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Middle School Happenings

A Monthly Glimpse into all Things MERMS (Nov. 2023)

Middle School Happenings A Monthly Glimpse into all Things MERMS (Nov. 2023)
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ADL Student Peer Leader Training

We wrapped up our Student Peer Leader Training this week. Thirty-six middle school students (24 from 7th grade and 12 from 8th grade) engaged in 18 hours of training over the course of several weeks. Faculty and staff training will take place during our afternoon of professional development on Dec. 6th.


Next steps are school-wide workshops with our Student Peer Leaders (shown below) at the helm, while Mr. Ricci-Munn, Mr. Janack, and Mrs. Maino help mentor and guide them.


We are excited for the work ahead!


Student Quotes:


  • "I learned so much, and I'm looking forward to helping my friends learn that it's all about kindness and acceptance. Everyone matters."


  • "I was nervous about the idea of running workshops for other kids, but this training helped me feel really prepared."


ADL Trainer Quote:


  • "We've worked in many, many middle and high schools around the state. I know we're not supposed to pick favorites, but I can honestly say this group of students is my absolute favorite! Their maturity and insights far surpass those of many high school students we have worked with."


To learn more about the Anti-Defamation League's World of Difference Institute, click the link below.


https://www.adl.org/education/world-difference-institute

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Anti-Bullying Training

School Adjustment Counselor Fellow, Mr. Robichaud, joined Dean of Students, Kim Provost, to co-deliver an anti-bullying curriculum for our 6th-grade students. Based on student feedback, Mr. Robichaud will be leading a 3-week self-advocacy group designed to foster self-confidence and empowerment.

Supporting Students' Mental Health

Every year since 2018, school Adjustment Counselor, Erin Brahms, has collaborated with Health and Wellness teacher, Janda Ricci-Munn, to educate students around Signs of Suicide (7th grade) and mental health issues/treatment (8th grade). This past week 8th grade students learned about the most common mental health issues facing 8th graders (anxiety, depression, and eating disorders). Students identified some of the barriers to getting treatment then brainstormed solutions to these barriers.


Below is a sampling of data from students around some of the barriers related to getting help. You can help by continuing the conversation with your student at home.

GRADE 6

Soap Learning Lab - Investigating Stone Tools Extension

Mrs. Degnan's students enjoyed taking a step back in time to the Paleolithic Era. After learning about tools and toolmaking of the Early Stone Age, students created their own Paleolithic tool using bars of soap, pencils, rocks, and popsicle sticks. Students quickly learned how difficult it was to shape the soap and gained a new appreciation for the progression of such creativity and how specialized and skilled early humans were in their toolmaking abilities.


We shared a fun day making projectile points, awls, and hammerstones, etc. Their reflections included deeper thought and appreciation about early human's muscle dexterity and agility, as well as the curiosity and persistence needed to create tools in the Paleolithic Era.

Self-Directed Instrument Learning

In Mr. Icenogle's music class, students learn about “optimal challenges,” by setting goals for themselves on an instrument and then trying to meet those goals within a set period of time. The objective is to learn how to set goals for ourselves that are not too hard and not too easy while also improving our practice habits.

Connections to Character & Setting

In Grade 6 English, students are reading the historical fiction novel, Refugee. Mrs. Whittredge & Mrs. Gauthier are teaching them how to focus on the author's craft to strengthen their understanding of character development and to better comprehend mood and tone through descriptions of setting. Students are also making connects to social studies, as the novel helps them deepen their understanding of the "push and pull factors" that drive migration.

GRADE 7

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The Science of Happiness

In health class, students are learning about the science of happiness and positive psychology in health class. Mr. Ricci-Munn is helping them examine the "10 Keys" to happier living:


Action Plans: Our Daily Activities

  • Doing things for others

  • Connecting with people

  • Taking care of your body

  • Noticing the world around you/Mindfulness/Being Present

  • Learning new things/having new experiences


Action Plans: Attitudes on Life

  • Having goals to look forward to (short-term, medium range and long-term goals)

  • Resilience: Finding ways to bounce back after failures, personal problems, etc.

  • Positive mindset

  • Self-Acceptance/Being comfortable with who you are

  • Meaning: Finding meaning in life by doing things for others/the community/planet, etc.


Interested in learning more about the science of happiness? Be sure to check out the following website and documentary.


https://actionforhappiness.org/10-keys


https://www.thehappymovie.com/

Solving Equations

Mr. Stefanek's mathematicians are working hard learning how to solve equations. Topics in our current unit include one-step equations, two-step equations and equations with variables on both sides. Also, students are working on understanding the connection between verbal information and the corresponding algebraic representation. This knowledge on solving equations will be extended to the study of inequalities in December.

GRADE 8

Breaking up with Great Britain

In civics class, Mrs. McWhorter is helping students break up with Great Britain! They have been learning about the causes of the American Revolution and reading parts of the Declaration of Independence. Students have also explored the many grievances the colonists had against Great Britain.


As a summative assessment, students created modern break up letters to show their understanding of the expectations colonists had for how their government would treat them and the many ways King George III let them down.


Click the titles below to view some examples of student work.

Cross Country

We are proud to report that both the Hornets Middle School Girls and Boys teams finished 3rd at the Middle School State Championship! What an incredible accomplishment by this group of young Hornets!


Melina B. 10th

Guilia B. 18th

Adeline H. 24th


Kai M. 12th

Gus H. 14th

Anton G. 24th

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From the SRO's Desk

iPhone Safety:


If you have an iPhone and have done the recent iOS 17.1.2 update, there is a new feature called NameDrop, which is defaulted to ON.


This feature allows the sharing of your contact info just by placing your phone close to another phone. If your phone comes in close contact to another phone, you could inadvertently be sharing your contact info. with someone.


If you would like to shut this feature off, go to Settings, General, AirDrop, Bringing Devices Together. Change to OFF.


On campus:


Thank you for your patience and cooperation with morning-drop-off traffic at the school. As mentioned by your building principal, letting your student out of the car as soon as you pull into the school driveway will speed things up. This will also prevent long traffic backups on Lincoln St., which will be safer for everyone, especially student pedestrians.

Veteran's Day Assembly

The middle school welcomed and honored veterans to our school on Nov. 10th. This student-led assembly featured music, speeches, and an atmosphere of gratitude and appreciation.


Thank you to the following veteran's for attending:


Bruce Heisey, Navy (also guest speaker)

Vionette Chipperini, Arm

Matt Desharnais, Army

Robert Walters Jr. Navy

Brian D’Angelo, Navy

Dave Metrano, Navy

Ed Gavin, Air Force


We would also like to thank our students. This assembly could not have happened without your planning and leadershiop:


Arion S.

CC H

Carly J.

Clarinda B.

Ellaina C.

Frankie M.

Lucy M.

Trevor L.

Milla M-P.

Saskia K.

Members of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band

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Joanne Maino
Joanne is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters

Principal of the Manchester-Essex Regional Middle School - Essex, MA and Manchester, MA