dr. kevin m. hurley middle school parent newsletter...

Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School

Parent Newsletter February 7, 2014

Dear HMS Community, HMS honored their Stars of the Month for January 2014 this morning with a breakfast ceremony. As you probably know by now, Stars of the Month are chosen by their teachers for many reasons, including academic achievement, improvement, effort, and going above and beyond for others. We had many teachers on hand this morning to assist me with recognizing the students for their hard work. As usual, at the conclusion of the breakfast, everyone went to the gymnasium to try taking some ½ court shots with a basketball. Students have the chance to win a $25 gift card if they can make the shot. Although none of the students made the shot this month, some came very close. Mr. Holden and I also tried taking some ½ court shots this morning. Although we were not successful, we also came very close! Congratulations to our Stars of the Month for January (pictured above). The names of the students are listed on the next page. Tonight is our Valentine’s Dance. The doors open at 6:30 pm. All students must have their ride at the school by 9:00 pm. Our HMS basketball teams will be competing at Taunton Catholic Middle School this weekend in the Butler Tournament. I wish the best of luck to both of our teams. Next Friday, February 14th, we will hold our 2nd Annual Student vs. Faculty “Afternoon in the Gym.” Students and staff will compete against each other in basketball, dodge ball, and volleyball. The boys’ basketball team will take on a team of male faculty members, and the girls’ basketball team faces off against female faculty members. As for dodge ball and volleyball, all students are eligible to play in those events. Next week, we will hold raffles for the students during lunchtime to determine which students will be chosen to participate. This is a school-wide event, as the entire student body and faculty/staff will be present in the gymnasium for an afternoon of fun and excitement.

@DrWhalen3

TERM 2 Report Cards were distributed TODAY, 2/7/14!

HMS Stars of the Month January 2014 Grade 6 Lyla Carvalho and Joshua Valente Samuel Parks and Bailey Adams Grade 7 Evan Lima and Kayleigh Medas Joshua Carroll and Saarah Papineau Grade 8 Jack Doorley and Aubree Lawson Alexia Desrochers and Noah Brennick Encore Elizabeth Arruda, Zane Propatier, Ethan Santos, and Catherine Testa, Cam Flores

Close But No Cigar… photo by Mrs. Lehane

From the Library… Principals’ Coffee

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of parents at the Principals’ Coffee regarding the role of the HMS library. The goal of this presentation was to give parents a better understanding of how library services fit into the curriculum. Topics that were discussed include reading promotion, as well as an overview of research & tech skills that are taught.

The Principals’ Coffee was a good setting for this, as parents had an opportunity to ask questions in a face-to-face setting. I hope all who attended enjoyed the event as much as I did!

Something New! I started the “Read This” board in the library as a way for students to share their favorite books with other HMS students. It is a way for students to learn what other students are reading and can use this board to find a reading suggestion. I started the board last week, and within three days, the board was over half-way full! If your child has not had a chance to add their favorite book to the board, please encourage them to stop by soon!

GRADE 8 MATH – Orange Team

As you can see below, students did an excellent job of creating their own designs to represent transformations (rotations, reflections,

translations, and dilations).

Students completed their geometry/measurement unit, finishing up

with volumes of cylinders, cones, and spheres. Students used play

dough to compare the volumes of cylinders and cones and the volumes of cylinders and spheres. They found that cones have 1/3 the volume

of cylinders with the same base and height and spheres have 2/3 the

volume of cylinders with the same base and height. They used their

findings to develop formulas for finding the volume of cones and spheres.

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/51800/51894/51894_conecylsph.htm

We are now working with properties and patterns with exponents. Students are multiplying and dividing powers and also working with

negative and zero exponents.

Blue Team Math Students in Mrs. Geddes's math classes are finishing up rational number operations this week, with a quiz planned for early next week. They are incorporating these skills into real world problem solving tasks, such as revising recipes and calculating hiking distances. After vacation, they will begin working with ratios, rates, and proportions. Blue Team Science Respiratory system quizzes were returned to students on Thursday and some students are choosing to re-write their answer to an open response question in an effort to improve writing skills. Students have been learning about the digestive system. They learned that digestion starts in the mouth, where chemical and mechanical digestion takes place. As a homework assignment, students researched fun facts about the digestive system and found out that humans create 1.7 liters of saliva a day! Students will be working in groups to write a digestive system play. They will be using google docs, so they can still work in their groups while they are at home. The plays, with costumes, will be performed next Thursday. Blue Team Social Studies This week marks the beginning of third term, and the beginning of our third area of study. Social Studies will be focusing on Central America, South America and the Caribbean this term. We have been working hard to review the maps of all of these different regions so we know where all the countries are located. We're looking forward to another great term! Have a good weekend! Spelling Team Spelling Team has started back up again! Our practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from dismissal until 330. Our meet for the spring is on March 7th. Students received their spelling lists this week and we'll be ready to compete when March rolls around. Go Seekonk!

