Nathan Hale Middle School Newsletter

November, 2009

 

News from Mr. Dudzik and Ms. McNeal…..

·         Nathan Hale Middle School is enthusiastically looking forward to the Student Led Conferences that are scheduled for November 2nd and 3rd.  The children have worked very hard on their portfolios and are both anxious and excited to be given this responsibility.  We are very proud of each and every one of our students and look forward to seeing you.

·         We would like to address the use of cell phones in our school.  District policy prohibits student use of cells phones in the buildings during the school day.  Phones should be turned off and kept in their lockers.  They should not be on silent or vibrate or used to text during the day.  We have had instances of students calling their parents during the day because they are not feeling well, or they don’t want to take gym, or they forgot their homework.  Parents, please discourage your students from this practice.  If a student needs to contact a parent, they should get permission from their teacher to come to the office to use the phone.  If they use their cell phone in school, even to contact a parent, they will receive punishment for a Level III Act of Misconduct.

·         We would like to invite you to a Parent Technology Workshop, which will be held Monday, November 16^th at 6:00 p.m.  We will be teaching parents basic computer use, how to access and use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to check your student’s grades and assignments, how to use our school website and we will go over educational resource websites for students. 

·         Census 2010 is coming, and it is very important for everyone to participate. 

What is a census?

·               A census is a count of everyone living in the United States.

·               It is done by law every ten years.

When will it occur?

·               Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to all households between February and  March 2010.

·               Census employees will visit households that did not return the questionnaire between April and July 2010.

The Census Questionnaire

·               There are 10 simple questions.

·               It takes 10 minutes to complete.

Why is it important to complete the questionnaire?

·               Population totals determine the number of seats our state occupies in the House of Representatives.

·               It affects the amount of money our communities will receive from the State and Federal governments.

·               The money is for EDUCATION, neighborhood improvements, public health and transportation.

·               Census results can help determine the amount of money school districts receive and whether or not there is a need for more schools in the community.

Protection of Privacy

·               Answers to the questionnaire are confidential.

·               Answers are used for statistical purposes only.

·               By law, census data becomes public after 72 years for family history and other types of historical research.

***For every 1000 people that are not counted, a community can lose over $1.5 million every year for the next 10 years.

News from the 8^th grade team…..

While graduation isn’t until May, we’re preparing for it already!  On November 2^nd, the students will be measured for their caps and gowns.   Forms went home last week, so if you haven’t seen it, be sure to ask your student.  The cost this year is again $55.  If your student is going to use a sibling’s gown, please mark it on the form.  As the color of the gowns changed in 2007, only those whose siblings graduated in 2009, 2008, or 2007 may use a previously worn gown.  If you can’t send in the entire $55 at this time, please feel free to send in a portion now, and then you can pay it off prior to graduation.  On December 2^nd, our 8^th graders will have the graduation portraits taken.  More information will come home as the date draws nearer.  

The 8^th grade students will be taking a field trip on Tuesday, November 24^th to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  The cost of the trip is $5 per person.  Students are encouraged to bring a bag lunch on the trip.

Ms. Boatner/Reading - Ms. Boatner’s reading class will be diving into their first novel of the year.  Students will be reading Miracle’s Boys by Woodson or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  We will be working on vocabulary development, characterization, and plot development.

Mr. Looby/Language Arts – In Language Arts, the students have just finished their first stories for Writers Workshop. The stories have been very interesting. We have also been working on punctuation, which will continue for at least another week. Coming soon will be the big Holiday Project, which you will be hearing more about next month. 

Mr. Harasen/Social Studies – Some time during the month of November, our 8^th grade social studies students will hold an ‘Ethnic Day Feast’.  We will honor our individual culture(s) by bringing in an authentic dish from our “mother” country.  Please write out your recipe and send it to school with your child.  We will make a recipe book for all of us to share.  Mangia!

Mrs. Hill & Mrs. Abdul/Algebra and Mathematics  - During the month of November, our 8^th grade algebra classes will be exploring the concept of inequalities (<, >, ≤, ≥).  We will work out solving inequalities, solving compound inequalities, and graphing inequalities.  I am proud to say that we are working right along with the School District 218 curriculum, in an effort to better prepare students for high school.

Our 8^th grade math classes will be tackling the areas of ordered pairs, the Coordinate Plane, and functions in the month of November.  We will learn how to make x/y (input/output) tables, how to graph this data, and find patterns within the data.  Following these lessons will be our unit on exponents.

Ms. Parham-Science - The Gifted Earth Science Group has been finalizing their presentations for "Western Diseases".  The class has presented their power point assignment to the class through computerization.  They have been giving the class a visual of the Measles, Diphtheria and Smallpox.  This project included facts, pictures and definitions related to each topic.

 The Physical Science classes have been also studying the Western Diseases using the specific articles.   Their project included writing l0 facts from the articles and also defining 10 words about Measles, Diphtheria and Smallpox.

We are now studying mixtures, solutions, elements and compounds that make up matter.

LDR/Mr. Jeselskis:  Since it is the start of the 2^nd quarter, it is time to clean out your lockers, clean up your folders, and get rid of old papers. Clean up the 1^st quarter clutter! Stay organized! Remember, to do your homework and read for at least 30 minutes everyday.

READING IS FUN!

