September Newsletter

Math

Mrs. Varcadipane and Ms. Vesper’s sixth-grade Math classes are coming to the end of Unit 1. This unit was all about numerical expressions and factors. The students have been answering real-world problems, working with all operations, and perfecting their work on long division. Students have also been creating and solving a math expression that requires them to use the order of operations to solve. Over the rest of the unit, students will learn how to use the greatest common factor and the least common multiple to navigate real-life situations. Over the past month, we have also been working on good Math student practices such as arriving to class prepared and showing work to justify our answers.

Ms. Vesper’s and Mrs. Fitzgerald’s first-period Math class is currently working on how to multiply and divide double-digit numbers. We have practiced showing our work and lining all the numbers up. We’ve done two mini projects, one involving multiplication and one involving division. We’ve practiced logging into IXL efficiently and effectively. 

Mrs. Varcadipane’s Honors class is finishing Unit 1 on numerical expressions and factors and gearing up to start Unit 2. Over the past month, students have been practicing their Math routines and working with their peers to solve challenging problems. Unit 2 will be on computing problems with fractions and decimals.  

Earth Science

Students in Mrs. Maul’s Science classes have been learning about observations, inferences, and the scientific method.  All students were successful in saving Fred when they completed the Save Fred lab. Students practiced working cooperatively with their classmates to get Fred into his life preserver. Students also practiced the steps of the scientific method when they completed their Coin Lab. They hypothesized how many drops of a liquid would fit on a penny.  Students then worked with their partner to test their hypothesis.

Reading

Mrs. Del Piano’s classes are off to a great start! They are wrapping up Nine, Ten, and their review of fiction reading skills. Also, they are focusing on using strong text evidence to support their writing and analysis. Students are currently reading their own independent reading books.

In Miss Hartmann’s Reading class, students have been busy in Fiction Bootcamp. As we read Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story, students have been working hard to recognize and apply “Notice and Note” strategies to foster their understanding. With the help of Mrs. Krysa, students also have the opportunity to work on phonics skills, which include vowel teams ai/ay and syllable types.

In Mrs. Spiridakis’s Reading class, we are working on reading excerpts from Towers Falling. Additionally, we introduced our Elements of Fiction. We continuously practice reading both as a class and independently. We are looking forward to October, when we will likely finish our book and continue practicing READ responses. 

Language Arts

Students are beginning to write their personal narratives! After brainstorming meaningful moments and organizing their ideas with a story mountain, they are now experimenting with different ways to introduce their stories. Over the next few weeks, students will be drafting, revising, and polishing their narratives as they learn to use strong introductions, vivid details, and reflection to bring their writing to life.

In Mrs. Fitzgerald’s Language Arts class, students have started writing their personal narratives! First, students broke down each term to define “personal narrative.” Next, students were introduced to each element of personal narrative writing and were provided with unique movements and sounds to recall each necessary characteristic. Then, students brainstormed their small moments before writing in sequential order. Last, students will add dialogue, strong emotions, sensory details, and a reflective ending to their writing piece.

In Mrs. Spiridakis’s Language Arts class, we have introduced and worked through writing our first personal narrative individually. We will continue working and editing this personal narrative throughout the remainder of September. Additionally, we have worked on skills using IXL. We completed our first vocabulary unit and quiz. We will continue working on these more regularly throughout October and the following months.

Enrichment

Students learned about the importance of being a person of honor and integrity in different areas of life, such as academic settings, with family and friends, at work, in leadership positions, or even when alone. Students examined honor codes from several universities and discussed the concept of doing the right thing, not because of the possible consequences involved, but rather because of the type of people they want to become.

Students are working on their advertising projects as part of our Truth in Advertising discussion within our Honor/Honesty unit. They are learning how advertisers attract consumers and how to be smarter consumers. Students are evaluating two print advertisements and creating an original of their own.

Global Studies

In Global Studies, students began their study of Geography by reading and noting the major geographic features of the Earth. Classes then researched real geographic features around the world and presented their findings to their peers. Students also studied human culture and created a collage based on their cultural traits and class notes.   Finally, classes also researched and interviewed an adult about September 11th; the research and interview were then used to create their first Slides Presentations for Global Studies.

