September 23rd - September 27th

SEPTEMBER PARENT.EDU
Area high schools are reaching out to connect with our graduating 8th grade students! This is a complex process that involves tours, shadowing days, the High School Fair, and schools visiting Hancock.   Please join us on Thursday, September 26th at 6:00pm in Hancock Hall to discuss the high school admissions process. Joining our counselor, Allison Maher, will be Helese Sandler of Savannah Educational Consultants.  Please save Wednesday, November 20th for our annual High School Fair.

8TH GRADE VISIT TO SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Please click HERE for more information.

MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL MAKE UP - NO T1 EXAMS!

Dorian marked the third year in a row that Savannah life has been disrupted by a hurricane.  At the Middle School level we feel it is important to capture the lost instructional time. To do this we are cancelling the T1 exams scheduled for October 29th and 30th.  Those dates will now be FULL DAYS.  This is the same process we followed last year with Irma.  A new exam schedule for T2 and T3 will be posted at a later date.

8TH GRADE INDEPENDENCE!

This year our 8th grade students have independent time from 12:30 - 1:30 each day.  Students can choose to spend the time eating, studying, at recess or just relaxing. Each month the class is divided into 4 groups.  Each week on Thursday one group can choose to do an alternative activity. Mr. Crawford is discussing with the class what those activities might be.  Current ideas include going off campus for lunch or off campus for ice cream. Each week, the group going off campus will make the decision. They may also elect to do nothing special.  Click HERE for the parental release form to grant your student permission to participate.

GIRLS GOLF DAY IN SAVANNAH

Click HERE for information about this event.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE - HANCOCK DAY SCHOOL’S GOT TALENT

Talent Show Audition Sign Ups: Please complete with a parent at your side. Students must audition for the show during one of the time slots listed. Students who do not audition will not be considered for the show. Sign Ups will close on October 4th. Once sign-ups have closed, parents will receive an email with the Talent Show Contract and the time slot available for their child. Students must bring the signed contract to the audition. We will only be accepting 15 acts for this year's performance.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE - SPRING PERFORMANCE

ASSESSMENTS CALENDAR

We are very excited to introduce a new easy way for parents and students to look at upcoming assessments.  THIS LINK leads to a Google Sheet that will have the next 2 weeks of assessments.  The link below will lead to the 6th grade assessments, but by using the tabs in the lower left corner (shown below), you can navigate to 7th grade and 8th grade assessments, as well.

Different subjects will appear in different colors:

History is black, Science is green, ELA is blue, Spanish is red, and Math is pink.

Please bear in mind that Middle School Assessments may be added, removed, or changed at any time.  This Sheet will always be up to date, however - once a teacher assigns or adjusts an assessment, this Sheet will reflect that change.

Each middle school student is required to complete ten hours of community service over the course of the school year.  Please remember to list hours worked on a daily basis, do not log total sum of hours worked over an extended period of time.  See below for a few upcoming service opportunities. Click HERE for a log form.

Great new opportunity for this weekend - September 21st!

Saturday, September 21st, is an international awareness day for ocean ecology.  There are two projects happening that provide an opportunity for volunteers to help in the effort to keep our coast clean.  Both events run from 9-11. If you would like to participate, go to:

UGA Marine Education & Aquarium

Clean Beach Tybee - (meet at the pier)

HDS Extended Day Care needs volunteers to help out after school.  We are currently limiting this opportunity to 8th graders, with a possibility of opening it up to 6th and 7th graders later on.  If a student is interested in earning some community service hours, they will need to sign up a week in advance using THIS LINK.  Please contact Mrs. Mannarino with any questions.

The Old Savannah City Mission needs volunteers for various positions.  The mission provides food, shelter, and clothing to the homeless.  For more information, contact Connell Stiles at 912-232-1979 or stiles@oscm.org.

America’s Second Harvest needs volunteers to help prepare monthly bags of food for senior citizens in our community.  Volunteers should arrive by 7:45 and must wear closed-toe shoes. Contact Bryce Seuntjens at bryce@helpendhunger.org for more information.

Homework, music and dance lessons, as well as athletics may start to feel mundane as routines set in. I have had some wonderful conversations with middle school students about what to do when you don’t feel like following through with a commitment.  Identifying short-term and long-term goals, focusing on the positive, and weighing the pros and cons can help students stick to commitments, even on tough days. 

-Allison Maher, School Counselor

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Algebra 1 we will begin our study of Properties of Real Numbers. Students will add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers. We will have a quiz at the end of the week to help us track our progress.

Geometry - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Geometry, we will begin Chapter 3 by learning about angles formed by parallel lines and transversals (3.1-3.2), how to prove lines are parallel (3.3), finding the slopes of linear functions (3.4), graphing lines using slope-intercept form (3.5), and how to prove theorems involving perpendicular lines (3.6).  There will be a quiz on Friday covering 3.1-3.5.

Advanced Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will continue Chapter 10 by learning how to solve quadratic equations by completing the square (10.5).  Students will also derive the quadratic formula and begin to use it to solve quadratic equations (10.6). There will be a quiz on Wednesday covering completing the square.

