Important March and April Dates

Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25 - No School/Spring Vacation

Monday, March 28 - School in Session
Tuesday, March 29 - Report Cards

Saturday, April 9 9:00am 9th Grade Scheduling Workshop

Monday, April 11 8:00am 8-11AM PSSA TESTING - English-Language Arts

Tuesday, April 12 8:00am 8-11AM PSSA TESTING - English-Language Arts

Wednesday, April 13 TWO HOUR DELAY

Thursday, April 14 8:00am 8-11AM PSSA TESTING - English-Language Arts

Friday, April 15 9th Grade Scheduling Worksheet due to the MS Office

Friday, April 15 8:00am  8-11AM PSSA TESTING - English-Language Arts

Tuesday, April 19  8:00am PSSA TESTING - MATH

Tuesday, April 19 12:00pm Video Conference World War II Museum "Science and Technology"

Wednesday, April 20 8:00am PSSA TESTING - MATH

Wednesday, April 20 12:00pm [Event] Video Conference World War II Museum "Women's Role in WWII"

Thursday, April 21 8:00am PSSA TESTING - MATH

Thursday, April 21 8:00am  12:00pm [Event] Video Conference International Spy Museum "Spy School 101"

Monday, April 25 8:00am  PSSA TESTING - SCIENCE
Tuesday, April 26 8:00am PSSA TESTING - SCIENCE

Tuesday, April 26 12:00pm Video Conference World War II Museum "Japanese Internment"

Daylight Saving Time Starts Sunday!

Remember to turn your clocks ahead on Sunday, 3/13/16! Daylight Saving Time starts!

Grading Period Ends 3/16

Third nine-weeks grading period to end
March 16, 2016

Learn more about the grading periods
from the AMS Parent Academy 

Report Cards to be published to Edline March 29. 

No School Tomorrow

No School for students & staff

Friday, 03/11/16

due to previously held
parent-teacher conferences.  

Science Layered Curriculum Ends Next Week!

Next Wednesday, students will be finishing the layered curriculum on atoms and elements. Progress has been tracked in the students' project folders. The current checkpoint, 58 points, was posted to Edline today. Below you can see some of the activities the students have completed!

Electron Clouds. Students learned about the energy levels in which electrons can be held. So, one activity had students draw two electron configurations using the Borh Model. 

Periodic Wall. Students had researched facts about particular elements and added their research to an interactive periodic table in the science lab. 

Strange Symbols. Why is sodium atomic symbol "Na?" Where did scientists get the symbol "W" for Tungsten? Students researched the origins of atomic symbols that didn't match their modern English names. 

Element Circle Graphs. Students can also examined the elemental composition of common substances using pie charts. 

Word Wall. Students created a vocabulary splash using sheets of paper. The definitions have been useful throughout the learning unit.

Reminder! Courthouse Field Trip Expectations

Students will be attending a courthouse field trip on March 10, 16 or 17. The following are the expectations for students while being at the courthouse:  

• Dress appropriately - proper attire might include khakis and a nice shirt.  Some judges will not permit visitors to their courtroom if they are wearing jeans, shorts, and flip-flops, 
• No gum
  
• No talking inside of the courtroom
• No cameras
• No cell phones, iPods, or tablets
• Be prepared for metal detectorsThe courthouse requires that students pass through metal detectors.  Students will be asked to remove everything from their pockets, their jewelry, and belts while passing through the metal detectors.
• For lunch, students should pack a lunch to be eaten at school.

Important Dates

Friday, March 11 - No School/Previously Held Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 16 - Courthouse Field Trip 2

Wednesday, March 16 - End of Third Grading Period

Thursday, March 17 - Courthouse Field Trip 3

Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25 - No School/Spring Vacation

Monday, March 28 - School closed
Tuesday, March 29 - School in Session
Tuesday, March 29 - Report Cards

SPRING GRADE 8 CONFERENCES

GRADE 9 SCHEDULING
2016-2017

Courthouse Field Trip Expectations

Students will be attending a courthouse field trip on March 10, 16 or 17. The following are the expectations for students while being at the courthouse:  

• Dress appropriately - proper attire might include khakis and a nice shirt.  Some judges will not permit visitors to their courtroom if they are wearing jeans, shorts, and flip-flops, 
• No gum
  
• No talking inside of the courtroom
• No cameras
• No cell phones, iPods, or tablets
• Be prepared for metal detectorsThe courthouse requires that students pass through metal detectors.  Students will be asked to remove everything from their pockets, their jewelry, and belts while passing through the metal detectors.
• For lunch, students should pack a lunch to be eaten at school.

