PSSA Testing starts Next Week!

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

PSSA TESTING:

• April 11, 12, 14 & 15 - PSSA English-Language Arts
• April 19, 20, & 21 - PSSA Mathematics
• April 25 & 26 PSSA Science

ELECTRONIC DEVICE NOTICE

Testing regulations prohibit the use of all electronic devices, including Kindles, Nooks, iPads or other electronic readers during testing times. All cell phones, pagers, portable listening or recording devices, or any device with photographic capability must remain at home or in a locker.

Read more about cell phones and the PSSA tests. 

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.

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

Courthouse Field Trip

A few weeks ago 8th grade students traveled to the Allegheny County Courthouse for a field trip.  In their Civics classes, students were introduced to the criminal and civil court systems prior to their visit.  Upon their arrival at the courthouse, students were greeted by a Deputy Attorney General of Allegheny County, David Spurgeon.  Mr. Spurgeon talked to students about his role in the judicial branch and warned them about the consequences of drug and alcohol related crimes.  Next, students visited real criminal court rooms to observe trials in action.  Some judges even invited the students to speak with them in their chambers about their job. A few lucky students even got to try on Judge Beth Lazarra's official judicial robe and pound the gavel to restore order in the courtroom! 

Parent Network Request for PSSA Snacks

From AMS Parent Network:

Hello Middle School Families,

Happy Spring!  Along with the warmer weather and excitement of spring comes the tedious task of PSSA testing for our children.  :(  Testing begins next Monday (4/11-15)  and runs through the following week (4/18-22), and even continues into the following week for 8th grade testing in Science (4/27-29).  Parent Network likes to help "ease the pain" a bit during these long weeks by organizing a snack for the kids each day.  Mr. Haskins informed me that the total number of individually wrapped snacks needed this year is 1,110!  Needless to say we could use your help.  Any donations of "healthy" snacks would be GREATLY appreciated:)  If you are able to help, please send your snack to the office byMonday, April 11th marked with your child's grade.

Healthy snack ideas:

*pretzels
*granola bars
*goldfish
*cheez-itz
*fruit snacks
*fruit
*cheese crackers

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Beth Yovetich

Reminder! Take the Survey!

AMS faculty and staff are conducting a survey on communication and community events. Please add your input! Thanks in advance!

LINK: http://bit.ly/1PdLpqp/1PdLpqp

Yearbook Cover Contest

Students can submit a drawing for the YEARBOOK Cover Contest!

This year's theme is "Thinking Outside of the Box." Your drawing must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper and must be in color! 

Return submissions to Mr. Haskins by April 18! Winner receives a free yearbook! 

AMS Makers - Aquaculture Project

Working with DECO Resources students at AMS will be designing, planning, and constructing an indoor aquaculture system.  This is a maker project and is to be installed in the "forest."  The first meeting will be on April 6 at 3:00-4:30 PM. A follow-up activity will be on April 14 after school. Additional meetings to build and test our system will be set after April 6. See Mr. Haskins - room 110 - if you are interested in participating and to sign up!  

PSSA Testing Starts in April

Students in the 8th grade will be taking state PSSA tests this school year. The dates below were updated March 14.  Read more about PSSA testing in the 8th grade from the blog. 

PSSA TESTING:

• April 11, 12, 14 & 15 - PSSA English-Language Arts
• April 19, 20, & 21 - PSSA Mathematics
• April 25 & 26 PSSA Science

ELECTRONIC DEVICE NOTICE:

Testing regulations prohibit the use of all electronic devices, including Kindles, Nooks, iPads or other electronic readers during testing times. All cell phones, pagers, portable listening or recording devices, or any device with photographic capability must remain at home or in a locker.

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.

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

Spring Break Starts Monday

Monday, April 10 to Monday, April 17

Spring Vacation - No School

Tuesday, April 18

 School in Session

See more dates on the AMS Grade 8 Calendar.

Warmer Weather Dress Code Reminder

As the weather gets warmer, students need to be mindful of the school dress code. Click here to read more.

Take a Survey!

AMS faculty and staff are conducting a survey on communication and community events. Please add your input! Thanks in advance!

LINK: http://bit.ly/1PdLpqp/1PdLpqp

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.