North News - Coatesville Area School District

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North Brandywine Middle School
North ROCKS!
March 2015
Dear North Families,
This school year is really moving super fast! Believe it or not we have passed the mid-point
of the third marking period so please be sure to continue to monitor your child’s grades. If
you notice a change in the wrong direction, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s
teacher. Together, we can make a difference in ensuring your child’s academic success!
As spring approaches, we also know what is blooming on the horizon...PSSA testing. Testing will begin on April 13th. The format is slightly different this year and the testing windows are as follows:
April 13-17
English Language Arts
April 20-24
Math
April 27-May 1 Science (8th Grade Only)
May 4-8
Make-up testing
More details will be provided in the April edition of our newsletter.
Finally, we are celebrating March Madness at NBMS this month. Our version of March
Madness is the brainchild of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)
Team. The following is a statement from Dr. Miles regarding the incentive: “According to
our discipline data, students were referred to the office for disrespect more than any other
infraction. In an attempt to decrease this behavior in a positive way, the PBIS core team decided to do a March Madness Respect Challenge to acknowledge students showing respect
throughout the month. Each teacher is given 20 tiger paws for the week. The grade with
the most tiger paws will be rewarded as well as an advisory each week for the month of
March. There is a bulletin board posted so students will be able to see their grade/advisory
results.” So far, our 7th grade has taken the previous two all-school challenges. I’m anxious
to see who will rise to the top this month! Let’s go Tigers!
Ms. Taylor– Principal
January Students of the Month
Model Social Studies Students
Haylee Black – 6th
Morgan Hooper – 7th
Tyjon Pittman – 7th
Evelyn Orlowski – 8th
Matthew Evans – 8th
Janice Schneider – 8th
Most Improved Social Studies Students
Zilas Pugh – 6th
Zymir Ridgeway – 7th
Nakaya Lawrence – 7th
Ma’Lia Ray – 8th
Model STEM Students
Kaitlyn Jilek – 8th
Mikyla Scott – 8th
Most Improved STEM Students
Dashanna Stroman – 6th
Angel Twyman – 6th
Samir Wesley – 8th
Model Chorus Student
Adam Scott – 8th
Most Improved Chorus Student
Jeremiah Johnson – 8th
North Brandywine Celebrates ‘No Place for Hate’!
By: Riley Dunlap, Eve Denny, and Citli Tapia-Villegas
North Brandywine Middle School (NBMS) set a goal this year to become designated as a ‘No Place for Hate’ school by the anti-defamation
league of Philadelphia. The Anti-Defamation league’s program matched our
goals of creating a school where everyone feels accepted and supported. To
accomplish this goal, we needed to have at least three school wide activities
that spread the message of anti-bullying, accepting others, and celebrating
differences.
The first project NBMS completed was declaring our school as a No
Place for Hate school. Each advisory took the No Place for Hate Pledge by
signing a paper declaring we are a No Place for Hate school. After that,
NBMS wrote ‘I am’ statements where the students and teachers wrote a
personal statement about who they are and why they are unique. They then
displayed the pledges and ‘I am’ statements on a large bulletin board for all
to see.
The second project was a Rap/Song contest where students wrote
songs or raps about bullying and acceptance. The two students that won the
contest were Lanasha Mason and Jonathan Fields. They performed their
raps at the fall pep rally. At the end of that week we celebrated with a
‘Dance for Diversity’. The dance was a glow theme and everyone wore neon and supported the school by buying and wearing glow necklaces. The
dance was to show and celebrate differences.
The next project North Brandywine Middle School participated in was
Kindness Week. During this week, the students participated in various activities held throughout the week. Some of the activities were; Superhero
Day (student and staff wore super hero clothing such as t-shirts, capes,
etc.), Kisses for Kindness (students and staff pledged to be kind to others
and received a Hershey kiss), Different Sock day, and Cap on Hate day
(students and staff wore a cap or a hat to school to represent that they are
stopping hate at school).
Also, throughout the week the school was selling No Place for Hate
bracelets (kindness bracelets) to show that they respected the idea of a
safe and fun school environment. The students participated in a coin
challenge and all of the money went towards cancer. The school raised
over $700!
Our fourth project was NBMS Live, a live talk show, to spread the
message that bullying is wrong. Select students were interviewed in
front of the school about their bullying stories. Even one of our teachers
here at North Brandywine had an inspiring story to share. Student made
videos that were shown that addressed bullying and verbal abuse. After
the assembly, it was obvious that North Brandywine Middle School is a
No Place for Hate school.
After having many No Place for Hate activities, North Brandywine
is a guaranteed No Place for Hate school. Completing many events has
not only made our school a No Place for Hate school, but has brought
our schools community closer. North Brandywine will continue to exhibit activities involving the No Place for Hate program.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day~ March ~ 6th grade!
Language Arts
From Mrs. Groff: Mrs. Groff's 6th grade language arts classes are reading Maniac Magee and continue their studies of the parts of speech. All of the LA classes are also working on reading skills
packets.