Cancelled - HS Scheduling Workshop

Due to possible inclement weather conditions, the High School Scheduling Workshop has been cancelled for Saturday, April 9 and rescheduled for Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 pm.

AR due 3/9

AR Points are due March 9!

Parents, you can check your child's reading progress!  Click on the link below and login with your child's login information.  

https://hosted321.renlearn.com/24471/HomeConnect/

Important March Dates

Thursday, March 3 - Spring Field Trip Form Due

Friday, March 4 - AMS Semi-formal

Wednesday, March 10 - Court House Field Trip 1

Friday, March 11 - No School/Previously Held Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 16 - Court House Field Trip 2

Wednesday, March 16 - End of Third Grading Period

Thursday, March 17 - Court House Field Trip 3

Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25 - No School/Spring Vacation

Tuesday, March 22 - Report Cards
Monday, March 28 - Schools in session (snow make up day)

SPRING GRADE 8 CONFERENCES

GRADE 9 SCHEDULING
2016-2017

9th Grade Scheduling

Read more from the AMS website. 

Spring Field Trip Forms Due

The 8^th grade team has several field trips planned for the spring. Click below to download the forms and letters.

Print, complete and return the permission slip & payment. 

Layered Curriculum in Science: Atoms and their Properties

From the Science Website Menu of Assignments (pdf) Unit Calendar of Due Dates (pdf) Activities Available Online: Layer  C up to 25 pts Layer B up to 30 pts Layer A up to 45 pts

A layered curriculum is a way to allow choice and differentiation in the classroom.  Students can choose activities from a menu of possible assignments. Assignments can be modified to increase rigor or help a student struggling with the content. The daily “mini-lessons” teach specific topics and skills. The lessons range from ten to fifteen minutes which offers students ample time in class to conduct lab activities, complete worksheet activities, or plan a project. Students should choose assignments that fits their interests. Activities need to be turned-in on a regular basis to meet the checkpoints. Many resources for the layered curriculum are available on the internet.  Students will have a choice of assignments from a menu of activities. Students are to start with “Level C – Basic Knowledge” assignments and move to “Level B – Advanced Practice” and then on to “Level A – Assessment” assignments. Each class period starts with a mini-lesson and concludes with time to work on layered activities. Scores for the layered curriculum will be tracked by the students in their layered curriculum activity guides (folder created in class). Copies are available from the internet. Some assignments have specific due dates. There is a special layered curriculum calendar on the menu of assignments.  The online tutorials and assignments require a computer with internet access. All Unit G layered curriculum assignments are due by Wednesday, 3/16/16.

Baseball Open Gym

There will be an open gym for 7th & 8th Grade boys interested in joining the Middle School baseball team this upcoming season.  

7th Grade open gym will be on Tuesday, March 1 from 4:30 to 6:00. 

8th Grade open gym will be on Thursday, March 3 from 4:30 to 6:00.

See Coach Smith or Coach Johncour if you have any questions.

Important March Dates

Thursday, March 3 - Spring Field Trip Form Due

Friday, March 4 - AMS Semi-formal

Wednesday, March 10 - Court House Field Trip 1

Friday, March 11 - No School/Previously Held Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 16 - Court House Field Trip 2

Wednesday, March 16 - End of Third Grading Period

Thursday, March 17 - Court House Field Trip 3

Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25 - No School/Spring Vacation

Tuesday, March 22 - Report Cards
Monday, March 28 - Schools in session (snow make up day)

SPRING GRADE 8 CONFERENCES

PSSA Testing in April

Students in the 8th grade will be taking state PSSA tests this school year.        

PSSA TESTING:

April 11, 12, 14 & 15 - PSSA English-Language Arts 8-11AM
April 19, 20, & 21 - PSSA Mathematics 8-11AM
April 28 & 29 PSSA Science 9:45-11:20 AM
 

Read more about PSSA Testing in the 8th grade from our blog.  

ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL ON TEST DAYS

Avoid scheduling doctor appointments, vacations or other out-of-school activities during testing times. Participation in PSSA exams is a state requirement.

Making up tests pulls students from their regular classes. As a result, they will miss valuable class time. It will be students' responsibility to make up any classwork missed.

Of course, if students are genuinely ill, they should stay at home and take the necessary time off to get well. Students will perform better on a test if they are healthy.

