Clark Middle School Newsletter

April 1st, 2024

The 2023-2024 school year is quickly moving into our final two months. It is amazing to see how much growth the students make during the school year. I am looking forward to the excitement that is always a part of the last months of the school year. We will all continue to support our students prepare to transition forward. It is a pleasure to be a part of your students’ development.

We are now entering the time of year where the weather gets nice, and students have a tougher time than usual staying focused on their academic responsibilities. Please continue to stress to your child the importance of taking responsibility for their academic achievement. The staff at Clark Middle School will continue to work hard to provide your student with challenging and enjoyable learning experiences through the final days of the school year.

I want to encourage you to be involved with your student and our school. With the students, families, and school staff working together at Clark Middle School, we will continue to be a positive and caring learning community.

Thank you,

Bennetta Orchitt

Clark Middle School

Principal

Reminder: School Start Times For 2024-25

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Anchorage School Based Health Centers

April is not too early to make a plan to get ready for fall 2024. In addition to school registration, make sure your student has a current physical for fall sports. 8th graders

If you want your student to get a physical at the Clark School Clinic, please use the link below.

https://forms.gle/DUMfETYDpArMaV23A

Parents: If you would like to be involved in the oversight of the school clinic, please reach out to Heather Ireland, ASBHC Executive Director: hireland@aksbhc.org

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QR Code

You may also scan the link or QR Code above if you want your student to get a physical.

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Team Valor

Hello Team Valor Parents/guardians!

We hope you have had a great start to April so far. Your student has a lot to look forward to this month. In Science, students will be learning about currents. In Social Studies, students will be studying Asia. In Writing, students will be creating their own poems. In Language Arts, students will be working on a choice board project for Tangerine.

Some dates to remember:

NO SCHOOL ON APRIL 19th

7th grade Science:

Breena Apgar-Kurtz apgar-kurtz_breena@asdk12.org

The students wrapped up their unit on sound. We explored how beluga use underwater sound in Cook Inlet and how anthropogenic sound is impacting humpback whales in Glacier Bay. Belugas are an important food source in many places in Alaska and students were excited to learn more about them.

We have started a new unit on computer programming robots. Students will learn block programming. They will compete with each other in a boat race. May the best programmer win!"

Should you have any questions, you can reach Team Valor at:

schlicht_amanda@asdk12.org - Language Arts

smith_carol01@asdk12.org - Writing

holmes_david@asdk12.org - Social Studies

apgar-kurtz_breena@asdk12.org - Science

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TEAM Tenacious

Powerful Pride

Getting from here to There, together by Discovering Who We Are

Exciting News for November 2023, Issue # 3

“Tenacity is more than twice the weight of intelligence.”

Springboard, Language Arts 6: Ms. M. Smith: Our class will continue learning the most captivating and exciting lessons in Unit 3 theme of Springboard, " Changing Perspectives." From thought-provoking articles to insightful interviews, the students will aim to explore the transformative power of shifting viewpoints in several ways whether it is gaining a fresh outlook on familiar topics, embracing diversity of thoughts, or navigating personal growth through changing perspectives on current issues.

SCIENCE: Ms. Olsen: For April, Science classes will be completing our unit on utilizing wind for energy, then continuing into the impact of human use of energy. We will be learning about how the use of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable energy sources impacts our ecosystems. In addition, pollution of all kinds and how to reduce it to protect and preserve natural resources will also be a theme this month.

Springboard Language Workshop/Language Arts 6: Ms. Ridgley: In this final unit, students become immersed in the study of two more narrative genres—poetry and plays. By reading, researching, writing, and performing poems and plays, students strengthen their analysis, research, and writing skills and build confidence to speak in front of their peers. Their year-long study of the concept of change leaves them ready for their own change of scene as they transition to a new grade.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Mr. Moran: 6th Grade Social Studies is covering our Quarter 4 unit titled "20th Century Conflicts" and is focusing on Understanding the impacts of conflicts within a global, local, and personal perspective. Analyzing the impacts on communities and people. A focus on WWI, WWII, Cold War, and Terrorism.

ELL Math/SCIENCE: Ms. Mohammad Ms. Afshan Mohammad's i-Ready Math 6 classes will emphasize real-world checks and balances. Using fractions to understand proportion and ratio will accomplish this. A ratio is the equivalence of two ratios; however, a fraction is a ratio when expressed as a:b. Both integers a and b apply. To understand math and science ideas, we must first understand ratio and proportion.