From Ms. Bird: The students have been working hard in Language Arts. In vocabulary, we have
been completing our daily "words of the day." After every ten words, the students are playing BINGO in order to review the words of the day, definitions, and the parts of speech. We just finished
the short story, "The Dog of Pompeii." We also completed our theme projects. In grammar, we just
finished our unit on subjects and predicates. Please continue to monitor Home Access. I try and
update Home Access daily. If you have any questions, please contact me at
[email protected]
From Ms. Cunningham: This month in Ms. Cunningham's Learning Support Language Arts class we
will be working on sequencing by creating a sequencing quilt from the book we finished, The Pinballs. We will continue to explore figurative language, build vocabulary and practice text analysis
writing skills. We are working hard to prepare for the PSSA's next month and are excited to start
our poetry unit in April.
Math
From Ms. Davenport: Ms. Davenport's class will focus on Geometry in the month of March. We will
start by writing and expressing numerical expressions that involve whole number exponents then
write algebraic expressions from verbal descriptions. March is also that time to start thinking about
the PSSAs and other tests that students will take in April. Students are now able to log on to Study
Island and practice. Please have them see their math teacher for their password.
From Mr. McClure: March is here and we are working hard! Our March unit is all about graphs and
measures of central tendency. This is quite possibly the hardest unit, so make sure you all are working hard and studying. Also, PSSA's are just around the corner and we will be reviewing everything
that we have learned to prepare for them.
Continue - 6th grade!
Social Studies
From Mrs. Sorber: Wow! More than half way through the 3rd marking period already! Looking forward to leaving behind the cold, snowy weather and enjoying some warming up! This month we are
traveling to the world of Ancient Egypt. We have been looking forward to this all year! Students will
be giving an oral presentation on a topic of their choice and I can’t wait to hear what they have
learned and created with their 3-D visual aid. As we approach warmer months it is important to remind students to stay focused on their academics, as their minds start to wander to other things.
Please remember to use home access to stay on top of their progress!
From Ms. Eastburn: All students in Ms.Eastburn's history class are working on their Egyptian projects that are due on March 16th.
Science
From Mrs. Waterman: This month in Mrs. Waterman's Science class, we will be studying rocks and
how they are formed, which is a great transition into earthquakes. Notification of any major projects and tests will be sent to the emails that were given at the beginning of the year. If this email
has changed, please let me know.
From Ms. Eastburn: In science class students are currently working on rocks and the rock cycle.
Snow Make-up Days:
April 1, 2015 - 1st snow make up for February 17th
June 5, 2015 - 2nd snow make up day for March 2nd.
Bienvenidos a la primavera! Welcome
spring! We have just finished our second
unit on calendar, numbers, and time. We
are beginning to learn vocabulary and grammar to talk about school. We will learn about
nouns, gender, pluralization, and conjugation in this unit.
As always, please feel free to contact us
anytime with questions or concerns. If your
student has Srta. Conlan for Spanish be sure to take advantage of the website: http://
mconlanspanish.weebly.com/. You can find all homework assignments and class
handouts for student reference here. If your student has Sra. Darlington please be sure
to check out her website: www.teacherpage.com/sdarlington.
Srta. Conlan & Sra. Darlington
From Ms. Crouse
6th Graders are working on their culinary skills. They are
making pancakes. Next, they will make cinnamon snails which
are like cinnamon rolls.
7th Graders are working in the kitchen, too. They are making
chocolate chip cookies. Next, they will make cheesecake.
Eight graders are making brownies. Next, they will have
an egg lab. They will each get an egg to make either
scrambled eggs or omelets.
Mrs. Stauffer’s
8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS
This month brings St. Patty’s Day and an argumentative/persuasive unit. Students may think they know
how to argue, but they will be putting their skills to
the test in our persuasive and argument reading and writing
unit. During the unit, students will explore everything from
advertisements, to editorials, to essays to meet the goals of
the unit. Students will also become authors taking a stand on
an important issue. During the unit students will:
•
Identify and analyze elements of an argument
•
Identify and analyze persuasive techniques
•
Analyze the effectiveness of persuasive techniques
•
Distinguish between and evaluate facts and opinion
•
Identify and analyze author’s purpose
•
Identify and analyze comparisons and contrasts
•
Identify and analyze tone
Let’s get ready to persuade!
NORTH’S YEARBOOK
Our Yearbook Staff is hard at work getting the pictures and naming names! We only have 130 yearbooks left!!
Before they are all GONE! You can still order your yearbook on-line, just go to the North Brandywine web site.
Dead line to order on-line is April 30th. Cost is $25.00.
MARCHING ART: Mrs. Baxter
*********************************************************
While waiting for the warmth of spring we’ll heat up
the room with the kiln and our clay projects.
8th graders make the middle school culminating vessel project in
clay- whatever they want (!) as I point them to a variety of clay
ideas and techniques. Many decide upon a hefty cup, personalized in some way. Others go for the more unusual jar or teapot
while still others invent on the fly. Only the maker knows
what’s inside the lump of clay!
