Good Evening J.G. Whittier Families,
In an effort to keep lines of communication open with everyone, I will be putting out a weekly email update to include messages from all JGW teachers in both the Hybrid model and the Remote Learning Academy. This update will also include any important news and information occurring in and around our school outside of the classroom. My hope is that this communication reaches you and helps answer your questions and alleviate your concerns.
As you know, we have slowly been getting those students in the hybrid model acclimated back into the school building. We have focused our past two weeks on helping students understand all of our new safety policies and procedures. This time has also been used to help students and teachers familiarize themselves with each other and start building positive relationships. Overall, this has been an effective and successful two weeks.
We know that there is concern out there in the community with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, but please know that as a school and district we are still following all proper safety protocols to ensure safety of all students and staff. While we are prepared to increase the amount of students that will be entering the building starting tomorrow, I want all families to feel confident that all student’s safety is still the number one priority. We have and will continue to require masks to be properly worn by all (except during scheduled mask breaks), enforce appropriate physical distancing, and proper hand hygiene.
Our Superintendent sent out a communication to all families yesterday, and I have attached it here for your review: Superintendent Message (10:3).pdf
Starting tomorrow, October 5th, 2020 we will begin the full Hybrid model with Cohort A attending school on Mondays and Tuesdays and Cohort B attending school on Thursdays and Fridays with Wednesdays continuing to be remote learning days for all students. Based on the overwhelming communication from our JGW families, we will be following a much more structured schedule on days when students are home remotely. On days that students are not physically in school, they will be able to attend their classes remotely and will be expected to follow their schedule as they would if they were present in school.
We recognize that this may not work for all families at all times, but we ask that you try to consistently have your student follow their regular daily schedule when home on remote days. If this is not possible, it will be important for you to keep lines of communication open with your student’s teachers.
We also recognize that due to the increase in community outbreak of COVID-19 that some families are not comfortable sending their students to school at this time. If that is the case, we would ask that you please contact the main office and make us aware that you will be keeping your student home and having them follow the Hybrid schedule remotely.
By the end of this upcoming week, I will be sending out further communication with general expectations and guidelines in regard to student expectations with google meets and attending class remotely. The general idea is that even though your student is at home learning remotely, that they still conduct themselves as if they were at school in both appearance and behavior.
**Please make sure that your student brings their chromebook to school each day and that it is fully charged.
Thank you for your understanding with this.
Below please find up to date messages from all of the teachers at J.G. Whittier and what to expect this upcoming week (along with some other news around the school):
HYBRID MODEL:
GRADE 5:
Mrs. LaCoste: In grade 5 ELA we’ve been working on establishing routines and the importance of inclusive practices. Students received a chapter book How to Steal a Dog that should stay at home. We’ll begin this novel on October 5. Some of the story will be covered in school and some may be read at home as well. The purpose of each student having their own book is to create a better balance between screen time and actual “face in a book” time.
Mrs. Sanguedolce: Hello! It has been a very busy few weeks in school and behind the scenes. We are getting to know students in person and at home. All assignments will be posted on Google Classroom by Monday morning. In math, we have been practicing our math facts. In Social Studies, we have been learning the names and locations of our 50 states. Please email me with any questions. lsanguedolce@haverhill-ps.org
Ms. Delong: Grade 5 Science (Yellow, Red, Orange): We have started our first unit on Energy Transfer. Students are participating in an ongoing observation lab involving the effect sunlight has on plant growth. Our scientific community is enjoying talking about how we get our energy to survive.
Grade 5 SS (Yellow): We are starting our first unit on the Age of Exploration and will be discussing how/why the first settlements in North America were created. Students will be learning how to access our new Social Studies program Impact SS which has a great online component that will be helpful as many students are online.
All assignments are posted on Google Classroom and are due on Fridays. Parents typically get an email from me each week with the plan for learning.
Ms. Lees: Hello grade 5!! Ms. Lees will be in all classes with Orange Group along with Ms. Kelley. We are both really looking forward to having full Cohort Groups this week, getting all reading levels up to date, and maybe … beginning our first novel Mrs. LaCoste bought for everyone “How to Steal a Dog.” Other fun happenings are unfolding in Math, Science, and Social Studies.
GRADE 6:
Mrs. Hamel: Grade 6 Science: *We are working on the Moon, Earth and Sun and their interaction with one another and their impact on us. We are using the platform Stem Scopes as well as Brain Pops, Google Docs and Google Slides. Students are concentrating on the phases of the moon and “drawing the Moon” each night to see its changes. We are also doing some “wondering” if there may be life out there in our expansive universe!
