
Junior High Newsletter
February 7th, 2025
This Week's Focus: Service as Action
What is Service as Action in the IB Program?
Service as Action is a core component of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy in scholars. It encourages them to make a positive impact on their communities by engaging in meaningful projects. Through these experiences, scholars explore, design, implement, and reflect on their efforts, gaining a deeper understanding of real-world challenges while developing essential teamwork and leadership skills.
How Does Service as Action Come to Life at Our School?
Last Friday, our Junior High scholars and families came together for the Make a Difference Event, an opportunity to give back to our school community. One of our 8th-grade scholars, Kiarra McGuire, shared that she enjoyed working with friends to clean up the campus, saying, “It felt satisfying to know you accomplished something.” She encourages her fellow scholars to participate in future events, highlighting how it strengthens teamwork and school spirit.
At the high school level, the Interact Club, a Rotary-sponsored organization, plays a vital role in promoting leadership and service. The club organizes impactful initiatives such as Produce on Wheels Without Waste, Feed My Starving Children, and support for New Dawn Livestock Rescue in Tonopah. One of their primary missions is fundraising and raising awareness for their sister village in Kpaachiyili, Ghana, particularly supporting the village school.
Brooke, a graduating senior and longtime Interact member, reflected on her experience, stating, “You have a bigger influence than you think… working together shows the power of a shared goal.” She also emphasized that, “Whether big or small, taking time to do something that matters is what truly makes a difference.”
Service as Action is more than just a requirement—it’s an opportunity for scholars to grow as compassionate leaders while making meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.
Here are our IB Thinkers of the Week
He is an amazing teacher, he is always there to help us scholars when we need it, and he is always there for us scholars when we are feeling down or just need help. He is the best teacher! And I'm so glad to have him as a teacher! Thank you so much Mr. Mina!
For being a new scholar to Odyssey, this scholar did not hesitate when it came to sharing her valuable thoughts and insights with her peers. Furthermore, this scholar comes to class with an open-mind attitude and empowers those around her to think outside of the box! She also contributes her amazing attributes of thinking critically to create a meaningful environment for all of her peers to share their ideas without feeling judged or embarrassed. She is a great candidate for this award!
Brooklyn is always think out side the box, she is always helping others if they need help she is always wanting to help them. Brooklyn is always being open minded and even if someone doesn't agree is always sees how they can both agree on something!
Elijah is not only a bright scholar and well-mannered young man, but he's also demonstrated an understanding of topics that are tangential to the Odyssey mission to think globally. He is really thoughtful when writing about the causes and effects of historical events and grasps how those effects are interconnected to today's world. His open-minded thinking is a compliment to understanding how different cultures, people, and societies contribute to the world they exist in and he always writes and/or discusses deeper into tasks to find the externalities that are associated with events occurring. This can only happen when a scholar sees past the obvious and sees a more 360 degree view of events which allows them to understand things more deeply which can enable them to be a force for change, if needed. I heartily recommend Elijah for this recognition as he's very deserving!
In my opinion , I think that Adrian should 100% get this IB thinker award.Throughout this year, Adrian has consistently demonstrated an ability to approach problems from unique perspectives, using both creativity and logic to arrive at thoughtful solutions. One clear example of Adrian’s intellectual depth occurred during a recent history project on ancient civilizations. Rather than simply memorizing facts, Adrian decided to analyze the long-term impact of specific historical decisions, such as the consequences of the Roman Empire’s expansion. He not only examined the political and military aspects but also explored the cultural and economic effects that reverberated for centuries. Adrian’s comprehensive approach to understanding history shows his ability to think critically and draw connections between past events and modern-day scenarios.Once in my 4th period , my entire table didn't understand what to do. Adrian then started to experiment with the math equation and ended up finding the answer! He is a great friend and a very good thinker. And this is why I think Adrian should get the IB thinking award.
He really thinks about the questions my classmates and I ask and sometimes goes over to his desk to think about it. He finds the best and most reasonable solutions for certain problems we can't solve.
February Events
Season 4 Sports Registration – Don’t Miss Out!
Registration for Season 4 sports ends February 18th at midnight! Make sure to complete your physicals and register online at www.jhminotaurs.com.
Season 4 sports include:
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Soccer
- Boys Basketball
- Boys & Girls Track & Field
- Boys & Girls Golf
Don’t wait—secure your spot and get ready to hit the field, court, or track! 🏀⚽🏃♀️⛳
Valentine's Fun Night
We are excited to host our Valentine's Fun Night February 13th! Please visit the following website for all details.
Upcoming April Event
I hope this message finds you well. As we prepare for our upcoming Science Fair at Odyssey Junior High, we are seeking sponsors to support our students by providing poster boards for their presentations. Your generous contribution would go a long way in helping our scholars succeed in this exciting event!
We have identified two options for the poster boards, and we would appreciate any support in purchasing them:
Walmart Poster Boards: Pen Gear White Tri-Fold Project Presentation Display Boards
Link to WalmartAmazon Poster Boards (for higher-quality options):
Link to Amazon
Thank you for considering supporting our scholars and their learning experiences. We deeply appreciate your involvement in our school community!
Lunches at the Junior High
We do have hot lunches available for purchases each day at the Junior High. Each meal is $5 and comes with a water bottle. There will be a variety of snacks available for purchase as well including chips, cookies, slim jims, and more!
Buy a Yearbook Today!!!
