For the Week of 3/20 - 3/24

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

Dear HKMS Families,

I love spring in New England. Our new trimester is taking hold, the crocuses around campus are emerging, and the sound and scents of spring are in the air! With spring comes many exciting events, beautiful weather, and the inevitable countdown to summer. Unbelievably, there are only twelve weeks until the last day of school! That is a lot of school left but also stresses me out! We are in the planning phases of some of our big end of year events. Look for an announcement in the coming weeks about field trips, celebrations, and our closing ceremony which will be between 6/12- 6/16. We just want to be sure there are no conflicts with the other ER9 schools.

In this weeks newsletter you will see tons of great teaching and learning, our new favorite game using pool noodles, students "crunching," and some great advisory activities connecting students with their trusted adults. Please note: our lost and found is bursting! Check out the "happenings" section which has pictures of all the lost items. We will be donating everything next Friday, please come by to retrieve any items, or better yet, direct that middle schooler of yours to get it themselves!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

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

Grade 6

Was Ancient Athenian Democracy a true "democracy?" Social scientists are split into two camps for the great democratic debate this week!

Quarter of, quarter past, half past, all have Spanish equivalents! Mrs. Harington's Spanish students are working through the nuances of telling time in the target language.

Grade 7

As Mr. Rogers reads portions of The Outsiders aloud to students, they are challenged with the task of listening for and identifying power struggles, social issues and figurative language.

If these maps are any indication of success, these social scientists will ace the Africa map quiz this week!

Is this on the test? Ms. Mancini, seen here leading our mathematicians through a review of how to find the area of composite shapes! Tricky stuff Ms. Mancini! (...and the answer is "yes, it's on the test!")

Grade 8

Mr. Mac's scientists are close to finishing their biodiversity project. Today, students were submitting audio files to explain the animals and the adaptions they have made to survive in their environment.

Latin prefix, root and suffix Pictionary in 8th grade ILA.

FPA

New Trimester = New Art Portfolios! Check out these 8th-graders creating their new storage system and self-portraits from last trimester are on display!

We often display cool student builds from PLTW, but just as important is the research. 6th graders, seen here are investigating engineering projects that will inspire research and innovation as the trimester unfolds!

PE Video 3.23.23.MOV

Check out this video of sixth graders having fun in PE after completing their fitness testing

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 and/or extend their thinking.

Students in Grade 7 are learning about angle relationships and how to use what they know about complementary, supplementary, and vertical angles to determine unknown angle measures. Students started the unit by working with pinwheels; something in the real world that is already familiar to them. Here are a few examples of the pinwheels for which students had to determine the angle measures.

As students continue through this unit in Desmos, they are using reference angles (90°, 180°, or 360°) to estimate or calculate unknown angle measurements. Through exploration in real-time along with peer-to-peer and classroom discussion, students are able to organize shapes around a 360° angle and naturally start making connections between their angle diagrams and the equations that represent them. What an awesome way to connect geometry and algebra!

Library "Crunching!" (Crafting During Lunch)

Open for all lunches, our 6th graders specifically have been taking advantage of our lunch time offerings in the media center- sometimes we run out of seats! Friendship bracelets kicked off the month, and now we've moved onto perler beads! Strawberries, dogs, honeycombs, and sloths are just some of the creations made this week!

A note from our librarian, Mrs. Gale: "We have 228 overdue books and a lot of students say they are at home - but getting them to remember to bring them in has been difficult! If parents have any questions about what their student is missing, please email me at agale@er9.org and I'll get back to you on Monday."

Advisory Sessions this Week

Could you talk someone through a maze when their eyes are closed?

From making their own scavenger hunts to going on nature walks, our advisory groups bonded this week doing lots of different activities.

A New Favorite Game at HKMS

Both the faculty as well as the school climate committee played the game "Many Hands" this week. Not only does it raise our endorphin levels, but we can also draw many parallels between the game and our work at HKMS.

Faculty Professional Learning

Last week (3/17), and at our staff meeting Thursday morning we dove into the Smarter Balanced "Tools for Teachers" and a more innovative and responsive annual state testing schedule. Teachers both explored these tools and brainstormed a less intrusive more productive spring testing schedule (coming soon!).

March is Middle Level Education Month!

Attention all 8th Graders!!

JBHS is excited to announce the “Decade Dance”, where 8th-grade students can mingle with some 9th-grade students and have a chance to familiarize themselves with Joel Barlow High School. All JRMS and HKMS Grade 8 students are invited to attend the event, complete with music, games, prizes, pizza, refreshments, and photo-shoot opportunities! All students must have their parent or guardian complete and return the permission slip with payment by March 28, 2023. Proceeds from the dance will go into the treasury for the Class of 2026 .

Where: Joel Barlow High School Cafeteria

When: Friday, March 31, 2023

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.

Cost: $12.00 per person

How to purchase tickets:

1) Pay electronically. You may also provide your permission electronically! Simply click the link below. Online payments may be made with all major credit cards. Please note that a 4.95% service fee will be applied to this transaction upon checkout.

Decade Dance Online Payment

2) Pay by cash or check (payable to Joel Barlow High School). PLEASE PRINT the permission slip on the next page and return with payment to the HKMS main office by Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Decade Dance Permission Slip

Parents: The event is in need of donations for some snacks, drinks and paper goods. If you are able to donate, please sign up at this link.

Decade Dance Donation Sign Up Link

Scout Troop 66

Their annual gourmet breakfast returns on April 1 at the ECC!

What is lost, has been found (or at least placed here):

Our Lost and Found is FULL!!! All items will be donated next Friday! Please check out these pictures to see if your child's coat, water bottle, sweatshirt, or book is among the lost items.

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!