For the week of 2/14 - 2/17

A message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom "Peeks"
Drive to Thrive! (new)
HKMS "Happenings"
Upcoming Events
and...Ways to get involved at HKMS!

Dear HKMS Families,

What an amazing week! The learning activities and lessons around school this week were incredible! Eighth-grade students debated genetic modification, PLTW students created digital blueprints, seventh-grade students presented to shark tank, and the sixth-grade team pulled off an interdisciplinary extravaganza about the importance, scarcity, and control of water systems. The whole school participated in "The Power of Words" lesson in their advisory groups, and students brainstormed ways to get involved with a local charity close to all of our hearts (more to come on that in the weeks ahead).

I have always thought breaks in the school year are well-timed, and this long weekend is no exception. Students and teachers have been involved in some of the most difficult and challenging work of the year, and they all deserve a little extra rest and a chance to recharge for the long march through March! :)

I hope everyone has a relaxing, safe, and enjoyable few extra days off together.

Sincerely,

Steven Clapp, Ed.D.

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

360 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 06612

(203) 268-8651

sclapp@er9.org

Grade 6 Peeks

Students in Mrs. Brodeur's class working with ratio story problems and a "hunt and find" answer game! Look what students "CAN DO" by the end of this lesson!

Mrs. Maggi reviews the success criteria for a lesson on Claim, Evidence and Reasoning.

Grade 7 Peeks

Crisis Averted!!

Seventh grade science students made their pitches to the "sharks" from Shark Tank. Their designs to restart the Earth's core were outstanding!!!

Seventh grade math students are on a similar figures scavenger hunt! They need to synthesize and apply a variety of math skills in order to progress through the math adventure!

Grade 8 Peeks

Eighth grade students held a fascinating debate entitled the Ethics of Superhumans. They grappled with the many viewpoints about genetic modification including the societal impacts, human evolution and the use of gene modification for disease prevention.

Eighth grade ILA students are creating illustrated summary books demonstrating their new learning from the non-fiction reading unit.

FPA Peeks

6th & 7th grade students in PLTW are learning how to use the software Autodesk Professional to design in 3D. They are working on their measuring skills by dimensioning and creating blueprints of their creations.

Eighth grade arts students are using an overhead projector (ancient technology) while creating self portraits.

HKMS Winter Orchestra Concert!!

Bravo to Mrs. Gidley and each ensemble!

Kinetic .mp4

Kinetic performed by our Chamber Orchestra

Luminescence.mp4

Luminescence Performed by our 8th-Grade Orchestra

Supernova.mp4

Supernova Performed by our FULL School Orchestra!

Velocity.mp4

Velocity Performed by our 7th and 8th Orchestra

Aspen Glow.mp4

Aspen Glow Performed by our 8th-Grade Orchestra

At HKMS we believe all students should be thriving whether performing below, at, or above grade-level standards. This section will highlight just one of the ways we support learners or extend their thinking.

IXl is a program designed to target students at their personal levels in both reading, writing, and math. The program was created to push students in the skills they are ready for, but also to support them in the areas that they need to continue to work on. IXL offers personalized skill recommendations based on their diagnostic scores and what each student has been practicing, so they can grow from where they are.

Here is a student doing 12th grade work in one area, but then 2nd grade in another area.

All of the wonderful activities, events, and learning going on around HKMS this week (and beyond!).

Students in the 8th Grade Government covered the walls of HKMS with hearts of encouragement.

Mr. D'Agostino and the 6th Grade Team organized a KED Talk and interdisciplinary stations about clean water in our world. Mr. Gorder from Charity: Water spoke to students about developments in engineering bringing clean water to areas of the world that do not have access. He also talked about the hardships endured when clean water is not available to a community. Students then rotated through several stations to dig deeper into this topic.

The Math of Walking for Water: Students calculated the amount of water they use daily, the weight of the containers they would use to carry it and how long it would take them to walk that water home.
Carrying Water: Students attempted to carry a jug of water 100 meters then grapple with the idea that they would have to do that 59 more times to equal the distance that water is carried in communities that do not have easy access to clean water.
The Science of Clean Water: Students examined slides of water samples using microscopes and discussed how dirty and dangerous water can be.
Nya's Long Walk: A Step at a Time: Students listened to an book called Nya's Long Walk written by Linda Sue Park. This is a children's book based on the book A Long Walk to Water.

Eighth grade students Hailey, Olivia and Charlotte are working to create an online school store. They had an organizational meeting this week with Dr. Clapp to show him their website design and discuss next steps.

Annie Jr. cast (left) and crew (right) hard at work on rehearsals and set design.

Big giveaway: This is going to be AWESOME!

Advisory groups met today to explore the Power of Our Words and the Development of the Adolescent Brain! Amazing and heartfelt discussions across all groups and grades. Want to keep the discussion going? Check out the lesson and materials included on the right. (same lesson previewed in Dr. Clapp's letter sent out on 4/15).

The Power of Words SEL Lesson -Feb. 2022

"Welcome to Easton" Sign Design Contest

Running from January 29th- March 26th 2022!

Welcome to Easton

The Planning and Zoning Commission and Easton Land Use Department are creating for two “Welcome to Easton” signs with the intent of holding a student art contest for an artistic representation of what Easton means/represents to them. Two “winners” would be chosen by a judge’s panel consisting of members of the Easton Arts Council and Easton Arts Center. This contest will be open to students from Easton. Each winner’s artwork would be used for the signs, one on each. The signs will likely be 4 feet wide by 5 feet tall and the artwork would be roughly a 4 foot by 4-foot display on the sign.

We are almost to our goal of 250 pounds of canned food!!!!

Please send in your cans and non-perishable food items to support the Bridgeport Rescue Mission!! Every can counts!

THE 40 BOOK CHALLENGE!

With the support of Easton Public Library, grade 7 students are being challenged to read 40 books from a variety of genres and categories.

Annie Junior!

Coming on 3/3 and 3/4!

Please mark your calendars! Both performances will start at 7PM, in the HKMS Cafetorium, and over YouTube!

Lots of Opportunities for your Middle Schoolers at the Easton Public Library!

HKMS feedback form flyer.pdf

Keller Educational Discussions

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

Have some gently used games getting little play?

The PTO is organizing a new game closet for students to sign out on days we cannot get out for an active mask break due to poor weather. Please send an email to eastonctpto.hkms@gmail.com if you like to donate.