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Following the Jewish Film Forum's screening of "Nicky's Family" at the Southside Works Cinema, 8th grade students toured the historic Strip District in downtown Pittsburgh. Students selected a restaurant for lunch from a variety of cuisines including Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and Latin food. Students could also choose from other famous Pittsburgh restaurants such as Pamela's, Wholey's, and Primanti Brothers.   |
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Nicky's Family Field Trip
Kennywood Field Trip
May 19, 2015 (updated 5/18/15)
Field Trip Guidelines - Bring money for lunch or pack a lunch. - Wear sunscreen if we have a sunny day. - Important alerts and information will be sent to students through Remind. Be sure you are signed up. Text @amsgrade8 to 81010 - Don’t be a lone wolf! Stay with your Avonworth group!
Check-In With Your Chaperone
1st Check-In - 11:30 – 11:45 Meet at the George Washington statue in front of the Kangaroo near the Carousel and Johnny Rockets.
Final Check-In - 1:40 in front of the Sky Rocket by the tunnel.
Complete the math/science assignment:
There is an assignment for you to complete. A paper copy will be given to you before departing on the trip. It is also available on Google Drive. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rdlR-845-zcgryVRE-R_I6S8OyxWJoh1MAyp4151vSE/edit?usp=sharing Emergencies in the park
In the event of a medical emergency or problem, go to the nearest First Aid Station and have a teacher paged. In the event of another problem or concern, call 412-339-0477 to reach an Avonworth teacher.
Represent Avonworth well and stay classy.
Remind - Terms of Service: IMPORTANT! AS WITH ALL CONTRACTS, IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN READ THE AGREEMENT BELOW AND AGREE TO IT FOR YOU. IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO READ AND AGREE TO THIS, YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THIS SERVICE. ALWAYS GET AN ADULT'S PERMISSION BEFORE GOING ONLINE. Terms of Service |
End of the School Year Information
Check out the AMS Grade 8 Blog to review the end of the school year information.
This blog post will be updated regularly.
8th Grade Commencement
Parents and students should have received an invite for the 8th grade commencement.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Holocaust Survivor Visits AMS 8
On Wednesday, students heard the life story of Sam Weinreb. He is a holocaust survivor who escaped Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland in 1944. He explained how he became the only survivor from his immediate family due to the persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe. At the time of German occupation of his native Czechoslovakia, Mr. Weinreb was the same age or younger than the 8th grade students in the audience.
Avonworth Middle School was Mr. Weinreb's last Pittsburgh speaking engagement as he moves to Boston to live with his daughter. This activity was part of the various events held to help connect Grade 8 students to World War II and the Diary of Anne Frank which is being read in reading class. Special thanks to Mr. Weinreb, JFilm, Mr. Smith, and Mrs.Galecki for organizing the assembly for our 8th grade students.
Keystone Exams Next Week
The 8th graders who are enrolled in Integrated Math I (Algebra), will take the Keystone Exams in May.
May 20 & 21 (Periods A through D)
Each of the 2 modules have 23 multiple choice questions and 4 constructive response questions. Students may use a graphing or scientific calculators on this test. For more information on the Keystone Exams, please go to www.pde.state.pa.us.
Join Boys & Girls High School Cross Country Team Next School Year
Any 8th 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:
Monday, May 18
Thursday, May 21
Tuesday, May 26
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 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 Track. Students should bring water & their running shoes. If you have any questions, email Coach Smith at jsmith@avonworth.k12.pa.us
Yearbook Order Forms
AMS 2014-15 Yearbook Orders
due by Monday, 5/18/15!
$16 (checks made out to Avonworth Middle School)
Forms are available in period A or in the middle school office
Return payment and form to your Period A teacher.
Monday, May 11, 2015
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
Thursday, May 7, 2015
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 8th 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 one 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
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
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!
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!
Monday, May 4, 2015
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 SchoolThursday, April 30, 2015
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
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| “It’s OUR War Too: Women in WWII” |
During the month of April, 8th 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.
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