New Learning Unit in Science Class

Students in science have started a new learning unit called energy resources. We will be continuing our exploration of electricity through several activities.

First, students will be constructing a simple DC motor to better understand how electrons make motors spin. They will be creating YouTube replies to the DC model posted to the Science 8 YouTube Channel. 

Second, students will be examining energy resources in our community. We will be considering renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as the untapped potential in our river. The final activity of this unit has the students designing a turbine to be retrofitted to our existing locks and dams.

Here are some online resources for students and parents:

   - Graded Assignment List

   - Notes
   - Unit Study Guide

Clubs, Staying After School,and Activity Bus

From the office: 

The Avonworth School District is very pleased to report that an Activity Bus will be provided for middle school and high school students that need to stay after school for clubs and activities. This bus will run every Monday-Thursday and leave the school at 4:00 p.m. Students can board the bus outside the middle school entrance.

Keep in mind, the bus does not provide door to door service. It will stop at strategic locations throughout the district. The bus stop locations are listed below. The first day of operation will be Monday, December 5th.

• Ben Avon Playground
• Church Ave & Dickson Ave
• Avalon Loop
• Laundromat
• Emsworth Boro Building
• Roosevelt Road(house stops)
• Roosevelt Road/North Ridge
• Gary/Cheryl
• Nicholson Road(house stops)
• Deer Valley
• Diamond Run
• Ridge Rd/Linda Vista

Check out the clubs and activities sponsored by AMS faculty! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving! 

No School for students  Wednesday, November 23 (previously held conferences) through Monday, November 28 (ACT 80 Day).

School is in session Tuesday, November 29.  

Photo Retakes 11/30/16

Photo retakes will be on November 30. Order forms are available in the offices.

2016 Advisory Games!

On Monday, 11/21/16, students in the 8th grade participated in the 3rd annual AMS 8 Advisory Games! Students used cooperation and teamwork skills to solve problems and earn points!

AMS 8 Maker Students take on PANTHERx Project

On Wednesday, November 16, students from the 8^th grade met with Jonathan Ogurchak of Panther Specialty Pharmacy to learn more about a project involving Avonworth and Blackhawk Middle Schools.

Students learned about the role of a specialty pharmacy and the requirement of a close relationship among patients, doctors and the pharmacists. The students were introduced to a specific drug, Strensiq, which requires strict monitoring due to temperature constraints and costs. Strensiq is used to combat a specific genetic, enzymatic deficiency in bone production. The students learned about the special “smart” refrigerators needed to store the expensive supply of medication.

The project has students looking at how technology could improve the relationship and communication between the patients and their caregivers. Students were asked if they could think of ways that the “smart” refrigerator could be modified to better aid PANTHERx in their mission to serve patients with chronic diseases. The product to be created by the students will explain the features that could be used in the next iteration of the "smart refrigerator."

 

Jonathan Ogurchak describes the condition perinatal/infantile and juvenile-onset hypophosphatasia to Avonworth students. This is the disorder that Strensiq, an enzyme replacement, is prescribed to patients to form and maintain bone. The cost of the medication is extreme, which requires the pharmacy to closely track and monitor dosages.

Students interact with the features currently used on the "smart" refrigerator 2.0. The students got a chance to review all of the features of this new technology. 

The "smart" refrigerator uses technology such as RFID tagging and wireless communication to connect the refrigerator in patient's homes to the pharmacy. 

Students consider options that could be added to the "smart" refrigerator 3.0 to improve the communication between patients, doctors, and PANTHERx. 

Save the date! Middle School Engineering Day at Univ. of Pitt SWE

This event is not sponsored by Avonworth School District.

Veterans Day Field Trip

On Tuesday, November 8, thirty-three 8th grade students spent the day with local veterans at the Heinz History Center.  The WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War veterans shared their personal stories, brought in artifacts, and answered students' questions.  The heroic actions of these men and women were an inspiration to students and teachers.  Thank you to all veterans for your service to our nation.

Veterans Day 11/11/16

Let us remember all the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces so that we could have a safer life. 

Veterans Day
11/11/16

AMS 8 Specials Rotation Next Week

Students will be changing rotations on Tuesday, November 15. The next course can be found on the student schedule as "2" for periods B and H. 

Rube Goldberg Machines

Students in science 8 created Rube Goldberg Machines to apply what they had learned about energy, work, and simple machines. Check out the YouTube videos below to see period D’s machine run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCPjywOY5Ys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNE-e4Ldc5M

Education Trip Form and Procedure

Reminder from the Office: 

If a student is going to be out of school more than 3 days (e.g. vacation), parents are required to complete and submit the linked form. 

Also, see this and other attendance procedures from the Parent Academy Edline page. 

