For the week of 5/31 - 6/3
Embedded Files
A message from Dr. Clapp
Classroom "Peeks"
The Drive to Thrive
HKMS "Happenings"
Diversity Discussion
Ways to get involved at HKMS
and...Upcoming Events!
Dear Helen Keller Middle School Families,
I recently came across an NYT article by David Brooks from 2019 in which he said, “...early neuroscience breakthroughs reminded us that a key job of a school is to give students new things to love — an exciting field of study, new friends. It reminded us that what teachers really teach is themselves — their contagious passion for their subjects and students. It reminded us that children learn from people they love, and that love in this context means willing the good of another, and offering active care for the whole person” (emphasis added). As I observe the 8th-graders this week create a culminating "cornerstone task," I am deeply inspired by the context the entire Easton learning community has created to allow for this level of exploration to happen. From parents to teachers, siblings to peers, support staff to coaches, custodians to secretaries, this deep-level thinking can only happen in a context in which students' needs are being met. If you buy the whole Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs premise (which I do, for the record), our 8th-graders have to have had all of their needs met through these very tumultuous and trying years. From the underlying psychological and safety needs to their love and belonging needs and esteem needs, the cornerstone task they are undertaking truly touches on self-actualization (or the desire to become the best that one can be). Their essential question is, “What is the influence of technology on society?” Their task is to select an invention and demonstrate how technology affects us or how we are affected by technology. Items such as smartphones, guitar amps, sporting equipment, high-heels, orthoscopic surgery, penicillin, microphones, and airplanes are some of the wide variety of inventions chosen to study! This deep-level thinking that can only happen when a whole community does their part, through many years of support, guidance, success, toil, challenge, and love.
This week was another awe-inspiring week across all grade-levels and subjects. Be sure to check out all the pictures of the 6th-graders designing towns in Spanish and at a field trip to Chelsea Piers, the 7th grade's intense math lessons and reviews, and the opening of the HKMS ART SHOW! That's right, during tonight's choral concert you can journey through an exploration of Art in the "lower lobby." There is a video sneak peek in the FPA section below.
It is going to be a beautiful evening, so grab your camp chair and join us at 6:30 for this year's Choral Concert and Art Show in the pick- up loop. I hope to see you all there!
Sincerely,
Steven Clapp, Ed.D.
Principal
Helen Keller Middle School
360 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT 06612
sclapp@er9.org
Grade 6 Peeks
Sixth-grade ILA students are deducing the perspectives of minor characters in non-fiction text and discussing evidence from the text to support their thoughts.
Students in Sra. Harington's Spanish classes have designed and drawn their own towns. The students also wrote sentences in the target language about the places in their town. They spent time this week peer editing each other's sentences and maps.
Imagine needing to tap into your memory of all important terms you learned in social studies class to win an intense game of Don't Pop the Balloons (a.k.a. Hangman)!? Students were shouting out terms ranging from democracy to Mesopotamia!
Yawn! The 6th-graders had a very boring day at Chelsea Piers today!
Grade 7 Peeks
As students in Ms. Mancini's class are tackling the Pythagorean Theorem Converse, they are surrounded by inspiring quotes that Ms. Mancini has posted to encourage her students to never give up!
As students in Ms. Mancini's class are tackling the Pythagorean Theorem Converse, they are surrounded by inspiring quotes that Ms. Mancini has posted to encourage her students to never give up!
Reviewing statistics and probability by conducting a mathematics lottery, very cool Mrs. Mancini!
Mr. Rogers is bringing his students to the media center for the final days for book check-out!
Grade 8 Peeks
Grade 8 students working on their Cornerstone Task! Check out the full description below in the Drive to Thrive Section!
In Mr. Ackley's class, students are learning about domain and range of exponential functions while also enjoying the bad joke of the week!
FPA Peeks
As students continue to take their national physical fitness challenges, stations have been created for non-assessment times that include four square, ping pong, basketball, and nitro ball.
Art Show Preview.MOVArt Show Sneak Peek! Opening tonight (6/3) at the choral concert, running through the instrumental Concert on 6/9. When you come to the concerts stop in to take a peek!
As Mrs. G. put up hundreds of pieces of art work for the art show display, she held her classes surrounded by this beauty and talent offering her students a chance to view and reflect on the art work of their peers in other grades.
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.
A Cornerstone Task is a multi-disciplinary, guided yet independent learning task that requires students to address an essential question, develop research questions, find and evaluate evidence, and synthesize their findings into a coherent well-written argument that becomes part of their 8th-grade portfolio! Check it out above!!
All of the wonderful activities, events, and learning going on around HKMS this week (and beyond!).
HKMS Marching Band in Parade In case you missed it...check out the video of the HKMS Marching Band in the Easton Memorial Day Parade!
In case you missed it...check out the video of the HKMS Marching Band in the Easton Memorial Day Parade!
Select Choir at Barlow PaloozaSure it was last week, but the select choir's performance at Barlow Palooza will bring joy to your heart!