Spanish

Students in Spanish have learned three important topics of basic Spanish, such as the alphabet, several greetings and expressions, numbers up to a million, and now they are learning how to tell time. Students are enjoying and learning at the same time. They have taken quizzes on these topics as they move to the next segment. There is still much more for them to learn in this class. Towards the end of the marking period, we will finish with a general test of the learning acquired.

Stage & Sound

Students will be creating their own compositions on Noteflight. It teaches students about melody, rhythm, and harmony.

Full STEAM Ahead

In Full STEAM Ahead, Students learned about what STEAM is and what the big goal of our class is: to understand that STEAM can apply to their everyday lives! They finished up the first unit with rescuing Mr. Potato (He got stuck up in the mountains while on a ski trip). The challenge? They were given constraints, such as a time and size limit and a budget for purchasing materials. Through teamwork and trial and error, each team was able to successfully plan and build a mountain rescue litter (stretcher) that got Mr. Potato to safety! 

Art Appreciation

In sixth-grade Art Appreciation, we started off the marking period by creating Zentangle Name Tags. Students were asked to create their name in block or bubble letters and add fancy patterns to each letter, focusing on their use of line. Once completed, they added color that enhanced their patterns.

Pre-Algebra Apps

Mr. Kelly’s Pre-Algebra class has spent the beginning of the year working on the Integers Unit. They have learned about absolute value, the relationships between integers, and how to compare and order them. Recently, they have been working hard to understand the rules for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. They explored real-world scenarios that utilize integers (particularly negative ones) and how to solve problems involving those integers.

Mrs. Brennecke’s and Mrs. O’Brien’s Pre-Algebra classes have begun their dive into the world of positive and negative integers. Students have learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide as well as apply some simple exponent rules.  Through worksheets, around the rooms, and math puzzles, students have practiced their skills to reinforce concepts and apply them to real-world examples. Soon, we will begin to explore how the rules of arithmetic with positive and negative integers also apply to all rational numbers, such as fractions and decimals.

In Mrs. O’Brien’s Pre-Algebra Honors class, students have built a strong foundation with integers and are now applying those rules to work with rational numbers. They are learning how to extend their understanding to more complex problems, strengthening both their skills and confidence in advanced math concepts. Rational numbers are especially useful in real-world situations, such as calculating discounts while shopping or comparing measurements in cooking and building. By practicing these skills, students see how math connects to everyday problem-solving.

Life Science

Ms. Runz’s and Ms. D’Amato’s Life Science classes have been learning about the scientific method, variables, and graphing in our introductory unit. Students explored the process of the scientific method by completing an experiment to investigate whether bean plants grow better in the sunlight or with no sunlight, as well as identifying independent and dependent variables in an experiment. As our first unit comes to an end, students have been engaging in a graphing project called Graphing Great Whites. In this project, students collected real data on great white sharks, made digital graphs, and analyzed their graph/data. Next, we look forward to moving into our unit on Ecology & The Interdependence of Life.

Reading

Ms. Magner's Reading class started the year off with our unit on realistic fiction. As we've been reading our mentor text, Freak the Mighty, students reviewed elements of plot and conflict. We have also been studying direct and indirect characterization to gain a deeper understanding of the characters in the book. Coming up next month, students will be working outside of school on their annual Quest Projects! Stay tuned!

In Ms. Gallagher’s Reading class, students began the year by exploring the genre of realistic fiction. Using Freak the Mighty as a mentor text, they analyzed characterization and conflict, recognizing how these elements shape a story. Students then applied this knowledge to their independent novels, identifying character traits and conflicts within their own reading. They also examined how authors use specific language to create vivid imagery and practiced making informed predictions based on textual evidence.

In Miss Hartmann’s Reading class, students are currently working within a Realistic Fiction unit using the class novel Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. Students have been busy reviewing elements of fiction and learning how to recognize them independently in texts. Students also have the opportunity to work on phonics skills, which include vowel teams ai/ay and syllable types. As we move forward, students will also focus on characterization, as well as what we as good readers can infer about characters by reading between the lines. 

