April 22 - 26
Dear Parents,
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to highlight an important upcoming event: our Trimester 3 exams on May 21st and 22nd. These exams mark a significant opportunity for our students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, reflecting their hard work throughout the second half of the school year.
While our teachers are diligently preparing students in the classroom, your continued support from home is invaluable. Encouraging your child to stay focused, manage their time effectively, and maintain a consistent study routine can greatly enhance their performance during exam week, and help them finish the trimester on a high note. It's essential to emphasize the importance of not only preparing for exams but also staying committed to daily classwork and homework assignments. Consistent effort throughout the trimester lays the foundation for success during exam time.
Additionally, I want to remind both students and parents that our expectations for student behavior remain high. As members of our school community, it's crucial for students to uphold the principles of respect, responsibility, honesty, and integrity—pillars of the 'Hancock Way.' By embodying these values, our students not only excel academically but also contribute positively to our school environment. Let's continue to work together to support our students as they strive for success in the classroom and beyond.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to your child's education and the Hancock Way.
Kind regards,
Jack Cargile
Head of Middle School
8th Grade Graduation
Time to start preparing for graduation! Please take some time to complete the graduation form (link below). This information will be used on the programs and diplomas. After the ceremony, we will have a brief reception, where a slideshow will be displayed with the graduates. We request families to submit 5 pictures for the slideshow. The pictures can be anything you want (baby, siblings, family, friends, etc). The pictures should be submitted electronically to mmannarino@hancockdayschool.org.
Graduation information and slideshow pictures are due Friday, May 3rd.
Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Upcoming Summer Camp
It’s going to be a fun week at their Discovery Center on the GSU Armstrong Campus. The camp is for 10-14 year-old students, and it’s June 10-14th from 9AM - 3PM. Here is a link for more information about the camp - JA Summer Camp
And here’s a link to register - JA Summer Camp Registration (just click the “Get Tickets’ button)
Follow all the fun on our Middle School Instagram account!
Parents and students 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.
Baseball won the SPAL tournament opener vs Country Day 10-1. Elliot Zeigler pitched an incredible game, and was also great at the plate, getting a couple of hits and 4 RBIs. Carter Allen got on base twice, adding a couple of RBIs. Zach Literati enjoyed a good day at the plate with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. On Thursday, HDS won 7-1 against St. Peter’s. Carter Allen had a great night on the mound. On Tuesday, 4/23, HDS plays SCPS(A) at 7pm at Paulson.
Track participated in their 2nd meet of the season on Tuesday at SCPS. HDS had several PRs and 1st places, including a 7th/8th grade girls 1st place win in the 4x400m relay. HDS is hosting the SPAL Championship, at Savannah State University tTuesday, April 23rd at 3:15pm.
Soccer on Wednesday, HDS won 4-0 against SCDS. On Thursday, HDS tied Calvary, 3-3. *April 22nd is 8th-grade night, parents report at 6 pm to HDS field.
Golf on Wednesday, the boys beat BSS by 30 strokes, led by Carson Hayes. Girls also beat BSS 121 to 110, led by Jillian Schmid. On Thursday, the golf teams played SCDS and BSS. The boys had a narrow loss to SCDS (SCDS 173, HDS 176, and BSS 195). The girls defeated BSS, led by Couper Howard.
Fishing date postponed
New date possibilities May 4th or 11th 7:30 -11:30 am
Check-in/Registration 7:30 to 8 am
Fishing time 8-11 am
Award ceremony 11:15 am
1st prize of $100 or ½ the purse
2nd and 3rd place prizes
Admission Fee $10
Only HDS Students
K-5th must have a parent with them at all times. 6 through 8th graders can fish alone if they are experienced.
Fresh Water pond 22 minutes from Hancock.
SUMMER CAMPS HDS Basketball And Volleyball camps are open to kids/friends from other schools as long as they are accompanied with a HDS student that week!
Come out and support HDS Theater!