Grade 6 Social Studies: *We began with learning about the 5 Themes of Geography and using those themes we are now beginning our first chapter on “What Does a Historian Do?” We are working through our McGraw Hill App to read and research our first humans. We will also be working on Primary and Secondary sources so we can decipher between facts and opinions. We want to know how early history impacts our world today!
Ms. Sargent: Hello Grade 6, I am looking forward to seeing both Cohorts for 2 days this week and can’t wait to start tackling our math. I hope you are all receiving my emails. If not, could you please send me your email address so I can add you to my list. I am asking that each child keep a math notebook with their work for their assignments. They can label the date and title of the assignment on top. I would ask that they bring the notebook to school so I can see the actual work that they are doing for their math problems. As always, if you have any concerns please feel free to email me. jsargent@haverhill-ps.org
Mr. Taylor: ELA- Reviewing all topics from the last two weeks, including; Subject and Predicate, Clauses in sentences, and Parts of speech. The students not finished the with I-Ready assessment will be finishing up on that, also.
Mrs. Guisti: For Grade six students that see Mrs. Guisti — Mrs. Guisti and Ms. Cronin have been meeting with their specific students at 12:05 each day on the google classroom titled “Guisti/Cronin online support class.” We are here to support your academic needs. Thank you!
GRADE 7:
Ms. DiGloria: For Grade 7 Green and Blue in English Language Arts, this week we will be focusing on determining your student’s benchmark in reading and writing skills. Students will complete their iReady reading diagnostic test, and will write a district benchmark essay. Recorded tutorials for all parts of the essay will be provided to students on Google Classroom as well as live opportunities during the week to check-in for help. For Social Studies, students will be delving into South Asian geography and continuing their work with maps and geographic features. All work will be posted on Google Classroom with live check-ins for help as needed. Please continue to look out for emails from Ms. DiGloria on important topics such as schedules, check-in times, live Meets, remote work, etc. Reach out ASAP if you do not receive these emails – krista.digloria@haverhill-ps.org
Mrs. MacKinnon: Welcome back 7th grade families!! This week is full cohort groups. In math class we will be working on topic 1-1,1-2 and 1-3 rational numbers. There will be in person and online lessons going on daily. In science class we will be working and finishing plant and animal reproduction. They will be doing a project starting Monday on this topic. Lastly as a reminder, whether your child is home or in person please remember to have them log into google meets at the start of each class. This is very important for long term learning. Looking forward to a great year!
Mrs. Berthiaume: In ELA, we are finishing up the i-Ready diagnostic test. We have read “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto (How appropriate!) and will continue reading fiction. In Social Studies, we are beginning to investigate Asia. It’s great to be back to school! Welcome to seventh grade!
Mrs. Trombly: Mrs. Trombly’s math classes are currently working on Topic 1 review. Please email me with any questions or concerns. We will be starting IREADY testing in person next week.
Mr. Yanoff: Hi! We are off to a great start for a promising year. Grade 7, red and yellow math is finding out what school will be like learning math. We are doing multi-tasking by completing the I-ready, diving into our work, and learning homework is part of becoming proficient in what we do. The year will be as good as you make it!
Ms. Bilmazes: Grade 7 Academic Support: Welcome back and I hope you’ve all had a good start to the new school year! Starting this week, those students who have pull-out support will be meeting with me separately for the last 30 minutes of your ELA and/or Math classes. I will send out an email with the google classroom link. In addition, students will receive support in the classroom from myself and/or Ms. Credit.
GRADE 8:
Mr. Blaustein: Green and Blue ELA: We will be completing I-Ready testing and using the diagnostic results to plan on-line lessons designed to strengthen student weaknesses.
Green and Blue Civics: We will begin our study of Americans, Citizenship and Government utilizing our on-line McGraw Hill materials.
Ms. Sullivan: 8th Grade Science: The first unit is on the 4 Seasons and Rotation of the Earth.
8th Grade Math: The first topic is Real Numbers and Operations with Real Numbers.
All students need to be on time to each of their Google Meets throughout the day. Students need to be present until they are dismissed by their teacher.
Mr. Lewis: In English and Civics, we have continued SEL learning and started i-Ready testing. Beginning this week with academics, we will start our short story unit and specifically, Flowers For Algernon, a story about a mentally challenged man who becomes a super genius.
In Civics, we will begin our studies with the meaning of being an American and how the basics of our democracy work. To prepare for this, students have been completing worksheets on the basic forms of government around the world: democracy, autocracy, monarchies, and oligarchies.
Ms. Deblasis: 8th Grade Science: The first unit is on the 4 Seasons and Rotation of the Earth.
8th Grade Math: The first topic is Real Numbers and Operations with Real Numbers.