Mr. Kelly’s Reading class has spent the beginning of the year exploring the genre of realistic fiction. Through the use of our mentor text, Freak the Mighty, the students have explored characterization and conflict and how authors use both to develop a story. The students have enjoyed the depictions of the characters in FTM and recognized how the same traits could be applied to the characters in their independent novels. They also used their knowledge of conflict to explore the conflicts in their independent novels. The students have examined how authors use specific language to create vivid images, and learned how to make informed predictions based on what has been previously read in the text.

Language Arts

In Mrs. Edreos’ classes, students have started off the year with some review.  Through gameplay and discussion, students analyzed grammar and figurative language. In addition to that, students have created comics to showcase their figurative language skills. As well as reviewing, students have also shown their understanding of new vocabulary. As the month comes to an end, students will begin to write their realistic fiction stories, including key elements of a narrative.

In Ms. Gallagher’s classes, students began the year with a review. Through games and discussions, they analyzed grammar and figurative language. Students also created comics to demonstrate their figurative language skills and showcase their understanding of new vocabulary. As the month comes to a close, they will begin writing their realistic fiction stories, incorporating the key elements of narrative writing.

In Mrs. Krysa’s Language Arts classes, students have adjusted to the new routines and classroom expectations very well. Students began the year identifying the different types of nouns in the context of effective writing. Additionally, students have been writing descriptively, incorporating sensory details and adjectives into their assignments. Word work and vocabulary lessons have enhanced writing and improved spelling, reading, and decoding skills. We are ready to begin our next unit, which is writing and studying the elements of realistic fiction. We are going to have a great year!

Beginning of the US & Civics

We have jumped headfirst into the new school year in History for Grade 7. I’ve been impressed with the students as we first tackle the explorers unit. Students have since been working on a colony project, which they have enjoyed. These colonies will prepare us for the history unit associated with the thirteen original colonies.

Spanish

In Senora’s Spanish class, the students had a great time learning about greetings and farewells. Students are learning about the capitals of Spanish-speaking countries. We are also learning and celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Students researched a country and learned about tourist places, food, and traditions.

French

Madame Ralston’s class has already reviewed all our greetings, numbers, colors, body parts, adjectives, and family vocabulary! We are moving on to counting up to 60 and being able to identify objects. We have also begun a routine of the word of the day and will start to recite the date and express the weather each day!

Medical Detectives

In Medical Detectives, students began their investigation of the 4 Vital Signs: Respiratory Rate, Pulse, Blood Pressure, and Body Temperature. Teams of students made original Vital Sign board games to play. We learned how to measure and take each other’s vital signs during our Clinic Day. We were able to compare resting/normal vital signs to what our vital signs were after physical activity. All results point to elevated vital signs during activity! Scientific answers were given as well.

Financial Fitness

In Financial Fitness, we started with our Ramsey Classroom Chapter 1. That is the only chapter we will be doing in Financial Fitness. Students will continue with Ramsey Classroom in high school. Chapter 1 has a good foundation for Financial Literacy. The class also got their jobs for the Classroom Economy because, in order to practice budgeting, we must learn how to budget with fake money, of course. We will also learn how to set up a bank log, how to withdraw and pay “rent,” and what it means to stick to a budget. They can hear how important it is not to go into debt with a credit card, but in class, we will practice what it is like to pay off a “big” credit card payment.

Art Appreciation

In seventh-grade Art Appreciation, we studied the art of the Pop Art Movement. Looking at artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, James Rosenquist, and Roy Lichtenstein, we learned how these artists created art based on POP culture and everyday items. The students created primary colored name tags in the style of Roy Lichtenstein, whose art was inspired by the pages of comic books.

Exploring Food & Nutrition

Chef Lafferty’s Exploring Food and Nutrition classes have started the new school year off hungry to learn about the wonderful world of food, nutrition, cooking, and baking. The students are currently working in Unit 1, which is about safety and sanitation. Lessons include kitchen safety, safe food handling and safe food storage, equipment identification and proper usage of the equipment, and the importance of communication and teamwork. They also just completed their first food lab, where they learned how to make popcorn. Future food labs will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items. Heading into October, the students will be learning about nutrition and how to eat a healthy, balanced diet via Unit 2. The final unit, Unit 3, is focused on further honing their cooking, baking, and overall culinary skills.

