May & June Calendar with Updates!

Thursday, May 14

 [Event] BAAHA Presentation

Friday, May 15

 [Reading] Due Fri 5/15. Read Anne Frank Act 1 and complete packet.

  Library Closed

Monday, May 18

 [Reading] Read your AR book tonight. AR due date: 5/26. No      extensions 4th term.

 Yearbook Order Forms Due Read more... 

Tuesday, May 19

  [Science] Kennywood Assignment

  [Event] Kennywood Field Trip Read more…

  [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten at Kennywood Park

Wednesday, May 20

 [Science] Kennywood Assignment

 [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students Read more…

Thursday, May 21

  [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students Read more…

Friday, May 22

 MS Olympics

Monday, May 25

 [Reading] Read your AR book tonight. AR due date: 5/26. No extensions 4th term.

 No School - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26

 [Reading] AR due date. No extensions 4th term.

Thursday, May 28

6:00pm  [Event] Bump-up Night Read more…

Friday, May 29

 [SCIENCE] Bridge Exposition  Read more…

 9:45am [EVENT] Bridge Expo / Engineers Visit

Monday, June 1

8:30am  AMS Awards Assembly

Wednesday, June 3

7:00pm  AMS Commencement Read more…

Friday, June 5

 Last Day of School

Student-led Conferences

We look forward to student-led conferences which will take place the weeks of May 18 and May 26. Your child’s adviser will contact you to set up an appointment.

Throughout the school year, eighth grade Avonworth students met with their Advisory Groups to examine and write about their school work as well as their individual academic strengths and challenges. As the year draws to an end, students are now analyzing their work and reflections to make conclusions about their academic growth in eighth grade and generate goals for high school.

Eighth graders will present their analysis and conclusions to you at their student-led conferences later this month. The meetings are a chance for students to facilitate a conference with their parents to explain who they are academically as well as share their educational goals for the following year. Together, the students, parents and advisers will discuss specific behaviors and strategies that will help the student move closer to reaching these goals. Students will also share with you examples of their eighth grade work from their portfolios.

Student-led conferences deliver a powerful message to our students about the importance of goal-setting and taking ownership of their learning as they mature and transition to high school.

Thank you for your time and attention to our student-led conferences. We are excited for this terrific opportunity to begin our students’ exciting transition to high school.

Friday & Tuesday Field Trips

Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center - Friday, May 8 

We will leave the middle school at 8:15 AM on May 8 to visit the History Center.  The entrance fee for students at the History Center is $6. As part of the students visit to the Heinz History Center, they will tour the newly opened exhibit, "We Can Do It! WWII" which examines Western Pennsylvania's Impact on World War II.  Through a special partnership with the museum's Education department, in addition to touring the exhibit, students will participate in a small group Q&A with guest speakers who are experts on the topic of WWII.  These guests will include military veterans, teachers, factory workers, and other first-hand witnesses to the events of World War II.

Nicky’s Family – JFilms Presentation and Strip District - Tuesday, May 12 

The 8th grade will also visit the South Side Works Cinema to see the documentary Nicky’s Family, a true story about a British man who helped organize the rescue of almost 700 Jewish children out of Austria in the days leading up to World War II.  This powerful film tells the story of Sir Nicholas Winton, the children he rescued, and the generations that were impacted by his humble and heroic gesture.  This documentary connects with the World War II and Anne Frank unit studies in reading class. On the day of their field trip, students will depart Avonworth Middle School at 8:30 AM and return to school at approximately 2:30 PM.  After their visit to the cinema, students will separate into small groups led by one of the teachers to experience lunchtime in the historical Strip District.    Student will also complete a scavenger hunt.  Please remind your child to take money to school for their lunch purchases on May 12.

Bridge Experts Visit AMS 8

Yesterday, students in the 8^th grade received expert advice on their bridge building projects from engineers who specialize in bridge construction, design, and inspection. Avonworth Middle School welcomed engineers from the Michael Baker Corporation, HDR, and PennDot District 11. Students are working on a project in science class that requires them to design a replacement bridge for the o​ne currently being constructed along Camp Horne Road in Emsworth. 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.

Bridge
Design
Day
5/6/15

​​Allen Peng, Penn Dot Dist. 11

Mr. Cerminera, Michael Baker Cor

  

Cassandra Lloyd, Penn Dot Dist. 11

Bob Huffmyer, HDR Inc.

Ethan Carrier, Penn Dot Dist. 11

  

  

  

Returning Library Materials

Mrs. Hickman is asking for all library books to be returned immediately. Any books that are lost or destroyed must be replaced or paid for by the end of the school year. Students have received overdue slips from their homeroom teachers and are aware of the books that they owe and their costs. If you or your student has any questions, please see Mrs. Hickman in the library. 