Congratulations to the following students who were chosen for the Blue Team's second quarter On a Roll award:

Cheyenne Ayotte

Isabella Bartlett Tommy Ciolfi Jenna Dunphy

Makenna French

Robert Gerardi Dominic Lopo

Felicia Prata

Gabby Raposo

Kiara Sandoval Ethan Santos

Nicole Simas

Ty Wheeler

Students were chosen based effort, behavior, citizenship, and being a positive role model. Along with their parents, they will be honored at a breakfast on February 14, 2014 at 7:20 A.M.

Art News with Mrs. Farrow

All students who just started art for the second semester are creating

fabulous portfolios

to store their artwork in for the remainder of the school year. To start this

project, students

draw two small sketches including one cartoon character, their first name &

a bit of background onto paper with two rectangles drawn onto it. Once

completed, together we choose the one that would look best to be enlarged on

their folder. Students fold & staple huge white paper & draw largely &

lightly. Next, they outline all pencil lines in black Sharpie. Lastly, students

color with colored pencils, markers or crayons. The results are strong & bold.

Computer Applications News from Mrs. DeLeo 6th Grade: Students have begun a keyboarding review. Please ask them if

they are using the correct technique when they use their computers at home.

They will soon begin a unit on How Computers Work. This is a difficult unit

for many students. But, if they stay focused during class and study at home,

they will do well!

7th Grade: Students have been exploring a database while shopping online at

www.toysrus.com and using a worksheet and calculator to spend $1000 while

“purchasing” toys for 100 children and paying sales tax for those items. We

will use this information to create Excel spreadsheets and write formulas to

calculate everything they’ve done long hand with pencil, paper, and

calculator.

8th Grade: Bonjour! Students are learning some basic French vocabulary and

will begin researching French culture as we start World Culture Exploration.

Vocab quizzes next week for the French Quick Start 1 unit in Transparent

Language, a distance learning experience!

http://www.toysrus.com/

Health Education News from Mrs. Latimer

6th Grade: Students will begin talking about Hygiene. We will be discussing

personal hygiene as well as dental hygiene. Chances are they already know

about hygiene, but chances are they will learn something new!

Students will be able to:

o Identify the importance of how grooming and cleanliness shows

consideration for others

o Explain how overexposure to the sun can lead to melanoma

o Identify factors than contribute to tooth decay

o Demonstrate skills of good oral and persona hygiene

MA Frameworks Standards covered:

o Disease Prevention & Control (8.12)

o Growth & Development (1.9)

National Health Education Standards:

o Standard #1: Core Concepts

o Standard #5; Decision Making

o Standard #7: Self-Management

7th Grade: Students are currently building on health skills. Students will

also have received their first homework assignment that will be sometime

next week. In this self-directed learning assignment students will

demonstrate skills in accessing reliable health information.


• Describe the influence of health habits on growth & development

• Describe the contribution of a personal support system to good mental

health

o Identify at least one person they can turn to as their support system

o Identify internal and external influences that impact decisions

regarding health and wellness

• Identify at least 4 reliable sources of information

• Identify at least 5 health skills that will provide a lifetime of benefits.


o Growth & Development (1.8, 1.10)

o Mental Health (5.8)

o Family Life (6.7)

o Community Health and Resource Management (12.6)

o Community & Public Health (14.4, 14.5)



o Standard #2: Analyzing Influences

o Standard #3: Access Information

o Standard #5: Decision Making


8th Grade: Students are continuing learning about Nutrition with Mr.

Gauthier. This week and the beginning of next week they will be focusing on

reading Nutrition Labels.


o Accurately read, analyze and compare food nutrition labels

o Distinguish between good fats and bad fats

o Identify six of the main nutrients

o Describe what is needed for healthy meals (MyPlate)


o Nutrition: 3.8, 3.9, 3.11




o Standard #8: Advocacy

Guidance News

There will be representatives coming next Thursday, February 13th and

Friday, February 14th to conduct interviews with all Bristol Aggie and Tri-

County applicants. If your son/ daughter is interested in applying to either of

those schools, please be sure to send their application in to Mrs. Czech as soon

as possible.

Mrs. Czech will be working with students throughout the week to adequately

prepare them for the interview process. They will be reviewing a series of

sample interview questions, and you are encouraged to review those with them

as well. If you have any questions regarding this process, or would like more

information, you may contact Mrs. Czech.

Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School HMS Idol 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014 7:00PM

Seekonk High School Auditorium

ADMISSION

STUDENT/ADULT: $6.00

# STUDENT/ADULT TICKETS: __________

CHILDREN 10& UNDER: $2.00 *Infants/toddlers are free!

# CHILD TICKETS: _____________

AMOUNT ENCLOSED

CHECK #__________(MADE OUT TO THE TOWN OF SEEKONK CASH AMOUNT $_______________

At this time tickets will be sold in advance ONLY! February 10

th through February 28

th during all

lunches.

Students must present this signed permission form with check/money order/cash

in order to get their ticket(s). Ticket(s) will be distributed to your child a few days before the show during lunch.

AT THIS TIME NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR! Tickets are

NONREFUNDABLE All proceeds benefit the HMS Yearbook to reduce the cost of our school

yearbook.