The tables are almost ready! The eighth-grade government raised funds to buy outdoor tables for future students to enjoy for years to come! Students from eighth-grade government and peer leaders, under the guidance of Mr. Cerra, M. Mancini, and Dr. Baca, stayed after school this week putting them together.
Library News!
Yesterday, Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, a nationally acclaimed author and expert in the field of supporting English Language Leaners, spent the entire day at HKMS working with staff. She met with small groups for mini-workshops throughout the day that were personalized to the role of the attendees. She even kicked off the day at our faculty meeting conducting an activity completely in Hungarian to build the staff's empathy for the experience of our English Language Learner students at HKMS.
Yesterday, Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld, a nationally acclaimed author and expert in the field of supporting English Language Leaners, spent the entire day at HKMS working with staff. She met with small groups for mini-workshops throughout the day that were personalized to the role of the attendees. She even kicked off the day at our faculty meeting conducting an activity completely in Hungarian to build the staff's empathy for the experience of our English Language Learner students at HKMS.
The Easton, Redding, and Region 9 School Districts acknowledge the uniqueness and varied experiences of all students, staff, families, and community members, as well as the uniqueness and experiences of people in our state, country, and the world. The HKMS "Diversity Discussion" is intended to open up conversations with your middle schooler about issues of diversity!
It was awe-inspiring to be present for the third annual raising of the PRIDE flag at Easton Town Hall. The event that followed was filled with delicious food, fun and feelings of joy!
It was awe-inspiring to be present for the third annual raising of the PRIDE flag at Easton Town Hall. The event that followed was filled with delicious food, fun and feelings of joy!
Pride Month
by Ezra Nemore, Grade 8
Every year June is recognized as Pride month and as an LGBTQ+ youth it's a very important thing to me that it's recognized as something important. 53 years ago early June 28, 1969, police stormed a bar in Greenwich Village, New York City and roughed up the patrons and arrested 13 people, including employees and people violating the state's gender-appropriate clothing statute in which people weren’t allowed to cross-dress or they would be at risk of arrest.
The constant social discrimination and harassment left people fed up with their current society. The six days that followed are now today known as the Stonewall Riots. Protests for human rights. June is now known as pride month because of these famous riots and celebrating history is always important.
I see this month as a time to listen to LGBTQ+ creators and leaders. I see this as a time to learn about their stories and gain knowledge to help create a better future. Recognition leads to acceptance. Being recognized can help gain a following of people willing to help create a better future for the next generations. And this doesn’t just apply to society as a whole, but to our school as well. 84% of LGBTQ+ youth report of verbal harassment in schools because of their gender identity and/or sexuality. Most of this comes from a place of not fully understanding. If we use this month as a point of awareness it could maybe help people understand. It's also important to the people of the community to feel like they have a voice. It helps people feel heard and feel more connected as a community. ,
Having the power to band together and speak out as a group of individuals that are discriminated against is the most uplifting thing for a minority group. I also see pride month as a celebration of individuality. Everyone is their own person no matter what. Gender, sexuality, race, or anything else. This month should be used to celebrate individuality and equality and learn about it. Listen to, share, and learn from stories people tell and don’t forget to wish someone a Happy Pride Month. :)
Like grilling, hosting, setting up a party for our 8th -graders? Consider volunteering here is the SignUpGenius link :
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA5A62CA6FA7-8thgrade
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Calling all students entering 7th-12th grades next year!
The Easton Library always has teen volunteers for our Summer Reading Adventure and this summer is no different. However, they only have 2 currently signed up, while last year there were 40 volunteers!
Teen volunteers help register kids for summer reading and log their books, usually working in 2-hour shifts!
All volunteers must attend a training session and they are coming up in early June.
Here is the link for the form https://www.eastonlibrary.org/volunteers
Join the EPL's Teen Library Council!
Why you should join our Teen Library Council.docxJBHS is hosting a color run to help support Mickey's Way on June 5. Click on the flyer below for more information and to sign up.
TONIGHT! Choral Concert and Art Show- Pick Up Loop (6:30 PM)
June 9th: Instrumental Concert and Art Show- Pick Up Loop (6:30PM)
June 10th: Grade 8 Mathematics Final Exam
June 13th RAIN DATE for Instrumental Concert (6:30PM)
June 15th: Grade 8 Celebration Trip: Brownstone Adventure Park
June 16th: 8th Grade Student Twilight Picnic (5:30 - 7:30)
June 17th: Grade 8 Closing Ceremony (6:00PM)
June 21st: Last Day of School, Field Day at ECC, a minimum day (dismissal at 12:50)
Is your child missing that new fleece, sweatshirt, sweater, jacket, or shoes (wait, shoes...but...how?)? Come on by the lost and found, there is really nice stuff in here! Just let Mrs. Cahalan know when you coming and we will arrange a private browsing experience!* All items left behind after the last day of school will be donated to charity!
*(or just ask your child to check it, its right in the cafeteria)
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