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Pembroke Community Middle School
Weekly Update
January 14, 2025
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
January 14 & 15: Math midterm exams
January 16 & 17: World language midterm exams
January 16: Term 2 winter concert (6:30pm @PHS auditorium)
January 17: Term 2 grades close (Term 2 reports emailed out on January 23)
January 20: No School/ MLK Jr. Day
January 22: Pizza/Karaoke party for winning homerooms (calendar sales)
January 27: G7 field trip to Gillette Stadium
January 27: PTO meeting (6pm in the school library)
January 29: Early Release Day/ 10:55 dismissalLUNCH MENU
Tuesday, 1/14
Main Meal: General Tso Chicken, Rice, Mixed Veggie
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Wednesday, 1/15
Main Meal: Make Your Own Nachos - Seasoned Beef, Cheese, Corn, Sour Cream, Salsa, Shredded Lettuce, Beans
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Thursday, 1/16
Main Meal: Pembroke Big Mac, Onion Rings, Mixed Veggie
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Friday, 1/17
Main Meal: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza, Veggie Boats
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Main Meal: Mozzarella Sticks, Marinara Sauce, Green Beans
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Salad Bar, Yogurt & Fruit Parfait, Hummus Packs
Monday, 1/20/25
No School - MLK Day
Tuesday, 1/21/25
Main Meal: Popcorn Chicken, Fries, Cucumber Circles
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Wednesday, 1/22
Main Meal: Make Your Own Nachos - Seasoned Beef, Cheese, Corn, Sour Cream, Salsa, Shredded Lettuce, Beans
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Thursday, 1/23
Main Meal: Pembroke Big Mac, Onion Rings, Mixed Veggie
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Friday, 1/24
Main Meal: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza, Veggie Boats
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Monday, 1/27
Main Meal: Grilled Cheese, Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Salad Bar, Yogurt & Fruit Parfait, Hummus Packs
Tuesday, 1/28
Main Meal: Pasta and Meatballs, Garlic Stick, Green Beans
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Wednesday, 1/29
1/2 Day, Breakfast Only
Thursday, 1/30
Main Meal: Chicken n' Mini Pancakes, Hash Brown, Danimals Yogurt
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Friday, 1/31
Main Meal: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza, Veggie Boats
Alternative: Crispy or Spicy Sandwich, Yogurt Parfait, Hummus Pack, Salad Bar
Service Learning
Students in Ms. Haylon's service learning class are holding a clothing drive for The Salvation Army. Donate gently used or even new clothes into the box near the front entrance. They are accepting clothes from Tuesday January 7 to Tuesday January 14.
PCMS Clubs
French Club, Drama & Stage Crew took place after school on Monday. Jazz, Art Club and Stem Club are tuesday after school. Late buses are available both days for students with a bus pass.
FRENCH CLUB
For the month of January the PCMS French Club met on Monday 1/13/25 and was dedicated to providing students with additional academic support before the midyear exams (1/16 & 1/17). Students came to the French room to ask questions, work on their speaking assignments, or to review relevant material with peers.
Our next meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2025 in the French classroom. Students who are going on the Quebec trip are encouraged to attend.
TERM 2 CONCERT
The PCMS term 2 concert will take place this Thursday at PHS. Come out to support our PCMS chorus, bands and orchestra and enjoy the show.
G8 Transition Events
There are several upcoming events to support our PCMS G8 students to understand all of the wonderful options available to them at Pembroke High School. Additional events, including the Program of Studies night at PHS, will be shared as we get closer to that date.
TITAN TIME TUESDAYS
Beginning at the end of January, the 8th graders will attend a series of grade level assemblies during Titan Time. The schedule and focus area(s) of these assemblies are listed below:
PHS Counselor Visits
In addition, the PHS School Counselors will be visiting G8 21st Century Skills classes to focus on course offerings and the course registration process. These are the first of two series of counselor visits. There will be a second series of counselor visits later in the spring.
2025 Junior District Music Festival
Please help us in congratulating the following Pembroke musicians who have been accepted to the 2025 Junior District Music Festival! The students were accepted based on their outstanding audition in a very competitive field.
