October 11th - October 15th
GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
On November 19th, Hancock Day School will have our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day. This is a PreK through 5th grade event. Middle school students will have a regular school day, unless they have family attending for a sibling participating in the event. November 19th is an ALL SCHOOL HALF DAY; middle school will be dismissed at 12:15.
PICTURE MAKEUPS/RETAKES
InFocus will be at HDS on Thursday, October 28th for student picture makeups and retakes.
COVID SAFETY REMINDERS
If your child has received both COVID vaccine shots, please submit a copy of their vaccination card to the nurses at nurses@hancockdayschool.org. As numbers drop and we move toward mask optional for vaccinated individuals, having the vaccine cards on file is the only way to know who is/is not vaccinated. In the interim, please remember that students should be sent to school each day with:
a clean, appropriately fitted mask
an extra mask in their bookbag
a water bottle with their name on it
NOVEMBER LUNCH REGISTRATION
Registration for November Lunches are now open until October 15th
To Register:
1. After logging into Family Portal, click Student Information.
2. Click Lunch. The Lunch calendar displays.
3. Click Create Web Order to create a lunch order for the student. The Lunch Order Form displays, listing each student in the family.
4. Click the student name for which you wish to place an order. The Lunch Order Form expands listing each day that an order may be placed. A blank day denotes a school holiday or 1/2 day.
5. Click the date to place an order. The Lunch Item list expands.
6. Type quantity for the student in the Quantity column. The Total column displays the cost.
7. Repeat for all dates and all students. The Grand Total is listed at the bottom.
8. Click Submit Order. The charges will now display for the student on their Family Portal portal to be paid on the Financial screen. Lunch will not be provided unless paid in full for the month.
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS - THE PLACEMENT TEST
The high school admissions season is in full swing. We had a great high school fair last Wednesday where students got to meet with the high school admissions counselors from all of our receiving schools. I think the students learned a lot about the schools and the admissions counselors got to know your children on a more personal level.
After you apply, the next important step is the high school placement test. This test, along with grades, teacher recommendations, and the 8th grade ERB scores, is used by the guidance counselors at the high school to plan a four year path of courses for each student. Students need to come prepared to succeed on these tests. That would mean a good night’s sleep, rising promptly, eating a good breakfast, and arriving at the test site early. Here are dates that we are aware of at this point:
BC - November 13; December 4; January 29
SVA - November 13; January 29
SCDS - January 21; January 29
CARPOOL CHANGES
As a reminder, our carpool change form can now be found on your parent portal - it is no longer available on our school website. Additionally, all early checkouts should be done by 2:15. Thank you.
ASSESSMENTS AND PROJECTS CALENDAR
Parents and students now have an easy way to look at upcoming assessments and projects. 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 the 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.
NEW ON CAMPUS COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY!
Good environmental practices begin locally. We are looking for student volunteers to give up some time each week during their Enrichment period to green up our campus. Each week Mr. Crawford will coordinate projects that will enhance the beauty and functionality of our campus environment. Students who wish to volunteer should email Mr. Crawford at hcrawford@hancockdayschool.org.
HERB RIVER BEND CROSSWALK SCHEDULE
Reminder: duty hours are 7:45 - 8:10. ½ hour of community service credit each day. Students should keep a log of their hours on the community service form. If you are interested, see Mrs. Mannarino in the middle school office to sign up!
Monday, October 11: No School, Fall Break
Tuesday, October 12: No School, Fall Break
Wednesday, October 13: Jordan H and Ethan K
Thursday, October 14: Ella O and Sallie Rose B
Friday, October 15: Ela S and Jillian S
As Learning Coach, I will be working with students, parents, and teachers to offer support and strategies throughout the year. Please reach out to me if I can be of any assistance to you and your child/ren. I will share ideas and strategies often in this space. My email is: tguggenheim@hancockdayschool.org. I look forward to working with you as the year progresses. Tricia Guggenheim
You’ve made flash cards...that’s great! Next, you have to use them each night. Reviewing your flash cards every day will help you learn the material. In order to understand it, explain it to someone. Add details and examples. Make a quiz and answer the questions. The more you interact with the material, the easier it will be to retrieve it.
We are well into the start of the school year and most likely your student is learning to juggle academic work with other responsibilities. Test anxiety can be common as students adjust to new teachers and expectations. Typically, there is a decrease in these feelings as relationships are built with teachers and students become familiar with the testing format of a class. However, there are other strategies that parents can teach their children to help ease symptoms.
