For the Week of 1/17 - 1/20

Welcome Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
HKMS Happenings
Drive to Thrive
Ways to get Involved
and...Upcoming Events!

Dear HKMS families,

If I had Johnny Carson available, I would ask him to don his Carnac the Magnificent outfit and proclaim, "8,975!" For those too young to know this classic Carson bit, he would wear a purple and gold sorcerer's hat and cape. His sidekick, Ed McMahon, would hand him a sealed envelope that Carnac held to his head and blindly revealed the “answer” to a question inside. Carnak would then open the envelope and reveal the amusing question. For example, “Answer: De-frost… Question: On a cold morning, what forms on de-grass?” You can easily search for these comic gems and I guarantee they will get you laughing. In this case, upon opening the envelope after declaring “8,975” Carnak could then reveal the question, “How many lessons have been delivered at Helen Keller Middle School this year?” By the end of the year, there will have been over 18,000 lessons! That is a lot of teaching and learning for our little middle school.

This week alone featured over 450 individual lessons and none of these experiences may have been more inspirational and heartwarming than Wednesday night’s Winter Choral Concert. This was our first student performance of the year, and our first indoor concert in over three years, and the kids sounded great. With Mrs. Gidley coping with a family emergency, Mr. Dolecki had his choral conducting debut and the students rose to the occasion. More inspiration could be found in Mrs. Gidley’s strings classes where our 8th-grade orchestra leaders stepped in to help prepare the 7th and 8th graders for next week’s instrumental concert. I am not sure if the sense of community that surrounded our beloved teacher and colleague comes through to you on the concert videos and images of kids teaching below, but it sure hit me.

From students applying new language skills, inquiry-based projects, scientific discovery, and pickleball championships, to students leading lessons, whatever inspires you, I am sure you can find it in this week’s newsletter.

I am hoping you all have a wonderful and restful weekend!

Sincerely,
Steve Clapp
Principal
Helen Keller Middle School

Find your strength, build upon it, and share it!

Grade 6

Sixth grade Spanish students are in the final editing stages of preparing their pen pal letters. They are rotating their letters to several classmates for their peer editing assistance. As Ms. Harington says, "The more eyes, the better!"

Mr. Bernardi's historians are evaluating the validity of claims about immigration as part of understanding the effects of colonialism on modern South and Central Americans. This task is a great blending of digital citizenship skills with historical trends!

Grade 7

Seventh graders spent time with our Media Specialist, Mrs. Gale learning about how to locate non-fiction texts in the HKMS Media Center using the program Destiny. They tested their locator skills by selecting a category of non-fiction that piques their interest and finding a book to take out from our very own collection.

Seventh-grade scientists are applying their knowledge of environmental science to the creation of hypotheses about what would happen if the sun suddenly disappeared.

Grade 8

Our emerging French speakers are planning visits to various Paris train stations, evaluating their efficiency, amenities, food, and services available.

How many questions do you have about the Louisana Purchase? Well, the 8th graders are generating TONS of questions as they apply the Question Formation Technique (QFT). This approach helps to guide each student through a personalized study of a topic or event based on their inquiries and interests.

Students are also being challenged to go above and beyond in Mr. Macaluso's 8th-grade science class. Have you ever wondered how waves work? Pop on into his 8th-grade class. Calculating data and charting results is challenging for many students, but they are able to really push themselves to the next level of charting and analyzing data with the help of Mr. Macaluso.

FPA

A select group of 8th-grade orchestra students stepped into the role of mentors this week! These 8th graders worked with the 6th and 7th-grade orchestra students to help them improve their techniques and prepare for the concert. These students also conducted full orchestra rehearsals! They showed amazing leadership and an incredible willingness to help others!

The foundation of every unit in Physical education is sportsmanship. During this Pickleball tournament, Mrs. Tiani started by asking students to make connections between this quote and their sportsmanship guidelines.

Chorus La Vida.MOV

Chorus - 70's Medley.MOV

Students raised their voices in song at the winter choral concert this week. Toes were tapping and hearts were warmed by the program of music that included touching songs about finding a place in the world, a 70's medley, and even a song sung in Spanish. Check out some of the recordings below.

The Keller Cooking Club: A Delicious Success!

This week was the final session of the Keller Cooking Club. It was a HUGE success!! Students learned to prepare everything from Chicken and Broccoli Pasta to Sufganiyot. Thanks to the hours of preparation by advisors Mrs. Aponte and Mrs. Maggi, each session was filled with laughter and delicious food! Mrs. Aponte even made each student a recipe book of every dish prepared by the Keller Cooking Club.

THANK YOU TO THE PTO FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF THIS CLUB!!!!

Principal's Coffee: Healthy Habits and the Adolescent Brain

In a great conversation led by HKMS school counselor Mrs. Terry and Health/PE Teacher Mrs. Tiani, parents discussed healthy habits ranging from sleep and nutrition, to exercise and cell phones. We've linked the articles and a few other responses below. Next month's topic: Restorative Practices and the Adolescent Brain.

Here are the articles we discussed: Media Guidelines for Kids; Encouraging Good Sleep Habits; Should Kids Take Mental Health Days?

A Musical Day at HKMS!

The band and orchestra had a chance to gather all together this morning to practice for their upcoming concert next week! ALSO, our 8th graders were visited by the JBHS Jazz Band and Choral Group. These groups performed for the students during lunch and held a Q & A session so our 8th graders could learn more about the awesome music programs at Barlow.

8th-Graders had the chance to enjoy the smooth sounds of the JBHS Jazz Band and Select Choirs during lunch on Friday!

"13!" The HKMS musical is coming!

Students working hard on the upcoming musical at Helen Keller, coming our way March 3-5! (Photos and Caption by Ashley)

Is your student ready to be challenged? Then Helen Keller is the place for them!

Mr. Rogers has been putting into practice the innovative techniques learned at a recent professional development session with ILA Consultant Kate Roberts. He is talking with his students about Learning Progressions. Students can evaluate where they are on the progression and determine what is necessary to take their main ideas to the next level.

School Spiritwear Store!

https://stapleskellerspiritwear.com/

Keller Educational Discussions

Do you have an area of expertise middle schoolers can learn from? Do you like sharing? We want you to give a KED-Talk! Click here for more information and to sign up!