BJHS | October NewsLetter

October 2017

Junior High

NEWSLETTER

Ms. Beth Lindsay | Principal Brookwood Junior High School

Dreams don't work unless you do!

Working Together to Raise Student Achievement...

Dear Brookwood Junior High School Parents/Guardians: It is hard to believe that the end of the first quarter is October 20, 2017.

The time is going by quickly and we are working very hard to capture and protect the instructional time we have with students.

and will be timely in our response to your concerns.

If your child experiences difficulty in his/her learning, please contact us immediately.

Teachers do offer extra help to students

In order for students to make academic growth they must be in class learning.

School

We welcome all parent communication

attendance

is

extremely

important. Please make sure that you limit your child’s absences from school

either before school, lunchtime, and/ or after school. A school-wide tutoring program is offered to students as well.

Please encourage your child to ask for help whenever it is needed!

and help him/her arrive on time.

Research shows that high levels of academic achievement are linked to student attendance and engagement.

(708) 758-5350

Brookwood Junior High School Ms. Lindsay | Principal

200 E Glenwood-Lansing Road Glenwood,IL 60425

EVENTS...

BJHS Girls Basketball Games

Save The Date

Parents are encouraged to attend and support our team!

October 6, 2017 Early Release Day 11:30 a.m. Student Dismissal

October 2

Away @ Parker

October 3

Home vs. Memorial

October 10 Away @ James Hart October 12 Home vs. Colin Powell

All staff will receive professional development from 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to focus our efforts on improving our academic programs.

October 16, 2017 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m.

All parents are welcome to attend board meetings to better understand the

October 16 Home vs. Washington

current issues and decisions affecting our students and schools. There is a time

October 18 Away @ Columbia

at the beginning and end of each meeting for citizens’ comments.

October 23 Home vs. Crete Monee October 25 Home vs. Columbia

October 20, 2017 End of First Quarter 2:00 p.m. Student Dismissal Teachers will be entering all final quarter grades using PowerSchool.

October 27, 2017 Picture Re-Take Day Students will be given the opportunity for a picture retake by VanGogh Photographers. Any new student to our school will also be able to have his/ her picture taken.

CURRICULUM UPDATES...

New | Implementation Of Math 180 -- Math Intervention For Students Not Meeting Grade Level Academic Targets Math 180 is a research/evidence based intervention program for students in grades 6 and up. It is designed to help students in math who are two or more years behind in math -- not meeting grade level benchmarks according to the Common Core State Standards.

This program focuses on students developing a [GROWTH MINDSET]. It demonstrates for students that their efforts lead to success and increased competency in mathematics.

It helps drive the point home that through hard work they can achieve and be successful in math. It helps students shift their attitude about learning mathematics. Math 180 is a [Blended Learning] program. Students are provided with small group, differentiated instruction and personalized software instruction.

Anticipated Benefits for our Students: • Increased student competency/literacy in mathematics (ensuring student growth and closing the achievement gap) • Increased student confidence in mathematics • Successful transition to Algebra • Developing a Growth Mindset in our students (through hard work they WILL achieve!)

New | Implementation Of Second Step Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Children need social-emotional skills to thrive both in the classroom and in life. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula teach children techniques to: • Gain confidence • Set goals • Make better decisions • Collaborate with others in work and play • Navigate the world more effectively [Second Step] is a research-based, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum in which concepts and skills are taught to provide an extra dimension to education, focusing on improving cooperation, communication, and decision making. In a world where emotional intelligence is critical for lifelong happiness, successful careers, and healthier relationships, SEL gives students a framework for developing these skills.

Continued Implementation of Carnegie Math Accommodates multiple learning styles by inspiring students to learn with and from each other.

Promotes a student-centered classroom where teachers facilitate learning and coach students to master concepts and procedures with class time centered on active engagement and problem-solving.

Encourages mathematical discourse where students are prompted to explain their thoughts and processes for solving math problems.

This program promotes higher order thinking.

Students are asked to: • Look for patterns • Represent • Calculate

• Solve real-world problems • Compare and contrast • Estimate • Describe • Solve • Explain Reasoning

• Write a rule • Predict

Continued Implementation of StudySync® | Reading /ELA Curriculum [StudySync®] is a comprehensive blended English Language Arts program. This complete curriculum is designed for today’s diverse classroom environments, with powerful digital instruction and the option for full print support.