All students need to be on time to each of their Google Meets throughout the day. Students need to be present until they are dismissed by their teacher.
Ms. Senior: Wonderful seeing students again in the classroom and on the screen! Decimals and fractions were the Mathematics fare and the multi-media presentations were on the mark. ELA assignments crossed from SEL to excerpt reading and responding. Happy October to all.
SPECIALISTS:
Physical Education Mr. Demarais: Hello everyone. This year’s PE classes are based outside. I will be focusing on sports and activities that limit the sharing of equipment as well as physical distancing. Our first unit will be a golf unit. So far the kids seem to be enjoying it.
Health Class Mrs. Reynolds: This week we are finishing up with Basic knowledge of our Immune System and information on the spread of germs. Students have been making posters on staying virus safe in school. The best posters will be posted in the school.
This week with full cohorts we will be starting our Health Curriculum with the following topics: Grade 5 – Self Esteem, Grade 6 – Healthy Habits, Grade 7 – Goal Setting and Grade 8 – Making Good Decisions. Topic outlines can be found on my Health Website at: jgwhealth.weebly.com. I look forward to seeing students both in person and online. Students, do not forget to check in for attendance when you are remote!
Technology Class Mr. K: Right now, students are working on typing.com and finishing up different assignments at their own pace. The first focus was on Digital Literacy and Parts of the Computer, we will slowly transition into typing and then move into coding. If any students are having issues with their Chromebooks please feel free to reach out to me. Timothy.kowalewski@haverhill-ps.org
Fine Art Ms. Boulger: All art classes are meeting sonorously (both online and in person) therefore if your child is at home please encourage and remind them to attend Google Meets class during their scheduled art classes and to have materials ready.
REMOTE LEARNING ACADEMY
GRADE 5:
Ms. MacDonald: For 5th grade RLA students, please remember that you have science on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Social Studies on Tuesday and Thursday this week. Please make sure you know where you find the schedule and be ready to learn on your Google Meets when class starts! You have all been doing a wonderful job, so keep up the good work!!
**For our 5th grade RLA students, JGW has teamed up with Upper Tilton to provide our 5th graders with their curriculum this year. Mr. Betty will reach out to see if the ELA and Math teacher at Upper Tilton will contribute to this weekly update each week. Stay tuned…
GRADE 6:
Mrs. Simes: Hunking/JGW Math and Science Groups for RLA
What a great week we have had getting to know each other and creating our own unique learning community. In math, students are completing their i-Ready Diagnostic, which will enable the creation of an individualized pathway that students will work on during Success Block on Monday’s and Thursday’s. We begin enVision Topic 1 this coming week, as we add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions and decimals. In Science, JGW students have been learning about the patterns caused by the Earth, Sun, and Moon. We are currently looking at the Phases of the Moon, using demonstrations, videos, and manipulatives. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at michele.simes@haverhill-ps.org.
**For our 6th grade RLA students, JGW has teamed up with Hunking Middle School to provide our 6th graders with their curriculum this year. Mr. Betty will reach out to see if the ELA teacher at Hunking will contribute to this weekly update each week. Also, JGW is fortunate enough to welcome to our community, Ms. Consolazio who is teaching Social Studies and Science in the RLA. We will introduce her next week in this update. Stay tuned…
GRADE 7:
Ms. Marciano: Week of October 5 – October 9th
ELA: We will be taking notes on Fiction/Literary Elements, reading a short story called “Seventh Grade” and working on our comprehension skills.
Science: We will continue to discuss plant and animal reproduction by completing a STEMscopes activity together. Students will also learn how to use an app called FLIPGRID to answer discussion questions. The app is free and can be used with a smart phone or computer.
Mr. LeGrand:
Math – Welcome to another great year at J. G. Whittier Middle School. Our current focus in math class is on rational numbers. We have so far been learning how to relate integers and their opposites and understand rational versus Irrational numbers. This week we will focus our attention on adding, subtracting integers and rational numbers.
Social Studies – We are currently studying how geography shaped the development of Asia’s civilization; how it influences the way people live and how climate affect the economy. Please encourage your student to attend every class and be on time.
GRADE 8:
Mr. Marinella: Hello everyone!! What a great start to the year!! A bit new, but I think we are all rolling! A few quick reminders: make sure you are signing in to google meets on time (starting with HR and ending with success block), attendance matters. Remember the rules during google meets and be respectful of others. The expectations are much higher now, work is being accepted and graded, so make sure you get everything in on time and complete!!
