Week of 4/28 - 5/2
Embedded Files
A Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
Happenings
Get Involved
Community Clicks
Upcoming Events
Dear HKMS Families,
Each year students in grade eight envision, plan, develop, draft, revise, and finalize a "Personal Interest Project" (or PIP). A PIP can literally be anything of interest to the student, must be an "original" learning experience, and further some aspect of their lives that they are interested in understanding better. Think of it as a capstone on their years of learning and growing in Easton Public Schools. The projects take months to go from conception to reality, and this week all eighth graders presented their PIPs to a "panel of experts" from our community, including town and school leaders, administrators and teachers from all five ER9 schools, and other professionals in their field. This year's projects included students who learned how to weld, repair cars, publish a magazine, provide a manicure, create mountain biking trails, design and build sports practice equipment, concoct perfume, build a computer, learn to play the guitar, and construct an electric bike, just to name a few! It has been an amazing experience witnessing our middle school scholars being able to create such amazing and independent learning experiences. For a glimpse of many of the projects, please see the grade eight section of the classroom peeks below. Kudos to Allison Gale, our Library Media Specialist, who instructed, organized, supported, and ensured the projects were completed and presentations went off without a hitch! A special thank you to all 8th grade families for their support throughout this project and their presence at this week's presentations.
Next Tuesday, May 6th, the Easton Public Schools and PTO will host our annual "Spring Fling" at SSES from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. The marquee event of the day will be the HKMS vs. SSES staff softball game. Last year the Staples' Dolphins took home the Easton Cup, and this year the Keller Cougars look for retribution! There will also be ice cream and a DJ, plus students can vote on a PTO enrichment project. While you're there, stop by the polls and cast your vote on the Easton 2025-26 Town Budget.
Next Friday, May 9th will be the 49th Annual HKMS Pasta Dinner and Talent Show! This is yet another long term project the 8th grade council organizes and executes. From advertising to decor and from cooking to cleanup, the students manage this whole experience all in the hopes of raising some funds that will offset their end of year celebrations (picnic, field trip, and graduation). Please come by HKMS between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. for a great $10 dinner and entertainment!
This past Thursday was Principal Appreciation Day and your children did not disappoint. From notes and artwork to full letters and posters, your children provided this principal with an overwhelming amount of love. The staff threw a surprise breakfast, which was much better then the SBA training I was expecting! Words cannot express how blessed I feel to work with such a caring and thoughtful community, so check out all the pictures just below this message.
Looks like a soaker of a weekend. Might be a good chance to catch up on this newsletter and have some informed conversations with your child(ren) about what's going on in school these days. I can tell you, the work levels are challenging and will continue to be right to the very end!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Steve Clapp, Ed.D.
Principal's Appreciation Day!
Grade Six
In ILA the glue sticks and scissors are out! Students are creating graphic organizers of text structures.
Student don't just learn about vitamins in health class. Sixth graders are using their math skills to calculate their daily recommended value of vitamin C.
Grade Seven
Seventh grade social studies students presented their African Colonies projects to each other this week using a protocol called "conver-stations" (think of speed-dating). Congratulations to Mrs. Kristoff, who has now completed her student teaching experience, and is now qualified to become a certified teacher. We wish her the best of luck in her educational career!
Mrs. Caldara is back doing what she does best, teaching math! Students are up and moving as they rotate and apply their understanding of triangles to solve complex problems.
Grade Eight
These last two days have been filled with inspirational and highly impressive student presentations!!
Here are a few highlights to give you a sense of the amazing things our students spent there PIP time doing...
Building a full size soccer goal
Translating Lithuanian to read a grandmother‘s recipe
Taking part in fourth generation welding
Designing, editing and printing their own lifestyle magazine
Creating their own perfume
Building an exercise gym for their snake
Creating a terrarium for a scorpion,
Sewing, crocheting and knitting dresses, hats, and blankets,
Making their own hockey stick from scratch
Designing and sewing an original ballerina tutu
Designing and constructing an Adirondack chair made from recycled skis
Designing and making a basketball sneaker made from an actual basketball
Creating an original iced tea blend
Studying the brains of elephants to assist with Alzheimer's research
Building personal computers from scratch
The list goes on and on... Students thought outside of the box and really blew us away with their final products, their presentation skills as well as their ability to reflect.
We want to sincerely thank our panelists who spent several hours with us viewing each presentation and offering feedback to the students. These panelists included, Mrs. Alicia Young, Mrs. Jessica Zannetti, Mr. Jeff Parker, Mrs. Maria Frederick, Dr. Jason McKinnon, Mrs. Sarah Lehberger, Mr. Gary Robinson, Ms. Emma Daley, Mrs. Mary Beth Rassulo and Dr. David Bindelglass. A big shout out to the 8th grade families who clearly helped their children with these explorations and showed up for their big presentations to cheer them on!!
PIP...PIP... HOORAY!!!!!!!
FPA
We had the perfect weather this week for the 1 mile run in PE classes!
The percussion classes are preparing for the quickly approaching concert! This crew was talking about how the symbols are the metronome of the group and is a vital role to keep the piece together.
Monday Morning Meeting
This week's student newscast, The Den!
This week's student newscast, The Den!
Click here or on The Den image!
From the Easton PTO
CELEBRATE YOUR 8TH GRADER
ORDER GRADUATION LAWN SIGNS
The end of the school year is quickly approaching!
Honor your 8th grader by purchasing a lawn sign.
Select whether to include your child's name, picture or both.
You can also select a non-personalized sign.
Order deadline is May 18th and will not be extended.
Signs will be displayed at the HKMS field for the closing ceremony.
Families can take them home following the ceremony.
Link to order: https://eastonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/328053
Easton SEPTA
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Tuesday, June 3rd at 8 pm Full SEPTA Meeting (Zoom)
Teen Summer Volunteer Orientation
6/3 at 3:30 pm & 6/5 at 5:00 pm
Interested in volunteering at the library this summer? Join one of our Teen Summer Volunteer Orientation sessions to learn about the program, expectations, and how you can make a difference! These required sessions will cover everything you need to know before getting started, including schedules, responsibilities, and tips for success. Open to teens entering grades 7–12.
To register, complete the Summer Volunteer Application.
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