May/June 2012
The end of the school year is fast approaching! As is usual for this time of year, we have been busily working on the transition of students from 5th to 6th and 8th to 9th. Having worked closely with both the Lane and BHS administrations again this year, I can assure you that the transition will be seamless. Our main goal continues to be to make sure that 6th and 9th graders feel welcome, safe, and happy about their new schools and their new classmates.
Incoming 6th graders will travel to JGMS on Thursday, June 14th for Transition Day. They will meet with their new team teachers and the other students assigned to their teams. These students will also have the opportunity to take part in a "JGMS Scavenger Hunt" in late August. Incoming JGMS Principal Kevin Tracey will provide you with more specific information over the summer. The scavenger hunt is an opportunity for students to learn their way around the school and possibly win some "back-to-school" prizes. The school may seem large at first, but the kids acclimate themselves very quickly. The middle school years also pass quickly...ask the parent of any 8th grader! Enjoy them!
I encourage all parents to review our 2012-2013 School Improvement Plan that is posted on the JGMS website. Over the summer you will also find interesting information about the school on our website, including but not limited to the updated Student Handbook, the updated curriculum guide and the bell schedule.
A traditional rite of passage for students as they move to a new grade level is their assignment to a new team for the upcoming academic year. Students will receive this information on Thursday, June 14th, when current 5th, 6th and 7th grade students will spend some time with their new teaching teams. A specific schedule for each student will be mailed home in early summer. Incoming 6th graders' learning group assignments will be identified on each child's schedule. It is important to note that if you do not wish your child's name to be printed on a learning group list, you should contact the school prior to June 18th. Also, please know that, with regard to teaming, teachers work very hard to make sure that all placements are based on academically sound reasons, therefore, if you have any questions or concerns about your child's placement for next year, please do not ask your child's current teacher to make any changes. Once a child is placed on a team, the only person who can make any change is the Principal. Any requests for placement change must be made in writing and will be given consideration based upon the educational merit this change may have for your child. We ask that should you wish to request any teaming changes that you do so in writing before the end of the school day on, June 18th. The JGMS leadership team, which is comprised of team leaders, curriculum coordinators and the administration, will review all requests, and letters will be mailed home with an explanation of the determination at the close of the school year.
As always, I would like to thank each of you who volunteered or who have helped the school in any way this year! Schools rely upon their communities to support them, and, without the various support efforts of each and every one of you, we would not have been able to continue to offer our students the myriad of opportunities that we have this year. I have often said, our children continue to be academically, socially and emotionally richer because of the efforts of so many of you. Thank you so very much.
Sincerely,
P. Jayne Viladenis
Principal
JGMS Box Tops
We have some exciting new changes to JGMS's Box Tops for Education (BTFE) fundraising program! Please click link to learn about BTFE!
Library News
Global Literature Circles with Web 2.0
In this model, classic literature circles are transformed with Web 2.0 tools.
7th grade students of Ms. McGraw and Ms. D'Entremont answered essential questions about the novels in moodle. Students researched individual authors to prepare for the opportunity to skype with them.
There were eight different skype sessions.
Suzanne Fisher Staples from her home in Pennsylvania discussed Shabanu. She had been a Middle East reporter and used her knowledge to write this book. She sent a photo of the girl who inspired the main character, as well as a picture of a dancing camel. Students introduced themselves to Suzanne and were captivated with her words.. One of the students told me how "cool" it was to meet and talk with a well-known author.
Ying Chang Compestine, the author of Revolution in Not a Dinner Party, skyped with the students from her home near the San Francisco area. She was a young girl during the Cultural Revolution in the '70's and was able to give first hand information to our eager listeners. The author still has family members who live in modern day China, and was able to inform our students about modern life there.
Laura Resau who wrote, What the Moon Saw who lives in Colorado told the students about her experiences in Mexico where she learned to speak Spanish, and became involved with their culture.
