MJS Weekly Reflection
October 2-6
Week of Respect and our Spirit Dress Up Days were a great success! As we bring closure to another week of school, I want to say thank you to all involved in making this week a success. As we continue to build the foundation of MJS One we are focused on ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected in our building by helping each other learn and grow. We have an awesome team and I am proud to work with them everyday. Enjoy the reflection from this week.
Week of Respect Reflection
During the Week of Respect we had various activities. Each morning we shared a quote along with a challenge for our students. An example from this week is: "We may not be able to stop evil in the world, but how we treat one another is entirely up to us." You have the power to make someone's day with how you treat them. Let's all try to make MJS a better place, showing respect for each other at all times.
For the Advisory lesson on Wednesday our Guidance department put together a whole school lesson focused on the topic of "Think before you post." Following a short video clip, discussion questions were developed to engage our advisory classes in group discussion around this important topic. The focus of the discussion questions were reflective and proactive, giving students a chance to engage in conversation while thinking how they can be part of MJS ONE and ensure that we are helping each other.
A culminating activity during Advisory asked students to write positive notes on post-its and hang them up in our front lobby. "Take what you need, Give what you can" is the moto. As you can see from the photo, it was a great success.
Thank you to our Guidance Department for putting together such a thoughtful advisory for our students and staff to engage in.
Spirit Dress Up Days
Our Spirit dress up days were a huge success. It was wonderful seeing our students and staff in their spirit wear each day. Unfortunately due to the weather on Friday we had to postpone the pep rally and the final spirit dress up day. We will review the weather at the start of next week and make a decision on what day the pep rally will be for next week.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Spirit dress up and we look forward to creating similar activities in the future.
MJS Makerspace Reflection
September in the MJS Makerspace was filled with design based thinking and problem solving practices. If your child is interested in creating and designing make sure they sign up for the Makerspace club. Our first official meeting will be Thursday, October 12th after school until 4:00 pm, any interested students should stop by to learn more.
During the month of September, students in Innovation and Design 6 were introduced to the design process and the strength of paper while designing their Towers of Pong and a simple structure that could hold at least one text book. This year's current record for Tower of Pong, or a tower that can successfully hold a Ping Pong Ball is 88 inches. Up next, we will review the basics of 3D printing and begin making our mouse trap cars.
Students in Innovation and Design 7 reviewed the engineering design process by building cantilevered structures. Students are currently wrapping up their logo design challenge which is an opportunity for students to learn Vectr, a program that creates designs for our laser cutter and vinyl cutter. Up next, students will use the skills they learned in Vectr and previously in tinkercad to create Catapults.
Students in Innovation and Design 8 reviewed the engineering design process and worked on identifying the problem by completing the Sandlot Engineering Challenge. During this challenge the students worked to successfully rescue a ball on the wrong side of the fence without getting eaten by "the beast." Next, students worked on learning OnShape a professional level software used for 3D printing and laser cutting. Over the course of the next month, students will use the skills they learned in onshape and the wood shop to design an Automata.
Students in Interactive Programming have been focused on learning how to draw and create in P5.js. Students have designed their own coded characters and will begin animating these characters using If... Else Statements
Jets Flag Football and PE
In partnership with the Jets Flag Football program all of our 6th graders received a reversible jersey compliments of the Jets. The PE department will be picking 10 students (5 girls 5 boys) to represent Madison Junior School in a flag football tournament at the Jets practice facility on November 14th. Students were asked this week to fill out a survey telling us whether they wanted to be considered for the team. We will be looking at sportsmanship, cooperation, participation and enthusiasm when selecting the team. We look forward to having our 6th grade students represent MJS at the Jets practice facility in November. Here are pictures of our 6th graders playing flag football during PE this week.
World Teachers' Day 2023
World Teachers' Day was on Thursday October 5th. We had the opportunity to acknowledge this important day by sharing this announcement at the start of the day on Thursday:
"World Teachers’ Day is a heartfelt tribute to the dedicated educators who shape the future by imparting knowledge and inspiring young minds. This global celebration acknowledges the invaluable contributions of teachers and their role in nurturing generations. Today we celebrate the profound impact teachers have on society by equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed for success. This day also serves as a reminder of the importance of quality education and the role of teachers in achieving it."
Thank you to our educators for all that they do for our students on a daily basis. We appreciate them and are grateful for their dedication to MJS and the passion they bring to our students.
Yoga with Mrs. Marotta
Band with Mr. Sabatino
Chorus with Mr. Mallick
The Week Ahead
We are looking forward to another great week at MJS. Although it will be a 4 day week, the week will be filled with excitement and energy as students continue their educational journey at MJS.
Please join us on Wednesday October 11th at 7:00pm in the MJS Media Center for our first PTO meeting. All are welcome! We appreciate our PTO so much for all of their support they give our students and staff throughout the school year.
Additional Information
Parent Teacher Organization
To our MJS community,
Your dues are important to the success of our mission. Please help support your children, the MJS Staff and our PTO with a donation of $50-$75 for every 6th-7th grade student and $75 for every 8th grade student. Dues are not mandatory and any dollar amount donated above or below our suggested amounts will be much appreciated. Feel free to use the square link or the venmo QR code attached below.
https://madison-junior-school-pto.square.site/
Our first PTO meeting of the year will be on
Oct 11th at 7pm in the MJS library.
We will have a representative from the Board of Ed presenting information and answering your questions about the upcoming Referendum Vote. Please submit any questions you might have to the madisonjspto@gmail.com
Stay in touch with all up to date news and information by following us on instagram
Looking ahead
October
Monday, October 9, School Closed for Students/PD Day for Staff
Wednesday, October 11, MJS PTO Meeting 7:00pm
Thursday October 19, Spike for the Cure Volleyball Tournament 6:30pm
Thursday October 26, Picture Makeup Day
Friday October 27, 7th/8th Grade Halloween Dance, 7-9pm
November
November 6-8, Parent/Teacher Conferences & Single Session Days
Wednesday, November 8, End of First Marking Period
November 9-10 School Closed
Monday, November 13, Second Marking Period Begins
Wednesday, November 22, Single Session Day
November 23-24, School closed