NYSMSA Region 3 Update-Summer 2018

Region 3 Co-directors: Lisa Meade and Patti Siano

CELEBRATE NYSMSA REGION 3!!!

We are excited to showcase and celebrate the exciting events, programs and aspects of middle schools in our region! All of these special events highlighted correspond to 1 or MORE of the Essential Elements of a Middle School!

If you have a news story to share, please contact the regional directors so that we may share in our next publication!

Patti and Lisa

Essential Elements Schools to Watch Update!

Congratulations to 4 middle schools in our region who earned re-designation as Essential Elements Schools to Watch: Glens Falls Middle School, Oliver Winch Middle School (South Glens Falls district), Ballston Spa and Indian Lake Central School!

Are you interested in learning more about the EESTW program, including being trained as a reviewer? Check out the website for more information:

http://eestw.org/

Publicizing Schools to Watch designation is important! A big shout out to Ballston Spa Middle School for not only publishing a great article on their website, but also links to multiple area print publications. Many families research schools before buying a home. Let's get this important information like STW designations out there! Click on the link below to the BSPA web page as a model:

https://goo.gl/eLQtJs

Glens Falls Middle School Attends the National Schools to Watch Forum in DC!

A big shout out to GFMS for sending a delegation to Washington DC to accept their re-designation award at the national forum.

Click on the link below to read more about their visit:

http://www.gfsd.org/News/2018-19/071018NationalMSforum.cfm

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Corinth Middle School BREAKS OUT!

Have you heard how Breakout Edu is changing education? Breakout/Escape rooms promote all of the 21st century skills while engaging participants is hands-on learning!

Click on the link to learn more about the concept:

https://www.breakoutedu.com/getstarted

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Corinth Shared-Decision Making Team Sponsors a Bicentennial BREAKOUT!

The CMS SDM team sponsored a Breakout/Escape Room Evening event for families with a bicentennial theme as part of the community's year-long bicentennial celebration. A big shout out to the CMS Math Club students and adviser, Mrs. Tina Peck, for their hard work for this event. It was a full cafeteria of students and community members collaborating and learning more about the rich history of Corinth! Reach out to Principal Eric Schenone if you want to learn more!

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CMS Grade 8 Team Interdisciplinary Breakout Activity!

How do you keep middle school students engaged in meaningful learning in June? The Corinth grade 8 team facilitated an interdisciplinary breakout activity that was a smashing success! Learn more about Escape Rooms/Breakout Edu for the upcoming school year!

Queensbury Middle School New Programs for 2018-19

Click on the link below to hear QMS Middle School Principal, Michael Branigan, and Asst. Supt, Kyle Gannon, discuss the exciting new additions to their middle school educational program to better prepare students for high school. Bravo, QMS!

https://www.queensburyschool.org/Domain/9

Hudson Falls STEAMWORKS Summer Enrichment Program Engaging Students!

Check out the Hudson Falls website to learn more about their cutting edge summer enrichment program for students in grades 2-8:

"Hudson Falls summer enrichment program is designed to allow students entering grades two through eight non-credit Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math related experiences. The program is not meant to take the place of regular school curriculum, but rather encourage students to explore additional specialized areas that are of interest to your child. Courses are designed to engage and offer motivated students hands-on activities that are both challenging and experiential."

http://www.hfcsd.org/district.cfm?subpage=8165&adminActivate=1

Indian Lake Celebrates their 3rd Designation as a School to Watch

Kudos to ILCS!!

As seen on their Facebook page:

"Indian Lake Central School was redesignated an Essential Elements "Schools to Watch" recently in a presentation from David Payton and Brian Sherman at the Middle and High School Awards ceremony.

Schools to Watch is a national recognition of exemplary middle school programs. Teachers, students, community members and administration participate in the application process and site review that takes over a year to complete.

This is the third recognition for ILCS. The award, given on a three year cycle, recognizes academic excellence, developmental appropriateness and social equity."

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Lake Placid MS Publishes Memory Book

A big shout out to LPMS for publishing a "Middle School Memory Book" that highlights special events and activities throughout the year. What a unique idea to promote middle school identity, especially for 7-12 or K-12 districts!

Contact Principal Theresa Lindsay for more information on this great idea!

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Warrensburg Grade 6 Students Help 1st Graders!

Bravo to WCS for partnering grade 6 students with grade 1 students!

Read more from the district Facebook page:

"Congratulations to the 6th Grade Peer Leaders who were recognized at last night's Board of Education meeting for all of the outstanding work they did this year. These students worked closely with the 1st grade helping them with their school work, but more importantly, became the friend who they could look up to and count on. They helped with Food Friday and collecting nonperishable food items for the local food pantry. Mrs. Cooper nominated them for the recognition and said they were an amazing group to work with!"

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Shenendehowa MS Students Create Final Exam

Bravo to the students who created their own final exam in music! Click on the Shen webpage link to learn more about this creative assessment demonstrating learning:

https://goo.gl/jBHiAT

Broadalbin-Perth Middle School College and Career Fair is a Success!

A big shout out to the BPMS for holding a unique college and career fair! From their web page:

"It’s not often that a Harley Davidson motorcycle, spin art, robots, and the county’s district attorney are all in the same room. But thanks to the Broadalbin-Perth Middle School’s annual college and career fair, students had the choice to learn more about organizations and industries represented by more than 40 professionals. In addition to the SUNY network and HFM BOCES, students mingled with representatives of Harley Davidson, the Paul Nigra Arts Center, a variety of local banks, law enforcement, emergency management and more."

Click on their website to learn more:

https://www.bpcsd.org/career-fair/

Annual NYS Middle School Conference is Scheduled!

Remember to mark your calendars and make your plans for the annual conference in October! This year's conference will be held in Verona, NY!

We are also looking for conference presenters! Do you have information to share? Do you have middle school colleagues with a great idea, program or concept to share?

Please consider presenting to our middle school colleagues!

More information on the conference can be found on our NYSMSA website:

https://www.nysmsa.org/copy-of-join-nysmsa