StudySync® links literacy and learning with the way today’s students experience the world. Teachers benefit from an easy-to-use, flexible platform with strong classroom management tools and online standards-based assessment.

10 Ways Teachers can Differentiate Instruction with StudySync® • Customize assignments based on whole class, small group, or individual learning objectives utilizing the Access Path within the lesson plan to bring student skills to grade level; • Assign custom writing prompts to groups based on learning level and ability; • Group peer-reviewed assignments by interest and/or learning level; • Assign different library excerpts and Blasts to different groups based on Lexile® level or learning objective; • Provide appropriate learning supports and challenges to groups within a single class; • Link assignments across classrooms and buildings to address specific learning needs; • Search texts using their Lexile® level, literacy standards, subject area, and theme; • Project video lessons with closed-captioning support; • Activate audio readings of the text to support aural learning for struggling readers and English Language Development; • Encourage students to annotate readings to highlight key concepts and unfamiliar words online or in their print companion.

Continued Implementation of [STEM] Computer Science & Coding: Bringing Computer Science to Life At a time when computer science affects how we work and live, Project Lead The Way Computer Science empowers students typically in grades 9-12 to become creators, instead of merely consumers, of the technology all around them.

At Brookwood Junior High School, our 8th graders are able to take this course! This course engages students in compelling, real-world challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn computational thinking – not just how to code – but also how to become better thinkers and communicators. Students take from the course in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.

PLTW Computer Science courses are part of the AP + PLTW Computer Science pathway in high school.

Continued Implementation of [STEM] Design and Modeling/3D Printing Students begin to recognize the value of an engineering notebook to document and capture their ideas. They are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems and understand the influence that creative and innovative design has on our lives. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their creative solutions.

Students use the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.

Continued Implementation of [STEM] Robotics Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems.

Using the VEX Robotics® platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms, and more.

Continued Implementation of Read 180/System 44 for Reading Interventions Intervention program that builds reading comprehension, academic vocabulary and writing skills for struggling students.

Response to Intervention: • • • • • • •

Student Support Interventions Ongoing/Rapid Feedback with Redo Cycles Check In/Out Technology Tools to Support Learning Individual Learning Plans Ongoing formative assessments to monitor student progress Goal Setting Meetings

• • • • • • •

Incentive Plans/Activities for Academics and Behavior Advisory Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Service Learning Safety Plans Restorative Practices Peer Mediation/Conflict Resolution

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Dear Parents: Every day you send your child out the door we understand that you are entrusting us with the most important person in your life. When your child is here at school their safety is of the utmost importance to us, so we secure our building, ensure they are with caring adults, and practice for emergency situations. During this month we are celebrating Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week begins on October 8th and ends on October 15th. All of our students will be completing a [Home Safety Plan]. We will continue to work collaboratively with local agencies to make sure we implement best practice procedures and we take time to teach these to our students. We encourage you to spend time at home to develop a plan and talk to your child about what to do in the case of an emergency.

Don’t Wait… Check

the

Date!

[As part of fire prevention week], your child has been learning about smoke alarms. Having smoke alarms in your home is very important. Smoke alarms let you know there is a fire. Working smoke alarms also give you time to get outside and stay outside if there is a fire. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Every 10 years you need new ones. When they are 10 years old, they don’t sense smoke as well. With your child, look at the date on the back of all the smoke alarms in your home. This is also a good time to push the test button on all smoke alarms, and make sure they are working.

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. It is important that you install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm. For easy planning, download NFPA's escape planning grid at http://www.nfpa.org. We are also providing a hard copy of the planning grid to every student in the school. This is a great way to get children involved in fire safety in a non-threatening way.

Thank

you for your continued support and your partnership in keeping students safe!

NOTES...

Homework For Parents Available Before School 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Extra Curricular Activities • • • • • • • • • • •

Cross Country Basketball Volleyball Track Wrestling Cheerleading Reading Club Drumline Mathletes Video Club Pinewood Derby Club

• • • • • • • • • •

Chess Team Art Club Gospel Choir Concert Band Robotics 3D Printing Club Jazz Band NJHS Student Council Cooking Club

Check your child's Planner & Grades on PowerSchool [Everyday]!

Halloween Safety Tips For Students • Make sure children go trick-or-treating with a grown-up; • Make sure children wear costumes that allow them to see and hear perfectly. Children need to be able to watch and listen for cars; • Make sure children carry a flashlight; • Make sure children wear a costume that fits. It’s easy to trip on costumes that are too big.