Each middle school student is required to complete ten hours of community service over the school year. Please remember to list hours worked daily, and do not log the total sum of hours worked over an extended period. Click HERE for a log form or see Mrs. Mannarino in the office.
Ongoing Opportunities
1. Plarn: Students are welcome to continue making and submitting plarn to the middle school office. Each ball should be made from 50 plastic bags. For every ball submitted, students will receive 1 hour of community service. During the event in Hancock Hall, students also made cards of encouragement that were, ultimately, attached to the mats. Students are welcome to continue making cards. The cards should be approximately 2"x3" and made from unlined index cards, cardstock, or something similar. There should be an encouraging note and a nice picture on one side or an encouraging note on one side and a nice picture on the other side. Students should use a hole punch to add a hole to the left side of the cards before submitting them to the middle school office. For every 30 quality cards submitted, students will receive 1 hour of community service.
2. Shelter From the Rain: SFTR is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides assistance for single mothers and children in need. This organization is also requesting handmade cards of encouragement. Students can make cards that are 4"x6" or 5"x7" and made from cardstock. The cards should be one-sided and include messages like:
Everything would be better if more people were like you!
You are really something special!
You are brilliant!
I think you are amazing!
Keep going! You're doing great!
Have a beautiful day! We are rooting for you!
We are so proud of you!
For every 30 quality cards submitted, students will receive 1 hour of community service. Please see below for examples of cards.
Upcoming Opportunities
1. Forsyth Farmers' Market Youth Booth: The Youth Booth is a grant funded program designed to teach children about nutrition. Student volunteers will greet children and parents, offer produce samples, and assist with the craft table. The Farmer's Market is looking for 2 student volunteers and 1 parent chaperone each Saturday for this ongoing program.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CAFAB2BABF5C34-49184957-forsyth#/
2. Relay For Life: Relay For Life is a community based awareness and fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. This year's event will take place at Daffin Park on Saturday, May 4th from 3-10 pm. Student volunteers will assist with luminaria bags, general errands throughout the event, set-up, and clean up. There are 3 shifts available, and the organization is looking for 5 student volunteers and 1-2 parent chaperones per shift.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CAFAB2BABF5C34-49186402-relay#/
Please contact Carol Richter at 912.655.0033 or richtercmd@gmail.com with questions.
As Learning Coach, I work 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. My phone extension is 327. I look forward to working with you! Tricia Guggenheim
31. Ten Ways to Finish the School Year Off Strong
The end of the school year is always the most difficult. Students contract “summer fever” as the end of the year approaches and may begin to slack off and lose interest in school work. It is extremely important to finish the school year strong, so here is a list of 10 ways to finish the school year strong.
1. Set Goals
Setting goals for yourself both personally and academically will help you stay on track. Whether your goal is to get straight A’s or pass your AP tests, make your own goals and try your absolute best to achieve them.
2. Stay Organized
Staying organized will prevent you from losing or forgetting about assignments. Keep track of your assignments and test dates in a planner or calendar to stay organized and prepared for upcoming final projects and tests.
3. Don’t put off responsibilities
Slacking and procrastinating are just ways of putting off responsibilities. Putting off school-related responsibilities will leave you scrambling and stressed at the last minute. Do what you need to do when you need to do it, and you will be well on your way to finishing strong!
4. Remember what you’ve worked for
It may help to remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve put in this year. One bad performance on a final test or project could undo all of your efforts for a certain letter grade.
5. Get motivated
It is time to get motivated! Whether you have to bribe yourself with rewards or create penalties for not trying your best, do whatever it takes to stay motivated and beat “summer fever!”
6. Take advantage of the nice weather
As the weather begins to get nicer, you don’t have to stay cooped up inside studying. Get creative by studying and doing homework outside instead!
7. Take a time out
Don’t forget about taking time out of your day to regroup and simply have fun! This will help you stay focused. Giving yourself breaks for fun is good for your sanity and attention span.
8. Adjust your attitude
What is your attitude right now? Are you feeling down? Can you not wait for school to end? Simply adjusting your attitude to be more positive can make an incredible difference!
9. Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself by eating well, exercising and getting the proper amount of sleep will help you remain focused.
10. Focus on the finish line
Visualize your finish line- and your goals- and focus on that. The school year is almost over- you can do it! Start a countdown, and don’t worry- the end is near.
If you feel like you need extra help completing the school year, reach out to me. I’m happy to help you get organized and stay on track.
https://www.northgrandhs.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=514423&id=0
The virtue that we are highlighting for April is curiosity. Just as with the other virtues, the children take their cues from the adults around them. Here are some tips to encourage and embrace curiosity.
Try something new as a family and/or get involved in the community.
Ask open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer.
Encourage your child to ask questions.
When possible, adopt a slower pace to appreciate an experience at another level.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns that you may have this year at amaher@hancockdayschool.org.
CRITICAL END-OF-YEAR DATES, TIMES, & EVENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Friday, May 3rd - Middle School Field Day at The Landings Athletic Space
Please drop off your child at 600 Landings Way S. Savannah, Ga 31411 between 8:45 to 9:00 AM and pick up is at 11:30 PM. There is no Middle School extended.
Monday, May 20th - Honors Assembly
Academic awards will be held in William Bell Gymnasium beginning at 8:30 AM.
Tuesday, May 21st, and Wednesday, May 22nd - 3rd Trimester Examinations
Students report to homeroom at 8:15 AM, with exams beginning promptly at 8:30 AM, and concluding at 12:15 PM. Afternoon carpool will begin at 12:20 PM. No Middle School Extended will be available either day. If your student has extended time for their exam, please park in a space for pickup rather than wait in the carpool line.
Wednesday, May 22nd - 8th Grade Graduation Practice at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church Sanctuary
Graduation practice will be held after exams on Wednesday from 12:45 to 1:45 PM. Parents
are responsible for providing transportation to IOHUMC.
Wednesday, May 22nd - 8th Grade Graduation Dinner in Hancock Hall
8th grade graduation dinner and entertainment 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Parents, please join your children from 6:00 - 6:20 PM for pictures!
Wednesday, May 22nd - Middle School Dance in Hancock Hall
Middle School students are invited to attend our last dance of the year from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.
Thursday, May 23rd - Middle School Graduation at Isle of Hope Methodist Church
Graduates should arrive by 12:45 PM for pictures. Graduation will begin at 2:00 PM. Following the ceremony, there will be a short reception in the church’s Anchor Room.
ALGEBRA 1 - Mrs. Taylor
Students will have until the end of the day Friday to complete the extra credit. They have had time this week and next week in class to begin. Their work must accompany the assignment on paper. There are 4 levels. The test for Chapter 9 will be Wednesday and roll over to Thursday if they need more time to review. Friday they will STAR test.
ADVANCED ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will have the test on exponents and linear functions on Monday. Then, we will review solving systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination.
GEOMETRY - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Geometry, we will review some more Algebra concepts such as factoring, solving quadratic equations, graphing quadratic functions, and solving systems of equations by graphing, substitution, and elimination. Then, we will begin Chapter 12 by learning about solid 3-D objects (12.1) and begin exploring how to find surface area (12.2).
ELA - Mrs. Boyer
Students have completed their final novels of their 8th grade year!! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by! 25 more days and you will have a high schooler! :)
These next two weeks we will be wrapping up our unit study of The House on Mango Street. Students will be gathering in groups to write a collection of vignettes as well as writing their own personal narratives regarding their relationship with the themes of ‘home’, culture and identity. We will pay close attention to including as many literary elements as possible.
Students will begin to review for the exam. The exam will be a comprehensive assessment over skills. Students will be reading passages from TKAM, Night, Macbeth and The House on Mango Street. Students will also be writing a long response. We will be reviewing all material the week prior.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman
Next week we will be continuing through our last mini unit on magnetism and electricity with a quiz over the magnetism portion on Friday. We are getting close!