Please feel free to get in touch with me at amhaer@hancockdayschool.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Have you ever been looking at your emails, and you see tons of emails from Google Classroom? Well there is a way to turn those off. With students’ busy lives and participation in extracurriculars, a busy email inbox is the last thing a student needs. The way to fix this inconvenience is to go to the Google Classroom website. After arriving at the website, press the three lines on the top left-hand side of the screen. Then, scroll down, you should see all the classrooms you are a part of. At the bottom press the settings button. After this, you will see a section titled “Notifications”. There you can turn emails from classroom off and not have all the nagging Google Classroom emails. If you would still like to receive some notifications, then scroll down, and there are specific buttons, like graded work, comments, etc. Select all that apply and you will only have the notifications that you want and need to see. Thank you for reading. If you have any problems or questions, contact the technology department by email.
By: Carter Herman
ALGEBRA 1- MRS. TAYLOR
Students return from fall break to continue with Chapter 4 section 3. We will have a quiz 10/19 (Block A), 10/20 (Block B) sections 4.1-4.4. My plan is a project in class that will help solidify the slope concept in real word scenarios.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will continue Chapter 11 by learning how to simplify radical expressions with and without variables (11.2). We will also begin learning how to rationalize denominators (11.2). There will be a quiz covering 11.1-11.2 on Thursday.
GEOMETRY - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Geometry, we will continue Chapter 4 by learning about the Exterior Angle Theorem in triangles (4.1) as well as beginning to prove triangles are congruent (4.2).
ELA - MRS. BOYER
Students are ¾ the way finished with To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and I am so impressed by the way that these kids are really digging into the material. We will be reviewing Chapters 16-21 this week and finishing up our essay. This essay is a great way to begin thinking about the Washington, DC trip. I will be giving edits throughout the week, but if your child wants more edits, please have them come see me between 7:45 and 8:00 am.
Essay is due on October 15th.
Students should expect to be reading 30-80 pages a week, along with completing their chapter response questions. With Chapter Response Questions, I do usually give them a lot, but I only expect them to really get through 15-20. However, I want them to have as many as possible for a study guide for assessments.
TKAM Quiz 10/22 End of Novel; a focus on Chapters 22-31
T1 Exam will be over TKAM ONLY.
** POP Quizzes will occur throughout this novel study. **
**As students continue into their 8th grade year, it is imperative that they keep up with their reading, annotate their novels, and come in for extra help. The foundation of this class is heavily based on discussion and the sharing of ideas; students will need to participate to be able to engage with the material in a productive manner.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE - MS. HOFFMAN
See below for photos from last week showing students studying the periodic table. They looked for different elements found in our breakfast cereal and throughout our bodies during a fun activity called Metal for Breakfast. We also learned about the basic groups on the periodic table including the alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, transition metals, halogens and noble gasses. We discussed their properties, differences, and how they react and create ions and compounds.
Next week students will randomly be assigned one particular element to research and learn about. They will create an individual mini-poster of their element to display their information as we generate our HDS version of the Periodic Table of Elements. This Element Block product will count as a test grade. Students will also receive a list of approximately 40 elements and compounds they will need to memorize. We will have a short quiz on this during the first part of class on Wednesday, 10/20 (Blocks D and E) or Thursday, 10/21 (Block F).
After learning about chemical bonding (ionic, covalent and metallic) and creating their own study guide we will have our Chemistry Unit Test on Wednesday, 10/27 (for Blocks D and E) OR Thursday, 10/28 (for Block F). Finally, our October Science in Comics is due by Friday, 10/29/21. This is a monthly assignment and students may complete up to two extra Science in Comics per trimester for additional homework grades.
Science Fair:
Our log book checks are becoming more detailed. Students may begin their project experimentation IF they have had their materials and procedures approved AND turned in their Risk Assessment Form (if applicable). All students needing to borrow lab equipment for their projects need to check with me for availability and sign out these materials for use at home. If your project requires materials/ supplies that must remain at the school, please arrange with me an afternoon or weekend time for us to work together on your project.
Remaining science fair homework assignments:
Tuesday, 10/19--a google doc submitted onto Google Classroom with a rough draft of their background research information
Tuesday 10/19, a fourth log book check with updates/ revisions on their projects
All remaining due dates will fall on a Tuesday for all classes and can be found in the students printed packet, posted in Google Classroom, and listed in the project section of the assessment calendar.