AMS Enviromental Club

Do you want to improve our school community environment? Want to learn more about the living things and their place in the ecosystem? Join us! 

The first environmental club meeting a will be on Monday, November 14 after school until 5 PM. At the meeting, the environmental club will discuss the projects and activities including  field trips.  

To receive more information... text @amsenviron to phone number 81010 or see Mr. Haskins

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday!

Remember to turn your clocks back on Sunday, 11/6/16! Daylight Saving Time Ends!

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program - Deadline is soon!

Click here to read more about the program
and application process.

Deadline is November 8, 2016.

Election 2016 Project

Thanks to the over 150 guests that attended our 8th Grade Election Event on Tuesday night.  Those in attendance were able to view student-created videos, board games, artwork, websites, children's books, presentations, and even a live debate! 

If you were in attendance and did not get an opportunity to take the Exit Poll, please feel free to leave us your feedback here:

https://goo.gl/forms/FnCyhDAmLvjLaqO73

The Outsiders

THE OUTSIDERS

Report Cards

First Nine Weeks Grading Period

Report Cards Posted to Edline November 2, 2016

Tweets from the Science Lab

Students in #lab110 building a Rube Goldberg Machine. Science as a verb. pic.twitter.com/C1nSAiRMTA

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 3, 2016

Students are learning about energy and specific heat in #lab110! They were excited to finally use the gas faucets at their seats. pic.twitter.com/xpSCp9uwPS

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) November 2, 2016

Students in #lab110 learning about simple machines and mechanical advantage pic.twitter.com/40Laan15dk

— AMS Science 8 (@science8haskins) October 24, 2016

November Yearbook News and Information

November 2016

• Yearbook Cover Contest
• 2017 Yearbook Ordering
• Yearbook Photo Submission App "Yearbook Snap"

Click here to read November's newsletter! 

First Grading Period Ends October 27

First Grading Period Ends

October 27

Important Information

• ENGLISH:All late work due by Monday, October 24
• MATH: All late work due no later than Monday, October, 24
• READING: All late work due by Wednesday, October 26 
• SCIENCE: Last day to turn in work for science "C2- Chapter 5 Assessments" is Thursday, October 27
• SOCIAL STUDIES:  All assignments due by Wednesday, October 26

A Novel Look at Film

A Novel Look at Film

Please ask your child for the following letter that was sent home yesterday.  

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Eighth grade students just finished reading and studying the award-winning novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  Since it was first published in 1967, it has remained a popular book among teenagers here at Avonworth.

We will conclude the novel unit by watching the PG-13 movie, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel on Monday, October 31.  The Francis Ford Coppola movie was rereleased in 2005 and captures the spirit of the young adult characters and themes prevalent in the novel.   The author S.E. Hinton helped direct the movie and even played a small part in it. 

Students will learn how to critically watch the film and reflect on key elements of the novel as they complete their “Movie to Film Analysis” online discussion in school.   After comparing and contrasting the movie’s character development, conflicts and themes to those within the novel, students will write and discuss their own reviews of the movie. 

If you do not want your student to watch the movie, please return the form below by Wednesday, October 26.  An alternative activity will be provided for students who will not watch the movie.  No action is needed if you approve of The Outsiders movie activity.

Thank you and stay gold!

Mrs. Galecki

8^th Grade Reading Teacher

If you DO NOT want your student to watch the PG-13 movie, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN this form by Wednesday, October 26. You can also email your request to me at kgalecki@avonworth.k12.pa.us.  Thank you!

_________________________________                       

  Student Name (please print)                                   

          My child does not have my permission to watch the rated PG-13 movie The Outsiders: The Complete Novel on Monday, October 31.  I would prefer that my child participate in an alternative activity.

X_______________________________                        ________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                Date

2016 Election Project

Happy Halloween - Monday, October 31

 Happy Halloween! 

 Monday, October 31

No Food or Drink in the Science Lab

Students are reminded that no food or drink (including water bottles) is allowed in the science lab due to safety concerns. Students are not allowed to consume food in the lab during period I.

AMS 8 in the News!

Just in case you missed the article in Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette featuring Mr. Smith and his lessons on the 2016 Presidential Election, you can read it here!

Presidential campaign’s hostility challenges teachers https://t.co/p9mqLfaYBj pic.twitter.com/YC0BwcaNcM

— Pittsburgh PG (@PittsburghPG) October 19, 2016

Science Progress Reports on Edline

Students are currently working through menu assessments which allows them to choose which activities to be used as a grade. Each week (ending on Wednesday), students must complete 10 points to receive a score of 100%. To track student progress, a new progress report was added to Edline called "Unit C Week 1 end 10/19."

The grading period is to end on October 27. The final scores will be collected and added on Wednesday, October 26 from "week 2 assessments." To see the average of all graded activities since August, review the report labeled “Current Grade” on Edline. 

