Duxbury Middle School

WEEKLY NEWS STRIVE FOR SUCCESS EVERY DAY IN A CARING, RESPECTFUL, LEARNING COMMUNITY

71 ALDEN STREET, DUXBURY MA 02332 PHONE: 781-934-7640 WEBSITE: WWW.DUXBURY.K12.MA.US

OCTOBER 13, 2015

Important Dates

October 13-16th Nature’s Classroom

October 21st

School Committee 7:00 PM – Alden 104

October 22nd Picture Day

October 26th

No School for Students Teacher Prof. Day

November 4th

School Committee 7:00 PM – Alden 104

November 11th

No School Veteran’s Day

Observed

A VIEW FROM NATURE’S CLASSROOM

A wonderful educational and growth experience for our 8th graders.

DMS Homework Club National Honor Society will be providing tutors free of charge at all DMS Homework

Club meetings. Homework Club meets Monday through Friday right after school in the DMS/DHS

school library until 3:45. All students are welcome to attend and take advantage of this free tutoring!

Encourage your student to come give it a try!!

DMS PTO Remember to sign up at www.dms-pto.org

Interested in bettering your field hockey skills while also working on agility and conditioning? Join the DHS Varsity Field Hockey team for a night filled with skill-building, training, and fun! New players welcome. Please bring mouth guard, goggles, shin guards, stick, sneakers, and water.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20th, 6:00-7:30pm (at DHS Turf)

WHO: Open to Girls, Grades 4-8 Cost: $35.00 (includes tee shirt)

To Register: Complete waiver & submit payment (checks payable to DHS Field Hockey) Registrations/Checks can be either: - Dropped off to Caitlan Sheehan, Duxbury Middle School, Rm. B245 - Mailed to Linda Quinlan at, 28 Cedar Street, Duxbury, MA 02332 NAME _______________________________________________PHONE________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL ________________________________________________ AGE & DOB _____________ GRADE___________ MEDICAL CONDITIONS? ________________________ EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME & PHONE # ___________________________________________________ FIELD HOCKEY EXPERIENCE _______________________________________________________________

US Field Hockey Association. Waiver and Release of Liability In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the USFHA programs, related events and activities, the undersigned acknowledges, appreciates and willingly agrees that: 1. I will comply with the stated and customary terms and conditions for participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and

2. I acknowledge and fully understand that each participant will be engaging in activities that involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses which may result not only from their own actions, inactions or negligence but the action, inaction or negligence of others, the rules of play, or the condition of the premises or of any equipment used. Further, I accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability or death; and 3. I knowingly and freely assume all such risk, both known and unknown, even those arising from the negligent acts or omissions of others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and

4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, hereby release, hold harmless the USFHA, its officers, officials, affiliated clubs, their respective administrators, directors, agents, coaches, and other employees of the organization, other participant, sponsoring agencies advertisers, and, if applicable owners and lessors of premises to conduct the event, all of which are hereinafter referred to as “releasees”, with respect to all and any injury, disability, death or loss of

damage to person or property, whether arising from negligence of the releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law. I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it and sign it freely and voluntarily without any inducement. ______________________________________________________________________________ Participant’s signature Date For parents/guardians of participants. This is to certify that I, as parent/guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do consent and agree to his/her release, as provided above, of all the Releasees, and, for myself, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin, I release and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the releases from any and all liabilities incident to my minor child’s involvement or participation in these programs as provided above, even if arising from their negligence, to the fullest extent permitted by law. ____________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian signature Date

See the World! Study Abroad!

AFS  STUDY  ABROAD  INFO  NIGHT      

• Semester  or  Full  Year  Programs  • Summers  Abroad  

• Gap  Year  Experiences  • Language  Immersion    

• Scholarships  • International  Volunteer  Opportunities  

 Who:     Students  and  parents  from  South  Shore  schools  When:       Wednesday,  Oct  21,  6:30  p.m.  Where:       Duxbury  High  School  Room  A116  

        71  Alden  Street,  Duxbury    

Culture  curious  students  of  all  ages  and  their  parents  are  invited  to  learn  more  about  life  changing  study  abroad  opportunities.    Light  refreshments  will  be  served  •  Students  from  all  South  Shore  towns  are    invited  •  Meet  international  students  studying  here  in  the  U.S.    •    Hear  from  teachers  how  study  abroad  enhances  your  future  opportunities  •  Meet  parents  and  kids  like  you  who  have  gone  abroad  •  Learn  about  the  various  programs  •  Start  planning  your  future  today…..  