Students should read and review the Code of Conduct for Test Takers prior to starting the PSSA tests.

March Conferences

Needs-Based March Parent Conferences

The March parent-teacher conferences are needs-based. If you need to speak with the 8th grade team, we can send you a conference invitation by emailing Doug Haskins, dhaskins@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

Come to Maker Night!

On March 9 from 5 - 7 PM, the library will host a Maker Night. All parents and students are welcome to attend! We will have a chance for people to use the Maker Space equipment (an Epilog laser engraver and a Mojo 3D printer) as well as other equipment and supplies for projects and activities. 

There will be a chance to participate in an activity if you are new to making (or just want to check out a fun project) or if you already have a great idea and just need time, space and materials we will be happy to provide that as well! 

Drop ins are welcome! 

If you'd like to RSVP to confirm your spot or you have a question about Maker Night, please contact ehickman@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

Science Homework This Week (2/16-2/19)

Email sent to students 2/16/16:

Dear Students,

Below you will find the links to the homework for the rest of the week (2/16-2/19). Be sure to prepare for the last quiz which will be on Monday, 2/22/16.

DAY	Assignments
Tuesday Night	Reading activity pages 485-495 due Wednesday
Wednesday Night	Video: Archimedes’ Principle
Thursday Night	Video: Boyle's Law  Worksheet:  F11 Properties of Fluids due Friday
Friday – Sunday	Video: Charles’s Law Principle   Worksheet:  F11 Properties of Fluids due Friday  Study for Quiz: Study Guide

See you in class.

Sincerely,

Mr. Haskins

Important Dates

Thursday, March 3 - Spring Field Trip Form Due

Friday, March 4 - AMS Semi-formal

Wednesday, March 10 - Court House Field Trip 1

Friday, March 11 - No School/Previously Held Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 16 - Court House Field Trip 2

Wednesday, March 16 - End of Third Grading Period

Thursday, March 17 - Court House Field Trip 3

Monday, March 21 - Monday, March 28  - No School/Spring Vacation

Tuesday, March 22 - Report Cards
Tuesday, March 29 - Schools in session

SPRING GRADE 8 CONFERENCES

No School Monday - Presidents' Day - Act 80/Teacher In-Service

Act 80 Day / Teacher In-Service

No school for students

Monday, February 15, 2016

Presidents Day

Hoops for Heart - Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day!
Hoops for Hearts is back!

Students are reminded to return their packets and donations by the end of homeroom tomorrow. 

Help AMS win the "Explore the New Manufacturing" Contest

From the AMS website:

Support Avonworth Middle School with the "2016 Explore the New Manufacturing" student video contest, produced by the Catalyst Connection in Pittsburgh, PA!

This is the first year of the student video contest in southwestern Pennsylvania with 10 schools and 10 companies participating in the program.

"People Choice Award" Voting Feb. 8-12, 2016.       Link to vote is:  http://bit.ly/videocontest2016

Spring Conferences

Student-Led Conferences

Eighth graders are in the process of preparing for parent-student-teacher conferences that they will lead this May.  Our 8th grade advisory program guides students to reflect on student work, progress, and goal setting throughout the school year. Students will lead a conference with their parents/guardians as well as their advisor in May before or after school. Therefore, parents or guardians will be offered an opportunity to meet with a faculty member before the end of the school year.  The students are doing a great job of preparing for their conferences, and we can't wait to meet with everyone later this spring!  Your student's advisor will contact you at the end of April. Please be on the lookout for that message.

Needs-Based March Parent Conferences

The March parent-teacher conferences are needs-based. If you need to speak with the 8th grade team as a whole group before the May conference dates, we can send you a conference invitation.  If you do not have any pressing concerns, we are looking forward to seeing you at student-led conferences in May!   To receive a conference invitation, please email Doug Haskins, dhaskins@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

Important Dates

 Monday, February 18 - No School/Teacher In-Service

Thursday, March 3 - Spring Field Trip Form Due

Friday, March 4 - AMS Semi-formal

Wednesday, March 10 - Court House Field Trip 1

Friday, March 11 - No School/Previously Held Parent-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, March 16 - Court House Field Trip 2

Wednesday, March 16 - End of Third Grading Period

Thursday, March 17 - Court House Field Trip 3

Monday, March 21 - Monday, March 28  - No School/Spring Vacation

Tuesday, March 22 - Report Cards
Tuesday, March 29 - Schools in session