Ratio and proportion are important in financial transactions, recipe creation, and other areas of life. Students may struggle with ratio and proportion. This article explains these two topics with images and considerations for pupils. This section defines ratio and proportion precisely. Both principles are crucial to mathematics. Several real-world examples of ratio include a substance's velocity (measured in distance/time) or cost (measured in dollars/meter), among others. The proportion equation states that two ratios are equal. A 100-km/h train lasts five hours and a 500-km/h one. Thus, 100 km (about 62.14 mi)/h travels 500 km (about 310.69 mi) in five hours. This section explains ratio and proportion. Both concepts are important in mathematics. In fact, ratio is often stressed, such as in speed (distance/time) or price (Dollars/meter). Proportion is an equation that equates ratios. For 5 hours, a train that travels 100km (about 62.14 mi) per hour covers 500km. For instance, 100km (about 62.14 mi)/hr. is 500km/5hrs.

NCC/ELL 6-8 Integrated science will study Solar Energy models and other renewable energy sources. We will examine solar energy's history and impressive applications.

Early usage included solar-powered satellites. One-kilowatt arrays powered NASA's first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory in 1966.

The University of Delaware built "Solar One," the first solar structure, in 1973. Heating and solar PV powered the device. Solar panels were installed on the array like current roofs.

The 1981 English Channel crossing by Paul Macready of Solar Challenger from France to the UK. The remote-controlled solar plane "Pathfinder" reached 80,000 feet (about 24.38 km) in 1998, a record. In 2001, a NASA non-rocket plane broke the mark at 96,000 feet (about 29.26 km). Piccard piloted Solar Impulse 2, the largest and strongest solar plane. It was 2016.

Math: Ms. Cleopas This April, students, we will discuss expressions and equations. We will unravel the secrets of algebraic language, mastering the art of translating real-world problems into mathematical expressions. Delve into the intricate world of equations, where variables dance with constants in elegant balance, and uncover the power of manipulating these symbols to unlock solutions.

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Clark students Windmill State Challenge 2024 Project Virtual Presentations

The following images depict the virtual presentations of students in Ms. Mohammad's NCC/ELL 6–8 Integrated Science Class. The judges of the Windmills State Challenge 2024 were the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of this program.

The students derived pleasure from engaging in this project and are enthusiastic about using solar energy in their upcoming project.

What a wonderful experience for our students to Grow and Glow!

We are proud of our Clark Scholars!

Middle School Wind (Virtual)

1st Place: Clark MS Team 6.0 (Clark Middle School, Anchorage)

2nd Place: Clark MS Team 6.1 (Clark Middle School, Anchorage)

3rd Place: Clark MS Team 5 (Clark Middle School, Anchorage)

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Special Educational Department

Protect your middle schooler from the downsides of social media

The average middle schooler spends an alarming nine hours daily engaging with social media. And not everyone your child interacts with online is a real friend. Who has 639 friends in real life anyway? The US Surgeon General recently issued a warning about the effects of social media use on youth mental health. Since the frontal cortex of the brain (which is in charge of managing distractions and planning ahead) is not well-developed in adolescents, they are vulnerable to the damaging effects of social media, such as sleep loss, distraction, and depression.

To protect your middle schooler:

• Talk about privacy. Remind your child not to share personal information online with strangers. Also talk about how nothing posted on social media is private.

• Set limits. Don’t allow devices at mealtime or during family time. Keep devices out of your child’s bedroom overnight.

• Talk about what is appropriate to post and what’s not. If your child wouldn’t want the whole world to see it, it’s probably not OK.

• Stay connected. Follow your child’s social media accounts and make it clear you will look at them.

• Tell your child to come to you about any content that seems upsetting or concerning.

• Create a family account. This lets your middle schooler stay in touch with friends but in a safer space.

Source: E. Abi-Jaoude and others, “Smartphones, social media use, and youth mental health,” CMAJ, Canadian Medical Association.

Ashshanta Swisher, Special Education Resources

swisher_ashshanta@asdk12.org

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TEAM RESILIENCE

Team Resilience:

It is April and Team Resilience is very excited to prepare for freshman year of high school. These last few weeks are focused on preparing students for their high school experience. Encouraging independence and responsibility within students will be a focus throughout all classes and throughout advisories to aid in preparing students to be successful as they transition into the next saga of their education. Team Resilience will be heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on April 17th and 18th. Please remember to submit your child’s permission slip and $10 for the AWCC trip no later than Friday, April 5th, 2024.