ELA- We are starting our first novel, Johnny Tremaine, about a boy living in Boston before the American Revolution! Ask your students what we have learned about Johnny so far, and how they’d like living during that time. We are also constantly working on reading skills, writing, and grammar. I encourage all students to have a book or topic of what they like to read for down time, reading makes the brain stronger so more reading=more brain power!!
History- This year’s history is Civics (exploring government and how it works), along with the history of American government. We have started by talking about the different forms of government and how humans got from the state of nature to government. Ask your student to tell you about the different governments we have talked about, what their favorite is, and why! We just started looking at the governments of Ancient Greece as well, so see what they can teach you!!
Mr. Harris: Grade 8 RLA Math – we have begun our first topic of the year, Real Numbers. Students are currently working on how to convert repeating decimals into fractions. This week we will look at what Irrational Numbers are, and how to compare and order Real Numbers.
Grade 8 RLA Science – last week we took a look at five different scientific theories on how the moon was created. Students were able to research together with me, as well as independently, these theories, compare and contrast them, and finally write a letter explaining the theories strengths and weaknesses, and stating which theory they felt to be the strongest. We will continue to look at Earth and the Solar System this week.
Please make sure that your child is on time and attending their classes regularly. Attendance as a remote learner is crucial to success.
Ms. Blanchette: This week the students have been taking the iReady math and ELA assessments. We have also been meeting for small group ELA and Math work. Please check your google classroom for the links to the small groups as well as times and what to expect. I look forward to another great week in the Remote Learning Academy.
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF:
Student Support Center (Mrs. Greenwood): Welcome Back to the SSC! We miss you all. This fall we will be doing weekly social groups partnering with Mrs. Midolo and her students. This way you will able to see more of your friends online in a setting that will be focused on having fun and socializing! Please check the SSC Google Classroom and Social Group by color to log in each week. I will also be popping in to your academic classrooms to say hi and check on your progress. Stay Well and remember to keep your chin up. We will get through this together!
Student Adjustment Counselor (Mrs. Midolo): Welcome Back! Please be sure to have your kids check Mrs Midolo’s google Classroom Page and Look for assignments and updates on Social Groups, which will held on Wednesdays. Please make sure that your student attends in order to receive the proper credit.
Guidance (Mrs. Vlahos): Welcome Back to School! I am so happy to be back to seeing and connecting with students and families. Over the past couple weeks, it has been nice to be able to meet so many new Poets and see so many familiar faces. This month, I will be visiting all 5th grade classes both in person and virtually to formally introduce myself and facilitate a lesson on the transition to middle school and identifying school support staff.
I am available to connect with and support all students and families throughout the school week. I am excited to check in with students through Google Meet, by email and by phone. If desired, please email me to connect and request a check in and I will coordinate a meeting with you. I look forward to working with you all in supporting you in having a healthy, safe, and successful school year!
English Language Learners (Ms. Pepicelli-Raposo): For the coming week of October 5th, my ESL classes will be expected to keep a daily journal and have meaningful conversations in English. I will be taking students out of the classroom as well as pushing into the classroom to get a better picture of how my students work in both settings. I look forward to working with all of my students and getting to know their unique personalities.
Middle School Support Program (Mrs. Leydon & Mr. Diffin): Welcome back! We have officially started social groups back. Please check your grade level MSSP google classroom on links and times. Hope to see you all whether in person or online. Excited for a great school year!
OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS:
Main Office: Please keep an eye out for the green sheets and health forms coming home. We are hoping that they will be returned as soon as possible. Thank you!
JGW PTO: Please click the link to be connected to our PTO newsletter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rSHMVgjl_9qRonUOwiyZu6beAa8FwQCam090OMzBk4M/edit?usp=sharing Our first PTO meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 14th from 6-7:30pm. We hope to see many new faces! Also, please click the link below to be connected to our Scholastic Book Fair that was mentioned during this past weeks morning announcements: Scholastic Bookfair.pdf
Model United Nations: Model United Nations Club will be starting up soon! Are you a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader? Do you like Social Studies? Are you someone who enjoys debating and arguing your point of view? Does current events and issues going on in the world excite you? Then Model UN Club could be for you! We will be running the club a little differently this year. Students will attend Google Meet meetings after school so it is open to both in person and remote students. If you are interested, please email Ms. DeLong and she will add you to the Google Classroom.
Chorus Club: ATTENTION ALL SINGERS & MUSICIANS!!! Do you like to sing, dance, act, and/or play music at all? Do you like to have fun and make friends? Then join Chorus Club!! The JGW Middle School Chorus is looking for members to join us each Wednesday in our Google Classroom from 3:00pm – 3:45pm. This year, we will record a performance and post it online instead of having a winter concert!! If you are interested, please email Mr. G at robert.gariepy@haverhill-ps.org