I admire the way Mr. Roberto communicates, he expresses thoughts clearly and concisely, which makes it so easy to understand and engage with him. Beyond that, his empathy and thoughtful responses show how much you care about building connections and solving problems effectively. It’s such a valuable skill and an inspiration to those around you. Thank you.
She always expresses herself clearly to other scholars whether it’s work time or just in general. She’s confident in all she says and always makes people laugh when she speaks.
Kayla is always open to communication among others, she always makes sure you’re doing okay and if you’re having a rough day she will talk you through it. She is a big participate in class and is always sharing her ideas with others, she is always open to hearing your options and ideas. Kayla is such a good friend to everyone! That is why I have nominated kayla
Expresses Ideas Clearly
To ensure her students understand the concept, Mrs. Tona uses multiple forms of communication. She begins by writing the verb “hablar” (to speak) on the board and breaking it into the stem and ending. She explains each step verbally while color-coding the parts of the verb to show how the endings change for different subjects (e.g., yo hablo, tú hablas). To reinforce the concept, she creates a visual chart and provides each student with a handout to refer to during practice activities.
(My daughter loves being in her class and is always letting me know on the methods Mrs. Tona uses to help her learn Spanish)
Hannah is truly one of the most gifted communicators I've ever met, and I believe she deserves to win the Communicator Award this year. As a friend and classmate, I've seen firsthand how she has a unique ability to bring people together through her words. Whether it's during group projects or casual conversations, Hannah always knows how to articulate her thoughts clearly and confidently, making complex ideas seem simple and relatable. Her presentations are always engaging, and she has a way of making everyone in the room feel like their opinions matter. I’ve often relied on her insight when I’ve struggled to express my own thoughts, and she always knows exactly how to help me communicate more effectively.
What stands out most about Hannah is how she communicates with empathy and kindness. She doesn’t just speak to be heard; she listens attentively and makes sure that others feel valued in any discussion. I’ve watched her step in during group projects to help teammates who might be shy or unsure of themselves, making sure everyone has a chance to contribute and feel heard. Her ability to bring out the best in people through communication has made her an incredible leader and a trusted friend. I believe her talent for connecting with others through thoughtful, respectful communication makes her the perfect candidate for the Communicator Award.
She speaks in a straightforward manner that makes it easy for me and other students to understand. She’s also easy to ask for help because she responds to you in a way that makes you feel heard.
She is a very helpful teacher.
Elijah Is an excellent scholar and or classmate, although he doesn't speak much he gives clear thorough responses followed by evidence when asked in a classroom setting. For example in the situation of a socratic seminar Elijah will builds on other scholars arguments and will sometimes encourage the scholars around him to participate. Other times Elijah will debate with other scholars in a respectful tone followed by his evidence.
Victoria is always ready to communicate with others even when the conversation is tough. She inspires me to sit down and have those tough conversations.
She always wants to make sure that the issues are worked through so that the group can work smoothly.
She has this gift like her father, always ready to discuss issues, and keep the communication open! And sometimes to hear what isn’t being said, and open up and be willing to discuss those topics!
Great job!!
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!
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.
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