4th quarter studies will include scientific and fundamental concepts on genetics and the diversity of life in Science 8. In Social Studies, students will be transitioning into an intensive study of Colonization, Revolution, and the creation of the United States of America. The focus of this look-back in history will be to have students look forward to the next stage of human colonization in space.English Language Arts students will be completing Module 2 for the end of March and moving into Holocaust studies in Module 3 by examining Night, by Elie Wisel. Writing will be moving into writing their own poetry.

Writing Department:

The Writing Department is looking forward to working on our poetry unit in April. Look forward to more information coming home with your students about the Poetry Speak competition, which will take place April 26. Students will learn more about the competition in their classes and will begin working on selecting poems and creating their own poems to share with their peers.

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TEAM PIZZAZZ

Greetings, Team Pizzazz Parent/Guardian!

We hope you had a great Spring Break and enjoyed some sunshine. As we approach the midterm of Quarter 4, please be sure to check-in with your student regarding grades and assignments that may need to be made-up/missing. This quarter, your student will be participating in an in-class debate (invitations to watch the debate to follow), researching historical context for the 20th century, participating in energy labs, and engaging with poetry selections and crafting personal writings. Please be on the lookout for upcoming emails regarding field trips for April and May, and as always, do not hesitate to reach out!

Best,

Team Pizzazz

Ms. Cash (Language Arts) --> cash_ellie@asdk12.org

Ms. Pfisterer (Science) --> pfisterer_abigail@asdk12.org

Mr. Manlangit (Writing) --> manlangit_cesar@asdk12.org

Ms. Nault (Social Studies) --> nault_tanya@asdk12.org

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TEAM FEARLESS

Writing:Colleen Martinson martinson_colleen@asdk12.org

In writing students will be working on composing original pieces of poetry and learning to recite published pieces in order to prepare for Clark's Poetry Speak night.

Social Studies: Natalie Moten moten_natalie@asdk12.org

In Social Studies students will be completing the great race across Europe. Our next unit will explore Asia.

Science: Alexis Griffee griffee_alexis@asdk12.org

In Science students will be preparing projects for the upcoming STEM night on April 25th.

Language Arts: William Gordon gordon_william@asdk12.org

In Language Arts students will be studying monologues and public speaking. We will be doing this by studying famous orators and writers, like Nelson Mandela and Shakespeare.

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TEAM PERSEVERANCE

Team Perserverance: Ms. Parchman- ELA News

Hello,

Our students are finishing this quarter strong and have made significant progress in their MAP scores and STAARS Assessments for reading. We feel confident that we will be ready for high school English. Students went on visits to Bartlett to help them prepare for high school readiness and we had visits from the East high counselors to pick electives and other courses to prepare them for this important transition to high school.

We continue to concentrate on all the important strategies and skills to help them make this transition to high school English classes. It is a pleasure to help your student make this transition to the upper grades and we are so happy to have your support. It is a pleasure to help with this and we are very thankful for this opportunity.

Kindest Regards,

Tina Parchman- M.A.T.

ELA Teacher

parchman_tina@asdk12.org

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[AKSD] ALASKA STATE SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

Our students wrapped up March with a bang and had a blast at the BizTown event hosted by Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). We also ended with our Jr. NAD Pizza Night with a large turn out!

April will be bringing several big events for our students! We have our Annual AKSD Retreat with Melissa Elmira visiting as our Artist in Residence. We have more projects and hands on activities coming towards our students that will take their learning into their own hands! More information to come for parents.

AKSDHH gear is still available to order! We have hoodies, vests, t-shirts, hats and more! If you would like to order anything or see the inventory list, please contact Clara Baldwin (Assistant Director of AKSDHH) via email at baldwin_clara@asdk12.org.

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MATH DEPARTMENT...

6th grade math:

will be learning how to create, write, and solve equations with variables.

7th Grade Math:

Mr. Weaver's class is working with probability and percent and Mr. Johnson's class is working on solving equations.

8th Grade Math:

In April, we will be doing square roots, cubed roots, and the Pythagorean theorem!

Algebra 1:

We will be doing quadratic equations the entire quarter. Unit 6 should be finished in April, and we will begin Unit 7.

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National Junior Honor Society

The CMS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society has accepted applications for new membership. Recognition of these students will be honored at the Induction ceremony in the third week during Advisory.

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school student. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in five areas of evaluation: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Students are selected for membership based on the contents of their completed application, which highlights their strengths in these areas. Current 6th and 7th-grade students are eligible for membership. For the scholarship criterion of the CMS Chapter, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Each spring, those students who meet this criterion were invited to complete an application packet.

For additional information, please email Mrs. Swisher @ swisher_ashshant@asdk12.org