Week of 4/7 - 4/11
Embedded Files
A Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
Nurse's Notes
Happenings
Get Involved
Community Clicks
Upcoming Events
Dear HKMS Families,
In over 25 years of middle school education, I have had the pleasure of working with and learning from ten different amazing assistant principals. Each one brought incredible dedication, creativity, passion, deep levels of understanding, support, and collaboration to their work every day. As Dr. McKinnon likes to say, "Our assistant principals sweat the details, make sure all the trains depart and arrive on time, and do all the little and big things that keep school operations moving smoothly." Some of the duties of an assistant principal include, student management and discipline, school climate, implementing the school vision and mission, interviewing for vacant positions, training new staff, making sure all substitutes are in place and prepared for their day, managing student attendance and truancy, staff evaluation and observations, developing and delivering professional development, planning the logistics for standardized testing, helping teachers with the implementation of curricula, addressing parental concerns and questions, and just about anything their crazy principal ask of them (and that's certainly only a partial list)! Of all the APs I have worked with, none do the work better or with more care then Mrs. Mohr. Today is Assistant Principal Appreciation Day. If you or your child has had a meaningful experience with Mrs. Mohr, and I know most of us have, please take a minute today to let her know you appreciate all she does for our children and our learning community.
This week we also celebrated our amazing library media specialist (LMS), Mrs. Gale! In addition to overseeing our ever-evolving library, many do not know all the great work she provides outside of the library. She was a co-producer of our student musical, she produces the Den (our weekly video announcements), she co-facilitates the journalism club, and manages student Chromebook repairs and loaners. In her LMS role she collaborates with teachers for research projects, debates, and lessons. She cultivates an ever-evolving collection of resources and books to keep students engaged and reading. She is helping me envision and realize a proper broadcast studio for students to use to develop videos, podcasts, and other media. Mrs. Gale also oversees the 8th grade Personal Interest Project, a nearly year long original research project! She is even working closely with local animal therapy organizations to facilitate bringing therapy dogs here to school on a regular basis. Please join me in showing appreciation for our dedicated LMS, Mrs. Gale!
A few reminders for the weeks ahead, all of which you'll find more details about in this newsletter:
Please see the nurse's notes section for reminders about 7th grade physicals and scoliosis screenings
There is a doc in the upcoming events section with all the EOY events and dates.
For 8th grade families, PSATs are coming after break, please see a note from Mrs. Mohr below in the Grade 8 Classroom Peeks section.
Our Homework Club is starting back up after break, every Thursday in the library with Mrs. Aponte 3pm-4pm.
For this week before break we kept the accelerator all the way to the floor, as teachers and students engaged in amazing culminating projects, tests, and celebrations of learning. Check it all out in this week's newsletter.
Wishing you all a wonderful spring break!
Sincerely,
Steve Clapp, Ed.D.
Grade Six
ILA classes spent the day in the media center listening to "Would You Read It?" author talks by Rex Ogle or James Ponti, did a gallery walk of their nonfiction book club projects, and had an opportunity to do some book shopping in preparation for April break!
Sixth grade scientists are evaluating the Pangea configurations of other groups in their classes. During this evaluation process, they are making T charts of strong and weak data support components of each configuration.
Grade Seven
Students in Spanish class are taking an oral quiz to show off their conversation skills while others complete work independently!
These mathematicians are using scale to compare different shaped and sized objects, and compare similar objects of different scales!
Grade Eight
PSATs are the Wednesday After Break!
PSATs are the Wednesday After Break!
Eighth grade students will be taking the PSAT 8/9 on Wednesday, April 23rd. Teachers have been talking to students about the format of this assessment and what to expect. This preparation will continue the Monday and Tuesday after break. Below is an email that all 8th grade students received on Thursday, April 10th. It contains informatino to help them become more familiar wit what to expect. We wanted to share this same info with parents as you may want to view these video clips together.
Dear 8th Graders,
On Wednesday after break you will be taking the PSATs. This assesses your reading, writing and math skills. You will take PSATs again in high school as you prepare to take the SATs.
