January 2025

January 13-27: 2nd Annual Hawks Read-a-thon!

January 15th: 7th Grade Music Tour (Deer Creek, Legacy, West Acres)

January 20th: Professional Development Day/Offsite Learning Day

January 22nd: 8th Grade Music Tour (Aurora, Horace, West Acres)

January 28th: Instrument Try it Out Night (Incoming 6th Grade Learners)

January 30th: Instrument Try it Out Night (Incoming 6th Grade Learners)

The following learners were selected by their educators because they exemplified Reflection. Congratulations!

• Peyton Hodgson
• Levi David
• Izzak George
• Lorelai Hagen
• Grayson Upton
• Hudson Roberts
• Tay'Lora Preston Warren
• Nickolas Nystrom
• Abigail Wells
• Luke-Peter
• Malakai Terry

Hello Hawk Families!

Our 2nd Annual Hawks Read-a-thon runs Monday, January 13 – Monday January 17.

For 2 weeks, we will be celebrating the importance of reading and the impact it has on the lives and futures of our learners!

Ask your learner about all the fun things we have planned…

*Dress-up days

*Extra reading time! (We will be reading in 10 minutes each class period during the 1st week!)

*Raffle prize drawings!

*Dunk Tank Celebration! On January 28th, learners will get to dunk their favorite educators!

Stay tuned for more updates on all the action!

Note: this year we will NOT be fundraising during the read-a-thon.

Email your HMS Library Media Specialist Callie Navarathne at cnavarathne@west-fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions!

Currently Learning:

• We are still covering a variety of topics in math and continuing to spiral through content and build upon prior knowledge. We are currently working on solving equations, writing and graphing linear equations, and exponent properties.

• Algebra I: Advanced math students are working on exponent properties and simplifying radical expressions.

Upcoming Units:

We will cycle through transformations and scatter plots again before the end of quarter 3.

Other news/events:

• All 8th graders are going to a matinee showing of the musical at the high school on Jan. 23rd.

• We are also starting to register for high school classes and take interest surveys with counselors to determine pathways.

Currently Learning:

• In quarter 3, we will be doing book groups centered around World War 2 topics. Student will be introduced to a number of district-approved books and will be able to pick which book they want to read. However, the actual book groups will be mixed. This will help facilitate discussions about how certain reading topics and Social Studies topics are presented in each book.

Upcoming Units:

• Students recently received feedback from their argumentative district writing sample. We will be using that feedback when we begin our argumentative writing project about another Social Studies topic, The New Deal. We are looking forward to seeing how the students are able to improve their argumentative writing skills.

Currently Learning:

• We are wrapping up our study of World War 1 and preparing for our semester 1 exam. Learners have been learning about new study methods and making study plans to be successful on this exam.

Upcoming Units:

• Roaring 20s and Great Depression

Other news/events:

• The Presidential Inauguration takes place on Monday, January 20th at 11am. Consider tuning in during your off-site learning day to see a great US History connection!

Currently Learning:

• Catastrophic Events

Upcoming Units:

• Geologic Time

Currently Learning: New Quarter! Intro to Argumentative Writing

Currently Learning:

• Finishing up Environmental and Genetic Factors and how they relate to DNA Mutations

Upcoming Units:

• New quarter starts next week and we will first learn about Genetic Variation, Artificial Selection, and Natural Selection

Other news/events:

• The show project for the end of the current quarter is a CER Essay that is in partial collaboration with ELA

Currently Learning:

• We are starting Chapter 5 this month, which focuses on probability and integer operations. Learners are expanding upon their previous knowledge of simple probability to now include compound probability and modeling the probability using area models and tree diagrams.

Upcoming Units:

• Chapter 6 will start near the end of January and include the topics of data distributions and algebraic expressions and equations. Attached is the Topics and Tools newsletter for Chapter 6.

Currently Learning:

• Read Aloud: The Raft and continuing book talks!

Upcoming Units: Argumentative Writing

Currently Learning:

• Atoms and Molecules

Upcoming Units:

• Chemical Reactions and Physical Changes

Currently Learning:

• We are currently working through chapter 5. Chapter 5 has three sections: variation in data, area, and fractions. We will take a mid-chapter quiz this week and then a test at the end.

Upcoming Units:

• Chapter 6 has two sections: rules of operation and multiples and factors. Feel free to read through the tools and topics one-pager about the chapter.

Currently Learning:

• We are currently learning the game “Goalball”, This game provides insight to the Paralympics for athletes who only have 10% of their vision or less. It is a great game that teaches inclusivity, compassion, and competitive spirit! - Mr. McMahon

Upcoming Units:

• Volleyball/Weightlifting/Badminton

Other news/events:

• Mr. McMahon is expecting a son in April.

Other news/events:

• 7th Grade Music Tour is on Wednesday, January 15th
• Horace High School Chamber Orchestra will be visiting the 8th grade orchestra learners on Friday, January 17th
• 8th Grade Music tour is on Wednesday, January 22nd
• “Instrument Try It Out Nights” for 5th grade learners are on January 28th and January 30th from 4:30pm-6:30pm
• Jazz Band & Chamber Orchestra resumes the first week of February (7th Grade Jazz Band on Monday, February 3rd and 8th Grade Jazz Band & Early Bird Orchestra on Tuesday, February 4th

Currently Learning:

• The new quarter began on January 13. 7th graders in Mrs. Kalash’s FACS classes will begin the quarter with hand sewing and machine sewing.

• Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Pranke’s classes will begin the quarter with Kitchen Units and Nutrition.

Currently Learning:

• The new quarter began on January 13th. 6th graders begin 6th grade health learning about learning about their character traits and strategies for building high self-esteem.

Upcoming Units:

• Stress Management, Sleep, Self-Care, Puberty, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Other news/events:

• Guest speaker from Cass County Public Health teaching about nicotine addiction and the dangers of using these products (vapes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, ect.)

Currently Learning:

• The new quarter begins on January 13th. 8th graders begin 8th grade health learning about developing goals and creating a vision board.

Upcoming Units:

• Health Triangle, Valid Health Information, Influences on Health, Infectious Diseases, Reproduction, Mental Health Conditions, and Drug and Alcohol Addiction.

Other news/events:

• Guest speaker from Cass County Public Health teaching about nicotine addiction and the dangers of using these products (vapes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, ect.)

• Mrs. North Dakota guest speaker educating about the importance of self-care and having a balanced health triangle.

Yearbook Sales are now open! Use the link below or scan the QR code to order yours today. If using cash or check is preferred, please stop into Ms. Maki's room to order!