Accepted to the Chorus: Violet Carson, soprano, G8 & Tenely Grey, alto, G8
Accepted to Jazz Band: Hunter Glass, drum set, (#1 Score!) G8
Accepted to Band: Ben Meehan, snare drum (#1 score!) G8, Beckett Hawkes, alto saxophone G8, & Landon Smith, Tuba (#1 score!) G9
Accepted to Orchestra: Luke Finch, violin, G9
PCMS Morning Announcements
Thank you Tristen for leading us in last week’s announcements!
Any other 8th graders interested in being morning announcers? Log in to your 21st Century Skills Google Classroom to sign up!
MUSIC TRIVIA FRIDAYS
Every Friday, a song is played over the loudspeaker. The fifth caller with the correct song title and artist win a $5 DD gift card (and bragging rights). It gets very competitive!
Mrs. Fitzgerald’s class experienced some early success to start of 2025. They were the fifth caller to correctly identify “California Gurls” by Katy Perry.
PE classes
Reminder: students must wear rubber-soled shoes to safely participate in PE classes. Crocs, uggs/slippers and boots are not appropriate footwear for gym class.
UNIFIED SPORTS CLUB
The unified sports club is a program that joins students with and without disabilities on the same team/activities to promote inclusion and friendships. The PCMS student council are the student representatives in this club. The club meets twice a month- once at Hobomock and once at PCMS. In March, the club will begin preparing for the Unified Basketball season. We will be competing against other local schools.
Upcoming combined unified sports club meeting:
Monday, January 13 @ PCMS (2:30-3:30pm)
There will be a scavenger hunt, to help all students become familiar with different locations in PCMS. There’ll be a prize at the end!
Monday, January 27 @ HES (3-3:45pm)
PCMS BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULES
Please check the athletic website for most up to date information.
Girls Head Coach: Rachel Dresser
E-mail: rachel.dresser@pembrokek12.org
Boys Head Coach: Jim Shannon
E-mail: james.shannon@pembrokek12.org
PCMS CLUBS & ENRICHMENT
CHORUS
PCMS Chorus is open to all interested students in grades 7 & 8. No prior chorus experience is necessary. Chorus meets in the band room during Titan Time 1-2 times per week (10:42-11:07). On the days that chorus meets, students eat during G8 lunch (11:18-11:43).
Upcoming meetings: 1/13, 1/15, 1/16 (dress rehearsal)
ORCHESTRA
Like Chorus, Orchestra meets during Titan Time on the stage. Mr. Tarbox is the teacher. Upcoming meetings: 1/13, 1/17, 1/21, 1/22 & 1/24.
ENRICHMENT: PE & LIBRARY
PCMS (and PHS) use a scheduling software program called Enriching Students to assign students to specific classrooms during Titan Time if those students need to make up tests, get extra help, etc. Teachers will begin assigning students, as needed, to different classrooms next week. The default is that students stay in their Titan Time room where they can complete work to stay up to date on their academic progress. Students can also email teachers during Titan Time, if they have specific questions whatever room they happen to be assigned to.
In addition, there are opportunities for students to be signed up for Titan Time enrichment in the library or gym. Titan Time Teachers sign up their students for these locations. Library TT: G7 (Mondays & Wednesdays) G8 (Tuesdays & Thursdays). PE TT: G7 (Tuesdays & Thursdays) G8 (Mondays & Wednesdays).
PCMS Clubs
PCMS Clubs are free clubs that meet after school for an hour. See below for a list of clubs, their descriptions and start dates. More clubs may be added as teachers sign up to host them.
Students attending after school clubs may be picked up by parents/caregivers or if they have a bus pass, they could take the late bus home. See the details on how late buses work below the clubs.
Art Club
Art Club is where students get to design and create their own artwork in a supportive, fun and creative environment. Art club is an open studio format where students work on independent and collaborative projects enjoying a variety of art experiences.
- Advisor Ms. Gillis
- Mondays
- Starts September 23
- Art room
Drama Club
Students in the drama club will participate in the school musical, which will meet after school in the auditorium from November until March. We will be performing Frozen Jr. this year. Students will learn to read music, sing, and dance on stage in full costume. Auditions will be held in November in the PCMS auditorium. During production week mid March, rehearsals and performances will be at PHS.