Throughout their journey in class, they’ll be assembling a portfolio of work, an “e-cookbook, which will contain all of the recipes that they’ve cooked, notes on what they’ve learned, and reflections on how the food looked and tasted. 

Happy Cooking!  -- Chef

Algebra

In Mrs. DeLorenzo’s Algebra Applications class, the students started off working together in groups to understand what it means to work together and share ideas during class. We reviewed integer operations, combining like terms, and the distributive property as pre-requisite skills for our first chapter, Solving Equations. Students have been completing a series of tasks in which they solve multi-step equations, and applied this to writing and solving equations from word problems. The students will wrap up Chapter 1 at the beginning of October and move into their next unit on Transformations. 

In Algebra Concepts, we worked on solving equations, both one-step and multistep equations. We worked on showing our work on both sides of the equations, how important it is to line up our numbers, and how we must show all steps. We are also working on reading the directions fully and not assuming what is said, but reading what is said on the page.  We are practicing combining like terms and the distributive property. Our first quiz happened at the end of the month, and we practiced “studying” for a math quiz by continuing to work on examples. 

In Mrs. Del Vecchio’s class, we started out the year reviewing previously learned skills such as operations with integers. We then jumped right into our first chapter, solving one-step equations and multi-step equations. We have talked about the importance of going step by step and showing all our work when solving equations so that we do not make careless errors. We also discussed how important it is to do the same thing to both sides of an equation so that the equation remains balanced. We are currently adding the skills of combining like terms and the distributive property to cover all areas of solving multistep equations. 

Students in Mrs. DeLorenzo’s Algebra 1 Honors have completed the first 2 chapters of the year, which reviewed skills such as solving equations, probability, writing and evaluating expressions, and mathematical properties. After completing the two review units, students will begin to learn new material in Algebra 1, which will consist of rational/irrational numbers, operations with real numbers, and multi-step equations. 

Physical Science

In Ms. Vacchiano's eighth-grade science class, the students have been busy reviewing lab safety, the different branches of science, the scientific method, and the engineering design process. They learned how to properly set up a controlled experiment using both independent and dependent variables. Students also worked together collaboratively. They learned a little more about each other and practiced their engineering skills by creating an index card tower.

Students in Mrs. Presinzano’s Physical Science classes have been reviewing the skills and practices of scientists, the different branches of science, the scientific method, and the engineering design process. Students write weekly about how they use/observe science in everyday life, and have been building a “word detective” journal for science affixes. Next, we will begin working on our C-E-R writing (claim-evidence-reasoning).

Reading

In Ms. McCann’s reading class, the students are participating in Memoir book clubs. They were provided a variety of options, such as They Cage the Animals at Night, The Girl Who Smiled Beads, Becoming Kareem, and Every Falling Star, and were encouraged to choose the book they were interested in and wanted to read. Most of the students are halfway through their books; some have even finished already! We are also reading passages from Night by Elie Wiesel as the class mentor text and understanding how authors use powerful language to express their experiences and memories in their memoir to impact the readers.

Mrs. Del Vecchio’s Reading class jumped right into our first unit, which is exploring memoirs and autobiographies. We have been looking at the characteristics of memoirs and began reading the novel They Cage the Animals at Night.  We have also been looking at the idea of identity and what makes up our personal identities. Students are completing a slideshow in which they will present information on their country of origin.

Language Arts

Mrs. Del Vecchio’s class has been busy reviewing grammar and some of the mechanics of writing. We have spent time working on figurative language in order to enhance our writing. From there, students will be writing a personal narrative. We have also been working on vocabulary using the Wordly Wise 8 vocabulary book. 

Mr. Smith’s classes began the year by laying the foundation for being a successful writer. Students reviewed how to use different types of resources, how to properly cite evidence and create a works cited entry, and how to write an effective paragraph. Students then got into Unit 1, the memoir unit. Students learned how to “show, not tell” in their writing through the use of figurative language and sensory details. Currently, students are finishing up a writing assignment where they are required to include those two skills.