CURRICULUM CORNER

DR. LAURIE HUNTER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Phone: 781-934-7600 Email: lhunter@duxbury.k12.ma.us Twitter: DuxAsstSuper

MCAS Results and Future? The state recently released MCAS scores for all districts. District results are found on the Department of Elementary and Secondary web page by following this embedded link to Duxbury MCAS scores. This fall brings many changes in the accountability structure as just over half of Massachusetts districts took the PARCC assessment in lieu of MCAS in grades 3-8. The Board of Education will meet in November to determine the assessment plan for this school year, meaning it is unclear as to whether the state will adopt PARCC or continue with MCAS or another state created test. The grade 10 test for graduation will remain MCAS through at least the class of 2019 as will the science test in grades 5, 8 and 9 since PARCC pertains only to Math and English Language Arts. Elementary and Middle School Math As an outcome of the math curriculum review process, new resources are in place across Kindergarten through grade 8. These texts are now fully aligned with the Massachusetts Common Core Framework in math where mathematical practices and higher order thinking are the priority. The envision 2.0 series in Kindergarten through grade 5 builds a strong foundation in these conceptual skills as well as establishing mastery in the more traditional computation skills. The text published by Glencoe in grades 6-8 continues these skills seamlessly into the algebraic concepts throughout middle school. Teachers received and continue to receive extensive professional development in the programs and math instructional strategies. A math curriculum night is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28. Please watch for further details from the elementary schools. iConnect and Schoology iConnect is successfully in place in grade 7, extending the program from grades 7 to 12. Simultaneously, the district adopted Schoology as its Learning Management System as a voluntary tool for teachers. As mentioned, the selection process last spring included teachers, students and parents in order to select a product that would both meet current needs and grow with the district’s expansion of technology as an instructional tool. In its early days of implementation, the feedback from students is very positive since their assignments and course materials are now highly organized and easily found.

Time and Tides In August, a pilot program offered students the opportunity to explore an alternate learning experience through the Time and Tides program. The program is an integrated approach to learning with multiple staff members from different content backgrounds. Students spend approximately half of their time in the classroom and the remaining time in the community. Thematic concepts drive the curriculum which empowers students to make decisions about their learning and become active in the process. Teacher serve as facilitators. A Duxbury Education Foundation grant funded the summer project. Plans for the future are under discussion as exploration begins into a semester “school within a school” opportunity for seniors. The program is modeled after Concord-Carlisle’s highly successful Rivers and Revolutions program. Additional information is available on the web page through this embedded link to Rivers and Revolutions.

Johns Hopkins Talent Search 6th, 7th & 8th graders at Duxbury Middle School

The Johns Hopkins Center for Achievement of Academically Talented Youth (CTY) is conducting its annual search for students who show exceptional academic potential. If your son or daughter received an Advanced Performance Level in any subject on the most recent MCAS, he or she, is qualified to participate in the Johns Hopkins program. If a student is new to DMS and has not taken the MCAS, you can still participate by submitting a Parent Nomination Form. Students may come to the DMS guidance office for an information packet or consult the Johns Hopkins CTY web site at www.cty.jhu.edu for applications, additional information, and descriptions of the program offered. You can register online. All those who qualify and register for CTY will take either the SAT or the ACT. Talent search applications must be submitted to CTY at least two months prior to the testing date. The testing dates are December 5th, and January 23rd for the SAT, February 6th , and April 9th for the ACT. The CTY Talent Search can also be reached by phone at 410-735-6278. The Johns Hopkins program has the support and approval of the Massachusetts Department of Education. Please note that our school code is 0233268, you will need this number to complete your application.

MUSIC NEWS! HOW TO GET THE WHERE & WHEN IN DUXBURY MUSIC!

Did you know there are over 30 performances between September and June performed by Duxbury music students that you can attend and all are either FREE or very

inexpensive? Pep Band at Football games, Singing at the Town Tree Lighting, performances and pit orchestra at the Musical, group concerts at the PAC as well as awards and promotion ceremonies! Duxbury Music Promoters (DMP) has a calendar that includes all of these events on one sheet! Opt-in at www.duxburymusic.org to get our newsletter with the events calendar and know when all of the fabulous events happen throughout the school year! Also, submit your annual DMP membership donations via www.duxburymusic.org. These donations support these events and our amazing music department!

THE PARENT CONNECTION

BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN and TEENS How do children build the resilience they need to flourish and become happy, healthy, and competent adults? How do they develop the coping strategies they need to survive difficult times rather than resort to risky behaviors? The Parent Connection is pleased to present Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., pediatrician and Professorat the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and author of several books, including Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings. Dr. Ginsburg will speak on Monday, October 26, 2015, at 7:00pm in the Duxbury Performing Arts Center (PAC) to parents of children and teens, as well as educators and others invested in raising resilient young people. A world-renowned expert on developing resilience, Dr. Ginsburg lectures widely to parent and professional audiences. He translates compelling research and best practices into practical approaches for parents, professionals and communities to build resilience in children and teens. He will discuss the “7 Cs,”   the Essential Building Blocks of Resilience - competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping and control - the critical ingredients young people need to manage life's challenges. Join us to learn how to help children build a solid foundation that carries them into the future and develop healthy strategies to cope with life’s inevitable stressors. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door and are available online at http://www.theparentconnection.org as well as at Westwinds Bookshop. This program is sponsored by The Parent Connection, Youth Health Connection, Duxbury Public Schools, and Duxbury PTA/PTOs.

Pictures from Nature’s Classroom