Reminder: Final Science Fair Projects are due in the first part of December 2021 and will count for the following grades: log book (quiz), formal report (test), triptych (2 tests) and presentation (classwork). I am available for any questions students may have each morning (7:30 am until 8 am) and several afternoons per week. Students may also come see me during our end-of-the day tutorial and/ or email me questions.
US HISTORY - MR. GAUTHIER
The second speech ,which is defending, opposing or adding a Constitutional Amendment is due on Oct 14! In the meantime we will be learning about and examining the causes leading up to the US Civil War. The speech will be counted as a project grade and a test on the Civil War causes, vocabulary, Constitution principles and river flow charts will follow the week after.
SPANISH - MRS. SALE
Hello...I hope everyone had a nice long weekend. This (short) week the students will begin working on a project...their family tree. I hope the students will have fun creating their heritage.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MRS. SALE
This week the students will receive new vocabulary that centers around ‘’the classroom’’. The students will then begin a project that will utilize the new vocabulary. They will have the rest of the week to work on their projects.
ADVANCED SPANISH - MS. CROCKER
¡Buenos días! Last week we practiced saying what classes we have and what we have to do. Thursday the students will have their second test on Lista #4 (includes gender of nouns!) and Lista #5 (includes tener conjugation/tener que phrase). Friday we will start our new Familia Unit to bring us into Día de los Muertos! We will be reviewing and learning ser and gustar to describe our family and ancestors. Students should study their flashcards and grammar notes at least 15 minutes a night! Our vocabulary volume is starting to increase.
ALGEBRA 1 - MRS. TAYLOR
Students return from fall break to continue with Chapter 4 section 3. We will have a quiz 10/20, sections 4.1-4.4. My plan is a project in class that will help solidify the slope concept in real word scenarios.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 3 by learning how to solve equations when there are variables on both sides of an equation (3.3). We will also practice applying those skills by solving real-word problems.
ELA - MRS. BOYER
This week we will be working on our FINAL Hobbit Project! This project is worth a TEST grade! This is a writing and art based assignment. :) Due on October 14th (changed from the 13th).
Students will begin reading The Exact Location of Home by Kate Messner on 10/14. This novel will be accompanied by a journaling project which will act as their Exam Project. This will be a quick read, but we will dive deep into the idea of connecting research to our writing, relating to the characters and theme, discovering our empathy for the outside world, etc.
**As students continue into their 7th grade year, it is imperative that they keep up with their reading, annotate their novels, and come in for extra help. The foundation of this class is heavily based on student reading and the sharing of ideas; students will need to participate to be able to engage with the material in a productive manner. All class activities are based on the reading completed prior to class time. **
ELA - MRS. SASSER
Students will have their final test of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Thursday, October 14th. They should be using their guided questions, the notes we have taken as a class, and the various resource materials on Google Classroom to help them study. As a reminder, students find success on assessments when they prepare and study over a prolonged period of time, so they should be reviewing nightly for 10-15 minutes leading up to the test. As always, I am available every morning if students would like to come in and chat/review. I will host a morning review session from 7:20-8:00 on Thursday morning for any students that would like to come in early.
Looking ahead: students will begin working on a culminating project for this unit that will count as their exam grade. They will be asked to create and develop their own hero, writing a children’s story. We will go through the entire writing process and I expect students to complete multiple drafts. Students will need to work diligently in class and pay very close attention to detail for this assignment.
It is imperative that students keep up with their reading. They will be unable to complete our class discussions and activities without completing the reading. All reading assignments and homework are posted on my classroom board and on Google Classroom daily. Students should check Google Classroom every single day. All reading should be ANNOTATED.
A reminder about any and all projects in ELA: projects in my class are designed to help students think critically and not just memorize information. Rather, I want them learning how to apply what they’ve learned. They are given detailed rubrics with checklists and a breakdown of my expectations. They should consult their rubric regularly while working on their project. The bulk of ELA projects are completed in class; they are given ample time and multiple class periods where they are strictly working on their project. Therefore, if students use their time wisely, they should have only minimal parts to complete at home.
LIFE SCIENCE - MRS. DURANT
My Life Science students are AMAZING! They exceeded my expectations with their Cell Model projects! Students are always proud to present their projects and I was overwhelmed by their creativity and knowledge of the cell organelles which they displayed through these projects. They are to be commended for the planning and effort they put into their models. We will wrap up our unit on Cells this week, review on Thursday, and have a test on Cells (structures, functions, cellular transport, and cellular respiration) on Friday, October 15. The students have been working on an in-class project, the Cellular Transport booklet, and that is due Thursday. Please remind your student to check the GC daily for assignments and study materials.
