Hello TSMS families! We hope you are all doing well. Just an update about report cards - it's taking us a bit longer than expected to stuff everything and get them out to you. They didn't go out as planned on Friday, and will be out tomorrow! Again, if you don't receive yours within a week, please reach out to us. Here's a look at all things TSMS with upcoming dates and highlights from some of our amazing classroom communities. Of particular note, many of our advisors are working with their advisories on understanding and expressing gratitude and performing acts of kindness. Ask your child what their advisory is doing to spread kindness to the larger community.
Calendar
DECEMBER 12 • PTA AND SLT MEETINGS
On Monday, December 12, our SLT and PTA will hold their monthly meetings. SLT begins at 5pm and PTA follows directly after at 6pm. On the agenda for SLT is District 1 School Integration update. Our PTA agenda includes planning for our Department of Education Title I family funds of $1700 and navigating your child's IEP (Individual Education Plan). All are welcome to attend.
DECEMBER 14 • PARENT-STAFF COFFE HOUR
Our next Parent-Staff Coffee Hour will take place on Wednesday, December 14th from 8:00-9:00am. We hope to see you then. Mark your calendars!
DECEMBER 14 AND 15 • 6TH GRADE TO ANCIENT EGYPT AT THE MET
On Wednesday and Thursday, December 14 and 15, our 6th graders will travel back in time to Ancient Egypt at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They will spend the morning looking at artifacts that relate to their study of the ancient civilization. They will return to school for lunch and a regular afternoon.
DECEMBER 20 • HAPPY HOLIDAYS BAKE SALE
On Tuesday, December 20th, the TSMS PTA will be having a Happy Holidays Bake Sale at lunchtime from 12pm-1:30pm on the 3rd floor in front of the Main Office. Families, please feel free to send in baked goods like cupcakes or cookies. They can be dropped off with our Parent Coordinator, Shirley, on that morning. Please email castlion.home@verizon.net it you are planning to contribute something. Kids, don't forget to bring some money for those holiday goodies!
Thank you to Families who have sent in items for our previous bake sales that have made them such a success! TSMS has AMAZING families!
Highlights and such...
COLLECT YOUR BOX TOPS
Keep collecting your box tops and get them to Frances Quezada in Room 335.
Any little bit helps! Each box top is worth 10¢ for our school!
6TH GRADE SCIENCE • WISHLISTS AND CELEBRATIONS
Sixth grade science is still looking for a few planting supplies. We hope to grow mini-gardens in class just after Winter Break. Thanks to Molly's family and Nicholas' family for their support (and one mystery family for a classroom paper cutter -- please let us know who you are!). We have an Amazon wish list entitled "6th Grade Science Classroom Wishlist," which can also be found using Ms. Flanagan's email address (pflanagan@tsmsonline.org) on Amazon.com. Thanks in advance for any contributions you're able to make!
Gratefully,
Ms. Jones and Ms. Flanagan
6th Grade Science Celebration -- Mark Your Calendars!
On Friday, December 23, we invite sixth grade families to our science celebration. Students have been working in pairs to research and produce documentaries about science topics of their choice. Families will be able to screen the documentaries and also check out our awesome Pulley Design Projects. We hope you'll join us for our end-of-2016 celebration!
Friday, December 23, Room 313
Team Insight: 8:45-9:33
Team Balance: 10:25-11:13
Team Empathy: 11:15-12:03
Team Diversity: 1:47 - 2:35
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING COMMITTEE
We are a collective group of speech-language pathologists, general education, and special education teachers who strive to celebrate the different learning styles of our students, staff and families. Our goal is to celebrate these differences and help students understand their strengths and strategies to help them reach their goals on more challenging tasks. We urge you and your children to take this survey to help determine your learning style. Teachers, we encourage you to take it as well! Click on the link below to figure it out!
Stay tuned for more information and activities that we will organize throughout the school year. Warmest Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!
Celebration of Learning Committee
Sarah F., Sara G., Julie, James, Rachel, Yolanda and Christine
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
As a school community, we value academic rigor, but we also understand an adolescent's need to get outside to play, be young, get exercise and fresh air. As the winter weather seems to be upon us for the unforeseeable future, please make sure to send your children to school with coats, gloves, hats, and whatever other warm weather gear they may have. We go outside in the cold winter weather provided that conditions are not unsafe. Please make sure your children are coming to school dressed for fun in the outdoors.
