Month: September 2016

Hello middle school students and families:

• Thank you very much to the 7th graders for making the start-of-year retreat a great success. You were very positive and affirming, and not afraid to jump in, help out and be goofy! Thank yous are also in order for the many parents who took a significant time away from their busy schedules to help us safely transport 54 tweens to and from the retreat site.
• The first run of the MAP has concluded, and it was largely successful. Thank you, students, for working hard, learning quickly, and being patient. If you were absent for any part of last week, see me or Ms. Gudaitis about make-up times.
• 7th graders, you have a science test on Wednesday, September 28.
• 6th graders, your first summative (major) test will be on Tuesday, October 4.
• Zero Period algebra I students, your first test will be on Thursday, September 29. I hope you know what the test will cover. If not, see me right away. Also, because of absences on my part, there will be no 8th grade zero period math on Monday, September 26 or Friday, September 30. If parents’ schedules make it necessary to drop off the child anyway, there will be other staff present on those days, starting at 7:20.

Have a great week,

Sven Tice

Hello middle school students and families:

Thank you everyone, for making the Jog-a-thon a complete success! We’ve already met our goal; it looks like I owe my class pizza, ice cream and a movie. Here are the announcements for this week:

• MAP assessments will take place throughout this week for all students in grades 6-8.
• The 7th graders will go on a class retreat on Tuesday, September 20. We should be back by the end of the school day.  7th graders, please be sure to bring a snack, a lunch, a water bottle, and clothes appropriate for the weather; we will be outside much of the time.
• 8th graders have a science test on Wednesday, September 21.
• 7th graders were scheduled to have a test on Friday, September 23, but they’re taking the MAP that day, so the science test has been moved back to Wednesday, September 28.
• 6th graders will have a checkpoint quiz on Friday.
• Algebra I students will have a checkpoint quiz on Thursday.

Have a great week,

Sven Tice

Dear middle school parents and teachers:

We’ve hit the ground running in science and algebra I, and things appear to be going very well so far. The students are positive and willing to work hard, most of them are doing a very good job of advocating for themselves, and, especially among the 8th graders, the quality of work is exceptional for so early in the year. Here are announcements for this week:

• Tentatively, 8th graders will have a summative assessment (i.e., big test) on science practices on Wednesday, September 21. It’s a review of experiment-design skills they learned last year, and the vast majority of students appear to have it totally mastered, but, still, 8th graders, make sure you’re prepared.
• 7th graders will (also tentatively) have their summative assessment on science practices on Friday, September 23. Like the 8th graders, most 7th graders probably have it covered, but make sure to study anyway.
• That said, these test dates may change due to the MAP. If there is a conflict, the science assessments will be pushed back to accommodate these important standardized tests.  School staff need these data to ensure that students are meeting standards, and to help identify those children who need more support.
• 6th graders, I really, really enjoy your enthusiasm and joy, and feel blessed to be working with you. Many of you are doing excellent work. Some students, though, seem to be experiencing a bit of middle school culture shock. Please, remember to stay focused on your work in class, turn in written work of high quality (complete sentences are a must), and make an effort to know and understand the concepts we study in class. I try to make it interesting and fun for you, but that doesn’t mean it’s not serious work.
• The 7th graders will be going to Discovery Park for a class retreat on Tuesday, September 20. We’re asking for parents to drive students to and from the retreat.  A permission slip and letter will go home to families on Wednesday, September 14; parents, please sign it and return it via your children by Friday, September 16.

Yours in Christ,

Sven Tice

Dear Middle School Students and Families:

The first week seems to have gone very well. Everyone looks fit and rested and eager to learn. I met the 6th graders, and they seem to be a very eager bunch indeed. (They need to work on their spelling and punctuation, though!) Here is the news for this week:

• The 6th graders have begun to consider what it is that scientists do, and what the nature of science is.
• The 7th and 8th graders completed a very quick review of the metric system, and this week we’ll be reviewing science process skills: observing, arguing from evidence, planning and carrying out experiments, etc.
• Zero period algebra one will work on using single-variable equations to solve problems this week.
• All middle school students will have a short, low-stakes (5 points) checkpoint quiz in science on Friday, September 9.
• Zero Period algebra I students will have a checkpoint quiz on single-variable equations on Thursday, September 8.

I look forward to seeing families at Curriculum Night this Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 PM.

God Bless,

Sven Tice