Thank you for your help in getting materials back to the library, and thanks to all of the students who checked out books this year - we are happy to have served you!

May & June Calendar Update

Thursday, May 7

 [AWARD] Resume for American Legion due May 7

 English HW: Finish Script Writing

 [Science] No homework

 [Social Studies] Ohio Twp 5k Project DUE

Friday, May 8

 [Science] No homework

 [Event] Heinz History Center

 [Event] Schools to Watch celebration

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten at school

Saturday, May 9

  [Event] Kennywood School Picnic

Tuesday, May 12

 [Event] Nicky's Family Field Trip & Strip District Tour

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten in the Strip District

Wednesday, May 13

 [Event] Holocaust Guest Speaker

Thursday, May 14

 [Event] BAAHA Presentation

Friday, May 15

 [Reading] Due  Anne Frank Act 1 Close Read and Packet

Tuesday, May 19

 [Science] Kennywood Assignment

 [Event] Kennywood Field Trip

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten at Kennywood Park

Wednesday, May 20

 [Science] Kennywood Assignment

 [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students

Thursday, May 21

 [Reading] Read your AR book tonight. AR due date: 5/26.

 [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students

 [Science] Bridge Build Day

Friday, May 22

 MS Olympics

Monday, May 25

 No School - Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 26

 [Reading] Read your AR book tonight. AR due

Thursday, May 28

6:00pm

 [Event] Bump-up Night

Friday, May 29

 9:45am [SCIENCE] Bridge Exposition

 [EVENT] Bridge Expo / Engineers Visit

Monday, June 1

8:30am  AMS Awards Assembly

Wednesday, June 3

7:00pm  AMS Commencement

Friday, June 5

 Last Day of School

2015 American Legion Award

At this year’s Middle School Awards Assembly, the 8th  

Grade will recognize two students as American Legion Award recipients.

This national award is presented to 8th Graders across the 

country and is sponsored by the American Legion, a non-

profit veterans group.

To be eligible for this award, you must submit a resume 

to Mr. Smith by THURSDAY, MAY 7.

The resume must include how you meet the criteria set 

forth by the American legion in the following categories:

· Courage

· Leadership

· Patriotism

· Scholarship

· Service

Video Conferences

“It’s OUR War Too: Women in WWII” 

During the month of April, 8^th Grade Civics students had the opportunity to participate in four video conferences with some of the most renowned museums in the nation following their daily PSSA Tests.  Students were able to choose which video conference most appealed to their interest from among four choices.

On April 14, Twenty-four students learned about the history of Presidential Campaign commercials from the Paley center for Media Museum in New York City.  Through a program entitled, “The Thirty Second Candidate”, students discussed propaganda techniques, analyzed historic campaign commercials from President Eisenhower and President Johnson and also compared & contrasted them with advertisements from more recent elections (Clinton, Obama).

On April 15, Twenty-six students participated in a video conference entitled “It’s OUR War Too: Women in WWII” which was broadcast live from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  Students not only viewed original TV spots promoting women entering the workforce, they also analyzed political cartoons from the era.  For many, the highlight of the video conference was the first-hand oral history provided by a real-life “Rosie the Riveter” named Edna Donnelly who worked in a shipyard in New Orleans during WWII.

On April 21, twenty students tested their espionage skills when they met with an educator from the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC.  Students graduated from “Spy School 101” by completing three tasks:  analyzing a still photograph for suspicious activity taking place in a seemingly ordinary courtyard, identifying tools used by spies that appear to be common everyday accessories, and trying to spot a spy in disguise during a crowded scene from a hotel lobby.

On April 22, twenty-seven students learned about the “Red Scare: The Cold War on Television” as presented by the Paley Center in New York.  Students first viewed a famous P.S.A. that instructed everyone to “duck and cover” for protection from an atomic bomb.  Then, they discussed the psychological effects that building bomb shelters might have on the nation.  Finally, after viewing clips from the McCarthy hearings, students analyzed a sci-fi clip from a famous episode of The Twilight Zone for similarities to the hysteria-causing hunt for communists happening in the US in the 50s & 60s.

Strip District Tour & Lunch

On May 12, the eighth grade will see the documentary Nicky's Family in the South Side Works theater and then have lunch in the Strip District.  Each student must sign up for a restaurant for our Strip District lunch. Please note that students' choices are not guaranteed. If a student selects the same restaurant for all four choices below, they may be placed in another restaurant.

