For the Week of 12/4 - 12/8
A Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
Happenings
Get involved!
Community Clicks
and Upcoming Events
Dear HKMS Families,
This week our students were in a giving mood! We had a very successful pancake breakfast, with over thirty students serving and hundreds of community members enjoying breakfast. Our peer leadership group visited St. John's Family Center (in Bridgeport) to help prepare, organize, and serve people in the community who are in need of a hot meal. Our 8th-grade council started their annual toy drive this week with a goal of 300 toys! One of our students even gave a long tuft of hair to Locks of Love in a deal with Mr. Dolecki to publicly shave his head (see video below)! So much giving going on in and around Keller, which, as I have said before, really brings out the best in all of us. I am so proud of all of our students and their efforts to give back to the community. Be sure to check out the pictures of all of these events in the happenings section below.
We are in the midst of twenty straight full days of school. If mother nature cooperates, that kind of consistency results in increased opportunities for greater and deeper learning to occur. As a good example, this week our 8th graders started their Personal Interest Project. This Capstone-style project taps into student interest and passions and helps them to authentically research, plan, and develop a new level of appreciation for their passions while helping to make the world a better and more informed place. Students will be working in different classes through out the winter and spring as well as in advisory classes. All eighth-graders will be presenting their projects as part of the ER9-Palooza held in early May at Barlow.
Trimester 1 report cards are out this afternoon! I've put instructions on how to access the report cards below this message. As I looked over the students' grades, I am very proud of the growth and progress all of our students have shown over the course of the year. As you discuss the first trimester with your child, I encourage you to focus on improvements and growth, while identifying opportunities to grow even further. The School Community Network, a group that "provides resources, training, and tools to build strong school communities focused on student learning" has developed a series of recommendations for parents to discuss report cards which is very well designed. I have linked that resource in here.
Of course, I also encourage you to check out all the wonderful teaching and learning occurring in our second trimester (already 6 days in!). In addition to academics, there are also lots of pictures of the pancake breakfast, community service projects, extracurriculars and all other things HKMS!
Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating!
Sincerely,
Steven Clapp, Ed.D.
Trimester 1 Report Card Now Open!
Instructions To View Report Cards in the Parent Portal:
To access your child’s current report card please follow the steps below:
It is always best to view PowerSchool via the desktop site, preferably on a laptop or desktop computer. The mobile app is limited and will not show you all the data, reports, comments, etc.
Log into the Parent Portal, click here (If you forgot your username or password, please email powerschool@er9.org or call your child’s school.
If you have more than one child, click on one child’s name at the top left
On the left hand side, click on the icon that says Student Reports
After this window opens, you will see the Current report card and if applicable, you will see your child’s archived report card from last year as well.
If you don't have a Parent Portal account, please contact your child's school.
A glimpse inside of the terrific teaching and learning going on this week at HKMS!
Grade 6
A Debate for the Ages!
Mr. Bernardi's historians debated whether or not conflict was inevitable when Europeans were exploring the "new" world. Each side had opening statements, two contentions, two rebuttals, and closing statements. While the debate ensued students took notes on a questionnaire about the most relevant facts and ponant arguments. The session ended with a "four corners" activity in which students agreed or disagreed with the essential regardless of their assigned positions. A great debate for sure!
ILA became a lab site this week!
Our ILA department worked with a consultant, from Teachers College, Columbia to learn the latest techniques and responsive reading strategies that will only enhance an already strong reading program!
Grade 7
Seventh grade scientists participated in a debate this week about Natural Vs. Synthetic meat. Students weighed the benefits and drawbacks of traditional beef production versus lab grown beef. It brings up the age old question: What happened to the lost beef shipment? Because nobody’s herd.
Re-Connecting with our Friends in the Ukraine
Some 7th grade social studies students had their second Zoom call with students in Easton's sister town in the Ukraine, Svyatohirs'k.
Grade 8
This week algebra students worked in small groups on a menu of assignments. Mr. Crawford encouraged them to work collaboratively, re-teach concepts, ask questions, and manage their workload so they meet their deadlines. All of these are necessary 21st century skills!
The roll out of the Personal Interest Projects for our 8th grade students continued this week. Mrs. Gale and Mr. D'Agostino led students through brainstorming ideas and creating pros and cons lists for each of those ideas. Later that day, students presented their ideas to their advisory groups and received feedback and suggestions.
FPAs
In Mr. Dolecki's general music class, students were practicing adding a guitar bass line, then pivoted to providing each other feedback on their chord progression recordings. Two great lessons in one period!