 

News from the 7^th grade team…..

Math/Mrs. Becker:  The seventh grade math classes are just beginning chapter 3, Applying Rational Numbers.  They will be estimating, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and solving equations with decimals, fractions and mixed numbers.  The TI-30XIIS calculator is needed for the concepts covered in the mathematics classes at NHMS.  Please make sure that you child has and brings their own calculator to class.  We want our students to be as successful as they possibly can, so your help is greatly appreciated.

Language Arts/Mrs. Washack:  In Language Arts we'll be finishing up our Narrative Essays and continuing on with Expository writing, which will then lead us into the Research Paper.  The Research paper unit will conclude before our Winter Break and will be a huge part of the 2nd Quarters grade.  Details about the project will be available in the following weeks as the students begin to prep for this task. 

 

News from the 6^th grade team…..

Language Arts/Ms. Cesaro:  We will be working on an unit that will include researching topics chosen as a result of the Museum of Science and Industry field trip.  The students will also use their “Cereal Bar” science experiment experience to write an expository essay.

Social Studies/Ms. Allen:  Students will be transitioning to Unit 2 “Early Civilizations in Africa”.  Students will focus on the following three themes: 1) Conflict and cooperation, 2) Continuity and change, and 3) Interaction within different environments.  Finally, students will create a visual summary to tell the story of the unit.

Math/Mrs. Fleming:  The students will be finishing Chapter 3, which was all about decimals.  They will start Chapter 4, which is on Number Theory and Fractions.  They will be learning about divisibility , prime and composite numbers, GCF, and many different concepts on fractions.  We will continue to prepare for the ISATs by reviewing any concepts we have already covered.

 Science/Mr. Mason:  Students just completed their unit on calculations and science basics.  They will now be starting a short unit on data, graphing and analysis.  At completion of this, students will begin the actual work of designing their own experiments (to be presented at Science Night on March 30, 2010).

 Reading/Mr. Norvell:  Students will continue working with the novel Holes.  We will be exploring literary elements such as conflict, foreshadowing, flashbacks, themes, and character.  Our unit will conclude with a comparison/contrast activity (Holes: The Movie vs. Holes: The Novel), and creating Wanted Posters (based on characters from the novel).

 

News from the gym…..

Although first quarters weather didn't quite hold up in comparison to the beautiful September conditions, students did a great job finishing up the quarter on a high note. All students completed their fitness testing and will soon bring home the fitness newsletter listing the many accomplishments of their hard work. Approximately 90 percent of our students improved on 4 or more of the six fitness tests they took.  These tests include the 50 yard run, pull-ups, sit-ups, long jump, shuttle run and the sit and reach test for flexibility.  The pacer test, which tests a student’s endurance, will be given in the spring time.
Second quarter activities will have students rotating into the health room to begin their units in health education.  Sixth graders will examine what health is, making healthy choices, and changes associated with adolescence and puberty. Seventh grade students will study the role of fitness and exercise in their lives, including weight management.  Our eighth grade students will be focusing on basic first aid and safety. Students who are not in the health room will be in the gym participating in either basketball or volleyball.

 

News from the Unified Arts Team…..

It's the end of the first quarter and as everyone knows, the Unified Arts Pumpkin patch was open!   Pumpkins grown by Mrs. Gorecki, straight from the farm, were brought in for students to win.  Panther Paws were drawn to select the lucky winners.  The lucky recipients were Michael Kruczek, Michaela Contreras, Heather Banis, Javier Castillo, Tyquane Williams and Tyler Lavery.  Congratulations to all the winners!

 

News from our Clubs/Sports Teams…..

Student Government congratulates the 2009-2010 Executive Board of the Nathan Hale Middle School Student Government!  The board consists of:

Mayor - Alexus Maravillas                           Treasurer – Errianna Calvin

Deputy Mayor – Alex Alarcon                     Public Relations – Anna Wedster & Monica Bova

Secretary – Christine Labudiong                 6^th Grade Representative – Syana Segura

All students that ran should be proud of how well they represented themselves during the election process.

 

Girls Soccer – The Lady Panthers ended their season with a loss to Kerr during the playoffs.  The game went into a five round overtime, but the Cougars came out on top.  Special recognition goes out to our 8^th grade girls for their heart, leadership, and dedication.  They are:

o        3 years on the team:  Stephanie Anderson, Kortnie Hanold, Amy Lagerstrom

o        1 year on the team:  Crystal Carrillo, Carolyne Cortez, Jasmine Garay, Colleen McInerney, Karina Velazquez, and DaeJae Williams

 

Boys Soccer - Coach J would like to thank all of the Boys' soccer team players for their hard work and dedication.  It was a tough year but they never gave up! A special thank you to Colm McGhee for playing on the team for all three years! 

 

Book Fair - From October 29^th through November 3^rd, our school will hold a Book Fair during school hours and during Conferences.  Students and parents will be able to browse and purchase books in the Media Center.  The Book Fair helps encourage students’ interest in reading and in building home libraries.  It also supplies us with new books for our school library.  Items for sale will include books, posters, and small items that make great gifts.  We will have books at all reading levels available.  Payment may be made by cash or check at the time of purchase.  Sales tax must be collected on all purchases and checks should be made out to Nathan Hale Middle School.