Physical Science - Ms. Hoffman

The eighth graders have been learning about atoms and the Atomic Theory.  They worked with a partner(s) and created a poster on the famous historical figures (i.e. Dalton, Thompson, Rutherford and Bohr) contributing to our knowledge of the structure of the atom known as the Atomic Theory. (See photos below.)  Next week we will start learning about the Periodic Table of the Elements, including how it is organized, comparing Metals, Non-metals and Metalloids and discussing which elements are useful and necessary for our bodies. Each student will also begin an in-class project to learn about one particular element as we create an HDS mini-periodic table for the first 42 elements.  Don’t forget that the September Science Choice Board is due Monday, 9/30/19.   Log books were checked this week for materials and procedures and other thoughts and ideas.  I made notations for things to update and/or modify. Unfortunately, many students did not update these two things in their log book, so will need to devote some extra time to their project and make sure I have looked over their information, especially their procedure, before they begin. Once these changes have been made, students should be able to begin experimentation or design implementation. (Please note:  If chemicals or other potentially hazardous materials are to be utilized there will be an additional form(s) to be completed and I will notify each student who needs this completed before they begin their experiment or project construction.) And,limited lab equipment is also available for students to borrow from the school.  Our next Science Fair project homework check will be on Wednesday, October 2nd and should contain research notes on the background information on their project.  We will have a research day during class on Monday, 9/23 for this purpose. Remember, the log book should also contain all their thoughts, ideas and information about their projects and each page is numbered and dated.  Below is the list of all the due dates for our project. I am available for specific project questions by email, during breaks/lunch and each morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am until 8am.  

Science Fair Project Dates

(* Indicate Homework Grades)

Monday                       8/26/19                        Science Fair Packets Home

Friday                           8/30/19                        *Signed Science Fair Proposal Form AND Parent

   Approval Form (1B) Due

Wednesday                9/4/19                          *Log Book Check/ Science Fair Topic and

   Question or Problem Due

Wednesday                9/18/19                        *Log Book Check with detailed Science Fair

                                                                               Materials and Procedures Due

Wednesday                10/02/19                     *Log Book Check with Research Notes Due

Wednesday                10/16/19                     *Rough Draft of Background Information Due

                                                                               (email or share document)

Wednesday                10/23/19                     *Log Book Check with Updates/ Revisions Due

Wednesday                11/6/19                        *Final Draft of Background Information Due

                                                                               (email or share document)

Wednesday                11/20/19                     *Log Book Check with Data/ Results OR

   Prototype/Solution Due

Wednesday                12/4/19                        *Log Book Check/ Updated Results or Solution AND

                                                                               Sketch of Triptych

 Completed Formal Report (printed) Due

Wednesday                12/11/19                     All Completed Projects Due

(Triptych, Log Book and completed Abstract Form)

            Complete abstract on-line or use form in the packet 

                                                                     Project presentations will also occur this week

                              

English Language Arts - Mrs. Boyer

Students will be embarking on their reading of To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM). This novel will address some hard-hitting issues, so look forward to some engaging dinner conversations! I have sent out a reading schedule with your students, but it can also be found in the TKAM Topic in GC. Students will receive their novels on 9/16. The majority of their reading should be completed at home and during their free time. In class we will be interacting with activities based on this reading. 

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOUR CHILD STAY ON TRACK WITH THEIR READING SCHEDULE. If students are not keeping up with the reading, then they will not be able to participate in projects, discussions, and activities. I am always in my room by 7:45 am if your child wants to hop on my couch or comfy chair and read for 15-20 minutes!! :)

We will continue engaging with Vocabulary Units 11 & 12 until 9/17 when students will take their quiz. We will begin Units 13 & 14 on 9/20. 

History & Gov’t II - Mrs. Robinson

Next week in American History and Government Part II, we will wrap up our study of the Civil War. It has been a great unit exploring all the different parts of the war with the students. We have had some great class discussions, enjoyed some interesting food and learned in depth about different aspects of the war. Next week we will also begin Unit Two: Reconstruction. 

8th grade Spanish - Ms. Hill

National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month is in full effect. We will be discussing members of the Hispanic and Latino community that made contributions to society in several facets such as Art, Music, Science or Medicine, Literature, etc. We will begin presentations of your research project on Wednesday, September 25th. 

Algebra 1 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Algebra 1 we will begin our study of Properties of Real Numbers. Students will add, subtract, multiply, and divide real numbers. We will have a quiz at the end of the week to help us track our progress.

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete Chapter 2 by practicing solving equations involving decimals (2.7).  We will have a day of review on Wednesday and the Chapter 2 test on Thursday. We will then begin Chapter 3 by learning how to solve two-step equations (3.1).

History & Gov’t I - Mrs. Robinson

Next week in American History & Government Part I, we will continue our study of European exploration of the Americas. Students will engage with topics like the Columbian Exchange, European and Native American interactions, and the transfer and destruction of culture. We will also continue to work on our major Explorer Research Project. The first set of research cards (5 cards) are due Monday the 23rd, the second set of cards (5 cards) as well as the source cards (4 cards) are due on the 27th. Details of this project have been given to students and posted on Google Classroom.