MEOW! CALLING ALL CAT OWNERS!
Art room needs empty, clean Fancy Feast cat food cans to use for paint. Please send them in with your child. Emphasis on CLEAN! ;)
7TH GRADE HUMANITIES • JUSTICE AND LIBERTY & DONOR'S CHOOSE
Justice and Liberty Humanities classes are starting their debate and argument essay unit. Don't blame us if your kids suddenly become really skilled at convincing you that they're right - sorry! We've also begun learning about the Constitution and our rights. All this work will culminate in our big mock trial project in February. We've got a bunch of future lawyers in the room!
Also, Ms. Mashamesh & Ms. Shrier have set up a donors choose project to get all the latest books in their class for book clubs and partnerships. The class also needs an iPad for kids to listen to audio books and to record book club discussions. If you would like to add to the classroom library just click on the link. Thanks!!
FROM THE SPEECH ROOM
Do you remember the first time you ordered a slice of pizza and handed your lunch money over to the cashier? Part of the magic of being a middle schooler is developing your independence. Walking to school, buying snacks from the local bodega and spending time with your friends in the park are all new privileges and responsibilities for our students.
That's why in speech we will begin role playing and creating scripts to practice language and other functional communication skills that are used in real world scenarios. Props such as menus, a cash register equipped with fake money, and even a play credit card will be used to sharpen their survival skills.
Whether or not your student already goes out to lunch this year or soon will as a 7th or 8th grader; speech therapy will support their smooth transition to becoming a young adult. Our goal is to test their skills in our local corner store and pizzeria, once students feel confident with ordering food, counting change, and reviewing street safety rules. We look forward to supporting this new chapter of your child's development.
UPDATES FROM THE 5TH STREET FARM
The Fifth Street Farm has been tidied up for the coming winter months - irrigation hoses drained, tools brought inside, tender perennials transplanted to inside pots. Some hardy kale and herbs will still be able to be harvested during the winter, but most crops will be planted again in the spring. Tulip, crocus, daffodil and snow drop bulbs have been planted in the central plots and we look forward to seeing their blossoms in the spring. Classes that are interested in "adopting" a plot or plots and committing to seeding, planting, tending and harvesting during the 2017 growing season should contact Frances Anderson fanderson@5thstreetfarm.org. Winter months are the time for students to prepare their farming plan!
FUN AT KINKY BOOTS WITH CURRENT 7TH GRADE THEATRE STUDENTS!
Students shout out Kinky Boots on Broadway! Here's some of our 7th grade quotes after the play:
"Spectacular and amazing... Lola lit up the whole show!" - Iviana
"The message that the play sent was very powerful." - Marquis
"I wish I could take my family - they would have loved it!" - Jahdalyn
"I found myself... screaming, crying happy tears down my face, clapping until my hands hurt!" - Rebecca
"I am really thankful for TDS (Theatre Development Fund) because they were the ones to pay for our tickets. It was so awesome!" CJ
We're with you, CJ! TSMS deeply thanks Theatre Development Fund's Stage Doors Program for this phenomenal experience. More to come in the spring for our 2nd semester 7th grade theatre artists!
8TH GRADE HUMANITIES • LANCE AND AKEEM
In Lance and Akeem’s classes, we’re very busy. In social studies, we’re well into our study of World War One. Students are examining primary sources, making maps, reading nonfiction texts, and watching film, as they consider the causes and consequences of the Great War. We will conclude this unit with a fairly challenging final exam scheduled for: Tuesday, December 13th. Please check in with your student to see how much he/she has learned so far! In writing, we’ve recently concluded a mini unit aimed at enhancing our grammar and punctuation skills. Has your student corrected your grammar yet? This is a work in progress! In fact, we will continue this work throughout the year. Next up in writing: We will be composing literary essays. In reading, we recently dived into nonfiction. Our classroom library has a broad collection of nonfiction books that include: memoirs, autobiographies, biographies, true stories, and all-about books (think: all about the Korean War). To read these books, it requires slightly different reading strategies, as these books are often quite dense. We are presently cultivating these nonfiction reading strategies. Please note, this module, every student is required to complete four nonfiction books. Please ask your student what nonfiction books he/she has read so far! Should you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact us: lleener@tsmsonline.org or aoliver@tsmsonline.org.
SCIENCE PASSES FOR FAMILIES • URBAN ADVANTAGE