JOHN HILL SCHOOL
WEEKLY UPDATE 10/25/19
NOMINATIONS SOUGht FOR JOHN HILL SCHOOL's EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR
There is no shortage of exceptional work being completed at John Hill School, and we are excited to announce an opportunity for our community to recognize some of the special efforts of our staff members by completing a Governor's Educator of the Year Nomination Form. This form can be used to nominate candidates for both the Teacher of the Year recognition and the Educational Services Professional of the Year recognition. We encourage you to take some time to share your nominations with us and ask that you please submit them to Mrs. Brogan or Mr. Valle by our deadline of Friday, November 15th. Completed nomination forms can be printed and brought into school or saved and emailed to us.
STUDENTS EARN RECOGNITION FOR SHOWING EXEMPLARY RESPECT
John Hill School's October character theme is respect and it has been a privilege to witness ways that students continue to define JHS as a respectful place to learn and grow. This week, Lexie, Rodi, Jaxson, and Justin were all recognized for their special and respectful contributions to our school and more recognitions are to come!
Bracelets Bridge middle and elementary grades with SENTIMENTs of caring & Respect
In addition to many Week of Respect activities that took place at JHS, the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students made bracelets with inspirational words to give to the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. This week, the older students have been visiting classrooms to give away the bracelets along with a message encouraging the younger students to demonstrate good character by putting the positive words into action. Our middle school students were the recipients of kind messages from students at the high school last week.
Ms. Brady and Mrs. Maier have also been meeting with small groups of students for School Violence Awareness Week to discuss issues related to school climate. Conversations focused on maintaining positive school climate and culture at John Hill School. Some of the topics discussed included conflict resolution, bullying prevention, and diversity and acceptance.
Junior Junior BOmbers experience fall Festivities
Weather conditions were picture perfect on Thursday as our students went on a pumpkin picking adventure at Conklin Farm. Later that day, students and families had the opportunity to attend the Preschool Halloween Party and Book Fair at School Street School. Thanks to all of our staff members and volunteers who made these events a great success! For more information, please visit the Preschool Weekly Update.
STUDENTS APPLY PRECISION MEASUREMENT SKILLS AS THEY DETERMINE VOLUME THROUGH WATER DISPLACEMENT
Students in Ms. Bacchetta's 5th grade science classes have been applying precision measurement skills while also exploring properties of matter. In recent lessons, they've learned that there are building blocks that make up all objects in our world and that these objects can be measured precisely through examination of length, width, and volume. In the pictures included below, students applied their skills to determine the volume of irregular objects while maintaining data charts to communicate the measurements of items that they selected. To conclude the lesson, students relayed in their own written words how volume of irregular objects can be determined to showcase their full understanding of the process.
WRITING WORKSHOP TAKES ROOT IN GRADES 3-5
Students in grades 3-5 are now fully progressing through the "Units of Study in Writing" as Writing Workshop is being introduced. Last year, students partook in their first full year of Reading Workshop and we were thrilled to note substantial learning gains. This year, our English Language Arts program will include the full complement of the Writing Workshop and we are excited to see students already making early strides in the program. In the pictures, below students are seen partaking in a "Museum Walk" to analyze and celebrate each other's written work. Written pieces were in the form of personal narratives that resulted from a drafting and refining process in which students developed character traits, included dialogue, and developed and focused on substance over a relatively lengthy written work.
6th Grade Enrichment
There are many exciting things happening in 6th grade enrichment! Each year, through the Morris County Gifted and Talented Consortium, programs are offered to participating schools gifted and talented students. As part of the Take Flight initiative, all students at John Hill are exposed to the offerings and some students will be asked to attend the programs through the Consortium. For example, students in Ms. Barone's class are participating in the "Living Voices" program that asks students to research influential community members. Students are currently researching John Hill. What a great way for students to learn the skill of conducting research while learning about their school's namesake! Additionally, students in Mrs. Barrientos's enrichment class participated in strategic gaming in preparation for an upcoming chess tournament that our top chess players will compete in.
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
The Bomber Field Hockey team ended an impressive season with a tough 2-0 loss to Peck. The girls finished the year 11-4-1. Year after year, our field hockey team demonstrates skill, grit, and determination and we are so proud of their efforts. The Girls Soccer Team also ended their season on Thursday with a tournament loss against Mendham Middle School. The game was symbolic of the entire season as the girls never gave up! Each game our athletes improved and it was a pleasure to watch them grow on the field! The Cross Country team competed on Thursday in the County Tournament. John Hill ran against other Group I schools and had a strong showing! Austin Hudak finished 7th in a field of 59 runners. Congratulations to all of our Cross Country athletes! The Boys Soccer team concluded their regular season with a victory over rival Lincoln Park. The final score was 6-1 Bombers. The team finishes the regular season with a record of 5-7-2. Next week, on Monday, the Bombers will host the first round of the Greater Morris County Soccer tournament as we take on Briarcliff. The game will start at 3:30 on the JHS Upper Field. Come on out and support the 4th seeded Bombers! Good Luck!!!
HALLOWEEN PARADE REMINDER
John Hill School's Annual Halloween Parade will take place at 1:45 on Thursday, October 31st. All students in grades preschool, 3, 4, and 5 are welcome to partake and families are invited to join us on the upper field to cheer our participants on. We look forward to a fun-filled event!
Students in all grade levels may wear costumes to school on October 31st. Apart from the parade, however, faces may not be concealed by masks or significant face paint. All costumes must be in good taste and school appropriate.
Middle School Reminders
Halloween Dance - The Halloween Dance for grades 6, 7, 8 is tonight! The dance is from 7:00 - 9:00. Students who attend must have a signed permission slip that includes the name of the person picking up the student and a signature. The entrance cost is $7. Students may wear costumes that are school appropriate and do not include weapons and masks. The Student Council is looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Gateway Academy at BHS - The Gateway Academy at BHS has applications for any interested 8th graders available on the high school website.