Ann Bouwer, an art teacher from the International School of Boston, spoke to the students about growning up in South Africa. She gave a first hand account of apartheid. Students who read Afrika were able to ask incisive questions about the authenticity of Colleen Craig's book.
Prue Mason, the author of Camel Rider, stayed up until 1 AM in the morning to chat with our students. She lives in Australia but wanted to participate in our cross-cultural exchange. Mason's novel is set in the Middle East.
Sherry Garland has lived in Texas for many years where she became involved with Vietnamese immigrants. The author of Shadow of a Dragon told the students how the inspiration for her book came from an actual newspaper article describing
For the first time, Lynn Joseph, author of The Color of My Words, skyped with the kids. She charmed and informed them about life in the Dominican Republic.
Biography Research
Denise Breakall's 6th grade red students diligently researched historical figures using print and non-print materials. Students worked on note taking and organizing information. They utilized books and on-line databases.
Book Projects
SOS teachers have begun literature circles. 7th and 8th grade English teachers have given free choice to the last quarter book assignments.
Book Reviews
All 6th graders have posted their own reviews and recommendations on our library circulation system.
Summer Reading 2012
You'll find a recommended summer reading list for 2012 on the JGMS website. Students who wish to participate in book discussion at Fall Conversation Café, should be sure to read the following:
Incoming 6th graders: Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper
A brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy, considered by many to be mentally retarded, discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.
7th and 8th graders: Small as an Elephant, by Jennifer Jacobson
Abandoned by his mother, who is bi-polar, in an Acadia National Park campground, Jack tries to make his way back to Boston before anyone figures out what is going on, with only a small toy elephant for company.
S.O.S.
We are almost half way through the final semester and summer is just around the bend. In S.O.S, students are busy working on the final unit, literature circles. A literature circle is a technique that helps students build connections to text via written and verbal expression. While students will participate in some of the traditional roles of a literature circle ("Artful Artist," "Passage Master," etc...), we will also utilize many of the strategies that students have learned throughout the year such as active reading and metacognition.
Our goal of the class was to provide strategies and tools to support life long learning. We hope your child will utilize these skills in the years ahead.
The school year is quickly coming to a close and we would like to thank all of our students for a great year and wish them all a safe and fun summer break.
Sign up for Bedford's Safe Homes
The Safe Homes program is a support network for Bedford parents with children in grades 6-12 who are concerned about alcohol and drug use at pre-teen and teen parties and gatherings.
Through Safe Homes, we are encouraging parents of Bedford middle school and high school students to make a pledge that they will provide a safe environment for youth when they have parties or gatherings in their homes - safe from alcohol, drugs, firearms and other hazardous items.
The names of those who make the pledge will be included in the Safe Homes Directory - including the grade level of their children, address and telephone number. The Directory is mailed only to those who have made the pledge.
Last year, 260 families of students in grades 6-12 signed the pledge; and we hope to double that number this year. If you made the pledge last year, your name will remain in the directory, with an update to your childrens' grade levels, unless you request that it be removed.
If you have not already done so, you are encouraged to join the Safe Homes Program and make it clear that you are committed to providing a safe environment for teen parties and gatherings.
You can sign up online for Safe Homes by going to our website www.bedfordma.gov/youth go to the Prevention Services link and click on the box that says Sign Up Online. You can also download the Safe Homes flyer and pledge form and mail it to Bedford Youth & Family Services, Town Center, 12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730
Let's join together to keep all our youth healthy and safe.
For more information or questions about the Safe Homes Program please call Jessica Santos, Prevention Services Coordinator at 781-275-7727 ext. 262.
8th Grade News
Now that the MCAS testing is finally over, our attention is now focused on our end of the year activities as the school year comes quickly to a close.
We would like to take this opportunity to honor the 187 members of the 8th grade class and offer our warmest wishes for a well-deserved summer vacation and a smooth transition to the high school. Finally, we thank you for your ongoing support and kind gestures throughout this academic year.
