Grade 8 Commencement

Parents and students should have received an invite for the 8th grade commencement. 

Click here to read more...

Cross Country Pre-Season Workouts Continue

Pre-season Cross Country workouts continue next week on Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 18 from 3:00 to 4:00.   Any parents of student-athletes should attend an informational meeting at 4:00 in the Middle School Cafeteria on Wednesday, May 18. All 8th grade boys & girls are welcome to attend (no previous running experience necessary).

If you have any questions, email Coach Smith at jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us

AR due soon!

AR Points are due May 25!

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/

Notice from the Library - End of the Year

1. The final day for students to check out books will be May 20th. No new check outs will take place after this time. 

2. All materials are due back to the library by the end of the day on May 31st. If you need materials longer than that please let Mrs. Hickman know.

3. If any students are interested in helping to close up the library, please see Mrs. Hickman.

Important Dates and Events

Thursday, May 12

AR POINTS DUE MAY 25 - NO EXTENSIONS 4TH TERM

[Field Trip] Nicky's Family - South Side Works Cinema

Friday, May 13

[Event] Pancake Breakfast

10:30am [Event] Holocaust Survivor Assembly

Tuesday, May 17

Keystone Exams

Thursday, May 19

Keystone Exams

6:00pm [SCHEDULING] BUMP UP NIGHT

Friday, May 20

History Center Field Trip

Tuesday, May 24

[Field Trip] Kennywood Field Trip

Wednesday, May 25

Reading AR due

Thursday, May 26

[Event] AMS 8 Bridge Exposition

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day - School Closed

Wednesday, June 1

7:00pm [Event] Grade 8 Commencement

Friday, June 3

Fourth Grading Period Ends

Last Day for Students

Student-led Conferences

Student-led conferences are now being conducted... be sure that you have set a date and time with your adviser.

Experts visit Grade 8 for Bridge Design Day

Today, students in the 8th grade received expert advice on their bridge building projects from engineers who specialize in bridge construction and design. Avonworth Middle School welcomed engineers from the Michael Baker International and  PennDot District 11. Students are working on a project in science class that requires them to design a sturdy yet cost effective bridge. Students will build their structures out of plastic drinking straws, hot glue, and fishing line. Progress on the project can be viewed on our webpage,www.HaskinsSci8.info.

Mr. Allen Peng, engineer PennDot District 11

Mr. Paul Maynisha, engineer PennDot District 11

Mr. Greg Cerminara, engineer Michael Baker International

School Maker Faire

First Annual School Maker Faire

Avonworth School District

 5/10/16  -  5:30-8:30PM

MS/HS Library

8^th Grade Waterwheel Projects to be Displayed

Fall Boys & Girls High School Cross Country

Any 8^th Grade student who is interested in joining the Boys & Girls High School Cross Country team next school year can attend pre-season conditioning after school on the following dates:  

Tuesday, May 10
Friday, May 13

Tuesday, May 17

No previous running experience is necessary.  All ability and interest levels are welcome to give this sport a try.  Everyone makes the high school team.  There are no try-outs.  There are no cuts.  And, athletes are permitted to participate in another Fall Sport such as soccer, football, cheerleading, or volleyball during the Cross Country season.  Members of last year's high school team will be on hand to help the new runners learn about proper stretching techniques, running form, safety precautions and answer any questions that you might have about the sport.

We will meet from 3:00 to 4:00 at the Flag Pole near the Middle School Cafeteria.  Students should bring water & their running shoes.  If you have any questions, email Coach Smith at jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us

Tomorrow is the last pre-order day for the yearbook!

The last day to pre-order a yearbook is tomorrow! A limited number of yearbooks will be printed, so be sure to get your order placed! The yearbook will be delivered the week of May 23.

Order Form

Maker Help Wanted - Aquaculture Project

MAKER HELP WANTED

Are you interested in problem-solving, creating/designing, making/building? Are you an animal lover? 

Then join us after school on Thursday, May 5 as we begin to construct the aquaponics installation.

See Mr. Haskins if you have any questions. We will meet until 4:30 PM in the "construction area." 

  

American Legion Award due Monday

Resumes are due to Mr. Smith by Monday, May 2. Click here for details. 

Student-led Conferences in May

In order to close our 8th grade advisory program and to have time to reflect on middle school academically, each 8th grade student will be preparing to lead a parent-student-teacher conference.  Our 8th grade advisory program has been reflecting on student work, progress, and goal setting while meeting bi-monthly throughout the school year.  Each parent and student will have a student-led conference in May after school.

Junior Achievement Day

The 8th grade team would like to thank all of the parent presenters during the Avonworth Middle School Junior Achievement day. The presentations on careers, finance, and economy were presented in grades 6 through 8 on Wednesday 4/27/16.

Women and Girls Foundation 2016 GirlGov

The Women and Girls Foundation is still accepting applications for our 2016 GirlGov yearlong program and we need help spreading the word to young girls entering 9^th grade in the Fall of 2016. 