7th grade will be making leaf or flower plates, capitalizing on
the idea of texture of leaf veins and flower petals and the vibrant and rich use of color through proper glaze application.
6th grade will be creating clay whistles that really whistle. No
kidding. It’s all in the technique though understandably I have
to sometimes make adjustments. The ideas that flow from the
6th grade as they make a hollow sphere into the body of a bear
or fish or clouds or Starbuck’s latte complete with straw. No
kidding.
BAND BLURB - Mr. Ballard
On Wednesday March 4th and Thursday March 5th the NBMS Band will
be participating in the district-wide Prelude to Spring Concert.
On Wednesday (3/4/2015) all band students in NBMS will be bused to
the 9/10 Center for a rehearsal that will go until 4pm. Please pick up
your child at the 9/10 Center immediately starting at 4pm.
On Thursday (3/5/2015) the concert will begin promptly at 7pm in the
9/10 Center Gym, and is a spectacle to behold with all students in band
throughout the district putting on a giant concert for Music in Our
Schools Month. Report time for students for the concert is 6:30pm, but
this is subject to change. All students should wear their concert black attire.
Hope to see you there.
Gifted News: Mrs. Groff
March is knowledge bowl month! The 8th graders will compete at Scott
Middle School on March 5th. The 7th grade competition is March 12th at
South Brandywine. 6th grade competes right here at North Brandywine
on March 19th. Winning 6th and 8th grade teams from each school will
compete at the County Knowledge Bowl on May 5th.
The 6th graders are excited about their “country” projects where they will
be the teacher for a full class period. This involves planning and executing
a lesson about a country of their choice.
The 7th graders are finishing up the public speaking unit with a persuasive
essay and speech promoting a charity of their choice.
The 8th graders are researching America’s historic places as they travel
across the US in the Heritage Unit.
March Newsletter Math
Math 7 – In Math 7, the students are starting a unit on fractions. In this unit they will
be reviewing the steps and procedures to solve problems containing fractions by
hand. They must show their work and steps, they are only to use the calculator to
check their answers. Once fractions are complete they will start a unit on decimals.
Please remember at the beginning of the school year, one of the items on the supply
list was a TI-30XS calculator. If your child does not have one yet, it is not too late,
please try to pick one up, your child will benefit from its use both this year and next.
Also, as we move into spring it is often a time where school supplies need to be replenished. Please check in with your student to make sure he/she has everything
needed for a successful last part of the year. Please continue to check your child’s
grade online and their agenda nightly.
Math 7 AT – In Math 7, the students are starting a unit on fractions. In this unit they
will be reviewing the steps and procedures to solve problems containing fractions by
hand. They must show their work and steps, they are only to use the calculator to
check their answers. Once fractions are complete they will start a unit on decimals.
Please remember at the beginning of the school year, one of the items on the supply
list was a TI-30XS calculator. If your child does not have one yet, it is not too late,
please try to pick one up, your child will benefit from its use both this year and next.
Also, as we move into spring it is often a time where school supplies need to be replenished. Please check in with your student to make sure he/she has everything
needed for a successful last part of the year. Please continue to check your child’s
grade online and their agenda nightly.
Pre-Algebra- Students are solving systems of equations which means they are working with two
Equations simultaneously.
Pre-Algebra AT- In Pre-Algebra AT, the students are starting a unit on graphs. In
this unit they will be reviewing the steps and procedures to read graphs and create
them. Please remember at the beginning of the school year, one of the items on the
supply list was a TI-30XS calculator. If your child does not have one yet, it is not too
late, please try to pick one up, your child will benefit from its use both this year and
next. Also, as we move into spring it is often a time where school supplies need to be
replenished. Please check in with your student to make sure he/she has everything
needed for a successful last part of the year. Please continue to check your child’s
grade online and their agenda nightly.
Cont.. Math
Algebra Part A - In Algebra Part A, the students are starting a unit on graphing
equations. In this unit they will be reviewing the steps and procedures to read
graphs and create them. Please remember at the beginning of the school year,
one of the items on the supply list was a TI-30XS calculator. If your child does
not have one yet, it is not too late, please try to pick one up, your child will benefit from its use both this year and next. Also, as we move into spring it is often a
time where school supplies need to be replenished. Please check in with your
student to make sure he/she has everything needed for a successful last part of
the year. Please continue to check your child’s grade online and their agenda
nightly.
Algebra I- In Algebra I, the students are starting a unit on exponents. In this
unit they will be reviewing the steps and procedures to multiply and divide exponents. This is a crucial chapter in preparation for the Keystone Exam. Please remember at the beginning of the school year, one of the items on the supply list
was a TI-30XS calculator. If your child does not have one yet, it is not too late,
please try to pick one up, your child will benefit from its use both this year and
next. Also, as we move into spring it is often a time where school supplies need
to be replenished. Please check in with your student to make sure he/she has
everything needed for a successful last part of the year. Please continue to check
your child’s grade online and their agenda nightly.
Algebra II– If in doubt, write down y equals mx plus b. This is the slopeintercept form of a linear equation.