Middle School Update

Volume 7 Number 27

April 21 , 2008

CALENDAR:  

The MS Parent Advisory and MS counselor Andrea Fleming are starting a parent book club to read about and discuss issues specifically related to our teens and what they face during adolescence. Our first book is called "Emotionally Intelligent Parenting: How to Raise a Self-Disciplined, Responsible, Socially Skilled Child" by Elias, Tobias, and Friedlander. Are you interested in joining us? Send an email to Andrea Fleming and we will help you locate a copy of the book. We plan to meet in late May to discuss this book and make our next choice for the following semester. We hope to hear from you!

SEVENTH GRADERS DISECT HEARTS AND FROGS – Click on the link below for photos.

http://www.amersol.edu.pe/ms/news/index.asp

INTERNET SAFETY PLEDGES:  You should have received by email internet safety pledges for students and parents.  These are something for you to use to talk with your child.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.  These came out of the internet safety talk given Wednesday night by Jorge Aguinaga from Microsoft.  He did an excellent job of helping the parents who were there to understand some of the risks we all face today with the use of the internet.

Spring/Fall Fever?  Each year we see a dip in study habits and academic achievement as the end of the third quarter of the year approaches. This year is no exception. It is time for parents to once again step forward and ask to see agenda books and homework assignments to help their children get back on track.  With MYP grading, we will be evaluating what skills and habits the student is demonstrating on a regular basis.  Consistency is the key.  Seventh graders, for example, have had a bad week.  They were preparing for a test in Math and were given review sheets to do each night to check for understanding and allow for extra explanation in problem areas. 49% of the students did not complete the review sheets including 26% who completed less than half of them.  Maybe  it is the weather – it is too nice to think about schoolwork.  We are asking for your help in monitoring students for completion of homework. Thank you.

On the positive side -- students are participating in class discussions, making powerpoint presentations, learning flash animation, doing community and service, participating in intramural table tennis and soccer tournaments at lunch, and creating a fun educational environment. They seem to be happy to come to school.