2026 Science Trip to Belize!
For Current Sophomores, Freshmen and 8th Grade Scholars at OIAIS
Come Join the Adventure
Standard Handbook Expectations
- Only water allowed in classrooms (at lunch they can purchase something different but that stays in their backpack after lunch)
- One scholar out of class at a time (must sign out so we know where they are at in case of emergencies)
- Phones in backpacks and off starting at 7:40, ending at 3:49 release time
- Gum, Coffee, Energy drinks are not for scholars at school
💻Bookmark Our Social Media and Important Websites! 💻
OI Jr High Facebook
OI Jr High Instagram
OI Jr High Website
OI Jr High Weekly Newsletter
ParentVue Grades
Website: https://www.odyprep.com/myp
Don't forget PE Uniforms!
During one semester of the school year, scholars will have Physical Education (PE) classes. They will need to bring uniforms for changing and a combination lock for their lockers. Scholars start dressing out Monday!!!
It is a great idea to grab a combination locker this summer and have scholars practice unlocking and locking them!
Scholar Drop Off and Pick Up
Please note that the first week or two of school may not reflect the entire school year as we are all learning and figuring out the best way for 1800 scholars to safely arrive and leave campus daily.
If you are coming to the 8th Grade and High School Campus, come down Verrado Way and turn into the middle lane, which will take you up to the campus. From the middle lane, you will turn left and want to go to the far right lane to continue straight by the football field and then turn left to drop off behind the campus. Follow the same route to pick up scholars at the end of the day.
If you are dropping off a 6th or 7th grade scholar, come up Verrado Way and turn right into the closest lane. You will follow this path around the school and drop off at the back of the school. Scholars will enter through the gym rather than the front office.
Buses will pick up by the 8th grade drop-off and pick-up area. Scholars will leave campus and follow the path behind the fence to get to their bus if they are a 6th or 7th grade scholar. We will assist them during the first weeks to help them get into their new routine.
You can drop off scholars as early as 7:10 am. They will remain outside until they are released to enter the buildings at 7:35 am. The school day starts at 7:40 am.
If you are running late, please bring your scholar to the front office (after 7:41 am) to check them in so they can get a pass to go to their classes.
Pick-up starts at 3:49 pm. Please do not arrive earlier, as we want to ensure the safety of our PE scholars at the back of the school. Additionally, idling cars produce fumes that can enter the building, causing headaches for our staff and scholars near the doors.
To access your StudentVUE and ParentVUE:
Go to odyprep.com
From the top menu, select “ParentVue”
Select “I am a student” or "I am a Parent" and enter your username and password
If you Google search “StudentVUE,” you will get ANY and ALL StudentVUE links. Google doesn’t know that you are an awesome Odyssey scholar or parent/guardian! So always access the page from Odyprep.com and bookmark it for easier access later.
Link to Odyssey StudentVUE and ParentVue:
https://opa.edupoint.com/Login_Student_PXP.aspx?Logout=1®enerateSessionId=True
If you need an access code, please email sburt@topamail.com
Language and Literature
Wit and Wisdom is our Language and Literature curriculum designed for K-8 scholars, developed by Great Minds. It focuses on building knowledge through the integration of rich content, rigorous reading and writing activities, and thought-provoking discussions. The program emphasizes understanding and analyzing high-quality texts across various genres, encouraging scholars to think deeply and critically. Wit and Wisdom aims to develop scholars' vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills.
Math
Great Minds Eureka Math² is an advanced math curriculum designed to provide a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Developed by Great Minds, this program builds on the original Eureka Math curriculum, offering enhanced features such as more engaging problem-solving activities, digital resources, and adaptive learning tools. Eureka Math² emphasizes a coherent and sequential approach to math instruction, ensuring scholars develop a strong foundation and progressively build their skills. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine appreciation for the beauty of math.
Science
OpenSciEd is an innovative science curriculum designed for middle scholars, providing open-source, high-quality science education resources. Developed through a collaboration of educators, scientists, and curriculum developers, OpenSciEd aims to make science education engaging and accessible to all scholars. The program emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, encouraging scholars to explore scientific concepts through experiments, real-world problem-solving, and interactive activities. OpenSciEd aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), promoting deep understanding and application of scientific principles across disciplines.
Spanish
SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to learning Spanish for scholars at various educational levels. Designed to build language proficiency and cultural awareness, this curriculum includes a variety of engaging resources such as interactive activities, authentic texts, and multimedia content. The program focuses on developing essential skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also incorporating cultural insights to enhance scholars' global understanding. SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum is structured to support differentiated learning, making it suitable for diverse classroom needs.
Leadership
IB Design Cycle is a structured method used in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to guide project development. It includes four stages: inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating the solution, and evaluating. This process promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
In a Leadership Class, scholars can use the IB Design Cycle to tackle leadership challenges by:
- Inquiring and Analyzing: Researching leadership issues.
- Developing Ideas: Planning strategies.
- Creating the Solution: Implementing projects.
- Evaluating: Reflecting on results.
This approach helps scholars systematically enhance their leadership skills through real-world applications.
All Classes are MYP
Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6th-8th Grade provides a challenging and comprehensive framework designed to foster critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and communication skills. It includes eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition(Mandarin/Spanish), Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. The MYP encourages scholars to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, promoting holistic learning, personal development, and preparation for higher education.
Note this is the reason for the certain electives we offer to align with MYP.
i-Ready is an online assessment and instruction program used for benchmark assessments in Language and Literature and Math. It helps educators tailor personalized learning paths for scholars, measuring their progress and identifying areas needing support. This year, we'll administer i-Ready diagnostics twice a week in Leadership Classes to closely monitor scholars' development and adjust our teaching strategies to ensure each scholar receives the necessary support for success.
Junior High Admin Team Emails
Ms. Small, Assistant Principal
This email address goes to the admin team: jhadmin@topamail.com
2024-2025 School Supply Lists
At the end of the year, we polled the teachers to make sure that the correct supplies were purchased. The 1 inch binders will be staying in their classrooms, they won't be carrying them in their backpack.
6th Grade School Supply List for 2024-2025 School Year