Please note: If you are disrupting the show by loud talking or inappropriate behavior during the performances, etc. you will be asked to leave the auditorium and will have to be picked up by a

parent immediately.

PERMISSION SLIP (Please return entire slip/do not cut in half)

I give my child ________________________________, permission to attend the HMS Idol 2014 on Friday, February 28th at 7:00PM. I understand that my child will not be allowed to leave the show before it is over unless I notify you in writing. Home Number/ Cell Number: _____________________________ Emergency Phone Number at time of show: ___________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________ Student’s Grade: ________ Team ________ Homeroom ________

The Hurley Middle School PTO will again hold a Snowflake Ball on Friday March 7th for girls and their father or father figures to enjoy a

wonderful evening at the Venus De Milo in Swansea. The ball last year was a fun evening for all. Following a sit down dinner and a formal dance lesson the remainder of the night the dance floor stayed filled! The girls and their escorts participated in some table conversation questions and activities on the dance floor for prizes in between dances. There was also a photographer and raffles being offered. It was a nice evening to spend with that special person. Please be sure to turn in your RSVP and deposits by February 28, 2014 to the school office.

Snowflake Ball R.S.V.P. Friday, March 7, 2014

Venus De Milo

Student Name ____________________________________________

Grade 6 7 8

Student Dinner Selection (Please circle your choice)

Chicken Tenders w/Fries Broiled Fresh Boston Scrod Roast Stuffed Turkey

Adult Dinner Selection

Broiled Fresh Boston Scrod Roast Stuffed Turkey

Student Ticket Price $ 30_____ Adult Ticket Price $ 30 _____

Additional Daughters Ticket Price $ 26 ea. _____

Please deliver your RSVP to the main office along with payment in full By February 28, 2014

Please make checks payable to HMS PTO

THIS PART OF THE FORM SHOULD ONLY BE USED IF THERE IS A BALANCE DUE

Snowflake Ball R.S.V.P. Friday, March 7, 2014

Venus De Milo

Student Name _____________________________________________ Grade 6 7 8

Amount (balance due) _______________________

Please drop off your balance due at the main office by March 1, 2013

Please make checks payable to HMS PTO

Student & Adult Tickets $ 30 ea. Additional Daughters Ticket Price $ 26 ea.

.

7th Grade Green Team - Mrs. Costa's Math Classes

Mrs. Costa's math classes are just finishing up a chapter on rational number

operations. They will have a chapter test next week. The study guide is posted

on Edline and is due on Tuesday. They are also working on a unit on Probability

and Statistics during Supercore class. Students have learned how to identify

populations and samples and to calculate inferences based on sample data.

Measures of center and variability (including their favorite statistical data

MAD!) will be the next topics. Think spring!

YELLOW TEAM NEWS

Yellow Team Math:

We have wrapped up fraction operations in math class

and are now moving onto Ratios, Rates, and Proportions. We

are excited to start introducing a new resource in math class,

Gizmos! These are interactive online simulations that students

can use to gain a better understanding of many math

concepts.

In Supercore, we are working on the surface area of

rectangular and triangular prisms with the use of nets. Our

current Mathletics assignment is due on Friday 2/14/14.

Yellow Team Social Studies

It’s third quarter and we have begun our third book of the year,

Asia and Oceania. We began with 5 map challenges where

students worked with a partner to use special purpose maps to

answer questions about Asia and Oceania. Then they used what

they had learned to identify the location of a field photograph.

This is the second time they have done an activity of this sort

and they have done really well.

Asia is extremely diverse in its land formations, climates, and

cultures. We’re going to study a region at a time and change the

sequences of the book to focus on the physical features, the

history and culture, and modern characteristics of one region

before moving onto another region. I think this will make more

sense to the students and lead to more continuity.

Yellow Team ELA

With all of the snow lately, it has been great to escape to the

tiny island of Curacao in 1942, the setting for The Cay, by

Theodore Taylor. Students are reading this adventurous

historical fiction novel, and then writing in response

journals for each chapter. Since the main character is a boy

about their age, students’ journal responses are insightful, as

they imagine themselves in the predicaments of World War

II.

Super Core English classes have been enthusiastically

working on an informational text Iditarod unit. We began by

reading “Race Against Death”, a nonfiction selection about

the diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska in 1925. The

adventure is presented as a journal, with courageous

dogsled drivers and their teams of dogs racing across Alaska

on the Iditarod Trail to deliver a crucial serum to the

children in the remote town. Students are now looking

forward to the Iditarod Race on March 1, which we will

follow in Super Core after vacation.

(www.visitnomealaska.com)

Yellow Team Science

We have been working on our SUPER BIG ECOLOGY FINAL PROJECT! With such a broad

range of ecosystems (from the Arctic Ocean to New Zealand to the Kalahari Desert!) we are sure

to be well versed on ecosystems and their happenings. Our projects include abiotic and biotic

factors, food webs, symbiosis, cycles of matter, and ecological succession. It's been a zoo in

Miss Karalis' classroom but students are creating magnificent projects that they can really be

proud of. See next week's newsletter for final products!

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