There are two progress reports showing current progress on Edline. Menu assessment progress will be reported in a separate progress report.

AR Points due by Thursday, October 20

AR Points due by Thursday, October 20.

Remember you can check your child's AR progress on Renaissance Home Connect. Click on the button below to access the Home Connect link.  Use your child's AR login information to access the site. 

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his needs, is good for him." —Maya Angelou

Reminder: Parent-Teacher Conferences

The 8th Grade Team is scheduling needs-based parent-teacher conferences for October and November. 

Read more about AMS 8 parent-teacher conferences on our blog:

http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/p/fall-parent-teacher-conferences.html

Learning about Energy in Science Class

The new learning unit in science class is about energy. Students will demonstrate what they have learned about the topic through a series of menu assessments. Students get the power of choice through the menu and there are a variety of ways for students to show what they have learned about energy. All of the assessments for the menu can be found on the science website.

The menu assessments available on the science website. 

Students can earn up to 10 points for each week of the menu. Students can do as many assessments as they would like to get their total points. However, there is no extra credit. Student progress for each week will be monitored using a separate progress report on Edline. Only the overall, final grade for each chapter will be posted to the grading period report. 

There is also nightly homework for students to review and study the topics from class. Many of the tasks are videos developed to review the important terms and concepts regarding energy. Each assignment can be found on the science website's timeline. There is no credit or points for homework tasks, but they are essential to learning the ideas about energy. 

Unit C Energy Due Dates

Chapter 4 - Wednesday, 10/19   10 points (see special grade report on Edline)

Chapter 5 – Wednesday, 10/26  10 points (see special grade report on Edline) 

Chapter 6 – Wednesday, 11/2    10 points (see special grade report on Edline)

8th Grade Election Project Event!

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The 2016 Presidential Election season is upon us and voters have many questions to consider before they enter their polling place.  Who would make the best commander-in-chief?  How will each candidate’s economic policy impact me and my family?  What are the candidate’s different plans to fight terrorism? And, most importantly, who should I vote for?

Avonworth 8th grade students have the answers!  They will spend the month of October closely examining the policies and proposals of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in Civics class.  Then, on Tuesday, November 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., students will present their projects to parents, community members, and undecided voters at their 2016 Election Night event.

Parents/Guardians: Please plan to bring your child to the school on Tuesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. and stay for the presentations that will take place in several different classrooms in the Middle School.

Student projects and presentations will include the following topics:  Economy, Health Care, Foreign Policy, Fight against Terrorism, Social Issues, Immigration, Environment, and Gun Control.

Student projects and presentations are intended to be informative in nature, meaning that students will be instructed to report objectively on candidate’s policies and proposals instead of negatively attacking their opponent’s ideas.  

Official representatives from both the Democrat and Republican Parties have also been invited to attend this event.  While not in attendance at the presentations, information about Third Parties will also be introduced to students during Civics class so they can learn more about the important role Third Parties play in U.S. Elections.  The decision to not include Third Parties in this event is based the same criteria as the U.S. Commission on Presidential Debates who have set a 15% polling threshold in order for a candidate to appear on the upcoming presidential debates.  If any third party candidate were to reach that percentage and appear in the presidential debates, I would invite a representative from that party to attend our event as well as be a part of our student presentations.

In the meantime, I encourage you to talk with your child about the election and inquire about the project that they are completing in Civics class.  See you on November 1st!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions,

Jason R. Smith

jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us

8th Grade Civics

No School for Students Monday

Drawing from the United States Department of Defense, Wikipedia
Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Columbus-day.jpg

ACT 80 Day - Monday, October 10

No School for students - Columbus Day & In-Service for teachers and staff

Read more about Columbus Day from Wikipedia.

8th Grade Parent-Teacher Conferences

The 8th Grade Team is scheduling needs-based parent-teacher conferences for October and November. 

Read more about AMS 8 parent-teacher conferences on our blog:

http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/p/fall-parent-teacher-conferences.html

Join Newspaper Club

Join the middle school newspaper club! We will meet in room 110 after school until 4PM on Tuesday, October 11, 2016. The Herd needs cartoonists, writers, layout and graphic designers, and social media promoters! If you have questions, see Mrs Abate room 201 or Mr. Haskins room 110.

Halloween Glow In the Dark Colony Ball Tournament!

Donations for Stars!

Ending next Friday! 

Donations of disinfectant wipes and facial tissues will be accepted in science class! Students can bring in one item for four stars during the current unit! 

All of the donations will be shared among the 8th grade team teachers to supply their rooms. 

AMS 8 Specials Rotation Next Week

Students will be changing rotations on Tuesday, October 4. The next course can be found on the student schedule as "12" for periods B and H.