AMS Weekly Update

We would like to remind you of some important upcoming dates, particularly Parent-Teacher Conferences, which will be held virtually. Below, you will find a presentation with links to sign up for time slots with each teacher. The conferences are scheduled for October 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and October 17 from 3:10 to 6:10 PM.

Additionally, please note that the marking period ends on October 25th. We encourage you to check Parent Connect regularly to ensure your student is submitting their work to their teachers.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Many students have misplaced their student IDs. If your student needs a replacement, the cost is $5.00, which includes a new lanyard. Students can visit the main office to request a new ID. Students will need their ID's to attend after-school acitvites and our PBIS parties.

Warm regards,

Mrs. Bukosky and Mrs. Abbott

We understand that mornings can be challenging, and we appreciate all the efforts you make to get your child to school on time. However, we are noticing an increasing number of students arriving late each day, and we want to work together to ensure all students are set up for success.

School starts promptly at 7:50 a.m., and it’s important that students are in class, ready to learn, by then. When students arrive after 8:05 a.m., they are considered absent for the day, which affects both their learning and overall attendance record. We also know that chronic tardiness can cause students to fall behind in their assignments and miss key instructional time. This can lead to stress and frustration for both students and teachers.

We also want to take a moment to share the impact tardiness has on the classroom. When students arrive even just a few minutes late—3, 5, 8, 16, or even 25 minutes—it’s incredibly disruptive. It interrupts the flow of the lesson, makes it harder for teachers to maintain momentum, and affects the learning environment for everyone in the class. For the students who arrive late, it sets a negative tone for their day, which can affect how they engage for the entire hour and beyond. These are things we know many parents may not fully consider, but they are significant.

We understand that some families may be facing challenges that make it difficult to arrive on time. If this is the case for your family, we want to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need support or resources that could assist you in getting your child to school on time. Whether it's transportation issues or scheduling conflicts, we are here to listen and offer solutions.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. By working together, we can ensure that every student has the best opportunity to succeed.

Important reminder: If your child’s bus is cancelled in the morning, please be aware that the bus will not be running in the afternoon either. This applies to both pick-up and drop-off services for that day. We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making alternate transportation arrangements for your child.

• Indigenous People's Day
• Volleyball Away vs. Franklin 3:30

Tuesday, October 15:

• Choir Concert 7:00 Wayne Memorial Auditorium

Wednesday, October 16:

• Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 PM
• Boys Soccer Championship 3:30 at Wayne Memorial
• Cross Country Away at Cass Benton 4:00

Thursday, October 17:

• Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:10-6:10 PM
  
  

Friday, October 18:

• Have a Happy Weekend!

Halloween Decorations Needed for Fall Ball!

We are excited to announce that our upcoming Fall Ball is just around the corner, and we need your help! If you have any Halloween decorations that you no longer need, we would greatly appreciate any donations to help make our event spook-tacular!

A donation bin will be available in the main office for your convenience. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity!

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that honors the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. It is observed on the second Monday of October in various parts of the United States, as an alternative to or replacement for Columbus Day. The day serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities while acknowledging the injustices they have faced throughout history, including colonization and the forced removal of their lands.

The movement to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day started in the late 20th century, and it reflects a growing effort to correct historical narratives and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous nations. Many use the day to hold educational events, cultural celebrations, and discussions focused on Indigenous rights and history, recognizing the importance of these communities in shaping the land and culture of the Americas.

This month, 6th graders are simultaneously developing their ability to learn music both by ear and by reading notes. They will soon begin to prepare full-length concert pieces for their December performance. Meanwhile, 7th graders & 8th graders are exploring concert pieces in unfamiliar keys and are going full steam ahead on preparing for their December concert! Make plans to attend the concert to see the fun and creative collaborations going on in our music department!

Last week (October 4th), some 7th & 8th-grade students attended Middle School Band Night at WMHS where they rehearsed and performed with the Zebra Marching Band before the football game.

Coming up, our 7th grade students will continue learning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships. We are also continuing practice with our multiplication and division facts as this helps with understanding ratios and rates. Our 8th graders are continuing their practice with exponents and roots. They have learned the exponent rules and how to simplify expressions with exponents in them.

All 7th and 8th grade students have wrapped up their NWEA Math test for the fall. These scores help determine what practice they will encounter when working on Math 180 in class. Math 180 in a program used to help fill the gaps in learning of previous content areas. Your student could be practicing fractions, decimals, multiplication, division, etc. Their placement was based on their performance on the fall NWEA test.

Our instructional focus this month is on student engagement. We are encouraging students to use sentence starters when answering questions and explaining their thinking. Their sentence starters break down into 4 different categories: explain, clarify, agree, and disagree. It can be challenging to explain your math thinking in words so we practice this daily with verbal expression and written responses.

At home, parents can support their 7th grade student by:

1. Real-Life Applications: Encourage kids to use ratios in everyday situations, like cooking (e.g., adjusting a recipe) or shopping (e.g., comparing prices). Ask them to figure out the ratio of ingredients or the price per unit.

2. Games and Activities: Use board games or card games that involve ratios and proportions. Online games and apps focused on math can also make learning fun.

3. Encourage Exploration: Let students explore ratios through art (like mixing paint colors) or music (like understanding beats and measures). This creative approach can enhance their interest and understanding.

At home, parents can support their 8th grade student by:

1. Real-Life Examples: Show how exponents are used in real life, such as in scientific notation, computing areas and volumes, or understanding population growth. Discuss how they appear in contexts like technology (e.g., file sizes, speed of processors).

Flashcards: Create flashcards for exponent rules (like am⋅an=am+n) and practice with them. This can help reinforce memory through repetition. All the exponent rules we’ve been learning can be found here.

ELA classes are still exploring various fictional stories, including short stories and excerpts from novels. We are discussing key components of plot, such as:

- Exposition: Introducing characters and setting

- Rising Action: Building tension and conflict

- Climax: The turning point of the story

- Falling Action: Events leading to resolution

- Resolution: How the story wraps up

Through engaging discussions and activities, students not only learn how to identify these elements but also how they contribute to the overall message of the story. Reading fictional stories helps students develop their imagination, empathy, and critical thinking skills. By understanding plot structure, they will enhance their ability to analyze stories and even create their own!

Here are a few ways you can support your child at home:

- Read Together: Choose a fictional book to read as a family. Discuss the plot and characters together.

- Ask Questions: Encourage your child to think critically by asking questions about the story, such as "What do you think will happen next?" or "Why did the character make that choice?"

- Share Stories: Share your favorite fictional stories from your childhood and discuss what made them special.

Teacher Spotlight:

Ms. Calleja teaches 7th and 8th grade Reading Foundations. This is her 30th year as an educator. Before teaching middle school, she taught adult students, helping them earn their high school diploma or GED. She also taught 8th grade ELA at Stevenson before finding her home as an Adams Eagle in 2020. Ms. Calleja has a daughter who attends Western Michigan University and two cats named Noonie and Nellie. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, nature, and quality time with family and friends.

Iden Akoto-Wiafe

Annaliese Durham

Genesis Hayes

Matthew Thomas

Audrey Pearson

Show your school spirit and support our amazing community with some brand-new Adams Eagles gear! Visit our online store through AKA Sports to browse a fantastic selection of apparel and accessories. Whether you’re looking for t-shirts, hoodies, and long-sleeve tees, there’s something for everyone!

Check out the store here: Adams Eagles Online Store

Get your gear today and show off your Eagle pride!