8th Grade Weekly Newsletter

January 9th, 2024

Good morning 8th grade families! Please take a close look at the newsletter as we have the end of marking period coming up which means fun activities but also important academic things like big tests, midterms, and finalizing of grades. We appreciate your attention to your student's education. As always, please communicate either with me, Mr. Buniewicz, or the teacher directly to make sure to get clarification and answers to whatever queries you may have.

Grade Level Announcements

Quarterly STAG Celebration

Our quarterly celebration is coming up on Friday, January 17th. Students should be collecting 7 STAG tags to turn in to Mrs. Wilkins. All STAG tags are due by Monday, January 13th. We want all students to participate, so make sure to find any tags laying around the house and turn them in!

New this quarter: If students do not earn their way via STAG Tags, there will be an alternate way students can earn part of the celebration time back on Friday.

Quarterly Celebration - Sledding

The Quarterly Celebration will be outdoors at the Civic Center on January 17th. Students who earn the right to attend are encouraged to bring a sled to school as well as dress appropriately for the weather.

Be advised the students can bring a sled before January 17th. If you do so, we have a place to stash them in Ms Smith's room. Bus drivers will probably not allow sleds on the busses to school, so alternate arrangements may need to be made.

End of Marking Period

After today, there are only 5.5 schools days left of the second quarter. TODAY would be a great day to have students check grades and potentially look for any assignments to revisit or quizzes/tests to retake (as allowed) before we go off for break.

Each teacher may have a different deadline to turn in information.

Important Upcoming Dates

January 17th - STAG Celebration - Half Day for Students - End of 2nd Quarter and 1st Semester

Week of February 10-13 - Parent Teacher Conferences - Exact Dates, Times, and Format TBA

February 14th and 17th - No School - Mid Winter Break

Classroom Reminders

ELA - Mr. Gaddy

Greetings All, as we approach the end of marking period 2 the students are moving on from explanatory writing and beginning our next unit. Here is a link laying out texts which are provided in the unit. We will not be reading all of the texts provided in the letter, but we will access several of the listed texts. Please let me know if you have any questions. - Mr. Gaddy

Science - Ms. Smith

We will take our LAST Earth History test Monday, January 13. I have attached the study guide below and a Blooket. I will have my copy of the KEY available starting Thursday if students would like to check their work. RETAKES on the test will need to be completed by Thursday January 16th as the end of the marking period will take place Friday, January 17. We will also be starting our next unit titled, "Planetary Science." Students will need a new notebook by Monday, January 13th. Study Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ovJslvmtE6EpXOysiLwY0DuYTG6imovHN_pxslPM_TQ/edit?usp=sharing

Crossword Review: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15wR66GxK70NUfZ6999JbHDP3QWLdcAB7XMHmSWoAs6U/edit?usp=sharing

Blooket: https://play.blooket.com/play?hwId=677c08f11f27bc3337daae58

US History - Mr. Buniewicz

Students have received a study guide for a cumulative "Midterm" test over all the material we learned in the first semester. Students will be taking this Tuesday, January 14th. There will be no retakes of this test and the percentage students get will be the grade that gets inputted into the gradebook. This has the potential to make a huge change in student's grades. See Study Guide for more info.

Study Guide

Blooket Review

Beyond reviewing for the "Midterm", students are also starting to learn about the United States during Washington's presidency. A study guide will be going home soon with a date of assessment being the week of January 20.

Math - Mrs. Wilkins

Pre-Algebra: Linear Equations/Slope Intercept Form. Algebra: Semester Exam Review and Starting Exam Monday or Tuesday. Our next topic of study is Multiplying Binomials.

Sustainable Science - Ms. Smith

Students are doing a great job with our Christmas cookies unit. Next week we will be creating a few different types of Christmas cookies and we might even get festive and complete a sugar cookie contest. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Art - Ms Eichler

Our first semester is coming to an end and so is the ability for art students to turn in any missing assignments! Please check your child's PowerSchool and encourage them to turn in anything not graded. The last day for late turn in is Friday January 10th. They have been reminded multiple times in the last week also in class..

Watch backpacks for artwork coming home so it doesn't get ruined and crushed, especially the last few days before the semester end.

Board Game Design - Mr. Sias

We are wrapping up Tabletop Game design by playing student written one-shot adventures with maps and miniatures they designed.

Just for Fun Challenge for Students: If you read this, find Mr. Buniewicz in person and tell him a favorite winter memory. If you do, you'll get a sparkly and/or sweet prize.

Thank you for reading the newsletter! Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours!