Middle School Team Newsletter

April 2025

  • Message from Middle School Team:

    I hope you had a wonderful Spring Break! This is a friendly reminder that state testing will take place from the beginning of April. Please ensure that your child is present every day to support their success. Additionally, a nutritious and hearty breakfast each morning will help them stay focused during testing.


    Thank you for your continued support!


  • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ - ELA

    In both Grade 7 and 8, students are working on developing strong argumentative essays. They will begin by learning how to craft a well-structured introduction paragraph that clearly presents their topic and thesis. Students will watch a video that demonstrates how to build an effective introduction with all necessary components for clarity and fluency. After selecting a topic, they will use a graphic organizer to guide them in writing their introduction, ensuring they create a strong foundation for their argumentative essay. This process will help students strengthen their writing skills, focusing on clear, persuasive arguments.

  • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ - Math

    7th Grade:

    In Grade 7, students focus on understanding angles in various geometric shapes. They learn how to calculate the measure of unknown angles, work with angle relationships (such as complementary and supplementary angles), and explore angles formed by parallel lines and a transversal.


    8th Grade:

    In Grade 8, students study angle relationships in more depth, including those involving parallel lines, transversals, and vertical angles. They apply these concepts to solve real-world problems and understand how angles work in triangles and other polygons.

  • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ - Social Studies

    7th Grade:

    Students will explore the reopening of the ancient Silk Road between Europe and China, focusing on Marco Polo's travels and their impact on trade and cultural exchange. They will also examine the Tang Dynasty’s reunification of China and the spread of Buddhism across East Asia, analyzing how political stability led to cultural and religious growth.


    8th Grade:

    Students will study early Mexican settlements in the southwestern U.S., exploring their locations, cultural traditions, and attitudes toward slavery. They will learn about the land-grant system and how it influenced the economy, agriculture, and social structure of these territories.

  • ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ - Science

    7th Grade:

    Students will learn how atoms move in solids, liquids, and gases. They will explore the differences in atom movement in each state of matter, understanding that atoms are tightly packed and vibrate in solids, move freely in liquids, and spread out in gases. Students will be able to explain how these movements affect the properties of each state, such as shape, volume, and density. This lesson will help them grasp the fundamental concepts of matter and the behavior of atoms in different states.


    8th Grade:

    In preparation for the CAST Science assessment, students will review key life science concepts, including structures and processes in organisms, ecosystem dynamics, inheritance and variation of traits, and biological evolution. In a group format, students will work through stations, each with a question related to these topics. They will have 4 minutes to solve each question before moving on to the next. Additionally, students will go over test-taking strategies and practice taking the CAST tests on their Chromebooks to familiarize themselves with the format. At the end of the class, students will compare answers to reinforce their understanding and ensure they are prepared for the assessment.

  • Community Service/Leader in Me:

    In our Leader in Me program, students will engage in important lessons that promote leadership and personal development. We’ll begin with Synergizing, where students will learn the power of teamwork and how combining their strengths with others can lead to better outcomes. Teaching Others will focus on the importance of sharing knowledge and helping peers, reinforcing the idea that teaching is a powerful way to deepen understanding. Achieving the Daily Private Victory will emphasize the significance of consistent, positive habits in achieving personal success, both in school and life. Lastly, we’ll explore Caring for Mental and Physical Health, teaching students the importance of balancing their mental well-being with physical health, recognizing that both are essential for overall happiness and productivity. These lessons will equip students with the tools to lead healthy, balanced, and impactful lives.

  • Projects:

    Science Fair Projects Begin!


     Starting in April, our Upper Elementary students will begin working on their exciting Science Fair projects! This hands-on learning opportunity will allow students to explore a topic of their choice, dive into research, and apply the scientific method to conduct their own experiments. They will be encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and creatively present their findings. Students will be working both independently and collaboratively to develop their projects, which will be showcased in our upcoming Science Fair. We can’t wait to see the incredible ideas and discoveries that emerge throughout this process!


    In addition, our Middle School students will be busy working on their end-of-year projects, where they will apply their learning across subjects to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity. These projects will give students the chance to dive deep into topics that interest them and showcase their skills in a comprehensive and engaging way. We look forward to seeing their hard work come to life!


  • Upcoming Dates to Remember

    04/10 - 04/11 AT+ Teeth Mobile Checkup

    04/11/25 Lockdown Drill

    04/11/25 Parent/Child Dance "Winter Ball"

    04/17/25 Coffee Mingle

    04/18/25 Career Day

    04/23/25 Kids Heart Challenge Kick Off Assemblies

    04/24-04/25 Minimum Day


By Erin Feeley April 16, 2025
April 2025
By Erin Feeley April 16, 2025
April 2025