While it does feel like the end of the year is here, there is still a lot of work to be done. 8th graders are exhibiting some serious signs of senioritis which is incredibly understandable. However, it ain’t over until it’s over. Please remind students that their work still matters, their classroom conduct is still noticed, and their grades will be a direct reflection of their efforts. I know it’s hard this time of year, but they are too close to give up now!
Quiz on light and sound: Thursday, April 17th
Quiz on magnetism: Friday, April 26th
Test on electricity & magnetism: Thursday, May 2nd
Bottle rockets (IN CLASS project): May 6-10th
US HISTORY - Mr. Saviskas
Unfortunately I came down with an illness last Friday, 4/12 and missed the first three days of this week. As a result I will be moving this week’s quiz to next Wednesday, 4/24. It’ll be over the notes we are covering on the 1920s-1930s. On Thursday we will be starting our World War II unit which should last us the rest of the year.
HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH - Mr. De Cardenas
This last part of the year is the most rewarding for me as a teacher since I get to see my students using all they have learned in class in real time communication. It is simply amazing. Next week we will continue digging into the Simple Present Tense grammar of the Spanish language and its indicative verbal mode such as the conditional to perform formal conversations. They will strengthen their conversational skills by creating real situations in class to perform an actual dialogue using all the grammar content they have seen so far. They will learn more time expressions and adverbs as well as rules to use them. They will increase their vocabulary by memorizing and using nouns and verbs they will need to use with this communicative function such as new interrogative adverbs which will allow them to talk about any subject in Spanish using simple present tense. On Thursday we will have a test which will evidence the student’s improvement, specifically in the last topic related to make accept and reject invitations
ADVANCED SPANISH - Mr. De Cardenas
This last part of the year is the most rewarding for me as a teacher since I get to see my students using all they have learned in class in real time communication. It is simply amazing. Next week we will continue digging into the Simple Present Tense grammar of the Spanish language and its indicative verbal mode such as the conditional to perform formal conversations. They will strengthen their conversational skills by creating real situations in class to perform an actual dialogue using all the grammar content they have seen so far. They will learn more time expressions and adverbs as well as rules to use them. They will increase their vocabulary by memorizing and using nouns and verbs they will need to use with this communicative function such as new interrogative adverbs which will allow them to talk about any subject in Spanish using simple present tense. On Thursday we will have a test which will evidence the student’s improvement, specifically in the last topic related to make accept and reject invitations
ADVANCED SPANISH - Mrs. Brown
As some of you may have noticed, the assessment calendar for projects, quizzes, and tests is full, full, full when it comes to our Spanish class! No need to panic or search frantically for materials, as the majority of these assessments will be repetitive in nature but assessed as such listed above.
In the coming week, we will practice these soon to be quizzes and tests as a classwork grade in order to lay the foundation for what is to be expected for when these same tasks/skills are assessed as higher stakes assignments in their grade book. As the end of year appears on the horizon, we will be striving for competency in written questions and answers as well as fluency when prompted to read aloud. Please see the following dates on the assessment calendar for your 7th grader:
Wednesday, 4/24: Quiz -in class, spoken assessment
Thursday, 4/25: Project -not as a usual project with a detailed rubric, more classwork style assessment to be graded as a project (they’re weighted heavier in the grade book as such so this is win-wi)
Friday, 4/46: Quiz -in class, spoken assessment
PS: Thank you to the lovely ladies in our 7th grade Spanish class and their respective families who surprised me with a Welcome Back Post-baby gift basket! The candies quickly vanished as I’m sure the girls know how much I love chocolate! My husband and I look forward to our daughter sporting the cute dress once she grows into it, and the satin feeling PJs for me -wow! These and all of the other gifts in the basket were so unexpected and so thoughtful. I feel very undeserving and am so flattered. Thank you!
