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.