7th grade Spanish - Ms. Hill

We will discuss Hispanic Heritage month and notable members of society that are of Hispanic or Latino heritage. 

ELA - Mrs. Boyer

Literature: Students will be embarking on their reading of The Hobbit. This novel is a part of the fantasy genre, so look forward to some interesting dinner conversations! I have sent out a reading schedule with your students, but it can also be found in the The Hobbit Topic in GC. Students will receive their novels on 9/16. The majority of their reading should be completed at home and during their free time. In class we will be interacting with activities based on this reading. 

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOUR CHILD STAY ON TRACK WITH THEIR READING SCHEDULE. If students are not keeping up with the reading, then they will not be able to participate in projects, discussions, and activities. I am always in my room by 7:45 am if your child wants to hop on my couch or comfy chair and read for 15-20 minutes!! :)

I have sent home a film permission slip which is due on Monday, 9/16. 

Usually Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are Literature Days. 

Vocabulary: Students will begin Unit 2; the quiz is TBA. Students have their vocabulary workbooks; this workbook will be collected in May and used during their 8th grade year as well.

Grammar: Our grammar units will begin this week; therefore, please send your child in for morning help if needed. Also, I always post extra resources in GC such as practice sheets, IXL links, Youtube videos, etc. Grammar is a difficult concept to grasp which means your child needs to identify their learning style and use that to succeed in regards to these concepts. 

Usually Tuesdays and Thursdays are Grammar and Vocabulary Days. 

Assessments can be any day Tuesday-Friday! :)

Life Science - Mrs. DuRant

We had a great week wrapping up our unit on Classification of Organisms.  Students did an amazing job on creating their own dichotomous keys. Next week, we will begin to explore the exciting world of cells!  Several projects, labs and group activities are planned for this unit. We will begin with Cell Theory and end the week exploring the structure and function of cells.  Students will complete most projects in class, however they will have a unit project where they will create a model of a cell (plant or animal) which will be done at home.  Instructions and rubric will be posted in the google classroom. 

Accelerated Math 7 - Mr. Cargile

Next week in Accelerated Math 7 we will begin our study of Decimal  Operations. Students will round, add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals. At the end of the week we will have a quiz to help us monitor our progress. 

Pre-Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete Chapter 2 by practicing solving equations involving decimals (2.7).  We will have a day of review on Wednesday and the Chapter 2 test on Thursday. We will then begin Chapter 3 by learning how to solve two-step equations (3.1).

ELA - Mrs. Sasser

On Monday, students will start their second vocabulary unit. Please make sure they are keeping up with the nightly vocabulary homework and studying the words on Quizlet.  For literature this week we will be diving into our short story unit! Students will review the elements of plot, character, setting, and conflict. They will have a quiz over their unit notes on Friday. We will also read Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day.” Students will  create a flipbook identifying the key elements of plot. Later in the week, students will start their Daily Grammar Practice, and we will work on identifying basic parts of speech. 

Earth Science - Mrs. Hoffman

The sixth-graders learned about sea/land breezes, global warming and the greenhouse effect and how these natural phenomena affect the Earth and are influenced by the actions of humankind. They then created a booklet on all this information, along with the three types of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation) during an in-class project, and took a ten question “pop” quiz to demonstrate what they had been learning about these topics.  We will be using this information during our Weather Unit beginning next week. It will start with the five layers of the atmosphere, their composition and what is in the air around us. The students will also learn about wind patterns and create simple airborne particle collectors to set up around the school. Future topics and activities over the next several weeks will include learning about the types of clouds and weather forecasting/ patterns, observing and creating a weather log, and working on a severe weather group project on Storms.  Don’t forget the September Science in Comics is due Monday, 9/30.

Earth Science - Mrs. DuRant

This week in Earth Science we have been working on our Heat Transfer Booklet.  This is an engaging project in which students research several aspects of heat transfer. We have also begun to explore land and sea breezes, the greenhouse effect and global warming.  I’m excited to see their results! Upon completion of this project, students will have the background knowledge needed to begin our unit on the Earth’s Atmosphere, followed by Weather and Climate Changes. 

Ancient Civ -  Mr. O’Hayer

Our next journey brings us to our first “real” ancient civilization- Mesopotamia (Ch.3) where we will analyze the social structure of this great society and how Mesopotamia built the foundation for the many great empires that followed. Ch. 3 also opens up more in-depth map reading skills as we prepare for analyzing how geography helped define Mesopotamia and future societies. We will continue to work on our note-taking skills and we will be adding more critical thinking questions and analysis. We will look to have a lesson Quiz mid week.

Spanish - Mr. Alexander

Monday we will review the test and begin introducing irregular verbs with ser/estar and learn the direct object pronouns.  Our new vocabulary will consist mostly of the smaller helper words in order to allow for a focus on the verbs. Quiz will be on Friday as usual.

SPECIALS

Art - Mrs. Cookson - Week of September 23rd 

“Painting is a means of self-enlightenment.” - John Olsen

8th: Will explore Architectural Elements further with Toppling Towers

7th: Will switch gears from object to human form and work on Figure drawing

6th: Will partner up to work on an imaginative, collaborative piece