In Ms. Gallagher’s classes, students began the year by reviewing key grammar skills, writing mechanics, and strategies for becoming successful writers. They practiced using resources, citing evidence correctly, and crafting effective paragraphs. To enhance their writing, students explored figurative language and sensory details. Vocabulary study has also been a focus, with students working through Wordly Wise 8 to expand their word knowledge. Building on this foundation, students are now transitioning into narrative writing. They will first craft personal narratives and then move into realistic fiction, applying “show, not tell” techniques and the essential elements of storytelling.

Early World History

We’ve had a great start to the school year! Students began by exploring the concept of history and time, learning how historians organize and make sense of the past. Alongside this, they have been strengthening their annotation skills to better engage with readings and resources. Our class has now begun studying Ancient Mesopotamia, one of the world’s first civilizations. To bring these ideas to life, students are also working on a creative project where they design their own civilizations—complete with unique features, challenges, and cultural traits.

Spanish

Students in Mrs. Wohlberg’s class are off to a great start this year. First, we worked on activities to get to know each other. We reviewed countries and capitals of the Spanish-speaking world through catchy songs, and learned important information about some of the countries. We reviewed and learned useful phrases, months, seasons, weather, and ordinal numbers. Students learned about the significance of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. They are currently working on their famous Hispanic research assignment.

French

Madame Ralston’s French class is on its way to becoming fluent speakers! We have already done review lessons from last year, and now we are learning about hobbies and activities. Students will be able to both write and say what they do in their free time. We have also established a routine of learning the word of the day and doing a sentence each day with it.

Technology/Manufacturing

In Mr. Blatt’s Design and Manufacturing classes, students are being introduced to the engineering design process and the impact of technology. They are always looking at how technology and tools impact everyday lives. They are looking at real-life examples of the design process. Students built an ankle foot orthosis and analyzed it with a design matrix. They are also learning engineering drawing concepts and are starting to learn computer software to help generate 3D drawings of objects. Next month, students will work on engineering drawings and eventually design/build, applying the design process hands-on in a woodworking project.

Video Technology

We are off to a great start for season 10 of WMS TV. Our eighth graders have learned the fundamentals of scriptwriting and the foundations of camera shots. Currently, they are roaming the hallways interviewing and filming new stories that can be seen on our YouTube channel, WMS TV. You can like and subscribe here.

Art Appreciation

The eighth-grade Art Appreciation class started off the marking period working on graffiti art. The student’s goal was to create their name in a graffiti font style, then add elements to the design that represented them. They did an awesome job!

In Mrs. Gutierrez’s Science class, students have been learning about the difference between physical and chemical properties. After learning about properties of varied substances, students then learned about physical and chemical changes. We conducted experiments showing how different substances react with each other. One experiment was mixing baking soda and vinegar. The students loved seeing the combination fizz up and bubble over their containers!

The WMS Chorus classes have started the year off well. All students have been assigned to their class groups and have started meeting for classes. This month, sixth-grade Chorus members will be learning to find their voice through vocal warm-ups and working on their music reading skills. Students in the 7/8 Chorus will continue working on their warm-ups as well and will start singing through new music and choosing songs for the Winter Concert. All involved are looking forward to a great year of music-making ahead!

Band students in all grade levels are back in action and making music again! All band classes have been working on Band Karate during the first few lessons of the school year. Also, eighth-grade Warrior Marching Band members debuted the Warrior Marching Band’s first performance of their 2025 competitive season show entitled Checkmate! Eighth-grade marchers include Catherine Admana, Charlotte Hauptman, and Gianna Oelkers.

Students started the year anticipating the mid-October opening of the North Turf.  In the meantime, students have been busy doing physical fitness testing. More than thirty kids have set or tied various records in one or more of the nine events.

WMS Drama Club

Rehearsals are in full swing for our MS Musical! Students are involved in many ways: performers, tech crew, artists, and stage crew will all be working hard to put on a terrific production in Wonderland!