Academic Recognition Night
During this annual recognition assembly, we pause and pay tribute to individual academic accomplishments whether it be for an impressive academic record over three successive years or by achieving a perfect attendance record. We also acknowledge individual performance within the various academic and unified arts disciplines. On May 24, 2012, seventy-five members of the eighth grade class, by invitation, will recieve recognition for their outstanding work.
Special thanks goes to Mrs.Stephen and Ms. Bemis for organizing the evening.
Washington D.C. Trip
As this newsletter goes to print, 167 members of the 8th grade class are preparing for the 37th annual 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C. in what should be an experience of a lifetime.
A special thank you to our chaperones, Mr. Casey, Mr. Nagle,
Mr.Harrington, Officer Waite, Mr. Georgopoulos, Mrs. Ferri, Ms. Hammer, Mrs. Daley, Mrs.Berinato, Ms.LeBlanc, Ms. Westenfeld and Mrs. Marchesini, our parent nurse for making this trip possible.
We would also like to recognize Green Team students Christine West, Mike Barr and Grey Team students Sam Ho and Katie Falzone for being selected by their teachers to represent JGMS at a wreath laying ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.
Key End of the Year Dates:
Wednesday, May 23rd: Final Washington D.C. Trip Assembly, BHS Fall Sports Sign-Ups held during Periods 3 and 5.
Thursday Evening, May 24th: Academic Recognition Night
Tuesday, May 29th-Friday, June 1st: 8th Grade Trip to Washington D.C.
Wednesday, June 13th: Moving On-Ceremony (Held at BHS) and Dance ( Held at JGMS)
Friday, June 15th: Canobie Lake Trip
Monday, June 18th: Last Day of School!
SPECIAL OLYMPICS VOLUNTEERS
Congratulations to the following 8th grade students who helped mentor our LABB students at the annual Special Olympics last week. We are so proud of the work our students did to make the day a huge success for all involved. It was a shining moment for all who participated!
Bridget Towle
Maddie Harrington
Ryan Rhodes
Emily Liang
Taylor Anderson
Mike Barr
Gavin Heffernan
Tyler Billouin
Peter Richards
Gabby Griffiths
Chris Baxter
7th Grade News
It's hard to believe that 7th grade is coming to an end in a few weeks. All of the Navy and Purple teachers have enjoyed teaching your children this year and we know they have worked hard this year in all of their classes. We also thank you for all of the support you give your children every day in helping them to be such great students and citizens of JGMS. We will clebrate the year with a fun field trip to Kimball's Farm in Westford on Friday June 8th. Permission slips and information about the trip will be sent home on next week and will be due back on Friday June 1.
Here is how the school year is ending in each of the content classes:
Science
In science, students have wrapped up their study of genetics with a project where they designed a 3 dimentional model of a DNA strand. We are now studying how life has changed over time in our unit on Evolution. Next up is learning how scientists classify the diversity of life on earth. Finally we'll finish the year with a quick survey of the 11 human body systems.
Math
7th Grade Pre-Algebra students turned in some amazing box projects earlier in May. The teachers were very impressed at the effort put into this project. They just completed a unit on Probability. The unit culminated with a fun "Deal or No Deal" game. We will finish the year with the unit on Algebra. This unit will help prepare your child for next year's Pre-Algebra or Algebra course. We will conclude this unit with a test during the week of June 4th. 7th Grade Math also recently completed a unit on Probability. . The unit included "Deal or No Deal", "Skunk", and "Release the Prisoners." Be sure to ask your child about these fun games. They will be covering an introduction to Algebra in June with a test the week of June 4th.
English
English classes have been learning about other cultures and families through literature. The students were able to SKYPE with many of the authors asking questions about the cultures of the novels, the writing and publishing process and what gave the writers their inspiration. In our most recent class novel, The Giver, the students have been examining a controlled culture. They have been discussing and debating the positive and negative outcomes of this control of people. Themes focusing on community, perfection, dystopia and utopia are being discussed. As usual writing will be a way for the students to explain their views and understanding on the themes. We will end the year with Quicksilver, an interesting and somewhat comical perspective of Greek mythology. Students are also working on an independent reading project that is due in early June.