Arts student are creating original line designs to add to their paisley sketches.
Advisory
Hangman, code breaking, problem solving, locker clean outs, games and personal interest projects all happening during our advisory period this week!
Events, activites, and other occurrences that happened at HKMS this week outside of the classroom.
Upcoming Social for all Students!
The HKMS Student Government will be hosting a Land of Winter Wonders Social next Thursday, December 14th, after school until 4:45 pm (pickup will be at the lower doors). Tickets can be purchased from the PTO website and are $10, or $8 with a canned food donation to benefit Food Rescue. Included with admission will be an ice cream sundae bar, pizza, water and Gatorade. We will also have basketball and volleyball in the gym, as well as music and dancing in the cafeteria. We hope to see you there!
https://eastonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/266218
The 48th Annual Pancake Breakfast was a delicious success! Thanks to all who cooked, served, organized, and attended!
Dolecki - Locks for Locks.movTrading Locks for Locks
Earlier this school year, Mr. Dolecki told a few of his students that if they grew their hair and donated it to Locks of Love, then that student could shave his head. Mr. Dolecki was shocked when one 7th grade boy stepped up to the challenge, Simon! True to his word, Simon gave Mr. Dolecki a hair cut out at 7th grade recess!
Peer Leaders Spreading Kindness
This week, members of the Peer Leaders club prepared and help serve meals at the St. John's Family Center. Our students were guided by some amazing HKMS staff members, Dr. Baca, Mrs. Blumenthal & Mrs. Politi.
Wingman Training at HKMS
Students in the peer leaders club and on the school climate committee are participating in a two-day training by the Wingman Program. To learn more about it, check out this link.
Wingman Training Video.MOV
Last year all current 7th and 8th graders received Easton Public Library Cards on their spring visit. We wanted to be sure all our students have access to this wonderful resource! If you are a "new" to Easton family or a 6th grade family, please fill out the form above and we will arrange for your child to receive their card in the next few days!
Extra-Curricular Activities
Below are all the planned clubs and activities we will be offering this year.
CLICK ON THE CHART BELOW TO OPEN THE FULL DOC.
As each activities start date approaches, we will publish flyers of each club with more details below.
Green Playful Chalk Board School Bazaar Flyer.pdfPlease fill out the HW Club form linked here prior to Thursday
Dolecki Haircut.mp4Locks of FUN!
When Mr. Dolecki offered to let a student shave his head for a donation to Locks of Love, he didn't expect his offer would be taken up! What a great donation and lots of fun as 7th graders took recess time to watch the teacher pay his dues!
Easton PTO is chillin' with the Bridgeport Islanders on January 7, 2024!
The HKMS Select Choir will preform God Bless America!
Chuck a-Puck proceeds will go back to the Easton PTO!
Order tickets that support the PTO at this link:
Spiritwear Direct
Easton Public Library Events
New Paradigm Theatre Middle School Play Writing Competition is now accepting submissions
NPT partnered with New York City Children's Theater in 2018 and 2019 on their Middle School Playwriting Competition, with young actors participating in the staged readings at Theatre Row in Midtown Manhattan. Nicole Hogsett, who ran NYCCT's Middle School Competition from 2016-2019, is consulting with NPT to help launch this competition for Connecticut students.
Five (5) grand prize winners will receive a staged reading of their play, performed and directed by Broadway pros and talented young actors at the new Madison Ave Community Clubhouse’s Black Box Theatre in Bridgeport in April 2024. Every entry will receive feedback from a theatre professional.
To participate, students in grades 6-8 will write an original 10-minute play based on this year's social justice theme: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS.
Environmental issues are defined as harmful effects to Earth and its natural systems due to the actions of humans. We want to hear your thoughts on environmental awareness in the form of a play and how it affects young people now and in the future.
Details and tools to help young playwrights can be found at: https://nptheatre.org/npt-middle-school-play-writing-competition/
The deadline for submissions is February 1st. 2024.
Winners announced at the end of February.
Submit in PDF form with permission slip to info@nptheatre.org (please find details and helpful tools at: https://nptheatre.org/npt-middle-school-play-writing-competition/
Questions? Please email info@nptheatre.org
THE NEW PARADIGM THEATRE COMPANY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre promoting social responsibility and fostering creative problem solvers, leaders, and global citizens through theatre arts education and productions.
@helen_keller_middle_school
@hkmsmediacenter