top scorers on each team will go on to the next round, with the that top ten competing in the School Bee.
Yellow Team – 6th Grade ELA Mrs. Johnson
Japanese American oral presentations will take place on Monday and
Tuesday of next week. Yellow team students have worked diligently
researching the lives of Japanese Americans, as we prepare to read our
first novel, A Jar of Dreams.
**Reminders: Students are encouraged to wear yellow on Fridays, as
we build team unity!
All sixth graders will have the opportunity to attend the Scholastic
Book Fair on Monday, October 21 with their English class.
Principal’s Coffee This school year, the administration at the Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School will be offering quarterly meetings with parents and community members in an effort to increase two-way communication between our school and its stakeholders. During these meetings, we will present information on a variety of topics as well as engage stakeholders in some informal discussion time. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to voice questions about the overall operations of the Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School. The administration is looking forward to having the opportunity to get to personally know the parents and guardians of our students. Parents and community members are invited to provide feedback and to express questions and/or concerns. This quarterly event is a great way to stay plugged in to what's going on with the school. We hope you'll join us! Principal’s Coffee is held in the HMS Cafeteria on the dates listed below. We will offer two morning sessions, as well as two evening sessions to try to accommodate as many people as possible. Thursday, November 14th at 6:30 PM Thursday, January 30th at 9:30 AM Thursday, April 10th at 6:30 PM Thursday, June 12th at 9:30 AM
Orange Team Science Students have been working to accurately measure different properties of matter in science class. Labs have involved choosing the correct tools to find the volume of both regular and irregularly shaped objects as well as learning how to use a triple beam balance to measure mass. Students have been eagerly awaiting today's class on measuring the sugar content in different brands of gum. Yup.. the one day all year they can (permissibly) chew gum in science class!
Next Wednesday, October 23rd
School Council Meeting @ 4 PM
PTO Meeting @ 6 PM – All are welcome!!
HURLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL NEWS
Basketball registration forms in order to try out for the boys and girls Hurley Middle School basketball team will be distributed on Monday, Oct. 21st. Forms are due in the main office no later than Tuesday, October 29th. Students need to have an updated physical on file with the school nurse to be eligible for tryouts. Tryouts will begin on Monday, November 4th. Mr. Tom Holden is the boys’ team coach. Mr. Paul Botelho is the girls’ team coach.
. YOGA CLUB NEWS
Hurley middle School's Yoga Club, "Basics and Flow", began this past
Wednesday, October 16th. The club members have been introduced to
many basic poses and some back round information and benefits of
practicing yoga. Club members were provided a handout of common
poses and are encouraged to become more familiar with the poses for
next week. Club members are also encouraged to bring their own yoga
mats if possible. Mats can be stored in room 233 for the duration of the
Yoga Club. All members did a phenomenal job this week and I'm really
excited for our future sessions!!
Namaste~
Ms. Damiani
FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE: The Town of Seekonk will hold a Flu Clinic on October 30, 2013 at the Town Hall. It is by appointment only. Please call the Board of Health at 508-‐336-‐2950 to make an appointment. The vaccine is available to Seekonk residents age 9 and older. There are a limited number of vaccines available, so make your appointment, as soon as possible, to ensure that you get immunized against the flu. Angie Volpe RN, BSN, MS
Dr. Kevin Hurley Middle School -ID# 07074
Dear Parents:
Welcome to the start of a new school year and a year of A+ School Rewards. Starting
October 4, 2013 through March 20, 2014 the Dr.Kevin Hurley Middle School will have the
opportunity to earn cash through Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program.
All you have to do is:
Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online using your Stop & Shop Card
OR
Let the HMS-PTO register for you!
Return this form to school with your child and include your Stop & Shop Card Number, Last
Name and telephone number. ________________________(13-digit BONUSCARD)
_________________________ Last Name ________________________ Telephone
After you register your card, each shopping trip at Stop & Shop using your Stop & Shop Card
earns CASH for our school! Each month, the amount of CASH awarded will be updated on
the Stop & Shop website. You can track the amount of points you earn for our school by
checking your grocery receipt and online when you create an account at
www.stopandshop.com. Our school will receive a check at the end of the program. The
money can be used for any of our school’s educational needs.
Remember, even if you registered your card last year, you must re-register this year for our
school to receive credit. Registration is easy makes a HUGE difference to our school. We
need your support. Please be sure to register your card. Questions? Contact Nicole
Hammond at nmhammond87@gmail.com or 508-336--5474. Also, don’t forget to encourage
your friends and relatives to do the same. It could mean the world to our children.
*Phone numbers may not be used to designate.
If you do not know your 13-digit STOP & SHOP CARD number, call the Card Hotline at 1-877-366-2668 and select OPTION #2
For any questions please email us at seekonkbasketball@gmail.com
Boys and Girls, Grades 1-8 Open Registration runs thru October 18, 2013
Late fee of $ 20.00 will apply after 10/20/13
Registration can be completed at: http://secure.adminsports.net/seekonkmabasketball
Registration Fees:
Grades 3-8: $110* for the first child, $90* for 2nd family member** in this age group. Grades 1-2: $75* for each child. (i.e. $55 registration + $20 fundraiser= $75)
*Included in the registration fee is $20.00 for 4x $5 mandatory fundraiser raffle tickets for our new weekly cash raffle prize. Parents/Players may sell their raffle tickets and request more for sale throughout the season. Additional raffle tickets will be also be available for purchase each week at our concession stands. One winner will be drawn per week. **There is also a $200 registration cap per family.
Each player will receive:
Uniform Jersey 1 Practice and 1 Game per week (10 regular season weeks and 3 weeks of playoffs)
Trophies for Division Championship Winners End of season gift
New to 2013, we are excited to offer both boys’ and girls’ basketball, and a new division for grades 1-2. Designed for new players to basketball, this division will teach the fundamentals of the game and basic skills to our youngest players. This program will consist of drill stations during the clinic so every player learns all the basic skills to play basketball with games to follow as the season progresses.
As with any successful league, we need volunteers. From coaches to asst. coaches, to concession stand and score keeping. Rec basketball has been a long standing tradition in Seekonk and our basketball program continues to grow every year!! Even if you don’t know basketball, we can use your help. If you would like to volunteer, please indicate your desire to do so when you register your child.
Thank you!
www.SeekonkBasketball.com
Register Now!!!
YELLOW
Yellow Team Science is in the middle of ISN BOOTCAMP. Parents, please check through your child's ISN to see what your child has been working on so far this year. In ISN bootcamp, Miss Karalis is encouraging the students to take pride in their work, and to work to their potential. Also, students are being asked to try their hardest the FIRST time, and to speak up for yourself and ask questions if you have them. UPDATE ABOUT DONORSCHOOSE: At this time only cash donations can be made. A donation of $10 will pre-purchase all of the project supplies that your student will need this year in science. Thank you for supporting and enhancing your child's science experience!
8th GRADE MATH Students are solving multi-step equations. They have learned how to cancel out fractions, eliminate parentheses, and combine like terms to simplify equations. Students are finding that checking their solutions is helpful in alerting them to possible errors and confirming that their solutions are correct. Soon we will be working with equations with variables on both sides. Students will be writing and solving equations that represent both mathematical situations and real life scenarios.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/
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