The Women and Girls Foundation’s Seventh Annual GirlGov program will kick off this summer with a trip to Harrisburg June 12^th through June 16^th.  GirlGov is designed to provide local girls with the opportunity to learn firsthand about government, civics, advocacy, philanthropy, community involvement, youth organizing, women’s history, and leadership.  Participants will shadow a state legislator for the day and learn about current public policy issues impacting women’s and girls’ lives in our region.  Transportation, overnight accommodations, and meals are included; there is NO FEE TO PARTICIPATE.  This year’s program also includes GirlGov meetings from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM on the second Thursday of every month.  Transportation to and from GirlGov meetings is the participant’s responsibility.

The program is open to all girls entering 9^th to 12^th grade in the Fall of 2016 who live in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.  Past GirlGov participants are welcome to apply.

This year’s program promises to be our biggest and best yet! Participants will have opportunities to:

·  Shadow a state legislator for a day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg

·  Learn about philanthropy and grant-making, and award $10,000 to local girl-led projects

·  Explore nonprofit and government career options

·  Discuss issues affecting women and girls with key decision makers

·  Meet and hear from accomplished women working in and with government

·  Become (more) involved in community civics

·  Most of all – have fun!

APPLY HERE:  https://wgfpa.wufoo.com/forms/mv4qah904z1w29/

The application deadline is this Friday, April 29^th. If you need a deadline extension, please contact blayre@wgfpa.org. 

Avonworth School District does not sponsor the activities of GirlGov. 

Yearbook Cover Contest Winners!

 

Congratulations to Kailey S. and Abigail A., winners of the yearbook cover contest! Kailey and Abby received the highest number of votes for their artwork. The combined ideas will be printed on the the cover of the yearbook! They both will receive a free yearbook! 

Yearbook Sales continue through May 6

A yearbook order form and payment are due to the office by May 6, 2016. A limited number of yearbooks will be printed, so be sure to get your order placed! The yearbook will be delivered the week of May 23.

Order Form

May & June Calendar Update

Monday, May 2

American Legion Award Resume due to Mr. Smith by Monday

Make Up PSSA Testing

Tuesday, May 3

Make Up PSSA Testing

Wednesday, May 4

Make Up PSSA Testing

2 hour delay

Thursday, May 5

 Make Up PSSA Testing

 [Event] Bridge Engineers Visit AMS 8

Friday, May 6

Make Up PSSA Testing

AR POINTS DUE MAY 25 - NO EXTENSIONS 4TH TERM

[Civics] Layered Curriculum Unit Test

[Event] BAAHA Presentations

YEARBOOK ORDERS DUE!

Tuesday, May 10

12:25pm [Event] Holocaust Activity

Wednesday, May 11

 AR POINTS DUE MAY 25 - NO EXTENSIONS 4TH TERM

Thursday, May 12

 [Field Trip] Nicky's Family - South Side Works Cinema

Friday, May 13

10:00am [Event] Holocaust Survivor

Tuesday, May 17

Keystone Exams

Thursday, May 19

Keystone Exams

6:00pm [SCHEDULING] BUMP UP NIGHT

Friday, May 20

History Center Field Trip

Tuesday, May 24

[Field Trip] Kennywood Field Trip

Thursday, May 26

[Event] AMS 8 Bridge Exposition

Friday, May 27

[Event] Middle School Olympics

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day - School Closed

Wednesday, June 1

[Event] Grade 8 Commencement

Friday, June 3

Fourth Grading Period Ends

Last Day for Students

PSSA Testing to Finish Next Week

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

PSSA TESTING:

• 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.

Grammar Game Victors!

Congratulations to the 2016 Grammar Game Victors!

Natalie Marshall, Anna Igims, Luke Wagner,  and Tanner Blose

Bridge Design and Model Building Unit

email to students 4/20/16: 

Dear students, 

Each year we conclude 8th grade science using the skills we've learned by designing, constructing and testing a bridge. There are many parts to this project. The end result is a design that you create with the help of bridge building experts and a scale model to test for strength! 

Check out the assignments and due dates on the science website. We will also be using the score keeper and stars for extra credit! 

See you in class.

Sincerely,

Mr. Haskins

Bridge Building Experts needed for STEM Project

Engineers needed for the
BRIDGE DESIGN DAY & EXPOSITION DAY

May 5 and May 26

As students in the 8th grade proceed through our bridge design and building project, we are seeking help from experts in the fields of engineering and design of bridges. This is the fifth year for the bridge building and design exposition at Avonworth Middle School! Interested experts can RSVP for our events by emailing Doug Haskins, Grade 8 science teacher.

Read more from the Science 8 website!

Yearbook Sales continue through May 6

Students who would like a copy of the yearbook should complete the form linked below and return payment to the office by May 6, 2016. A limited number of yearbooks will be printed, so be sure to get your order placed. The yearbook will be delivered the week of May 23, which is just in time to have your friends sign it! 

Order Form

Submissions to the yearbook cover contest! Digital voting ballots for students are available through Friday. 

The 2016 Grammar Game Finalists

Victors will be announced Monday! Stay tuned!