ALGEBRA 1 - Mrs. Taylor
Students will have until the end of the day Friday to complete the extra credit. They have had time this week and next week in class to begin. Their work must accompany the assignment on paper. There are 4 levels. The test for Chapter 9 will be Wednesday and roll over to Thursday if they need more time to review. Friday they will STAR test.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete Chapter 9 by learning how to compare and order real numbers (9.4). We will have a day of review on Tuesday and the Chapter 9.1-9.4 test on Wednesday. We will then begin Chapter 10 by learning about angles and perimeters of triangles (10.1) and identifying polygons and quadrilaterals (10.2).
ELA - Ms. Ferkol and Mrs. Boyer
This week we are reading/reviewing Chapters 8-12. Students are continuing to engage with their Reading Checks and Comprehension Packets. We are creating a World Building Brochure to cement our understanding of the fantastic world as we view The Hobbit through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. We are in the middle of the text at this point, and the students are riding on the coattails of Bilbo’s Road of Trials.
Assessments:
Ch. 1-11 Test 5/6
Exam: Final Hobbit Assessment
LIFE SCIENCE - Ms. Hallman and Ms. Insignares
The fetal pig dissection was a HUGE success and we believe the kids sincerely enjoyed it! The feedback has been incredible and we hope that this is an experience that they remember for years to come. It was the perfect capstone to our long unit on body systems. Next week we will begin meiosis!
AMERICAN HISTORY - Mr. Saviskas
Unfortunately I was absent at the beginning of this week because of an illness. The test we had planned will be moved to next Thursday, 4/25. We will cover the material for it early next week. It will be a short test focused on Manifest Destiny and Slavery.
AMERICAN HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in American History students will continue our examination of the Civil War. We will examine events that led up to the conflict. Students will break down the causes of the Civil War and we will begin our study of the important battles that shaped the outcome of the war.
ACCELERATED MATH - Mrs. Taylor
Students did great learning square roots, estimating square roots, and Pythagorean Theorem. Next up…Area of parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, and composite shapes. (11.4, 11.5(a), 11.5(b)) We will take the STAR test Monday 4/22.
PRE-ALGEBRA - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Pre-Algebra, we will complete Chapter 9 by learning how to compare and order real numbers (9.4). We will have a day of review on Tuesday and the Chapter 9.1-9.4 test on Wednesday. We will then begin Chapter 10 by learning about angles and perimeters of triangles (10.1) and identifying polygons and quadrilaterals (10.2).
EARTH SCIENCE - Ms. Insignares
Earth day is next week! Students will have an Earthquake mini quiz on April 23rd. They will have a volcanoes and earthquakes test on April 26th. We will review the test the day prior.
ELA - Ms. Ferkol
This week students will begin the process of creating their own god/goddess/mythological creature. We will synthesize the 16 (WOW!) mythological stories we read last week to acknowledge patterns of how and why these stories exist. Using that knowledge, they will begin to build their own mythological personas. Through creativity and collaboration, students will then develop their persona’s creation story! Let the fun begin!!
*Students will have a quiz covering the 16 mythological stories covered last week on Wednesday 4/24!
INTRO SPANISH - Ms. Brown
As some of you may have noticed, the assessment calendar for projects, quizzes, and tests is full, full, full when it comes to our Spanish class! No need to panic or search frantically for materials, as the majority of these assessments will be repetitive in nature but assessed as such listed above.
In the coming week, we will practice these soon to be quizzes and tests as a classwork grade in order to lay the foundation for what is to be expected for when these same tasks/skills are assessed as higher stakes assignments in their grade book. As the end of year appears on the horizon, we will be striving for competency in written questions and answers as well as fluency when prompted to read aloud. Please see the following dates on the assessment calendar for your 6th grader:
Wednesday, 4/24: Quiz -in class, spoken assessment
Thursday, 4/25: Project -not as a usual project with a detailed rubric, more classwork style assessment to be graded as a project (they’re weighted heavier in the grade book as such so this is win-wi)
Friday, 4/46: Quiz -in class, spoken assessment
WORLD HISTORY - Mr. O’Hayer
Next week in World History, students will begin the conclusion of our Unit on the Industrial Revolution. We will continue studying different economic systems as well as beginning our last IR project. Students will create their own inventions.
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