Social Studies
In Social Studies, students have finished learning about Ancient Greece, with a focus on the early Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations, and the beginning of city-states. Students began by learning about the geography of Greece around the Aegean Sea. They have learned about the different types of government that led to the Democracy of Athens and the culture of ancient Greece, as well as a comparison of two city-states, Athens and Sparta. Students in Mr. McGonagle's and Ms. Hammer's classes combined to research and present information about the culture and contributions of Ancient Greece. They have begun the last unit of the year, Ancient Rome. The unit will culminate with an essay focusing on how Ancient Rome continues to influence Western Civilization today. All students have the opportunity to write an extra credit essay about Memorial Day, which is on Monday, May 21 and will be entered into a town-wide contest.
6th Grade News
Math
In 6th grade math we completed our colorful translation/tessellation projects before April break. We are eagerly anticipating taking the spring MCAS assessment and then moving in the direction of preparing for grade 7 by studying integers.
Science
In class, both teams have been working on Physics, and did a great job calculating the speed of objects and describing their motion. The remainder of the year will focus on Newton's Three Laws, and the students will be building balloon-power cars to help demonstrate and describe these laws.
Social Studies
The red and blue team social studies classes are ending the year with a look at Asia. We have been learning about life in Southwest Asia and are moving into Central Asia...the –stans! We are looking forward to contrasting this knowledge with all that we have learned about Africa and the ways where people live affects how they live.
English
How does someone go from ordinary to being extraordinary? This is the question we are attempting to answer in Ms. Breakall's. We are in the midst of a research project in which we will investigate people who have had a significant impact on the world. This helps us further develop our understanding of the world in which we live and how each person can contribute on a small or global level. Additionally, we are working on note-taking, paraphrasing, organizing, citing our sources and, of course, writing. We will also be presenting our information so that we can learn from each other's investigations and thorough research. This will comprise most of fourth term's grades.
A note from Ms. Breakall
Thanks to all who attended our poetry readings. I appreciated your help and support, and I know this will be a fond memory for our young poets for years to come. To those who donated snacks, an even bigger thank you!
In Ms. Grant's class, we are working on developing our poetry skills. We are investigating a variety of poets and styles and attempting to "walk in their shoes" by imitating their styles. As poetry ends, we will be delving deeper into short stories. Just what makes a story grab a reader's attention? We will find out as we read and write our own stories.
Upcoming Events
Both teams will be enjoying field trips this spring. We are looking forward to seeing the changes in the world at the Mapparium and to connecting our current classroom learning to the world around us. Dates and details will be forthcoming. Please keep your eyes open for permission slips and information to be distributed in the upcoming weeks.
Spanish News
Grade 6
In sixth grade Spanish we have entered the exciting adventure of conjugating verbs. We are currently working on the present tense of AR verbs while learning how to talk about our classes and materials. Students have also learned how to talk about frequency and saying that they "have to" do something. Throughout this chapter, students will be working on a project, which allows them to talk about the classes they take and what they do and use in each class. They will be working in class as well as in the computer lab to complete this activity. As our unit takes place in Mexico City, we will be exploring various aspects of life as well as comparing a school day in the US to a school day in Mexico.
Grade 7
In seventh grade Spanish we are wrapping up the final chapter in the unit on Puerto Rico. We have studied how to say what is happening now, direct object pronouns, weather and accessories for the weather, and special tener idioms to say how people are feeling. We will begin unit 4, on Oaxaca, Mexico, in which we will study directions and commands. It also includes identifying places in the city and modes of transportation.
Grade 8
In 8th grade Spanish we are currently focusing on the Preterite tense to describe past activities. Our cultural context is Spain and we continue to study various traditional foods of Spanish cuisine, such as tapas and paella valenciana. We are also learning the use of superlatives in Spanish to express extremes. Soon we will begin a new unit within the cultural context of Ecuador. We will learn to talk about professions, make suggestions to a group and describe buildings of a city.