Week of 5/26 - 5/30
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A Message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom Peeks
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Dear HKMS Families,
Out with May and onto June! It is hard to believe, but this fantastic school year is coming to a close. With June comes a myriad of events that are important to keep our eyes on. Next week features the instrumental concert (Tuesday, 6/3), the chorus concert (Thursday, 6/5) and the grade 8 "Twilight Picnic" (Friday, 6/6). The following week, our last full one of the school year, we will hold our "Closing Ceremony" for grade 8 (Wednesday, 6/11), the sixth grade will be off to Medieval Times on Thursday, 6/12, and grade 8 heads to Brownstone Quarry on 6/13 for their celebration trip. Our last day of the school year will be Monday 6/16. It will be our field day at the ECC, with dismissal at 12:50. All of these events are listed a the bottom of this newsletter with a flyer you can print out for the family calendar or fridge.
It was another fantastic week of middle school teaching and learning here at HKMS. We completed the state required Smarter Balanced and the grade 8 Next Generation Science Standards assessments this week! This is great news as our schedule can return to normal operations for the last two weeks of school. While we were under testing conditions, teachers managed to power through with some of the year's most challenging and creative assignments. Check out this week's newsletter for peeks into some civil engineering and neurological cell structures (grade 6), influential leaders from the South African Apartheid era (grade 7), a visit from the JBHS high school math department (grade 8), and final rehearsals for our instrumental and chorus concerts next week (FPA), and lots of Mrs. Mohr dropping into 7th and 8th grade holding her "What's the point of school?" seminar.
Thank you all for your support through these busy times. There are still many great lessons and learning experiences to come in these two weeks. Please stay on your children for timely attendance, on time arrivals, completing homework, and running through the finish line!
I send my best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Steve Clapp, Ed.D.
Grade Six
Students are starting to sketch out designs for their own towns. As they work on their maps, they’re thinking carefully about where to place buildings and landmarks. Once the towns are complete, students will use them for interactive activities, like giving and following directions—all en español!
In science class, 6th graders are studying the structure of neuron cells and comparing them to blood cells.
In 6th grade ILA, students researched a topic of their choice, synthesized new learning, then created a presentation to teach to a small group.
Grade Seven
Students in 7th grade social studies are studying influential leaders from the South African Apartheid era. Students researched and reported on the lives, impacts, and most importantly the "soft (essential) skills" these leaders employed to help foster change!
Mrs. Mohr met with 7th graders during their ILA classes this week to help them connect the dots between the challenges of school helping them to build the discipline to always do hard things with excellence, the positive impact of self-control on life goals and understanding how stress responses in others can cause them to make hurtful decisions. As a community, the more we can learn about the science of the human experience, more empathetic and resilient we will be together.
Grade Eight
Eureka! The wonderful and wise JBHS mathematics teacher, Mr. Fred Barna, helped 8th graders better understand high school math expectations this week. Using the story of "Archimedes' Law" as a metaphor, he walked the students through what problem solving looks like in accelerated high school math classes, while also sharing with the students time management strategies for success. Hint: Hit the math center, staffed by Barlow math teachers, during study halls, community time, or even when busses arrive early in the morning. Students who maximize these "extra" times and supports are much more successful making the transition to high school! Mr. Barna also reviewed the summer math work.
JBHS Summer Math Packets
JBHS Summer Math Packets
On the heels of Mr. Barna's visit, JBHS published their summer math packet! We'll keep in in this newsletter for the next few week. Barlow's summer reading assignments have not been published, but we will post it (along with the HKMS summer work) as soon as available.
Mrs. Mohr ran a seminar in 8th grade social studies classes this week helping students to view their time at school as a "workout" for the muscles of discipline and self control. These are qualities that will help them achieve their future dreams. In addition, Mrs. Mohr challenged the students to start their self-control "workouts" by focusing on their words. The students listened to a podcast created by last year's HKMS school climate committee about the Power of Words. It was a call to action for our community to recognize that words have the power to hurt or to heal and the words we choose to say show the world who we are as people.
FPA
The health students were given print materials to research a topic and create an informative poster to present to their peers. 6th grade did vitamins and minerals, 7th covered eating disorders and 8th did different first aid topics.
Final preparations for next week's instrumental and chorus concerts were underway this week as full ensembles had time to practice together!
Our 8th-grade engineers are completing their final robot builds in PLTW!
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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