US HISTORY - MR. GAUTHIER
We will continue to “Think like a Historian” Successful quizzes on sources and reliability! Next week we look at who came to America first and what brought them here.
US HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week we continue our examination of the events that led up to and the creation of the 13 Colonies. Our focus will move from the New England Colonies to the Middle and Southern Colonies. Students will continue to work on their “Build a Colony” project. This will be an in-class activity. The project is Due October 15th. We will also have a test over the 13 Colonies on the 15th.
ACCELERATED MATH - MRS. TAYOR
Students will return from fall break and continue work on Chapter 4-prime factorization, GCF, LCM, and equivalent fractions. Students were introduced to their mini in-class math project, Crime Stoppers. This mini culminating project will review the quiz on sections 4.1-4.4, Friday, 10-15.
PRE-ALGEBRA - MR. LANFEAR
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will continue Chapter 3 by learning how to solve equations when there are variables on both sides of an equation (3.3). We will also practice applying those skills by solving real-word problems.
EARTH SCIENCE - MS. HOFFMAN
The sixth graders are continuing their study of weather. This week we focused on the three types of clouds (stratus, cumulus and cirrus) and air pressure. We also began our (rainy) weather log observing all our weather information. We have a school weather station set up on one of the parking lot light poles with the indoor monitor in our classroom. Students made their own observations of clouds, temperature, wind direction/speed and dew and then used the monitor to find the pressure and humidity and to verify some of their results. Next week we will review the water cycle and also review for our Weather Unit Test which will be Friday, 10/15/21. In addition, students will write a water droplet story using all our precipitation related vocabulary to illustrate how and where the water cycle occurs. Finally, our October Science in Comics is due on Friday, 10/29/21. This is a monthly assignment and students may complete up to two extra Science in Comics per trimester for additional homework grades.
EARTH SCIENCE - MRS. DURANT
This will be a short week in Earth Science as I will see the students only on Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesday, we will review our unit on Earth’s atmosphere and have our test on Friday, October 15. After our test we will begin our meteorology unit. Please remind your student to check the Google Classroom daily for assignments and review materials.
ELA - MRS. SASSER
Students will spend this week finishing up their PSA project on “The Monkey’s Paw.” All projects are due by the end of class on Friday 10/15.
It is imperative that students use the rubric and pay attention to detail. They should review and proofread their written work and come in to ask questions if they need additional help.
As with every project, I provide detailed checklists and ample time in class for students to work on their projects. Students should follow the rubric carefully and ask questions throughout their class time if they need help or support. As always, I am available every morning if students ever need to come in early for help.
All reading assignments and homework are posted on my classroom board and on Google Classroom daily. Students should check Google Classroom every single day.
Students MUST follow my writing formula for all formal writing assignments and should follow the MLA formatting guidelines I gave them. The students have a handout on how to do this and we have practiced together multiple times. Any paper not formatted correctly or color-coded will not be accepted.
INTRO SPANISH - MS. CROCKER
¡Buenos días! Last week, we took an examen and it got a little dicey with our review game ¡Seis! (see below) This week, we will start our new unit on la familia and conjugating the verb “ser” to describe our family to bring us into a Día de los Muertos celebration! Students should be reviewing every night, as vocabulary volume is starting to increase!
WORLD HISTORY - MR. O’HAYER
Next week in World History students will continue their analysis of Greek Philosophy. Over the next two chapters students will look at the impact of famous Greek thinkers like Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato. Important Reminder: The pace and demands of World History will be increasing as we begin to cover more material and multiple chapters at a time. It is so important that you keep up with your reading, reviews, and outlines. We will have a test on Friday, October 15th, over chapters 8 and 9.
ART - MRS. COOKSON
“People seldom improve when they have no model but themselves to copy after.” - Oliver Goldsmith
Sketchbook Prompt:
8th: Draw a family member by the light cast from the TV or computer screen.
7th: Draw an object that is lit by a flashlight.
6th: Draw a cute animal as if it were Frankenstein’s pet.
Classwork Challenges:
8th: Will continue to explore the architecture of our school and render drawings for entry into a calendar competition.
7th: Will move into sculpture with some clay work.
6th: Will take a break from using our imaginations and begin work on following guidelines to draw in perspective.
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