- Advisor Mr. Hovey
- Mondays & Thursdays (November-March). Audition Day- Thursday, November 21st
- Auditorium
French Club
The French Club meets monthly to provide extended opportunities to students to facilitate a deeper understanding of the French speaking world. Students will explore a variety of cultural traditions like holidays and celebrations and compare it to their own. Topics include music, food, arts and crafts. All PCMS students are encouraged to participate even if they are not enrolled in French class.
- Advisor Ms. Safizadeh
- 2nd Monday of each month Oct-May
- Ms. Safizadeh's room
GSA (gender and sexuality alliance) Club
GSA is a safe place for all students to talk about gender and sexual identity. The club will have fun activities twice a month and will serve as a space for communication and discussion. The GSA welcomes all students regardless of gender, sexual identity, or sexual orientation.
- Advisor Mrs. Larson
- Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month
- Compass Room
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is for instrumental music students who want to learn how to play jazz and rock music. Students will practice, improvise, and record songs that will be shared with the group. Each week, students will listen to famous artists of jazz and rock music.
- Advisor Mr. Hovey
- Tuesdays- starts September 17th
- Band room
STEM club
This year the club will focus on introducing basic robotics using Hummingbird kits. This club will also allow students to have the opportunity to dive deeper into any of the materials used in class. Such as 3D printing, Microbit, Makey- Makey, Snap Circuits, and App Creator.
- Advisor Mrs. DeBellis
- Tuesdays- starts Tuesday, September 17
- Stem Lab 8 room
LATE BUS
PHS/PCMS 2024-2025 ~ 3 Late Bus Routes ~ North, Center, South
Start Date: Monday, 9/16/24
Bus Passes are required and must be presented to driver upon boarding
Late Buses Run Monday,Tuesday, and Thursday only
Routes are general, stops depend on ridership, students should let the drivers know where they are on the route.
Please note all stops are group stops. There is no door-to-door service with late buses. Stops can be up to one mile from home. Parents/caregivers may want to make arrangements to meet their child at the designated group stop.
PTO NEWS
PTO MEETINGs & BOARD MEMBERS
Please join us for the first PTO meeting of the year on Monday, September 9- 6pm in our library!
President: Karen Laffey
Vice President Brandie Seavey
Hospitality Melissa Archambault
Secretary Kathryn Jarrett
LEARNING IN ACTION
21st Century Skills
G7: Teamwork and Communication
This week, 7th grade 21st century skills classes have started a unit on teamwork and communication. Students will first learn about how this skill ties into future success by discussing examples of teamwork and communication within the workplace.
Students will practice this skill by working together to solve “The Mystery of the Bank Robbery.” Students will then have time to reflect on what went well and what could have been improved on while working as a team.
G8: Self Reflection
8th grade 21st century skills classes will take time to reflect on their school year thus far. Self-reflection is important as it allows us to be more self-aware, which helps us to learn and grow from our experiences.
Have I met the goals I set for myself? Why or why not? In which areas have I grown? In which areas can I improve? What do I hope to accomplish between now and the end of the year? These are all questions students will have the opportunity to think about while completing their self-reflection.
Students will also have the opportunity to review their current grades and create a to-do list for any missing work as we near the end of term 2.
MyCAP: My Career and Academic Plan
PCMS is continuing a focus on college and career planning, referred to as MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan). MyCAP is designed to provide students with ongoing and school-wide opportunities to plan for their academic, personal/social and career success in high school and beyond. Through the MyCAP process, students will explore their individual interests and skills to help them discover careers that may be a good match. This will help students make connections between their current and future coursework and their postsecondary goals.
Throughout this school year, 21st century skills classes will utilize MyCAP to further support students in their journey to plan for academic, personal/social and career success in high school and beyond. There will be a strong focus on transportable skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and ethical reasoning and mindset, which are all important for future success regardless of a student’s chosen college and/or career path. In addition to the ongoing focus on college and career readiness in 21st century skills, each PCMS department is also planning a lesson with a focus on college and career readiness to help students understand how course material may align with their future career goals.