Students will get their first choice unless there are more than twelve students requesting that restaurant. If more than twelve students request the same first choice, a lottery will be conducted to fill the twelve slots. Students who do not get their first choice will then be placed in their second choice as long as that restaurant is not also filled.

If you have any questions, please contact Doug Haskins or Jason Smith. 

Sign ups will begin Thursday, April 30 in science class. 

Restaurants:

• Primanti Brothers
• Pamelas
• Delucas
• Sushi Kim
• Bella Notte
• Pho Van
• Cafe on the Strip
• Mixsters
• Chicken Latino
• Little Bangkok
• Casa Reyna Taco Shop
• Carhops
• Sunseris
• Wholeys
• Peppis

May Field Trips At-A-Glance

FIELD TRIPS AT-A-GLANCE

May 8 - Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center

May 12 - Nicky’s Family – JFilms Presentation & Strip District

May 19 - 8th Grade Celebration – Kennywood Education Day

Calendar Update

Thursday, April 30

 [Reading] Book Trailer due Fri, 5/1
 [Social Studies] Continue to work on Ohio Twp 5k
 [English] complete case study & prepare for discussion
 [Science] Review bridge types & decide on a design
 [IM1] lesson 8.6 worksheet
 [Math 8] all financial literacy unit assignments are due
 [Normal Schedule]

Friday, May 1
 [Reading] Book Trailer due

 [Social Studies] Continue to work on Ohio Twp 5k

 [Normal Schedule]

Wednesday, May 6

 2 Hr Delay Teacher In-Service
[Event] Advisory

12:00pm  [Event] Engineers Visit AMS 8

Thursday, May 7

 [Social Studies] Ohio Twp 5k Project DUE
 American Legion Award Resume due Read more...

Friday, May 8

 [Event] Heinz History Center Read more...

 [Event] Schools to Watch celebration Read more...

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten at school

Saturday, May 9

 [Event] Kennywood School Picnic Read more...

Tuesday, May 12

 [Event] Nicky's Family Field Trip & Strip District Tour Read more...

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten in the Strip District

Wednesday, May 13

 [Event] Holocaust Guest Speaker

Thursday, May 14

 [Event] BAAHA Presentation

Tuesday, May 19

 [Event] Kennywood Field Trip Read more...

 [Lunch] Lunch to be eaten at Kennywood Park

Wednesday, May 20

 [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students Read more... 

Thursday, May 21

 [MATH KEYSTONES] IM1 students Read more... 

Friday, May 22

 MS Olympics

Monday, May 25

 No School - Memorial Day

Thursday, May 28

6:00pm  [Event] Bump-up Night Read more...

Friday, May 29

9:45am  [EVENT] Bridge Expo / Engineers Visit

Monday, June 1

8:30am  AMS Awards Assembly

Wednesday, June 3

7:00pm  AMS Commencement

Friday, June 5

 Last Day of School

Science PSSA Test Next Week

Science PSSA

Monday and Tuesday (May 27 & 28)

Read more about PSSA testing from the Grade 8 Blog.

Reminder: Pancake Breakfast Tomorrow

Parent Network will be sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast tomorrow (4/24) that includes great toppings and a drink for $3.

PSSA Make Up Tests

PSSA Test Make Up Days

Thursday and Friday (April 23 & 24) will be PSSA ELA and Math Make Up tests.

New Unit in Science Class

The following email was sent to students in science class today (4/21/15). 

Dear Students,

This week starts our final unit of the school year where we investigate bridge design and construction. You can find the assignments that must be completed on the science website (www.HaskinsSci8.info). 

Below are the links and due dates for the first several assignments of the new unit:

H1	Bridge Design Webquest (link) Complete the tasks as described on the science 8 website. This assignment requires you to use your science notebook. Due Friday, 4/24/15	/6 (weight 12 pts)  Add to your notebook
H2	BCR - Bridge Design (link) After completing the webquest, submit a response to the prompt on the website. Due Friday, 4/24/15	/4  (weight 10 pts) Form Submit Online
H3	Pittsburgh Bridges (link) Found on Google Classroom Conduct the internet-based scavenger hunt as described on the science 8 website.Due Wednesday, 4/29/15	/10 (weight  20 pts) Upload to Google Classroom
H4	BCR - Pittsburgh Bridges(link)  After completing the scavenger hunt, submit a response to the prompt on the website.Due Wednesday, 4/29/15	/4 (weight 10 pts) Form Submit Online

Be sure to check out the science website for more details. See you in class!

Sincerely,

Mr. Haskins