The reason that students take the PSAT multiple times is to help you build up the test taking skills you need to be successful on this type of exam. Not to mention, with each passing year, your reading, writing and math skills will improve.
HERE IS THE TRICKIEST PART OF THE PSATs. It is a TIMED test. Each section only has a specific amount of time for you to complete it. There will be a timer in the upper corner of your screen so you can pace yourself. After each section, you will have a short, timed break. A break timer is also running on your computer screen so you need to make sure that your break does not go past the allotted time.
To get a better idea of what to expect on the PSATs, your teachers will be helping you to take a practice test as well as talking to you about test taking strategies and question types. I know some of you may want to take some time next week getting a better understanding of the PSAT 8/9. I have put a few video links below that answer some important questions. When you click on the question, the video will open.
This is nothing to stress about or for which to study. We just wanted to send you some short videos so you have a preview of this experience before PSAT day. You can talk to any one of your 8th grade teachers if you have any questions as they have administered the PSAT 8/9 many times.
Have a great April break!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Mohr
What can I expect when I am taking the PSAT?
What do the reading questions look like on the PSAT 8/9?
What will math questions look like on the PSAT 8/9?
What will the score report tell me and how will it help me to plan my classes for high school?
Mr. Jockers' ILA students are CELEBRATING!!! They are taking the class period to eat popcorn and read through the editorials of their classmates. As they read, they offer feedback to their peers AND vote on different categories such as best title, best
Ot Thursday students debated which planform they would use to study multiplication and division of exponents. On Friday they are taking time to answer PSAT style questions and practiced how to tackle these problems.
Grade 8 students had formal debates this week about the question, "Who deserves more credit for ending slavery in the United States, Abraham Lincoln or enslaved Americans themselves?
The preparation for these debates included weeks of research, the writing of a persuasive essay as well as group practice and debate role assignments.
FPA
Students in health classes are researching the dangers of drinking and creating pamphlets to help others!
The tall tower challenge is underway in the trimester 3 PLTW classes.
Monday Morning Meeting
This week's student newscast, The Den!
This week's student newscast, The Den!
Click here or on The Den image!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU VIDEO FOR THE ENTIRE HKMS COMMUNITY
Here is an additional special video that was shared with the Keller students from a very special person as a thank you for the tremendous generosity and joy during our Mikey's Madness month.
Our School Nurse, Mrs. Grega has a couple of important notices this week. One message is for 6th grade families, the other for both 7th and 8th grade families. Any questions? Please email Mrs. Grega at sgrega@er9.org.
April is Autism Acceptance Month! Thanks to the generosity of SEPTA, everyone in the Keller community received a bracelet!!
A Shout Out to Mrs. Gale!
A Shout Out to Mrs. Gale!
Last Friday we celebrated our amazing Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Allison Gale! She is innovative, welcoming, creative and kind. Keller is lucky to have her!
Easton SEPTA
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Saturday, March 15 – Adaptive Family Jiu Jitsu at 2 pm!
Tuesday, March 18 – Parents Hip Hop Night Out Fundraiser at 7:30 pm
Monday, March 24 – Budget Public Hearing 7 pm at SSES
Tuesday, April 1st at 8 pm Full SEPTA Meeting (Zoom)
Monday, April 28 – Town Vote on Budget 7 pm at SSES
Tuesday, June 3rd at 8 pm Full SEPTA Meeting (Zoom)
The Linktree is a simple and yet exhaustive set of resources available from the town of Easton, almost all of it from FREE! From mental health resources and free medical equipment, to senior and newborn support services, the town of Easton provide so much more that most know about. Check out the link embedded in the connected image, I bet you will find something in there you didn't know was offered!
Grade 8 Important Dates:
Every 8th grade student will be presenting their Person Interest Projects to a panel of distinguished guests. Please consider attending your child's presentation. Closer to the dates, you will receive info about the specific date and time of your child's presentation. This simply serves as a "save the date".
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