MyCAP: Art class (G7 & 8- Term elective)
Art classes brainstormed and discussed a list of careers in art. They then watched 5 pre-selected short videos on art careers from artists in the field: glassblowing, graphic designer for Formula One, online game developer, transportation designer and an art director. Working with a partner, the teams explored a website that listed a variety of art careers.They used the site to find information on art careers, including job descriptions, required education or skills, salary ranges, and any notable artists in those fields. Each student chose a specific art career from the website and created a google slide to list information about the career. Partners created a google slide presentation from the careers they chose. Student’s enjoyed discussing the variety of careers in the art field.
Each class filled out a form reflecting on skills they would need for the career they chose and the education pathway needed to pursue the careers. The majority of 8th graders felt critical thinking skills were important for success and 54.4% noted that a Bachelor’s Degree would be the educational pathway to pursue for their career. The 7th graders were split between critical thinking and writing skills being important to have for a successful career and 78.6% picked a high school diploma as the education pathway for their career choice. Students were able to effectively communicate information about their chosen careers, participate in class discussions and activities, and collaborate with their partner during the research phase.
MyCAP: Sports Science (G8 Term elective)
Students began a unit through Everfi called Future Goals: Hockey Scholar - Science Edition where Science and engineering concepts come to life through the fast-paced game of hockey. Students explored real world applications of STEM through sports. Through that program they were able to explore careers in the NHL such as T.V. Production, Event Presentation, Athletic Trainer, Ice Technician, and Equipment Manager. They were able to see that there are other options in the sports industry besides being a professional athlete. From there students did a research project where they had to research other careers in sports. They presented to the class the job titles, job descriptions, training requirements, and pay.
REMINDERS
PCMS PICK-UP/DROP OFF PATTERNS
PCMS buses drop off/pick up students using the front parking lot. (green line) No cars should enter that area during arrival and dismissal times.
When dropping off/picking up seventh grade students, families should line up around the circular driveway. (blue line)
Eighth graders should be dropped off/picked up near the basketball courts/gym. Families should drive around back of the building on the fire road. (yellow line)
Thank you.
PCMS PROGRAM OF STUDIES:
Here is a link where you will find PCMS course descriptions:
PowerSchool and Google Classroom
PowerSchool and Google Classroom are the two primary programs that are used at PCMS. Below are two brief descriptions of the differences between the two.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is our student information system. This program has increased functionality once a student enters 7th grade. Through this program, parents and students can access attendance information, schedule information, current grades and forecasted assignments. If you hit on the cumulative grade within a specific class, a different screen will open that will provide more detailed information on the grade breakdown. Parents can also set up their account preferences to receive automatic reports (e.g., daily/weekly/monthly) emailed to them. Here is the Parent PowerSchool login link: Technology / PowerSchool Login Instructions
Google Classroom
Google Classroom: This software has more course-specific information. Assignments, instructions and other class-based announcements are posted here. There are no grades. Most parents are probably already very familiar with Google Classroom from the last few years. Most teachers will have already sent invites out to parents, using the primary email you have listed in PowerSchool. If you haven’t yet been invited to join your child’s classrooms, just send the teachers an email.
PCMS Day Schedule
PCMS runs a 6-day, 7 period schedule. We start the year on a ‘Day 1’ and then the days move consecutively from there. Here is a link to the schedule of PCMS Days: 24.25 PCMS DAY SCHEDULE
PCMS FRONT OFFICE STAFF:
Mrs. Alicia Clancy is our front office secretary. She can be reached at alicia.clancy@pembrokek12.org
Mrs. Tracey Smith is our special education/guidance secretary. She can be reached at tracey.smith@pembrokek12.org
Community News
Pembroke Baseball & Softball Registration is open!
Deadline to register is Jan 31, 2025. Please email pybregistrar@gmail.com with any questions.
Pembroke Community Middle School
Email: donna.mcgarrigle@pembrokek12.org
Website: www.pembrokek12.org
Location: 559 School Street, Pembroke, MA, USA
Phone: 781-293-8627
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PembrokeCommunityMiddleSchool
Twitter: @PemSch_news